Information from Other Resources

Wildlife

This list provides links to a range of sites, all or most of which are owned by organizations other than the University of Massachusetts Extension, owner of the site you are now reading. These links have been selected with the intention of providing high-quality, non-biased information suitable for the general public. However, UMass Extension offers and suggests no guarantees as to the accuracy or usefulness of the information provided by other organizations and websites.

Massachusetts state agencies

Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
Environmental initiatives; offices within Environmental Affairs; and departments within the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, including the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Environmental Management (with information on State Forests and Parks), and the Department of Food and Agriculture.

Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game
Website of the Massachusetts state agency responsible for the management and conservation of the state's fisheries and wildlife, including rare and endangered species.

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

MassWildlife
Living with wildlife information series; lists of wildlife and plants in Massachusetts; sick or injured wildlife? wildlife problems in your backyard?; hunting and fishing information, with annual schedule of hunting and fishing seasons and licensing information, including buying a license on-line.

Recreational Fishing Regulations

Environmental Laws Affecting Agriculture
Laws and regulations affecting water quality, groundwater, air quality, solid waste and hazardous waste, pesticides and chemigation, protection of wildlife, enforcement of state environmental laws, and other Massachusetts statutes including those on open burning, noise nuisance, and the drought program.

Other resources

Critter Crossings: Linking Habitats and Reducing Roadkill
Of interest to anyone interested in protecting wildlife and their habitats. You can read about successful low- or no-cost strategies being used to counteract roadkill and habitat loss and fragmentation.

Field Notes
Naturalist Laurie Sanders hosts a series of radio segments exploring natural areas, special plants and animals, and natural happenings in the Connecticut River watershed.

Fish, Wildlife, and Biodiversity Publications
Links to on-line publications and information on ordering other publications covering a wide variety of natural resource and environmental conservation topics.

National Biological Information Infrastructure: Massachusetts Resources
Links to federal resources; state/county/city resources; educational institution resources; and non-governmental resources.

Natureworks: Massachusetts Resources
Links to: national parks in Massachusetts; national wildlife refuges; nature centers and reserves; state parks; aquariums; botanical gardens; zoos; museums; agencies and organizations; and other resources including the Interactive Guide to Massachusetts Snakes.

Pet Columns, Continuing Education-Public Service/Extension, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois
The Pet Columns site provides authoritative general information for animal owners. The Wildlife section also has information on West Nile Disease, rabies, and llamas.

Terrestrial Mammals of Massachusetts
A table compiled by Westfield State College professor D.A. Hoagland, detailing the common name, species name, status, and distribution of Massachusetts mammals.

Help! My neighbors are WILD! Co-existing with wildlife

Beavers in Massachusetts
This article is excerpted from Beavers in Massachusetts by Scott Jackson and Thomas Decker, University of Massachusetts Extension, and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. It contains information on beaver description, distribution, food, life cycle, and dam and lodge building. Color photographs and illustrations. The complete book can be accessed at http://www.umass.edu/nrec/pdf_files/beavers.pdf.

Nuisance Canada Geese: How to Deal With the Problem

Living With Wildlife
Squirrels in your attic? Raccoons in your chimney? The Massachusetts Living With Wildlife program, a project of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, can help you resolve your human-wildlife conflicts in a humane, long-term, and cost-effective manner.

Problem Animal Control - Do You Have a Wildlife Problem?
Information and methods which can help prevent or curb problems with wildlife. You may be able to solve your own situation. There are lists of Problem Animal Control (PAC) contacts, listed by state district.

Snakes of Massachusetts
You can use this guide in several ways. If you are trying to identify a snake you have seen (or are seeing), go through the series of questions to identify the snake. If you know the name of the snake you want to find information on, click on the name of the snake. A printed copy of this booklet can be ordered from the UMass Extension Bookstore.

West Nile Virus
"It's no longer exotic. It's part of our lifestyle now." (Dr. Robert McLean, Director of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center) Latest news; human health and the WNV; wildlife and the WNV; state and regional information; and frequently asked questions.

When Coyotes Become a Nuisance
This fact sheet examines the difficult task of protecting sheep from coyotes. Recommendations are based on research on guard dogs done at Hampshire College's New England Farm Center, in Amherst, Massachusetts, and on the experiences of Nova Scotia sheep producers.

Wildlife In the Suburbs

Wildlife Likes the Suburbs, Too
South Coast (Mass.) experiences with wildlife - fox, coyote, woodchuck, skunk, and raccoon. While some wildlife is disappearing with development, some thrive in suburbia. Information on problem animal control for the Division of Fish and Wildlife and town animal control officers.

Invasive species

invasivespecies.gov
The invasivespecies.gov web site is the gateway to federal efforts concerning invasive species, including West Nile Virus. You can learn about the impacts of invasive species and the federal government's response, as well as read select species profiles and find links to agencies and organizations dealing with invasive species issues. Invasivespecies.gov is also the website for the National Invasive Species Council, which coordinates federal responses to the problem.

Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
The sale, trade, purchase, distribution and related activities for these plants are prohibited.

Beneficial Organisms

Beneficial Insect and Spiders
University of Maine Cooperative Extension site with photographs and explanations for homeowner integrated pest management.

Beneficial Insects
Virginia Cooperative Extension site with photographs and explanations.

Beneficial Insects
University of Idaho site that highlights insects that parasitize or prey on insects that feed on garden or ornamental plants.

Beneficial Organisms
University of Florida site showing parasites, predators, and pathogens of insects.

Birds

Bird Checklists of the United States
Information on the birds of Massachusetts and links to all the National Wildlife Refuge areas in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Audubon Society
Massachusetts Audubon Society is the largest conservation organization in New England, concentrating its efforts on protecting the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Site gives information about and directions to their sanctuaries.

Eagles Online
Watch the eagles hatch their new eggs!

The Virtual Birder
The Virtual Birder has Massachusetts rare bird alerts; links to Massachusetts bird clubs and on-line Massachusetts birding-related resources; and information on publications useful for Massachusetts birders.

Butterflies

Butterflies and Moths of North America
U.S. Geological Survey information on Massachusetts butterflies with color photographs and textual species accounts.

Cultivate a Butterfly Garden
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension site suggests suitable plants and which caterpillars can become garden-damaging pests.

Fish

Fishing Information
All of your freshwater fishing information needs can be met by exploring this section of the official website of the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game.

Coastal topics

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
This site has information on many aspects of Cape Cod natural history, including nature news and information on museum exhibits.

International

Canadian Wildlife Federation
Since 1962, CWF has advocated the protection of Canada's wild species and spaces. The federation is Canada's largest non-profit, non-governmental conservation organization. Website offers many sections, including: issues and action; how your everyday actions can help or harm the oceans; opportunities for young people to learn more about wildlife and natural resources; welcoming wildlife into your community - plus how to plan your garden to meet both your needs and those of wild things! Site text is available in French and English.

Hinterland Who’s Who
Sponsored by the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Federation, this site is a fascinating and reliable source of information on North American wildlife. In-depth descriptions of wildlife, discussions of issues, actions you can take to help wildlife, and educational materials for teachers and group leaders.