A white-tailed buck with antlers is seen through colorful autumn leaves.

Look Beyond the Leaves

A patient look beyond the leaves reveals truly magical moments of Maine's wildlife in autumn.

Purple blooming flowers as far as the eye can see across a grassland.

One Million Purple Plants

Late summer pours a tide of purple flowers across the sandplain grassland of Kennebunk Plains Wildlife Management Area.

spotted salamander

Maine Amphibian & Reptile Atlas Project Final Year

Accurate mapping of reptiles and amphibians is a challenge, but community scientists can make important contributions through the Maine Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project (MARAP).

moose

So, You Want to Be a Wildlife Biologist?

While the reward for this career is high for those who love it, not all can hack the demands of the job.

marten tracks

Tips for Tracks

Winter is the best time to learn to identify and interpret wildlife sign. Here are some tips to get started.

red fox hunting in snow

Strategies for the Snowy Season

As the days get shorter, temperatures drop, and snow begins to fall, how do you plan to spend the winter? Just like people, wildlife uses several winter survival strategies.

crew member using a drip torch

Fired Up about Conservation

The first Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) to be held in the Northeast brought collaboration, mentorship, outreach, and fire to the sandplain grassland of Kennebunk Plains Wildlife Management Area. Prescribed burns are tactically designed with two main objectives: restore ecosystem function and decrease uncontrollable wildfire risk.

Vacant great blue heron nest.

Assessing Heron Nesting Activity in Fall: No Herons? No Problem!

We visited the island where our GPS-tagged great blue heron, Mariner, nested this past summer. Even without any herons still using the nests, we used other clues to determine which nests were active.

Maine wildlife that would benefit from RAWA

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA)

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is an opportunity to protect and enhance fish and wildlife in Maine and the United States for future generations.

piping plover family portrait on beach

Maine has Another Productive Plover Year

Only a short 40 years ago, the piping plover population had a grim outlook with a mere seven pairs recorded in the entire state of Maine. These beach habitat specialists are nearly always found in open sandy areas near water. Consequently, these are the same areas that have been heavily developed and used by beachgoers over the years, leading to the sharp decline of the state’s population.