Here in New England
Preserving Living Treasures in Our Backyard with Grassroots Wildlife Conservation
In our increasingly crowded and busy world, many of the wondrous living treasures that grace our Earth—from rhinos and polar bears to tropical orchids—are at risk of disappearing. Equally threatened are many of the beautiful and little known animals and plants that live in your state, your town, or perhaps your own backyard.
Our mission is to work with you to help preserve some of our rare and declining species while teaching you about the diversity and wonder of the natural world around you. Come outside with us, roll up your sleeves, and help make sure that generations to come will, like you, delight in hands-on experiences with our rarer wild neighbors.
Projects & Resources
Boston Area City Nature Challenge
Join us for the 2021 Boston City Nature Challenge, an international effort to find and document plants and wildlife in cities across the globe!
Turtle Conservation
From conservation land, to the laboratory, to your own backyard—we’re working to save rare and threatened turtle species right here in New England.
Franklin Park Biodiversity Project
We're monitoring native and invasive species to develop a better understanding of how they can coexist in an urban landscape and prevent further population declines. Community collaboration is encouraged!
Amphibian Conservation
Locally, ZNE is working to restore populations of marbled salamanders and Eastern spadefoot toads. Globally, we're fighting amphibian extinction throughout Panama.

By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
New England Blazing Star and Native Pollinators
Native pollinator species are on the decline due to habitat loss. We're helping to bring back rare wildflowers on conservation land around Middlesex county.
Bridle Shiners
We've learned to care for this fish in captivity and worked with conservationists who have succeeded in breeding bridle shiners in captivity.
Protecting Habitats with the Motus Wildlife Tracking System
We've collaborated with the Massachusetts Audubon Society to track and ultimately save wildlife using the Motus Wildlife Tracking System.