The Nature of Groton

Groton, Massachusetts boasts extraordinary biodiversity as a result both of the ecology of the region and the significant efforts to protect open spaces by different groups over many decades. Much of the town lies within a mapped Area of Critical Environmental Concern and habitats of many rare plants and animals appear on the Commonwealth's Biomap Project. We know hope to supplement this information using Citizen Science, collecting data from those many who hike, bike and otherwise enjoy these open spaces. We urge these people to submit their observations on this site, and these will be collated and organized for use by those working to protect and manage our natural resources.

Our landscape is changing as temperatures warm and seasonal rainfall patterns shift. Some species will adapt to this new environment, others will disappear, and some will persist if we help. Knowing when plants flower, salamanders migrate to their vernal pools, insects emerge from hibernation, and so many other events will help managers to mitigate some of the effects of climate change. Documenting particularly rich areas will help the various organizations determine which spaces are most important to conserve and how best to manage those areas that are already protected. Large amounts of data will allow for the most efficient use of limited resources.

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