Island Science

Lady Slippers
Island Science

New in Nature

• by Dr. Sarah Oktay, Director, University of Massachusetts Nantucket Field Station • Spring has sprung and summer is almost upon us. Everywhere you look on island flowers are blooming, turtles are crossing the road, and insects are waking up to enjoy the warm sunny days. Several notable natural occurrences, […]

American Oystercatcher
Island Science

American Oystercatchers: Fine feathered friends Part 1

• by Dr. Sarah Oktay, Director, University of Massachusetts Nantucket Field Station • Living at the UMass Boston Nantucket Field Station gives me the opportunity to observe the wonderful diversity of bird life that defines Nantucket. Spring signals the return of piping plovers, oystercatchers and osprey along with the wading […]

Nantucket Vernal Pools
Island Science

Magical Kingdom of Vernal Ponds

• by Dr. Sarah Oktay, Director, University of Massachusetts Nantucket Field Station • Spring is vernal pond season. All over the island, creatures who have adapted to the unusual conditions that are inherent in a vernal pond are hatching and going through a variety of stages as they progress to […]

Island Science

Students Study Island Bees

• by Dr. Sarah D. Oktay • Managing Director UMass Boston Nantucket Field Station Bees are in the news and on the minds of people all over America as we evaluate how we fertilize and protect our crops and gardens and ensure food ends up on our tables. Both the […]