We still have a few days of school vacation left, and the weather looks pretty favorable for an outdoor adventure. Check out a few ways you can get outside and enjoy some fresh air on Nantucket before the year’s end.

We are approaching the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and the earliest sunset of the year. Although people tend to think of the solstice as a day, the actual event is just a fleeting moment when the Earth is tilted as far away from the Sun on its axis as possible. In the Northern Hemisphere, this will happen on Thursday, December 21^st, 2023 at 10:27 pm, and will mark the start of Winter in the astronomical calendar. The good news is that after the solstice, days start getting longer again and sunsets will occur later.

As Nantucket Island prepares for its 69th annual Christmas Bird Count on December 31st, 2023, the call goes out to all bird and nature lovers—your help is needed! This event is a unique and festive way to celebrate Nantucket's spirit of giving and community. From its modest beginnings with three volunteers, this cherished tradition has flourished into a community-driven event with over 50 participants. Now, as we celebrate nearly seven decades of counting birds, we invite you to join the ranks and contribute to the success of this remarkable citizen science initiative.

It’s time to bring in the patio furniture, winterize faucets and dig out winter clothes from the back of the closet. As we ready ourselves and our homes for winter, nature is preparing for colder days too.

We know Nantucket is special for many reasons, among them the rich natural resources found here. The island is home to several rare species of birds, plants, and insects, and has large patches of habitat permanently protected. There are a number of organizations that serve as stewards of Nantucket’s natural resources, each with its own unique mission. The Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative is where all these groups come together in collaboration to accomplish more for our environment than any organization could alone.

As the leaves turn gold and the crisp autumn breeze sweeps across Nantucket Island, nature's eight-legged architects take center stage. Yes, we're talking about the often misunderstood and unfairly maligned creatures: spiders. Fall on Nantucket isn't just about pumpkin spice lattes and cozy sweaters; it's also spider season. Get ready for an arachnid adventure like no other! We're exploring the world of spiders found on Nantucket, including orb-weavers, funnel-weavers, wolves, and crabs.

Although the chill in the air is a trade-off, Nantucket’s most celebrated season is finally here! Yesterday, marked the beginning of recreational scallop season, a time-honored tradition loved by residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

The secret is out: September is the best month to be on Nantucket. Most people will tell you this is the sweet spot of nice weather without hectic crowds- for the most part, anyway. Later this week is the first official day of fall. Time to break out maple, pumpkin and apple everything! At LLNF, we’re stoked for the astounding color that comes this time of year. New England has long been famous for stunning fall color, but Nantucket is often overlooked in this department. Fear not, we won’t miss out on the fun! Our landscapes will be changing dramatically in the coming weeks- here’s what to look for.