The Agency

MassWildlife was founded as a state fisheries commission in 1866 in response to citizen concerns about the loss of Atlantic salmon to dams and pollution. The continuing development of the agency from that time until the present reflects the will of the citizens of Massachusetts to protect and restore our natural resources.

The conservation - including protection, restoration, and management - of Massachusetts' fauna and flora is the statutory responsibility of MassWildlife.  Specifically, MassWildlife's charge is the stewardship of all wild amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and freshwater and diadromous fishes in the state, as well as endangered, threatened, and special concern species, including native wild plants and invertebrates.  This responsibility is established and articulated in the Constitution and General Laws of Massachusetts. 

As the base of scientific knowledge regarding the interdependence of all environmental factors has grown, coupled with progressive, pragmatic leadership, MassWildlife's mission has evolved to include all aspects of the environment.  MassWildlife is committed to an evolving stewardship philosophy and to continued leadership in conservation and management of the environment.

Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (Wildlife Action Plan) -- This document, recently approved by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, lays out the current needs for wildlife, habitat and biodiversity in Massachusetts. This plan also provides strategies for action that will help protect the wild places that both people and wildlife depend on.

FY 2005 Annual Report --The report may take some time to load (2 MB).

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Programs

• Land Protection
  MassWildlife holds and manages an extraordinarily diverse system of wildlife management areas and sanctuaries designed to forever ensure the survival, health and viability of all our native wildlife communities. With 6 million people on 5 million acres, space for wildlife and people is at a premium. Wild things are sustained by wild places. We cannot retain our rich variety of wildlife if we do not preserve places for them to live.  
  
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• Wildlife Monitoring & Restoration
  MassWildlife monitors, and restores fish and wildlife species in the Commonwealth. Success stories include the wild turkey, American shad, and bald eagle. Ongoing restoration projects are directed at species as diverse as the redbelly turtle, American burying beetle, peregrine falcon and piping plover. MassWildlife also monitors wildlife species to protect significant ecological areas.
  
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• Providing Recreational Opportunities
  MassWildlife provides a host of recreational opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts of every kind. Birders, naturalists, hikers and other outdoors people pursue their interests on the wide variety of wildlife lands and waters managed by MassWildlife. Healthy and abundant wildlife populations provide Bay State sportsmen and women with a variety of fishing and hunting opportunities.
  
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• Regulating Wildlife Possession & Use
  MassWildlife regulates the taking and possession of all fish and wildlife for the benefit of both people and wildlife. MassWildlife is also the permiting authority for collecting, maintaining or propagating fish and wildlife species, and regulating the possession of exotic wild animals. Environmental Police Officers from MassWildlife's sister agency, the Division of Law Enforcement, protect Massachusetts' wildlife by ensuring that fish and wildlife regulations and other environmental laws are obeyed.

• Supporting Wildlife Research & Management
  Wildlife research assists biologists in determining how to best manage wildlife populations and their habitats. There are research grants for the study of rare species and habitats available from MassWildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Programs. MassWildlife has a history of research partnerships with universities and other institutions which have resulted in important work on both individual wildlife species as well as rare and unique habitats, allowing us to evaluate and implement beneficial planting, cutting and burning practices on MassWildlife and other conservation lands. Our biologists and ecologists also review the potential impacts of development on fisheries, aquatic systems and rare species habitats to prevent or minimize damage to these irreplaceable resources. 

• Spreading the Wildlife Message
  To promote the wise use and enjoyment of the state's wildlife resources, MassWildlife offers information and education services to teachers, sportsmen, youth group leaders, school children, town board members, conservation and civic organizations, the news media and many other people interested in wildlife. Publications such as Massachusetts Wildlife magazine and other documents are also available to wildlife enthusiasts.
  
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Funding

The agency's activities are mainly supported by revenue from the sale of hunting, trapping and fishing licenses, stamps and permits; returns from federal taxes on hunting and fishing equipment; various bond initiatives (primarily for land purchase). Additional funding is derived from voluntary donations from businesses, conservation organizations and people like you who contributed to the Wildlands Fund and the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund (often through a "check-off" on the state tax forms). 

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Oversight

MassWildlife is overseen by a seven-member Fisheries and Wildlife Board appointed by the Governor.  Under Chapter 21, the Board supervises and controls the agency, having the authority to make regulations, sets policy, and oversees personnel appointments. The Board meets monthly and holds public hearings as part of the regulatory process. All meetings and hearings are posted on the agency website as well as at agency facilities.

The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee, established in 1981, is another seven-member citizen body.  The role of the Committee is to provide MassWildlife with independent scientific advice on the conservation and protection of over 400 species of wild plants and animals that are not hunted, fished or trapped.  In addition, the Committee advises the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program on matters such as promotion of the Natural Heritage Fund, funding priorities for biological field research and inventory as well as other issues concerning the protection of biodiversity in Massachusetts.

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Date Last Updated: April 11, 2007

Questions? Comments? Contact MassWildlife at Mass.Wildlife@state.ma.us

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