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The Official Website of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG)

 
Natural Heritage and Endangered Species

Living Waters

Natural Heritage Logo
The goal of the Living Waters Project (formerly the Aquatic Biodiversity Project) is to promote the strategic protection of freshwater biodiversity in Massachusetts. Natural Heritage tracks 58 species of rare fish, aquatic vascular plants, freshwater mussels, crayfish, snails, and other aquatic invertebrates.

Yellow Lampmussel, Endangered
© Mass. NHESP
Yellow Lampmussel

Because changes in water flow and degradations in water quality threaten these and other freshwater species, Natural Heritage developed the Living Waters conservation plan to identify our most critical sites for freshwater biodiversity in the Commonwealth. These sites, referred to as Core Habitats, represent the rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds where we should focus proactive conservation activities in order to protect freshwater habitats.

 

Lake Chub, Endangered © Konrad Schmidt
Lake Chub

The Living Waters project was funded from 2001-2003 with bond funds made available by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and through the State Wildlife Grants Program by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under grant T-1.