The following protocols are intended as guidelines to assist property owners, land managers, consultants, and Conservation Commissioners in protecting rare species populations and their habitats.
These protocols should lead to a more successful survey and final report for consideration by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), which oversees review activities relating to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MGL Ch. 131A) and its implementing regulations (321 CMR 10.00). Implementing these guidelines will also help property owners and land managers avoid potential violations of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MGL c. 131A) and its implementing regulations (321 CMR 10.00).
Users of these protocols are advised that they do not supersede any law, regulation, or official policy of this or any other agency. Rather, these protocols are intended to complement existing regulatory review processes by providing scientifically-based survey recommendations.
The following protocols can be viewed and printed with Adobe's free Acrobat Reader software- to download a copy of the software, click here: 
Rare Species Habitat Assessments Draft Guidelines
Botanical Survey Protocols
Coming Soon! "New" Mussel Protocols
For further information contact Marea Gabriel, Aquatic Ecologist at (508) 389-6371.
Additional Guidelines for Plant Collecting:
Guidelines for Rare Plant collecting in Massachusetts
Guidelines for Ethical Field Research on Rare Plant Species
