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Natural Heritage and Endangered Species

Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Publications

We can not accept credit cards. Items can be ordered by sending a check or purchase order.

Make check payable to: Comm. of MA - NHESP

Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund
MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
100 Hartwell St, Suite 230
West Boylston, MA 01583

The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: A County Checklist, First Revision (2011)

by Melissa Dow Cullina, Bryan Connolly, Bruce Sorrie and Paul Somers

$25.00 (includes book and CD)
$5.00 (CD only)

Provides a concise reference work for students of the state's flora. A revision to the first published comprehensive compilation of the state's vascular flora since 1840. Provides current nomenclature for 3293 native and introduced vascular plant taxa, and recognized but unnamed hybrids, found currently or historically in the Commonwealth. Distributions indicate whether a species is considered native or introduced in the county.

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New iconBioMap2: Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World, 2010 (Report)

The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program and BioMap2 ReportThe Nature Conservancy have recently completed BioMap2, an enhanced biodiversity conservation plan that updates and will replace the original BioMap (2001) and Living Waters (2003) plans. BioMap2 is designed to guide strategic biodiversity conservation in Massachusetts by focusing land protection and stewardship on the areas that are most critical for ensuring the long-term persistence of rare and other native species and their habitats, exemplary natural communities and a diversity of ecosystems. The 60 page summary report and a poster are now available from the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program.

 

$2.50 to cover the cost of postage, FREE if picked up at NHESP office

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New iconBioMap2: Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World, 2010 (Poster)

This full-color poster was produced in conjunction with the BioMap2 report. It contains beautiful photos of some of our rare species and natural communities.

BioMap2 Poster

$2.50 to cover the cost of postage, FREE if picked up at NHESP office

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Massachusetts Natural Heritage Atlas, 13th Edition (2008)

Natural Heritage Atlas 13th EditionAtlas Bound Book $110.00
Atlas CD Viewer $15.00
Individual Town Map $25.00

This Atlas is the product of a statewide revision of Priority Habitat and Estimated Habitat boundaries to reflect the latest state-listed species data, understanding of species biology and habitat requirements, and GIS technology and data.

Natural Heritage Atlas, bound book
189 full-color, 11 x 17 aerial photo maps displaying Priority Habitats, Estimated Habitats and Certified Vernal Pools for the entire state

Natural Heritage Atlas, CD viewer
Statewide coverage of Priority Habitats, Estimated Habitats, and Certified Vernal Pools using the MassGIS Data Viewer software; software installation instructions included.

Individual Town Map (Currently Not Available)
Town-wide coverage of Priority Habitats, Estimated Habitats, and Certified Vernal Pools on a 34x34 inch full color wall map.

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A Guide to Invasive Plants of MAA Guide to Invasive Plants in Massachusetts 2nd Edition (2008)

$5.00 ($4.00 per copy for orders of 25 or more)

This guide is a user-friendly aid to identification of 66 plant species recognized by the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group as Invasive, Likely Invasive or Potentially Invasive in Massachusetts. Importation, propagation and sale of these species is regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Color photos, line drawings, detailed descriptions, references and a glossary are provided along with web links to assist land managers, gardeners, nurserymen, landscapers, conservationists and others with recognizing and accurately identifying the featured species.

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Natural Heritage Publications

Turtle DVDAn Introduction to the Threatened Turtles of Massachusetts: Why They Need Our Help? (2007)

$5.00 each ("Free" for Educators)

An Introduction to the Threatened Turtles of Massachusetts is a great educational tool for teachers at all grade levels, nature centers, other educational institutions and the general public. This video provides an overview of general turtle biology, the threats that they face and suggests ways for each of us to help conserve Massachusetts' native turtles.

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Turtles of MA  PosterTurtles of Massachusetts Poster (2007)


Educators, conservation commissioners, environmental organizations and consulting firms will find "Turtles of Massachusetts" and "Hatchling Turtles of Massachusetts" posters valuable tools aiding the identifying physical and habitat characteristics of adult and juvenile turtles.

Turtles of Massachusetts includes images of 10 native adult turtles, with views of the carapace (upper shell), the plastron (lower shell) and a hatchling turtle. Information about each turtle's population status, size, identifying field marks, description of habitat and distribution in the state are also provided. A paragraph on assisting turtles across roads is also included.

"Free" Publication

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Hatchling Turtles of MA  PosterHatchling Turtles of Massachusetts Poster (2007)

Hatchling Turtles of Massachusetts illustrates 10 native turtle hatchling images with carapace and plastron views, egg clutch size, season of hatchling emergence, physical description, population status and the range of these turtles in Massachusetts. Threats to hatchling turtles are also briefly described.

"Free" Publication

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Status List of Massachusetts Rare Plants Status List of Massachusetts Rare Plants (2007)

Edited by Melissa Dow Cullina, Paul Somers, and Kathy Wilensky

This list has been compiled and revised over many years, beginning with the first effort to identify the rare plant species of MA in 1978 (Coddington and Field, New England Botanical Club). The list contains three sections: Plants of the MESA List, the Plant Watch List, and the Plant Historic List.

"Free" Publication (Not Available)

A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of MassachusettsA Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts 2nd Edition (2007)

by Blair Nikula, Jennifer Loose, and Matthew Burne

$20.00 ($15.00 per copy for orders of 25 or more)

Newly revised and updated 2nd Edition of this popular field guide.Features 197 pages of color photographs of adult males and females, illustrations of diagnostic characters for groups such as the Enallagma and Somatochlora, and range, flight period, habitat, and behavior notes. It is the first guide to cover all 166 species found in the Commonwealth, and as the range of many Massachusetts species extends well beyond our borders, will be useful to those interested in dragonflies and damselflies throughout the northeast.

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A Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal PoolsA Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools (Third Printing, May 2009)

by Leo Kenney and Matthew Burne

$12.00 ($10.00 per copy for orders of 50 or more)

This 8" X 5 1/2" full color field guide provides an excellent reference to the specialized creatures that depend upon vernal pools. Beautiful photographs and descriptive text are combined to aid in the identification and study of amphibians, reptiles and many invertebrates.

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Classification of Natural CommunitiesClassification of the Natural Communities of Massachusetts DRAFT - 2001- (version 1.3) Reprinted 2004

by Patricia C. Swain and Jennifer B. Kearsley

The main purpose of this technical classification is to provide a useful framework for describing, inventorying and tracking natural communities in Massachusetts.

Electronic copies of this publication are available as pdf files from the Natural Community Classification section of our website.

Living Waters: Guiding the Protection of Freshwater Biodiversity in MassachusettsLiving Waters: Guiding the Protection of Freshwater Biodiversity in Massachusetts (2003)

by Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program

This 50 page full color report describes the creation of NHESP's conservation plan for the state's freshwater plants, fish, and invertebrates.

Living Waters Technical Report (2003)
by Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program

This companion to the Living Waters report details the scientific and GIS methods used in creating the conservation plan. This document is intended for a technical audience.

$2.50 to cover the cost of postage, FREE if picked up at NHESP office

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BioMap PosterBioMap Poster (2001)

This full-color poster was produced in conjunction with the BioMap report. It contains beautiful photos of some of our rare species and natural communities.

$2.50 to cover the cost of postage, FREE if picked up at NHESP office

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Vernal Pool Life: A Race Against Dryness (Poster)Vernal Pool Life: A Race Against Dryness (Poster)
Out of Stock

Photos by Leo Kenney

This beautiful color poster was created using twenty-six photographs to depict the many animal species which depends on vernal pools. The poster is a wonderful educational aid. Support for the production and distribution of this poster has been provided by NHESP, Sweet Water Trust, the Vernal Pool Association, EnviroNet, and Tuft's Wright Center for Education.

"Free" Poster (Not Available)

Rare Species Fact Sheets
Fact Sheets on many rare vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and natural communities are available on our website in pdf format.

Endangered Species List
A list of the rare species now listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act Regulations (321 CMR 10.60)

Guidelines for the Certification of Vernal Pool Habitat
These guidelines describe the requirements for the certification for a vernal pool, including documentation of biota using a vernal pool and vernal pool locations.