Attendees
PRESENT: Steve Sears/Chair, Emma Ellsworth/Vice Chair, Ernie Foster/Secretary, Sasha Dyer, Malcolm Haith, John Organ, Mark S. Tisa/Director, Tom O’Shea/Commissioner/DFG, Eve Schlüter/Deputy Director, Kris McCarthy/Chief Fiscal Officer and Associate Director, Todd Richards/Assistant Director/ Fisheries, Mike Huguenin/Assistant Director/Wildlife, Trina Moruzzi/Assistant Director/Operations, Emily Myron/Assistant Director/Land and Habitat, Joe Rogers/Conn. Valley Wildlife District Manager, Jason Zimmer/Southeast Wildlife District Manager, Todd Olanyk/Central Wildlife District Manager, Nicole Keleher/Habitat Restoration and Management Program Manager, Jennifer Sulla/General Counsel/DFG, Colonel John Monaghan/MEP, Major Kevin Clayton/MEP, Captain Ian Haskins/MEP; PUBLIC: Dave Morin
Acceptance of minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Sears to table the minutes of the July 16, 2025, business meeting until the September meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Dyer; the vote in favor was unanimous.
Chair's updates
Commissioner O’Shea was recognized and introduced the new Board member, Malcolm Haith of Boxford, who was appointed by the Governor to fill the Northeast District seat, and spoke briefly about his background, reporting that Mr. Haith grew up in Connecticut and was introduced to fishing at events for kids hosted by the state fish and wildlife agency and by his grandfather in North Carolina. After college at Northeastern University he started hunting, including big game and upland birds, and now trains champion Labrador retrievers for hunting and for field trials. The Commissioner noted that Mr. Haith has expressed a strong interest in land conservation and showing people the benefits of outdoor activities and of protecting open space and biodiversity for all people to enjoy.
Mr. Haith stated that his goal in joining the Board was to have an impact on conservation and to engage more people of all races and ethnicities in outdoor recreation. He is also passionate about land protection and maintaining public access to open land for outdoor activities.
Commissioner O'Shea announced that Dr. Organ was stepping off the Board at the end of his term and that this was his last meeting. He stated that Dr. Organ was nationally recognized for his leadership and wide knowledge, that it was a privilege to work with him, and that he would be missed on the Board.
Director Tisa welcomed Mr. Haith, who he met during the period when the regulations for field trials were being changed. Mr. Haith has a great story to tell, and Director Tisa looks forward to doing great things with Mr. Haith’s help. The Director stated that he has known Dr. Organ during his entire career, that he has received all accolades, climbed the ranks of the Fish and Wildlife Service, and became the Cooperative Research Unit leader for the country. Dr. Organ has always been a friend of the agency and assures the Director that he is a phone call away. Director Tisa appreciates his work over past 3 years and wishes him well in the future.
Chair Sears reported that he has felt honored to work with Dr. Organ, who brought long knowledge and experience from which the whole Board has benefited. Dr. Organ stated that after 40 years in public service it had been a real honor and privilege to serve on the Board and work with the highly professional staff at MassWildlife. He noted that his friendships with his fellow members are the greatest benefit of his board service, and he wished staff and the members well.
Chair Sears stated that he wanted to recognize advocacy activity in the lakes and ponds in Western Massachusetts where people are working constantly to maintain public access. He also reported that he had learned from Western District Manager Andrew Madden that the recent round of testing and surveys found no evidence of zebra mussels in Lake Onota. Chair Sears also gave credit to Dan Miraglia and other Berkshire County sportsmen for convincing the Town of Pittsfield to maintain fishing access to the Pontoosic Lake shoreline.
The Chair then nominated former Board member Michael Roche for the Fisheries and Wildlife Board’s Sargent Award. He explained that the award recognizes a life of service to natural-resource conservation in the state and Mr. Roche has a rich conservation legacy, including from his long service on the Board, including as Secretary and as Vice Chair; his leadership of the Mahar Regional High School student fish and game club; his decades as a Volunteer Instructor with the MassWildlife Hunter Education Program; and his longtime outdoor column in the Athol Daily News.
Chair Sears made a motion to honor Michael Roche with the Francis W. Sargent Conservation Award; Mr. Foster seconded the motion; the vote in favor was unanimous. Chair Sears reported that he would work with the Director to arrange an event. Director Tisa said that Mr. Roche was an excellent choice for the award.
Director's updates
Director Tisa had no further comments at that time.
Commissioner’s updates
Commissioner O'Shea reported that he had a number of exciting updates. He had been invited by the State of California to speak in a panel on Massachusetts’ 30 by 30 Initiative to conserve biodiversity and he was honored to speak about Massachusetts’ experience. Over 500 people attended the very successful event, and he met with state and sub-national leaders from around the world.
The Commissioner then announced that the following day Governor Healey would be announcing Massachusetts’ biodiversity goals at an event on Cape Cod. Noting that setting concrete goals is a groundbreaking accomplishment, he reminded the meeting that biodiversity is a quiet crisis that needs this kind of collective effort to bring it forward and address it. He stated that MassWildlife has been a leader in the space for decades, and now that work is being recognized nationally. Commissioner O'Shea stressed that we need to bring all conservation groups in the state together to get it done by 2030. He stated that California’s accomplishments are vast, and Massachusetts needs to emulate that state and think boldly about the future that’s possible. He reminded the Board that the Governor came to the Field Headquarters to sign her executive order charging the Department and its divisions with developing biodiversity conservation goals almost 2 years ago, and he thanked Deputy Director Eve Schlüter, who led effort with his senior staff. He added that EEA Secretary Rebecca Hopper and DFG Assistant Commissioner Jen Ryan had joined him in California.
The Commissioner stated that he was very happy to hear about the Chair’s Sargent Award nomination, adding that Mr. Roche has been a longtime advocate and mentor for many people across the state and richly deserves the award.
Law Enforcement updates
Major Kevin Clayton addressed the Board on behalf of Colonel John Monaghan. He reported that agencies are in the midst of a hiring freeze, but MEP eventually wants to hire seven new officers.
Captain Ian Haskins briefly introduced himself, reporting that he covers Eastern Massachusetts short of the ocean. He stated that MEP is meeting its requirements to monitor pools across state but also found time to attend Huntstock to engage with the public and educate people about safe and legal hunting. He noted that officers take every opportunity to maintain connections to their communities.
He then provided the Board with a brief overview of actions connected to the current hunting and other recreational seasons and activities; a report of recent OLE activities, including fish-and-wildlife-related examples of calls for service that Environmental Police officers had responded to in the previous month; and the outlines of ongoing and recently completed investigations. Officer Robert Amaral was also present and briefly introduced himself to the Board.
Update on Prescribed Fire Program and wildfire deployments (Alex Entrup and Ben Mazzei)
Assistant Director of Land and Habitat Emily Myron introduced Mr. Entrup and Mr. Mazzei, who, alongside Caren Caljouw who could not attend the meeting, lead MassWildlife’s prescribed fire program. She reported that the prescribed fire program now falls within the new Land and Habitat Conservation section, of which she is the Assistant Director. She pointed out that the program has been working for decades to conserve and restore the fire-influenced natural communities of Massachusetts. What started as a small prescribed burn at Hiram Fox WMA in 1989 has grown into a Commonwealth-wide effort supported by about 50 members of the MassWildlife team, and Assistant Director Myron stated that she hoped the members would learn a lot and feel inspired by the work of the team.
Prescribed Fire Project Leader Alex Entrup provided an overview of MassWildlife’s prescribed fire program and activities. He started with the Earth’s fire history and ecology, beginning when plants produced oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. About 420 million years ago, concentrations of oxygen reached a level that allowed fire to burn, and ever since that time Earth has been a planet shaped by fire. Fire remained a force on the landscape and has been an intrinsic part of our ecology, with plants and animals coevolving in the presence of fire and humans using it to shape their environment, including indigenous people in North America before the arrival of Europeans. He showed a slide of the fossil pollen record from Mary Dunn Pond in Hyannis, which shows fires occurring thousands of years before European contact.
Mr. Entrup said that land clearing in North America led to many catastrophic fires, which came to an end with the era of fire suppression when the U.S. Forest Service prevented and suppressed all fires for over a century. Now, with climate change and the buildup of fuels, megafires have become the norm in the West, and the East is experiencing a new level of wildfire occurrences. Mr. Entrup reported that in 2024 alone, Massachusetts saw 1,249 wildfires, with 4,556 acres burned. And across the country and the world, Mr. Entrup reported that people are realizing that full fire suppression and exclusion was a failure and a disaster, for public safety and for ecology. Restoring fire to the landscape can promote ecosystem health, including by restoring the natural communities that rely on fire that still exist in the state despite being overgrown with dense trees and difficult to recognize.
Mr. Entrup then turned to MassWildlife’s fire program and provided an overview of its planning, management work, and outcomes. He reported that MassWildlife uses mechanical tools to restore the structure of habitats and fire to maintain and develop their composition and that crews now have a number of specialized machines that perform different functions to prepare an area to be burned and restored. He noted that oak is a keystone to the Eastern deciduous forests and is experiencing a massive decline, in large part because of fire exclusion on the landscape. He also highlighted grasslands, heathlands, and wetlands, reporting that they are some of the most ecologically significant natural communities, despite their relatively small footprint on the state, and hold massive ecological value. He listed some of the many benefits of fire for wildlife, including that it increases berry and mast production; promotes succulent browse preferred by deer and other wildlife; maintains grasses and broadleaf plants preferred by birds; reduces tick populations in burned areas; promotes flowering herbaceous plants for pollen and food; and improves hunting, birding, and other recreational opportunities. As one example. resprouting plants provide a huge pulse of nutrients when antlers are growing and does are lactating to feed fawns. In fact, Mr. Entrup reported that after a prescribed fire resprouting trees and shrubs contain double the protein, triple the minerals, and are 20 to 25 times more preferred by deer.
Mr. Entrup reported that MassWildlife has a legislative mandate to perpetuate biological diversity across the Commonwealth by protecting and managing a range of habitats that support the species dependent on them, whether they are rare and endangered or more common game species. He referenced Massachusetts’ State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which, in its current draft state, presents 620 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the Commonwealth, 35 types of habitats that support those species, and the actions necessary to conserve them, and he reported that a large proportion of the state’s SGCN occur in fire-influenced habitats. For example, 267 of 365 (73%) upland SGCN occur in fire-influenced habitats, such as grasslands, heathlands, oak woodlands/forests, pine barrens, while 251 of 387 (65%) wetland species also occur in fire-influenced habitats, including calcareous wetlands, acidic peatlands, coastal plain pondshores, and marshes/wet meadows.
Mr. Entrup reported that MassWildlife’s Habitat Program exists to restore habitats through active management projects that directly benefit rare and declining wildlife species, game species, and natural communities. The Prescribed Fire Program’s mission is to conserve and restore the fire-influenced communities of Massachusetts and their inherent plant and wildlife diversity through the safe and structured use of prescribed fire. Mr. Entrup briefly referenced that agency’s Prescribed Fire Management Handbook, which was approved by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board in 2017 and established standards that govern a two-track system to qualify crew members in the state or national system, including with an annual wildland fire safety refresher, an annual fitness test, and other training requirements.
Regarding the program personnel, Mr. Entrup reported that 48 staff are currently trained and qualified to participate on prescribed burns, in addition to their normal duties. He stated that he appreciated and was proud of every member of the crew, with the Habitat team forming the most highly qualified members of crew and District staff as the backbone. He also reported that many Westborough staff and hatchery technicians also take part, and there are always volunteers contributing important expertise and time to the program. With all its in-house knowledge and experience, Mr. Entrup emphasized that MassWildlife could not burn without its partners, including town fire chiefs; Tribal members; and other state agency professionals, especially from the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Mr. Entrup described how an America the Beautiful Challenge grant enabled MassWildlife to partner with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe with a natural resource fellowship position to build their prescribed fire capacity, and he reported that MassWildlife was able to assist the Hassanamisco Nipmuc in applying fire to their tribal lands.
Describing the geographic reach of the program to all corners of the state, Mr. Entrup illustrated how the program has steadily grown since 2010 in its capacity to conduct more burns on more acres in most years. Focusing on 2024-2025, Mr. Entrup reported that MassWildlife has burned 24 sites – WMAs, WCEs, and partner lands – and over 3,000 acres in 62 prescribed burns thus far. In the same period, the program burned five new sites, installed over 10 miles of new firebreaks, and had its second Burn Boss qualify in Mr. Mazzei. He then showcased one WMA in each Wildlife District to give a taste of the program’s activities: Fairfield Brook WMA in the Western District, Montague Plains WMA in the Connecticut Valley District, Muddy Brook WMA in Central, William Forward WMA in the Northeast, and Frances Crane in the Southeast.
Turning to what’s next for the program, Mr. Entrup observed that one of the primary limiting factors for scaling up fire is the number of days with weather in prescription, meaning the weather conditions are safe to burn. He reported that having a second active Burn Boss allows MassWildlife to get more burns accomplished, and that staff have upgraded engines and equipment caches. Noting that more burning puts more pressure on District resources, especially during trout and pheasant stocking, he stated that this is where partnerships are important. The addition of a seasonal habitat crew has also helped to increase capacity. He also detailed some of the new and changing tools available to make staff’s work more efficient and reported that the handbook will soon be updated with the new tools and procedures. Mr. Entrup said that MassWildlife is continuing to expand its partnerships and portfolio of sites as part of its plan to increase its impact, expanding its burn footprints, conducting joint planning, and participating in interagency trainings. He also talked about emerging threats, such as the Southern pine beetle, which has expanded north to the region and threatens our pitch pine ecosystems, and recent opportunities to put pre-planning into action, including a wildlife fire in the fall of 2024 on the Westfield Watershed WCE in the Tekoa Mountain WMA area, for which a fire management plan had just been completed. MassWildlife’s help was greatly appreciated on that fire, which lasted for a week and also provided valuable training opportunities.
Habitat Biologist and prescribed fire Burn Boss Ben Mazzei then reported on his recent wildland fire deployment with Western District Wildlife Biologist Nate Buckhout on the Bear Creek and Nenana Ridge Complex wildfires in Alaska. Mr. Mazzei began by providing an overview of current wildfire conditions around the country, most of the largest and most urgent being west of the Mississippi River.
For the recent Alaska wildlife deployment, he reported that Massachusetts Wildfire Crew #1 (MASS1) was mobilized through the Northeast Interagency Coordination Center on July 2, and that hand crews from Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island were deployed to Alaska around the same time. MASS1 was made up of 18 DCR fire staff and two MassWildlife employees, himself and Western District Wildlife Biologist Nate Buckhout, and provided support on two priority wildfires south of Fairbanks. The crew endured very difficult conditions during the 2-week deployment, with a wide range of temperatures (mid 50s to upper 80s), 24 hours of daylight (which interrupted sleep), and many, many mosquitoes. Mr. Mazzei showed a number of photographs, including of vehicles and equipment used, terrain and the crew campsite, and firefighters at work, in addition to maps and background information for both of the wildfires the crew was assigned to.
Mr. Mazzei detailed the many benefits of wildfire deployments, which allow MassWildlife staff to get federally recognized qualifications that they can only get on wildfires; build strong working relationships with federal, state, tribal, and NGO partners; strengthen MassWildlife’s prescribed fire program with more highly trained staff; provide mutual aid for areas and communities impacted by smoke and wildfire both nationally and internationally; and prepare MassWildlife staff to assist local fire departments and DCR on instate wildfires, such as the one on the Moose Meadow WCE in 2024. Mr. Mazzei reported that MassWildlife normally has 10-14 qualified staff who could go on a wildfire deployment at any time, while 1-3 staff might go on any given deployment.
He thanked Director Tisa, Deputy Director Schlüter, and the Board for their support for the program, as well as Chief Fiscal Officer McCarthy for her help coordinating staff payments, both salaries and travel expenses, which are ultimately reimbursed by the federal partner, and Director’s Assistant Sacco, who helps prepare travel authorization paperwork, and he thanked Commissioner O'Shea for always being very supportive of the prescribed fire program’s efforts and of wildfire deployments.
Director Tisa emphasized that staff are doing this work as a duty above and beyond their normal jobs and he is extremely proud of them.
Confirm September business meeting date and time: September 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters and in a Zoom webinar
After a brief discussion, the Board members confirmed the existing details of the September 17 business meeting at 11:00 a.m. After a brief discussion, the members confirmed the October meeting on October 22, 2025; at 10:00 a.m.
Members’ comments
Sasha Dyer reported that she was getting MassFishHunt feedback from constituents that was mostly positive, though some people were expressing frustration with the changes. She added that she had to call about her own Antlerless Deer Permit and had a long wait time, but when she spoke to a person they rapidly resolved all her issues. She thanked the freshwater sportfishing program because her daughter was excited to catch her first pin fish at the Quabbin Reservoir; Ms. Dyer really appreciates the program. She attended Huntstock again this year and noted that it draws a different crowd from those who go to sportsmen’s shows; the attendees tend to be younger and more engaged, interested in learning and in sharing what they’ve learned. She also reported that she taught fish anatomy at the Mass. Junior Conservation Camp again this year and noticed that some students were not interested but others were very interested. She thinks it’s a great way to introduce fish identification and engage youngsters in biology and anatomy.
Ernie Foster passed along thanks from friends and acquaintances who report loving the changes to MassFishHunt because many people got Antlerless Deer Permits this year. He stated that he is passionate about Hunter Education. He joined a Carver volunteer instructor group and really enjoys teaching but also thinks it’s very important to do it and help train future hunters. He also taught at the Mass. Junior Conservation Camp and thought the enthusiasm of MassWildlife staff and the volunteers was huge and great to see. He is committed to getting more kids to attend. He also mentioned the bear hunting seminar being offered by MassWildlife the day of the meeting and thanked staff for putting it on.
Malcolm Haith reported that he had been taking notes during the meeting as part of getting up to speed, noting that he wants to be a resource to staff and initially will be mostly listening to where the needs are and where he can best contribute. He stated that he knows the landscape of hunting and the outdoors, so he’s learning about MassWildlife and then will circle back to staff with questions. He also spoke briefly about his background. His career has been in private-sector security. He started the state’s first hunting retriever club and stated that the club was always out there working with people. During COVID, the club was able to quickly adapt and immediately practice distancing protocols to stay active and keep everyone safe. Mr. Haith said he loves Massachusetts and wants to show it to more people, to engage them to conserve and enjoy everything the state has to offer.
John Organ expressed his appreciation to the Hunter Education and Outdoor Education staff and volunteer instructors for a great hunter education session at the Mass. Junior Conservation Camp, which he enjoys teaching. He reported that he estimated there were 50 students participating. He reported that the Ashfield Rod and Gun Club celebrated its 105th anniversary the previous Sunday, August 17, the 100th anniversary celebration having been cancelled due to COVID-19. Noting that Central District Manager Todd Olanyk is a past president of Ashfield Rod and Gun and current leader of the club’s Hunter Education volunteer instructor team, he reported teaching Hunter Education there and at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Hadley office. Dr. Organ noted hopeful signs in both the House and Senate that the Coop Units will maintain their funding. The new bills being considered would increase budgets for both agencies, but Dr. Organ said there was the potential that the administration could still impose reductions in force.
Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Sears moved to adjourn. Dr. Organ seconded the motion. The vote in favor was unanimous and the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ernie Foster
Secretary
List of documents presented to the Board in its August business meeting packets
August agenda