The mission of the Land Protection Program, a joint effort of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), is to protect the ecological integrity of the Commonwealth and provide wildlife-related recreational opportunities to the public. Each year the Land Protection Program seeks to expand existing wildlife lands, enhance public access to lands and waters for wildlife-related recreation, and protect key fish and wildlife habitats. Most funding for land acquisition is from bond capital, with the remaining portion provided by the Wildlands Stamp Fund, a $5 fee added to each purchase of a hunting, fishing, or trapping license.
Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and Wildlife Conservation Easements (WCE) are open to fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife observation, boating, hiking, and other passive wildlife-related recreation. These wildlife lands, found from the Berkshires to the Cape and Islands, include river corridors, wetlands, forested and grassy uplands, habitat for state-listed endangered and threatened species, and high quality parcels of other important habitat types.
Land acquisition by fiscal year
- 2020 Land Acquisitions
- 2019 Land Acquisitions
- 2018 Land Acquisitions
- 2017 Land Acquisitions
- 2016 Land Acquisitions
- 2015 Land Acquisitions
- 2014 Land Acquisitions
- 2013 Land Acquisitions
- 2012 Land Acquisitions
- 2011 Land Acquisitions
- 2010 Land Acquisitions
- 2009 Land Acquisitions
- 2008 Land Acquisitions
- 2007 Land Acquisitions
- 2006 Land Acquisitions
- 2005 Land Acquisitions
- 2004 Land Acquisitions
- 2003 Land Acquisitions