News  Celebrate Endangered Species Day on May 17

May 17th is Endangered Species Day! Join MassWildlife in recognizing the 432 plants and animals that are listed on the Massachusetts Endangered Species List. Each species plays an important role in keeping the Commonwealth's natural communities thriving. MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) focuses on conserving rare species and their habitats throughout Massachusetts. Check out our rare species success stories! 

The Massachusetts Endangered Species Act was modeled after the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and provides additional protection for the Commonwealth's most imperiled species and their habitats. The ESA has been a powerful tool used by government agencies and other organizations to conserve hundreds of plants and animals.

On Endangered Species Day and every day of the year, you can make a difference in rare species conservation!

Report rare species

Help MassWildlife monitor rare plants and animals by telling us when you see them. If you have information on the location of a rare species or a vernal pool and would like to help NHESP keep its database current, submit your observations through the Heritage Hub.

Donate to support rare species

You can make a big impact by donating directly to NHESP. Please consider making a donation today of $4.32 to honor the 432 animals and plants on the MA Endangered Species List. All money donated goes towards conserving the rare animals and plants that call Massachusetts home. Your donation goes toward equipment and services needed to give these species a fighting chance.

There are a few ways you can donate:

• Online with a credit card or electronic check
  (You will be redirected to our payment portal managed by nCourt, LLC.)
• Through your MassFishHunt account
• By check made payable to "Comm. of MA—NHESP" and mailed to: MassWildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581