- Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Private and municipal landowners of conserved lands can apply for grant funding to support active habitat management projects that benefit wildlife and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities. MassWildlife’s Habitat Management Grant Program (MHMGP) provides financial assistance for projects that:
- Improve habitat(s) for Species of Greatest Conservation Need, as identified in the 2025 Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), with emphasis on MESA-listed species;
- Enhance habitat in ecological communities that are disproportionally susceptible to climate change;
- Contribute to improving habitat in a landscape that is high priority for biodiversity conservation; and
- Promote access to nature and outdoor recreation opportunities, such as hiking, birding, fishing, hunting, and trapping.
Although MassWildlife and other organizations have made unprecedented investments in land conservation in the Commonwealth, acquisition alone is not enough to guarantee the persistence of biological diversity. Investment in habitat restoration and management is urgently needed on public and private lands across the state. To address this need, MassWildlife and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs continue to conduct habitat management on state wildlife lands and are committed to working with partners to promote these efforts on conserved lands across the state.
Massachusetts is home to over 600 plants and animals designated as Species of Conservation Need (SGCN). These include rare species like the grasshopper sparrow and bog turtle, which are listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, as well as more common species such as the ruffed grouse and brook trout, which are vulnerable to threats. MHMGP funding supports restoration of habitats that support a variety of SGCN. Over the past 10 years, the program has awarded over $3.5M in funding to 43 different organizations and individuals for 118 habitat improvement projects.
Grant applications will be accepted starting September 26, 2025 and are due by October 31, 2025. Visit MassWildlife's Habitat Management Grant Program web page to learn more about the application process and to see examples of funded projects.
