News  Top 10 wildlife stories from 2023

1. Executive Order advances biodiversity conservation in the Commonwealth

In September, Governor Maura Healey announced that Massachusetts will develop ambitious biodiversity goals for 2030, 2040, and 2050. The Department of Fish and Game, of which MassWildlife is a part, is taking the leading role in drafting these objectives to conserve biodiversity. Goals will focus on sustaining a full array of plants, animals, and habitats in the Commonwealth while providing all people access to nature. Since the announcement, biologists and staff at MassWildlife have been busy drafting recommendations for ensuring a climate-resilient Massachusetts now and into the future. Read more about the Executive Order. (Photo by: Charlotte Hysen/Governor's Press Office)

2. Increasing venison donations fight hunger

After a successful pilot year, MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program expanded in 2023. As of December 1, Massachusetts deer hunters have donated more than 3,000 pounds of venison—the equivalent to over 12,000 meals—to families facing food insecurity. This year, MassWildlife is partnering with the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation’s Food4Vets and Daniel’s Table to distribute venison to those in need. Venison provides a healthy source of protein during a time when obtaining fresh meat can be a challenge for food pantries. With another month of deer season to go in 2023, venison donations are already 8 times greater than in the pilot year! The program has been so successful that more monetary contributions are needed to offset the cost of processing and packaging. Learn how to support the program at Mass.gov/ShareTheHarvest.

3. Rare species show improvement following habitat restoration

Two rare insect species were found at two MassWildlife properties this summer. These welcome discoveries were celebrated as the latest evidence that habitat restoration efforts are successful and helping both rare and common wildlife. MassWildlife’s work at Montague Plains and Muddy Brook Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) focuses on restoring barrens habitat using tools like prescribed fire to encourage growth of specialized native plants. Biological surveys at both properties show that restoration is having a positive impact on local wildlife including insects like the ones discovered this summer.

• Frosted elfin butterfly found at Montague Plains WMA.
• Orange sallow moth found at Muddy Brook WMA.

4. Fishing awards program expanded

MassWildlife’s popular Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program expanded in April of 2023 by adding prizes for fallfish and white suckers as well as a new Catch and Release category for anglers under 18. These additions offer anglers of all ages a new challenge. So far, MassWildlife has received entries of about 40 fallfish and 60 white suckers that meet the minimum length or weight requirements. About 850 submissions have been received from youth anglers in the new Catch and Release category. Over 2,370 prize pins have been awarded to date in 2023— learn how to enter your catch and earn prizes.

5. Run for Wildlife

In September, MassWildlife hosted the Run for Wildlife race in Westborough. Thanks to the support of sponsors, volunteers, and over 160 registered runners, the event was a huge success! All proceeds from the event went toward supporting endangered species conservation in Massachusetts. Runners in the 5K, 10K, and kids fun run traversed parts of the beautiful, 900-acre Wayne F. MacCallum Wildlife Management Area. Before and after the run, guests learned about some of the 430+ species that are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) by visiting educational displays and speaking with MassWildlife biologists. Read more about the event.

6. R3 Summit promotes hunting and fishing

In June, MassWildlife and representatives from 30 partnering organizations met to expand collaboration on efforts to increase participation in outdoor activities in Massachusetts. R3 is a national movement to Recruit, Retain, and Reactivate hunters, anglers, and shooting sports participants. The R3 initiative is a response to ongoing state and national trends. Participation in fishing and hunting peaked in Massachusetts in 1988. Since then, fishing has declined by 40% and hunting by 58%. These downward trends are occurring nationally as well, which has led to a movement to reconnect and introduce people to these outdoor pursuits and keep outdoor recreation relevant to future generations. Ideas generated during the Summit were collected and are being used to prepare for the next phase of R3 work. Read more about the Summit.

7. MassWildlife staff help battle wildfires in Canada and Montana

In July, two members of the MassWildlife prescribed fire crew (Connor Fleming and Ben Mazzei) joined with other trained New England firefighters to help battle wildfires in Quebec. Massachusetts, along with other states and Canadian provinces in the northeast are part of a compact to provide aid to one another when wildland fires become too intense for a single state or province to control. Crew members returned home safely and received praise and recognition for supporting the international effort. In August, a second crew of wildland firefighters from Massachusetts helped battle wildfires in Montana. In addition to firefighters from DCR, this crew included two members of the MassWildlife prescribed fire staff, Ben Mazzei and Jacob Morris-Siegel. Experience from these deployments provides staff with additional training and translates into improvements to MassWildlife’s prescribed fire program. Read more about deployments to Canada and Montana.

8. Turtle conservation gets a boost from a federal grant

Earlier this year, MassWildlife was awarded a Competitive State Wildlife Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support conservation efforts to help rare turtles in Massachusetts. Funding from the grant will be used to benefit four different species—Blanding’s, bog, spotted, and wood turtles—through research and habitat improvements. This award will support the implementation of regional conservation plans for each species developed cooperatively by northeastern state wildlife agencies from Maine to Virginia. Take a closer look at the four turtles that will benefit from grant funding.

9. New plant discovered in the Berkshires

This summer, MassWildlife botanists confirmed the first record of the “pine-drops” plant in Massachusetts. The specialized plant is only found in a few patches in the Northeast region. The pine-drops plant is unusual; it contains no chlorophyll and relies on mycorrhizal fungi in the soil for nutrients. It’s unclear whether more of these plants will be found in Massachusetts. The exciting new observation will certainly add to our understanding of biodiversity in the region. Read more about pine-drops discovery.

10. Wildlife Management Area cleanups

This spring and summer, MassWildlife joined with volunteers to celebrate public lands with clean-up events at 5 Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) across the state. Scout groups, hikers, birders, hunters, and anglers met to pick up trash at WMAs in Lenox, Palmer, West Brookfield, Ashby, and Fall River. Volunteers hauled out hundreds of pounds of trash and then spent time hiking, fishing, and birding in the area. MassWildlife owns and manages over 220,000 acres of land to conserve fish and wildlife habitats and provide access for outdoor recreation—find a property near you.