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MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP)

The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program is responsible for the conservation and protection of hundreds of species that are not hunted, fished, trapped, or commercially harvested in the state, as well as the protection of the natural communities that make up their habitats.

Contact Us

MassWildlife logo

Address

MassWildlife Field Headquarters
1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581
Directions 

Phone

Main (508) 389-6360

Open M-F, 8am-4:30pm

Regulatory Review Inquiries (508) 389-6357

North/Central/Western Massachusetts

(508) 389-6385

Southeastern Massachusetts/Cape & Islands

Online

Email natural.heritage@mass.gov
Support endangered species conservation 
MassWildlife staff directory 
NHESP Jobs & Opportunities 

Fax

(508) 389-7890
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the MA Endangered Species Act 

Who we serve

MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program is responsible for protecting the state's wide range of native biological diversity. Information about species and natural communities, regulations, and how to report your observations are available for citizen scientists, educators, landowners, developers, conservation organizations and other government agencies.

You can help! Support endangered species conservation.

What would you like to do?

Top actions & services

List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern species  Report rare species & vernal pool observations   MassWildlife Publications 

More actions & services

MA Endangered Species Act (MESA) Regulatory Review   Species Information and Conservation   Vernal Pools  Land Protection  Natural Communities  Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory Committee  

Recent news & announcements

News

2020 marks 30 years of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act 

12/27/2019 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

MESA helps protect the most vulnerable animal and plant species of Massachusetts and the habitats upon which they depend.

  • News

    Celebrating 30 Years of Endangered Species Legislation 

    12/23/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    Public invited to engage in rare species conservation and protection efforts

  • News

    Species Spotlight: Shortnose sturgeon 

    12/01/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    December’s Species Spotlight is the shortnose sturgeon. Learn more about this endangered species in Massachusetts, how MassWildlife biologists are working to protect this fish, and what you can do to help.

  • News

    Help the animals and plants of Massachusetts thrive 

    11/02/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    You can make an impact! Don't wait until Giving Tuesday to let us know you care.

  • News

    Species Spotlight: Bog turtles 

    11/02/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    November’s Species Spotlight is the bog turtle. Learn more about one of the smallest living turtles, what is threatening its existence, and how to report a sighting to MassWildlife staff.

  • News

    Learn about wildlife virtually anywhere 

    10/28/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    Enjoy these recorded livestream events and get tips for hunting, fishing, and viewing wildlife in MA!

  • News

    You know what's scary? 

    10/28/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    Celebrate the spooky season and learn more about bats!

See all news and announcements
Image credits:  Piping Plover (Bill Byrne)
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