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.

COVID-19 announcements

MassWildlife offices and hatcheries are closed to the public until further notice.
Due to the current public health emergency posed by COVID-19, the Governor issued "COVID-19 Order No. 17” on March 26, 2020. This Order suspends state permitting deadlines and extends the validity of existing state permits. This suspension applies to all applications submitted or received after the Governor’s state of emergency declaration on March 10, 2020. This suspension also applies to all applications received before but with deadlines occurring after March 10, 2020. The review time period for these applications shall resume 45 days after the termination of the current state of emergency. Until that time, the Division will continue to review applications as quickly as possible. Permits and other authorizations valid as of March 10, 2020 shall not lapse or otherwise expire until the termination of the current state of emergency.

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

    Species Spotlight: Plymouth gentian 

    8/03/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    MassWildlife's Species Spotlight for August is the Plymouth gentian. Learn more about this surprising flower, how MassWildlife biologists are working to protect this species of special concern, and what you can do to help.

  • News

    Historic loon hatch marks a milestone 

    7/09/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    MassWildlife reports the first common loon hatches in southeastern MA in over a century.

  • News

    Peregrine falcon restoration reaches new heights in Massachusetts 

    7/01/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    MassWildlife biologists successfully banded over 40 peregrine falcon chicks.

  • News

    Species Spotlight: Eastern hog-nosed snake 

    7/01/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    MassWildlife's Species Spotlight for July is the eastern hog-nosed snake. Learn more about this deceiving snake, how MassWildlife biologists are working to protect this species of special concern, and what you can do to help.

  • News

    Species Spotlight: Eastern whip-poor-will 

    6/01/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    MassWildlife's Species Spotlight for June is the eastern whip-poor-will! Learn about this bird of fire and folklore, how MassWildlife biologists are working to protect this rare species, and what you can do to help.

  • News

    Bald eagle numbers soar in 2020 

    5/27/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    It’s nesting season for bald eagles! MassWildlife has already documented over 70 active eagle nests and a dramatic uptick in new nests throughout Massachusetts this spring.

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