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

    Species Spotlight: Little brown bat 

    9/28/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    October’s Species Spotlight is the little brown bat. Contrary to myths, bats are gentle and intelligent, but human activities and white-nose syndrome have diminished populations in Massachusetts. Learn how to help protect this underappreciated mammal.

  • News

    Species Spotlight: New England blazing star 

    9/01/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    MassWildlife's Species Spotlight for September is the New England blazing star. Learn more about this persevering flower, how MassWildlife biologists are working to protect this species of special concern, and what you can do to help.

  • News

    Endangered Orchid Rediscovered in Bristol County 

    8/24/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    After nearly two decades, a small population of the state-endangered crested fringed orchid (Platanthera cristata) was recently rediscovered in Bristol County by MassWildlife's botanist.

  • 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.

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