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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

Address

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

Phone

Main (508) 389-6360

Open M–F, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed noon–12:30 for lunch)

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 
MassWildlife logo

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?

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

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

    Rare but resilient: Listed moth found in Hardwick 

    9/05/2023 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    Discovery of the orange sallow moth at Muddy Brook WMA is the most recent example of animals and plants responding favorably to MassWildlife’s habitat restoration work.

  • News

    BioMap Town Reports now available 

    8/28/2023 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    These new reports make it easy for towns and conservation practitioners to access information that’s relevant to them.

  • News

    New grant will help conserve imperiled turtles 

    8/03/2023 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    MassWildlife will use federal grant funds to study and safeguard four types of turtles.

  • News

    Asteroid named for retired MassWildlife leader 

    8/03/2023 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    In recognition of his 35 years of dedicated and effective conservation work, an asteroid was named after Dr. Tom French.

  • News

    Run for Wildlife 

    7/11/2023 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    Join MassWildlife on September 24 for a 5K or 10K trail run and a 1-mile Kids Fun Run in Westborough. Proceeds support rare species conservation in MA.

  • News

    Rare caterpillar found after decades of habitat restoration 

    7/03/2023 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    MassWildlife staff recently discovered a frosted elfin caterpillar at Montague Plains WMA. Along with other promising findings, this exciting news is further evidence that restoration at this site is benefiting a host of common and rare species.

See all news and announcements for the MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program > Organization Sections > Content

MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program information

Image credits:  Piping Plover (Bill Byrne)

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