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

MASSWILDLIFE OFFICES AND HATCHERIES ARE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to the current public health emergency posed by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Governor issued “COVID-19 Order No. 17” on March 26, 2020 (Please see: https://www.mass.gov/doc/march-26-2020-permit-extension-order). 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.

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

Run for Wildlife: Register now 

3/02/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Support rare species and sign up for a trail run in Westborough. Options include a 5K, 10K, or Kids Fun Run.

  • News

    Species Spotlight: Frosted elfin 

    4/01/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    MassWildlife's Species Spotlight for April is the frosted elfin! Learn about this small butterfly, how MassWildlife biologists are working to protect this species of special concern, and what you can do to help.

  • News

    Ants and spring wildflowers 

    3/31/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    There are several early spring blooming plants, also known as spring ephemerals, that rely almost entirely on ants to distribute their seeds.

  • News

    Join MassWildlife on iNaturalist 

    3/27/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    Connect with an online community of naturalists to learn about the wild plants and animals in Massachusetts. Join MassWildlife’s iNaturalist project to see and add to species information for our featured properties.

  • News

    Watch for amphibians on the road 

    2/28/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    This spring, be mindful of amphibians as they emerge from their winter retreats and travel to breeding sites. Use caution while driving on rainy spring nights.

  • News

    Species Spotlight: Brook floater 

    2/28/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    MassWildlife's Species Spotlight for March is the brook floater! Learn about brook floaters in Massachusetts, how MassWildlife biologists are working to protect this endangered species, and what you can do to help.

  • News

    Species Spotlight: Bald eagles 

    2/03/2020 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    MassWildlife's Species Spotlight for February is the bald eagle! Learn about bald eagles in Massachusetts, how MassWildlife biologists are working to restore this species of special concern, and what you can do to help.

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