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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, 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 

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

    Eaglet dies from rodenticide poisoning 

    8/11/2021 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    ​​​​​​​Officials from MassWildlife and wildlife veterinarians from Tufts Wildlife Clinic confirmed that in late July, a young bald eagle succumbed to second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning.

  • News

    15th Edition Natural Heritage Atlas released August 1 

    7/27/2021 MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program

    Maps contained in the atlas help protect animals and plants listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act

  • News

    Spadefoot success at Southwick WMA 

    7/20/2021 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    Six years ago, MassWildlife launched an effort to establish a secure population of the state-threatened eastern spadefoot at Southwick WMA. MassWildlife confirmed this population successfully bred for the first time in July 2021.

  • News

    In search of the black racer snake 

    6/30/2021 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    Little is known about the abundance and distribution of northern black racers in Massachusetts. An upcoming Massachusetts Wildlife magazine article follows a group on Martha’s Vineyard as they research these snakes.

  • News

    The mighty oak  

    6/29/2021 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    Oak trees play a substantial role in the forest food web, but they are not regenerating as successfully as they once did. MassWildlife is trying to change that.

  • News

    Celebrate Endangered Species Day 

    5/13/2021 Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

    Endangered Species Day will be observed on May 21. Celebrate by learning more about the peregrine falcon, the fastest bird in the world.

See all news and announcements for the MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Image credits:  Piping Plover (Bill Byrne)
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