The Board's mandate is to protect and manage the wildlife of the Commonwealth as an essential public natural resource for the use and enjoyment of all citizens who hunt, fish, trap, and enjoy nature study and observation. This includes all mammals, birds, and freshwater fish, plus insects, invertebrates and plants that are listed under state and federal regulations as rare, endangered, threatened, or of special concern – over 400 species in total. All public meetings and hearings are posted on the agency website as well as at agency facilities.
Broad and professional representation
Board membership assures broad geographic and professional representation. State law requires that the Governor appoint one member from each of the five regions of the state. One of these must be experienced in farming. Of the two additional at-large members, one must be a wildlife biologist and the other must have an interest in endangered species conservation.
The Board assures professional responsibility for wildlife resources by:
- Establishing personnel policies that require persons appointed to positions in MassWildlife to have appropriate professional training. Every member of the technical staff holds a scientific college degree, and two-thirds have advanced graduate degrees.
- Fostering research that obtains factual information and data as the science base for regulations and policies.
- Adopting policies and regulations that are based on sound ecological science, and that take into consideration public opinion elicited through a process of monthly open Board meetings and periodic public hearings.
- Approving, in conjunction with the Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game, appointment of the members of the scientific Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee.
- Reviewing and approving MassWildlife's care, custody, and control of land acquisitions using the Land Stamp Fund, state bond-issue funds, and other financial sources.
Partnerships
The Board fosters close working partnerships between MassWildlife and other state and federal agencies, private conservation organizations, sporting organizations, municipal conservation commissions, land trusts, and private firms. Partnerships involve all management, regulatory, research, land acquisition, and outreach and education activities of MassWildlife.
Public oversight
In addition to conducting all of its meetings before the public in accordance with the Open Meeting Law, the Board operates under multiple layers of administrative oversight, including the Governor, the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and the Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regularly reviews federally funded projects.