MassWildlife recognizes Endangered Species Day on May 15, 2020 and celebrates in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). Over the years, many rare species have benefited from the protection afforded under MESA and the work of MassWildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP), including the peregrine falcon, bald eagle, piping plover, and northern red-bellied cooter.
For MassWildlife, every day is Endangered Species Day. With over 400 native plants, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates on the Massachusetts Endangered Species List, there is much to be done! This spring, MassWildlife biologists, botanists, and ecologists have been braving the cold and damp conditions to carry out some of the conservation work needed to protect and restore rare wildlife, plants, and the habitats on which their survival depends.
A sampling of some of MassWildlife staff's spring conservation activities include:
- A peregrine falcon webcam went live from Gillis Bridge in Newburyport. MassWildlife and MassDOT installed a falcon nest box on this bridge last year and a camera was recently added before the nesting season. Viewers will be delighted to see a chick has already hatched in the nest! Peregrine falcons are a species of special concern in Massachusetts and MassWildlife biologists have been helping with their recovery through nest boxes, banding, and population monitoring. Go to Mass.gov/falcon-cams for links to all Massachusetts falcon cameras.
- MassWildlife’s Herpetologist is continuing a spotted turtle radio tracking project with several partner organizations. Dozens of turtles found this spring by researchers have been tracked and studied for decades. For example, one of the turtles recaptured for this study was first captured as an adult and radio-tracked in 1993 in central Massachusetts. Researchers recorded data on the turtles and fitted them with new radio-transmitters for the final phase of a long-term population study in Franklin, Hampshire, and Worcester counties.
- MassWildlife habitat management staff recently completed the first phase of a multi-year 500-acre oak woodlands barrens wildlife habitat restoration project on the Muddy Brook Wildlife Management Area and Conservation Easement in Hardwick in partnership with the New England Forestry Foundation. Positive results from the prescribed fire and cutting activities on portions of the properties include the return of long-absent birds like the whip-poor-will, along with rare native pollinators and specialized plants.
- MassWildlife biologists made an important discovery of a previously unknown population of blue-spotted salamanders in Bristol County while visiting vernal pools to research salamanders and habitat use.
- MassWildlife coordinated with citizen scientists to monitor the threatened Eastern spadefoot. Breeding activity was recorded at nine sites in five counties.
- MassWildlife botanists located and verified reports of endangered plants including great rhododendron, dwarf scouring rush, and Virginia spring beauty.
- Eleven new populations of watch-list plant species including long-spurred violet, early blue cohosh, large toothwort, variegated scouring rush, and large-flowered bellwort were recorded. Previously known balsam poplar and black maple populations were confirmed and records were updated.
Together, we can help endangered species! Join MassWildlife's 30th anniversary celebration of MESA by visiting Mass.gov/30MESA to learn about and support endangered species conservation in Massachusetts.
Press inquiry? Contact Marion Larson at marion.larson@mass.gov. Additional photos available upon request.
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Who we are
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is the state agency responsible for the conservation of all freshwater fish and wildlife in the Commonwealth, including endangered species. MassWildlife restores, protects, and manages land for wildlife to thrive and for people to enjoy.
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Questions? Call us at (508) 389-6300 or email us
Press inquiry? Contact Marion Larson at (508) 389-6311 or marion.larson@mass.gov
Visit us at Mass.gov/MassWildlife
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