MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program is responsible for the conservation and protection of wildlife species that are not considered game species and the natural communities that make up their habitats. The focus of the Program is on conservation and restoration of the 427 native plants and animals listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act.

Funding for the Program relies, in part, on individual contributions, NOT on general fund tax dollars. Your help does make a difference!  It supports the field surveys, research, habitat management, regulatory review, and land protection for the hundreds of rare creatures and plants in the Bay State.

If you care about the future of our wildlife and wild places here in Massachusetts, you can contribute in one of several ways:

1. Make a donation on your MA state income tax return (line 33a) for Endangered Wildlife Conservation.

   Contributions by this method in 2017 were $312,297 by just over 23,000 individuals.  (2016 – $302,603, 24,082 individuals contributed)

2. Make a Direct Donation! (it’s tax deductible)Send a check payable to

   “Comm. of MA-NHESP” and mail to:
   MassWildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA  01581
   – OR –
   Donate online with your credit card as a “Guest Customer” through MassFishHunt, MassWildlife’s licensing system. Direct donations through this method in 2017 totaled $7,891 dollars, up from $6103 in 2016.

There’s plenty of room for improvement!

Reflect on the success of the Bald Eagle restoration effort that began in 1982. This past year, a record-breaking 76 territorial eagle pairs were documented in Massachusetts! Observations from birders and other interested citizens played a big part in this documentation. MassWildlife depends on reports of eagle nests or observations of eagles carrying sticks from birders like you to monitor these magnificent birds.

MassWildlife and others are sure there are more eagle nests out there that haven’t been found or documented. For instance, who will find and confirm the first eagle nest on Cape Cod?!

Additional ways to support NHESP’S efforts can be found at www.mass.gov/service-details/support-endangered-species-conservation

Thank you for your support, whether it’s a donation, reporting observations or telling others about this important program that conserves wildlife for everyone to enjoy!

Remember – line 33a on your Massachusetts state tax return!

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