Massachusetts Habitat Management Grants Awarded

Posted By Wayne G. Barber

The MassWildlife Habitat Management Grant Program was developed to establish partnerships between The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) and private and municipal landowners to enhance habitat and increase recreational opportunities on properties that have been conserved across the state. Recognizing that land protection is only the first step in maintaining the diverse habitats of Massachusetts, the Habitat Grant Program  provides financial assistance to private and municipal landowners of conserved lands to improve and manage habitat for wildlife deemed in greatest conservation need. The projects will also expand opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation, and complement ongoing habitat management efforts on state lands.
“Wildlife in special need of conservation and some game species will benefit directly from these habitat management activities,”said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner George Peterson. “In addition, the sporting community, birders, naturalists, and other wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy better recreational opportunities as a result of this program.”
“Though the Division is responsible for the conservation of wildlife and the habitat upon which it depends, the reality is that 80 percent of Massachusetts’ lands where wildlife lives is held in private ownership,” said MassWildlife Director Jack Buckley. “It makes sense as an agency to apply science-based habitat management activities with committed private landowners, thereby protecting their investment in wildlife and habitat.”
During its first round of grants, MassWildlife awarded $320,464 in grants for 13 wildlife habitat improvement projects across Massachusetts. The approved projects are listed below.

• Athol - Using $24,610 in grant funds, the Town of Athol Conservation Commission will conduct forestry activities to create young forest habitats on Athol’s Bearsden Conservation Area. 
• Brookfield and Ware - The East Quabbin Land Trust has been awarded $16,730 to use fire to promote native wildlife in Pitch Pine-Scrub Oak and wet meadow habitats on Frohloff Farm and Wendemuth Meadow Preserve.
• Dartmouth - The Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust has been awarded $18,096 for field and grassland creation and restoration at Smith Farm Reserve.
• Edgartown - The Nature Conservancy has been awarded $32,908 to conduct prescribed burns to maintain sandplain grassland habitat on the Katama Plains Conservation Area.
• Great Barrington - For $20,900, the Berkshire Natural Resources Council will work to control invasive plants on the Housatonic Flats Reserve. 
• Hardwick - The East Quabbin Land Trust has been awarded $16,290 to maintain and promote shrubland and to treat invasive species of plants. 
• Heath - The Franklin Land Trust will be using $19,899 to create grassland habitat and remove invasive plants on Crowningshield Farm.
• Monson - The Town of Monson has been awarded $27,750 to restore young forest habitat on its Carpenter Road property.
• Nantucket - For $20,357, the Nantucket Conservation Foundation will reduce shrub and tree species cover to improve habitat conditions for wildlife dependent on grasslands and heathlands.
• Sheffield - The Nature Conservancy has been awarded $49,480 to improve fen and grassland habitats through invasive plant control and removal of woody plants on the Schenob Brook Preserve.
• Sheffield - The Trustees of Reservations has been awarded $33,000 to restore grassland habitat on the West Grumpelt Parcel of Bartholemew’s Cobble Preserve.
• Wilbraham - Using $11,600 in grant funds, the Town of Wilbraham will treat invasive species and improve meadow and old field habitats at the Thayer Brook Conservation Area.
• Wilbraham - Using $28,844 in grant funds, the Town of Wilbraham will treat invasive plants, improve young forest habitat, and install shelter for wildlife on its Twelve Mile Brook Conservation Area. 
• These winning projects will be completed by the end of June 2016; highlights from completed management activities will be featured on the Habitat Management Grant Program webpage later in the year. Future funding opportunities will also be posted on that page; please check back periodically.