BOSTON — Seeking to complement ongoing habitat management efforts on state lands and promote opportunities for outdoor recreation, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced it has awarded $184,400 in state grant funds to eight organizations and municipalities to improve wildlife habitat on 276 acres of land within the Commonwealth. Now in its seventh year, the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) MassWildlife Habitat Management Grant Program has provided financial assistance to private and municipal landowners of conserved lands to improve and manage habitat for wildlife deemed in greatest conservation need and for certain game species.
“The Commonwealth’s investment in wildlife habitat enhancement projects greatly benefit our native wildlife while simultaneously improving recreational opportunities for people who enjoy outdoor activities, such as fishing, hunting, and wildlife observation,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Improving habitat through active restoration and management also creates a more climate-resilient habitat, an important adaptation strategy as we confront climate change.”
“The Habitat Management Grant Program provides municipalities and conservation organizations with vital funding that is important to properly manage wildlife habitat to the benefit of both wildlife and people,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These groups do not have all the funds necessary to conduct critical habitat management activities, and our Administration is proud to partner with them to help fill that gap.”
While the DFG’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) and other conservation organizations have made unprecedented investments in land acquisition in Massachusetts, land protection alone is not enough to guarantee the persistence of the Commonwealth’s diverse wildlife. Investment in habitat restoration and management is needed on public and private lands across the state. To address this need, the Administration has substantially increased investment in habitat management on state wildlife lands and are committed to working with partners to promote these efforts on other conserved lands across
