Governor Patrick Includes $250,000 for Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program

Funding restored after four years

BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS — January 24, 2008 — The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program has more reason to celebrate its 30th anniversary; the state program responsible for protecting our state’s rare animals and plants received $250,000 in Governor Patrick’s Fiscal Year 2009 operating budget.

The funding is a dramatic change from the last five years. After receiving strong and consistent operating funds each year, Heritage was removed from the state’s budget in 2004. Since then, the Program has pieced together scarce funding through state bonds, federal grants, and voluntary contributions from state income tax forms.

The biological data collected, analyzed and distributed by the Heritage Program details the abundance and needs of the rare native species found in Massachusetts’s lands and waters. In addition, staff members at Heritage identify the sites that provide the best opportunities for preserving and restoring these species. This data in turn guides the work of numerous state and local agencies, land use planners, conservation commissions, and environmental organizations across the state.

HERITAGE AT A GLANCE

193 communities rely on Heritage data for planning.

442 rare species are protected.

5,154 rare species sites have been documented.

2,382 projects have been reviewed under the Endangered Species Act.

ABOUT HERITAGE

Biological Data: Heritage collects, manages and distributes critical information on rare species and their habitats. This data is published in BioMap and Living Waters, nationally-recognized planning tools used widely to protect biodiversity here at home.

Species and Habitat Management: Heritage restores populations of rare species, manages invasive plants and animals and advises many state agencies on land protection and restoration projects necessary to preserve our natural resources.

Environmental Impact Review: Heritage analyzes development projects for their potential impact to state-protected rare species and priority habitats, ensuring that short-term gains do not come at the cost of long term well-being of the Commonwealth.

“Government agencies, local communities and nonprofit conservation organizations use Heritage data to focus on managing and protecting the state’s most significant natural resources,” said Loring Schwarz, Acting Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Massachusetts Chapter. “This restored funding will help the Commonwealth make informed decisions on smart growth and smart conservation.”

"We’re delighted that Governor Patrick has restored funds to Massachusetts' endangered species program, which this year is celebrating 30 years of protecting our rarest natural treasures" said Laura Johnson, President of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. "The proposed funds will help ensure that the animals and plants in Massachusetts that are most threatened and at risk, such as Piping Plovers along our beaches and Bald Eagles along our rivers, continue to call Massachusetts home."

According to Mass Audubon’s report Losing Ground, Massachusetts loses more than 40 acres of open space – or an area the size of the Boston Common – to development.

While growth is necessary to meet the economic, housing and transportation needs of residents, careful land and water use planning is vital to maintain a healthy landscape for all. This landscape includes safe drinking water, clean rivers, working farms, intact and productive forests, scenic vistas, and endangered species and wildlife habitat.

At the heart of these conservation and planning efforts is the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. The expert staff at Heritage collect, analyze and disseminate the scientific data that directs land and water conservation efforts across the state (see box at right).

"The work of the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program is critically important to our quality of life in Massachusetts,” said Wesley T. Ward, Vice President for Land Conservation for the Trustees of Reservations. “The Governor's support is another strong sign of the Administration's commitment to the Massachusetts environment.”

Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 33,000 acres of conservation land, provide educational programs for 200,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at the local, state, and federal levels. Mass Audubon's mission and actions have expanded since our beginning in 1896 when our founders set out to stop the slaughter of birds for use on women's fashions. Today we are the largest conservation organization in New England. Our statewide network of 45 wildlife sanctuaries welcomes visitors of all ages and serves as the base for our conservation, education, and advocacy work. To support these important efforts, call 800-AUDUBON (283-8266) or visit www.massaudubon.org.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.