This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). Through the implementation of MESA, MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) conserves and protects the most vulnerable native animal and plant species of Massachusetts and the habitats upon which they depend, according to a recent news release from MassWildlife about the anniversary. Currently, there are more than 400 native plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates that are officially listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern.
Many rare species have benefited from the protection afforded under MESA and the work of NHESP over the years, including the restoration and conservation of several notable species such as the peregrine falcon, bald eagle and northern red-bellied cooter. However, there is still a lot to do and in the face of habitat loss, emerging diseases, invasive species, climate change and other threats. Today, this work is more important than ever.
The staff at NHESP is diligently working to recover rare species and their habitats. NHESP’s conservation efforts include targeted restoration and active management of habitats; collection, management and analysis of statewide biological data; conducting regulatory reviews; and the development of educational programming, publications, and conservation tools to connect residents with nature and help guide state and partner conservation priorities.
The vast majority of NHESP’s work is funded through grants, regulatory review fees and donations from supportive citizens. Donations to NHESP are received through a voluntary check-off on the state income tax form and direct donations throughout the year. NHESP donations go directly into the Endangered Wildlife Conservation Fund, which can only be used for administering NHESP programs. These donations are critical to ensure the dedicated NHESP staff can continue to perform important conservation work, including field research and surveys, regulatory review, habitat management, land protection, and education. Without such support, NHESP cannot to protect, manage and restore the state’s most imperiled animals and plants and the sensitive communities and habitats on which they depend. In addition to donations, citizens can help by reporting the location of a rare species or vernal pool to help NHESP keep its database current.
It is important to remember that wildlife does not exist in a vacuum and habitat is the critical factor in the maintenance of an ecosystem that provides the basic needs of all plants, animals, fish and insects. Those animals, insect and plant species that are most vulnerable receive protection from both MESA and federal protections that some species receive as well. It is easy to only focus on the critters that we like but it is a system that, when it is maintained benefits all of living things.
Last week’s column, based on an upcoming article on carbon storage that will appear in MassWildlife Magazine, elicited quite a bit of interest. Hopefully, everyone who said they were intending to subscribe will follow through. Authors Brian Hawthorne and John Scanlon put together a really well-done article that makes anyone reading it more knowledgeable about the topic. I used a portion of their article and could not have communicated the information any better than they did. I urge everyone to read it when the issue comes out.
The January news release from MassWildlife also includes the annual warning not to feed wildlife. Each winter, the agency receives inquiries from the public regarding whether or not to feed wildlife. While people have good intentions, supplemental feeding of wildlife typically does more harm than good. Most wildlife seasonally change behavior to adapt to cold temperatures and scarce food supplies. Supplemental feeding can alter that behavior and have detrimental, and sometimes fatal, effects. Wildlife varieties in Massachusetts have adapted over thousands of years to cope with harsh winter weather, including deep snow, cold temperatures and high winds.
Supplemental feed sites congregate wildlife into unnaturally high densities, which can attract predators and increase the risk of death by wild predators or domestic pets, spread diseases among wildlife or cause other health issues such as Rumen acidosis in deer and Aflatoxicosis in turkeys. Feeding sites can also cause aggression and competition over food, wasting vital energy reserves and potentially leading to injury or death, reduce fat reserves, as wild animals use energy traveling to and from the site. It can also cause wildlife to crossroads more frequently, therefore increasing vehicle collisions and negatively impact vegetation and habitat in areas where feeding congregates animals.
Providing wildlife with food at any time of year teaches them to rely on humans for food, which puts them at a disadvantage for survival and can lead to human/wildlife conflicts. Once habituated behavior is established, it can be very difficult or impossible to change.
The best way to help wildlife make it through the winter is to step back and allow the animals’ instincts to take over. This winter has, so far, been quite mild and wildlife is doing quite nicely without any help. To help wildlife near your home, focus on improving the wildlife habitat on or near your property, by including natural food and cover like some conifer cover and regenerating forest or brushy habitat. It is also important that wildlife populations are in balance with what the habitat can support.
MassWildlife biologists also advise against feeding wildlife. While backyard bird feeding during winter months is generally acceptable, we recommend using native plants and water to attract birds to your yard. Fallen birdseed can unintentionally attract many types of wildlife, including bears, turkeys, small mammals like squirrels and mice and predators like foxes, fishers, and coyotes that feed on small mammals and aids avian predators. If you notice unwanted wildlife in your backyard, bring in your bird feeders immediately.
A mild January always seems to shorten winter. We will see if it continues.