Summary: The MassWildlife Habitat Management Grant Program provides assistance to private and municipal owners of protected lands to enhance wildlife habitat, while promoting public access for outdoor recreation.
Protected land is defined as property protected by a Conservation Restriction or Easement, an Agricultural Preservation Restriction, land enrolled in Chapter 61, 61A/B, land subject to a current Landowner Incentive Program covenant, land owned in fee by a non-profit organization whose primary mission is the conservation of land, municipal land under the care and control of the town conservation commission and town forests (parks and recreation land is not eligible unless there is a conservation restriction or it is enrolled in Chapter 61 or 61A/B); or an entity under equivalent protection as determined by MassWildlife staff.
Funding Focus: The MHMGP objectives include: improve habitat(s) for game species (those species that can be legally hunted, fished, and trapped in MA); manage habitat(s) for Species of Greatest Conservation Need with a special emphasis on State-Endangered and State-Threatened Species; enhance ecological communities disproportionally susceptible to climate change (fire adapted communities, riparian buffers along cold water fisheries resources, etc.); and promote public recreational opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife associated recreation on conserved lands.
