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- The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP), part of the
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, is one of the programs
forming the Natural Heritage network. NHESP is responsible for the
conservation and protection of hundreds of species that are not hunted, fished,
trapped, or commercially harvested in the state. The Program's highest priority
is protecting the approximately 178 species of vertebrate and invertebrate
animals and 264 species of native plants that are officially listed as
Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern in Massachusetts.
The overall goal of the Program is the protection of the state's wide range of
native biological diversity. Progress towards this goal is accomplished through
the following:
* Biological Field Surveys,
* Research and Inventory
* Data Management,
* Environmental Impact Review,
* Rare Species Recovery,
* Ecological Restoration of Key Habitats, and
* Land Protection.
[Source: "http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhesp.htm"]
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