09. / ie* oramd p2t attih of Massachusetts Divisio Natural Heritage News T/ie newsletter of the Massachusetts Natural Heritage &l Endangered Species Program Conserving the Biological Diversity of Massachusetts through Inventory, Protection and Stewardship 312066 0374 5630 5 liTOl\/l AP Guiding Land Conservation for LW-Vvi.VA/-\T Riodiversitv in Massachusetts Fall iS?2001 Mapping the biodiversity of Massachusetts BioMap Goal: To promote strategic land protection by producing a map showing areas that, if protected, would provide suitable habitat over the long term for the maximum number of Massachusetts' terrestrial and wetland plant and animal species and natural communities. To do so, Natural Heritage staff • conducted a thorough evaluation of over 7000 current records in the Program's biodiversity database; • created a map representing the most viable exemplary natural communities and habitat for rare plant and animal species, as well as landscape areas that buffer and connect core habitat areas, and which help maintain ecological processes upon which the species and communities depend; and • are now distributing the BioMap to towns, state agencies, regional planners, and conservation organizations. Turn to page 3 for more detail on the BioMap Project. Biodiversity in Massachusetts 1 In the spring of 2000, the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) provided special funding to the Natural Heritage &. Endangered Species Program (NHESP) to develop the BioMap, an innovative conservation planning tool. The BioMap Project goal was to produce a statewide map to guide the protection of Massachusetts' biodiversity. Secretary of EOEA Bob Durand said "The BioMap is an excellent new source of information for those involved in the ongoing effort to protect biodiversity in Massachusetts." After a comprehensive evaluation of our extensive data base, the Natural Heritage Program identified and mapped the areas crucial to the state's rare species and exemplary natural communities resulting in the BioMap. This exciting tool for guiding the conservation of biodiversity in Massachusetts was released in August. The BioMap presents our vision for land conservation for biodiversity in Massachusetts, and provides a snapshot of the state of our biological conservation knowledge in the summer of 2001. (see page 3 for more details) Small Research Contracts Small Research Contracts Overview The NHESP relies on information that is submitted to our database, often from local naturalists around the state. To. help support some of the field work that results in this useful data, NHESP administers a Small Research Contracts (SRC) program. The program is set up to reimburse contractors for expenses incurred while looking for rare species or priority natural communities, and provides a conduit for funding K special projects, such as inventories of federal j \ \ flood control properties and military bases. Over the years, SRC contractors have updated species occurrences, found new occurrences of rare species, reported W^-g^^/^" problems at rare species sites, and reported J/ on the habitats in which they are found. They § have intensively studied particular species or ^ natural community types. The contractors have 5 added records to our database and continue to | help us protect the biodiversity of the state through J the increased knowledge of the distribution and habitat needs of rare species. Many of the reports are used for years after submission by NHESP staff, land managers and local boards and commissions. 2001 SRC Projects and Results ,_ /?\ In 200 1 , twenty-six contracts were awarded, supporting a variety of projects. k^i^-^ A master's thesis project will provide important information on the American *0 Burying Beetle a federally Endangered species. The project studies the population that has resulted from 7 years of releasing adults on Nantucket, and will also include continued releases to supplement that population. Early reports for other projects include the following exciting results: | • Five new sites for Long's Bulrush Endangered in Massachusetts; two new s populations of River Bulrush a Species of Special Concern; and a new site \ \ %/i f°r trie rare Britton's Violelplus two new exemplary natural community \ \ )jf locations. \\ \ ii ffl * "^he second record of a female "head-started" Plymouth Redbelly ^L\i/y/^-^^> Turtle (state and federally listed as Endangered) laying eggs. Over 500 eggs were protected from predators, and about 100 eggs were collected for additional head-starting. Request For Proposals The NHESP will soon be writing the 2002 SRC Request for Proposals (RFP) which will be mailed out in early January. Proposals will be due in February, and notification made in March. The RFP includes NHESP's priorities for projects but always includes the invitation to submit other proposals. The NHESP will mail the SRC RFP to interested individuals and institutions and post the information on our web site. For additional information and to obtain a copy of the RFP, contact at natural.heritage@state.ma.usi at (508) 792-7270, ext. 200. NHN^Page2 '* NHESP Notes from the Field A new locality for the Bog Elfin Callophrys lanoraieensfy was found this spring in Rutland. The Bog Elfin has a restricted global range and is dependent entirely upon Black Spruce swamps and bogs. It will likely be proposed for listing as a rare species in the near future. This record, along with a population found in Petersham several years ago, represents the southernmost populations known for this species. Evidence of Massachusetts' second breeding colony of Leach's Storm-petreKPceanoJroma leucorhoj) was found in June, 2001 . Three birds were heard making breeding calls from nest burrows within stone walls on No Man's Island. This, along with the breeding colony on Penikese Island, represents the southernmost occurrence of this pelagic bird that is Endangered in Massachusetts. The first occurrence in Massachusetts of the Cobblestone Tiger Beetle Qicindela marginipenni) was mm confirmed in 2001. This ^jj globally restricted species will likely be proposed for listing now that it is known from the state. Its habitat | is limited to cobblestone islands and deltas along artwork by Matt Burne major rivers. Intricate Fairy Shrimp Eubranchipus intricatus It's not too soon to start planning early spring field work! The Program is very interested in getting new records of the intricate fairy shrimp. If you would like to help us find these uncommon vernal pool inhabitants, please contact Matt Burne at (508) 792-7270 ext. 307. The Dwarf Wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodofr listed as Endangered in Massachusetts and by the federal government - was believed extirpated from one of the few known localities in the state after last being recorded in the 1970's. However, a Small Research Contract (see page 6) with biologist Don Pugh in 2000 yielded a new record of this rare mussel in the Fort River. Though only a couple of individuals were found at one location, hopes of finding more throughout the river have been raised. The NHESP will be funding additional survey work in the Fort to bolster this exciting new find. artwork by Ethan Nadeau Land Acquisition Highlights In fiscal year 2001, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (of which NHESP is a part) protected over 12,000 acres of land across the state. These most recent acquisitions bring the Division's total holdings to more than 120,000 acres. About 2300 acres in 19 of these recent acquisitions are home to rare species and exemplary natural communities. This rapid rate of protection will continue through the current fiscal year, as EOEA Secretary Bob Durand is avidly pursuing Governor Swift's goal of protecting 50,000 more acres state-wide by all state agencies. | Agawam Lake WMA Protected Open Space Developed Land ^^Road /"'•../' Stream fill Wa(er Body .^Town Boundary 52000 STOCKBRIDGE BEARTOWM STATKFORKST i MQNUMBNT MOUNT AM:. RESERVATION : Monument Mountain/ Agawam Lake 701 acres of Monument Mountain and Agawam Lake in Great Barringtornnd Stockbridgwere protected by the Division of Fisheries Natural Heritage is now preparing large GIS Town. BioMapsfor all towns that had Core Habitats identified during the BioMap project. As part of this effort Natural Heritage staff will be drafting descriptive paragraphs highlighting the ecological significance of most of the Core Habitat polygons and making this information widely available. Vernal Pools for Educators' Workshops A free workshop for Massachusetts educatorsTith funding provided by EOEA, the Natural Heritage Program, in cooperation with the Vernal Pool Association (www.vernalpool.org), will once again offer Vernal Pools for Educators workshopsn the spring of 2002. Since 1999, over 300 classroom teachers and other educators have been introduced to vernal pools and their value as a teaching resource through these one-day workshops. Brochures will be sent out in January, and keep an eye on the NHESP and VPA websites for application information. Educators of all types are encouraged to apply for the limited slots, though preference will be given to teachers that are involved in classroom education. Participants receive an incredible packet of educational resources: • the VPA's Diving Into Wicked Big Puddfemcluding 90 photographic slides, PowerPoint presentations, scripts, lesson concepts and more; • NHESP's A Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools • Classroom sets of vernal pool wildlife posters; • and MORE! Choose to attend one of the following workshop dates: March 20, Friday March 29, Friday April 2, Tuesday^ April 6^£atSday A*rH^23;Tuesday ^l&pril 29, Monday I 2 3 4 5 6 T\&*' Mav 9.Thursdav 6 3 fcr Andttisr ed>l|nton Hudson Norwell Westboro Gardner Wilbraham 1 NHESP on the Web The Natural Heritage Program's internet websites up and running! Our GIS Manager has worked hard to make the site easy to navigate and has filled it with useful information and downloadable material. Surf over to www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/nheSpr Heritage Program Overview Research and Inventory Learn about the various research and inventory work that the NHESP conducts and funds throughout MA. Environmental Review Reviewing potential impacts to rare species habitat from development projects is a critical function of the NHESP. Learn how the NHESP is involved and to what effect. The NHESP has been involved with the protection of vernal pools since the late 1980's. Get information, resources and forms straight from the web, and learn about new initiatives in vernal pool protection and education. The BioMap NH&ES Advisory Committee Land Protection The NHESP is very active in identifying sites of interest for rare species and natural communities conservation. See what important lands have been protected and find other interesting information. Information Resources Find downloadable documents and other information. Publications Find out what's available from the NHESP bookshelf. Weblinks Find links to many other natural resource agencies and conservation organizations. NHESP Publications Within the last couple of years, the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program has produced several publications that should be of interest to the conservation community. In addition to the BioMap publication, technical report, and poster, we have produced several useful publications on various topics including vernal pools, the natural heritage of Massachusetts, and our diverse flora. A sampling of these publications includes: m i « The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: A County Checklist By Bruce A. Sorrie and Paul Somers, 2000 186 pages, $5 NHN 9k. Page 5 A Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools By Leo P. Kenney and Matthew R. Burne 77 pages in full color, 5.5X8" $5 (bulk order discounts available) Massachusetts Aerial Photo Survey of Potential Vernal Pools By Matthew R. Burne 80 pages with data CD for PC, Free For more information on the publications available from the NHESP, call us or check out our website! http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhpubs.htm NHESP Budget Bits As we go to press a final state budget for fiscal year 2002 (7/1/01 to 6/30/02) has still not been passed. However, in both earlier Senate and the House-passed versions, the two separate accounts, or "line items", that have supported the NHESP in recent years have now been combined into one new line item, #23 10- 030 1 . Not only will this make it much more efficient administratively but it will also make it much easier for people to identify, understand and support the Program's budget in the state's massive annual budget document. The Program's combined operating budget account is charged against three different funding sources. The legislature's conference committee budget earier had set the Program's appropriation for fiscal year 2002 at $794,466, although due to recent events and economic uncertainties it is still unclear what the final level of FY '02 funding may be. The latest information may be gleaned by visiting the Commonwealth's web site, www.state.ma.us/legis and looking for the line item number cited above in the fiscal year budget documents. NHESP Funding Sources Inland Fish and Game Fund (hunting and fishing license fees) 22% NHES Fund (income tax form donations and direct contributions) 36% General Fund 42% Although the depiction of endangered species might suggest otherwise, the proceeds from the colorful Right Whale license plates appearing on many Massachusetts cars do not result in revenue for the state's endangered species programmtributions on state income tax forms, however, still comprise a key part of our operating budget (see graphic above). Contributions are now deductible on both state and federal income tax returns. Please join over 22,000 tax filers in donating annually to help Endangered Species Conservation on your income tax form, or you can donate directly to the NHES Fund at the address below. Thank you to all of you who have donated on your income tax form or directly to the Program. Your support of our work protect the state's endangered species and rare natural communities is very much appreciated. Sign me up for a free subscription to the Natural Heritage News (published twice yearly). Please send future issues to: NAME ADDRESS APT. CITY STATE ZIP Please mail to: Natural Heritage &l Endangered Species Program Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Route 135, Westboro, MA 01581 tel: (508) 792-7270, x 200, fax: (508) 792-7821 th is issue BioMap 1, 3 Guiding Land Conservation for Biodiversity in Massachusetts Small Research Contracts NHESP on the Web NHESP Publications NHESP Budget Bits 1 NHESP Notes from the Field 2 Land Acquisition Highlights 2 New Initiatives 4 Vernal Pools for Educators 4 Workshops 4 5 5 ^ $* xP & RthA^ A "D Guiding Land Conservation for J_/lv-/lVX/\i Biodiversity in Massachusetts Guiding Land Conservation for biodiversity in massachusetts The BioMap poster illustrates Core Habitatsand Supporting Natural Landscapes along with protected open space, across the state. Beautiful photographs of rare plants, animals, and natural communities help bring to life the importance of guiding land conservation for biodiversity protection in Massachusetts. Designed and Written by Matt Burne. Edted by Henry Wootsey and Claire Corcoran. Staff contributions by Amy Burnham.Tom French, Marea Gabriel, Lynn Harper, Patricia Huckery, Mike Nelson, Tim Simmons, Paticia Swain, David Szczebak, Henry Woolsey. , Natural Heritage $jfc&L Endangered Species Program Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Route 135 Westboro, MA 01581 X *fc %. 7 D Univ. of Mass. W.E.B. Du Bois Library Government Documents Amherst, MA 01003 s/ O V 00"i / 0002 M 1 ; ! 1 ! 1 i i ! I I > • { { t 1 < I i i I i S { 1 ■ ! f ' 1 1 < { 1 ! E < ! • ! 1 .' t > I i f 1 1