In connection with the Town-Wide Read program focussing on wildlife and conservation,  Tom French, Director of the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, spoke at the Haston Library this evening on the restoration of habitats in Massachusetts and the current conservation status of various species.  Today, species are at risk not because we are shooting or trapping them, which was the situation during the period of colonial settlement.  From the early 1700s to the peak of deforestation in the 1830s, many species were actively persecuted, including such wilderness icons as bobcat, fox, wolf, cougar, owl, raven, and timber rattlesnake, most to the point of complete extirpation.

Far-sighted conservationists fought back with the regulations which comprise the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, first enacted in 1916 between Great Britain (as the governing body of Canada) and the United States.  Slowly, more enlightened policies prevailed in New England, even in the court of public opinion, but it wasn’t until 1972 that the last bounty for a rattlesnake was paid by New Hampshire.  And fortunately, some species — think of crows — have proven to be resilient.  Today, with its 6.5 million people, Massachusetts is one of the most densely populated states, but many species have made remarkable recoveries.  Here are some of the success stories:

• deer – perhaps because they are not truly forest creatures, we have a lot more of them now than we ever had
• beaver – the first one returned about 50 years ago, and there were 70,000 individuals in 2000
• wild turkey – gone in 1851, restored in 1972, there are now 30,000
• fisher – gone by the 1800s, they are now common state-wide
• coyote – about 10,000 strong, they are found everywhere except on the Islands; they cause the most alarm (note that our coyotes are bigger than those in California)
• black bear – now with a population of about 5,000, they are increasing at a rate of 8% per year and are moving across the state from west to east
• moose – absent from Massachusetts since the 1700s, there are now around 1,000; the population is growing, especially in northern Worcester County

Despite these very visible successes, other species are endangered, threatened, or of special concern.  The top four reasons for the declines are (1) habitat loss, (2) competition from non-native species, (3) fire suppression, and (4) road mortality.  In fact, there are currently 435 state-listed species, of which 176 are animals and 259 are plants.

We can do something about it though.  The State agencies responsible for protecting the environment use a five-pronged approach: they engage in habitat protection and management, in biological and ecological research, in writing and implementing regulations, and in educating the public.  Some notable examples include phragmites removal from Kampoosa Bog in Stockbridge, the restoration of peregrine falcons in urban environments such as the Quincy Shipyard, and the introduction of bald eagles to the Quabbin.  The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program reviews some 2,500 projects per year, of which some 75% are evaluated as “no take,” meaning that the projects will not adversely impact endangered species.

Mr French ended his talk on an optimistic note.  Certainly there are challenges, such as the decline of our bat populations due to White Nose Syndrome, but he believes we should not be discouraged but instead should focus on what we can do to restore and maintain our rich natural heritage.