SHEFFIELD, Mass. — The Sheffield Land Trust has been awarded $28,150 from MassWildlife to treat invasive species at The Schenob Brook Preserve, a large calcareous wetland complex surrounding Schenob Brook. 

 

Sheffield was one of the communities that was awarded a grant to restore critical wildlife habitat.

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $325,000 in grants to restore approximately 520 acres of wildlife habitat across Massachusetts. The Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) awarded grants to six organizations through the Habitat Management Grant Program (MHMGP), which provides crucial financial assistance to private and municipal owners of conserved lands to improve habitat for wildlife, steward biodiversity, enhance climate resiliency, and promote public recreational opportunities.  

 

"Partnership and collaboration are essential for meeting our ambitious biodiversity and climate goals. Most forests and other wildlife habitats in Massachusetts are not state-owned, and we rely on conservation organizations, cities and towns, private landowners, and other partners to greatly expand our impact," said DFG Commissioner Tom O'Shea."This program provides us with the unique opportunity to improve habitat for at-risk wildlife while also bolstering outdoor recreation opportunities for all." 

 

While Massachusetts has made strides to permanently conserve over 28 percent of the state, many essential habitats for wildlife are degraded by invasive species growth, emerging pests and disease, and face increasing threats from climate change. Habitat management is crucial to address these challenges and support wildlife. MassWildlife leads work to restore habitat on state conservation lands and, through the MHMGP, supports private and municipal conservation partners in doing the same. Through this work, MassWildlife and partners restore healthy, resilient landscapes that support a variety of species, particularly those of greatest conservation need. Since 2015, the MHMGP has funded 117 projects by partners that have restored over 4,300 acres of natural habitat statewide.