Senate Passes Resolution Commending the Massachusetts Dept. of Fish and Game for its Efforts in Preserving Biodiversity

(BOSTON – 04/14/2023) Yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate passed a resolution commending the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) for its efforts in preserving biodiversity in the Commonwealth. The resolution, offered by Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury) and co-sponsored by nine senators, specifically recognizes the Department’s work on their Biodiversity Initiative, a program that supports active habitat management projects that directly benefit rare and declining wildlife species.

“I am pleased that the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game has emerged as a national leader in biodiversity conservation,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “With almost 70 percent of animal populations having been wiped out worldwide since 1970, the world is on a dangerous path. Fortunately, the DFG and its division, MassWildlife, have created a plan to protect ecosystems with its Biodiversity Initiative – a program that can serve as a blueprint for states across the country. I’m thrilled to recognize the work they are doing on this front, and I hope that state and federal officials take notice.”

The MassWildlife Biodiversity Initiative identifies areas in which human activities have significantly disrupted natural processes. It also works to re-establish natural processes like fire in certain uplands that have historically been suppressed due to human activity and to restore wetlands to vibrant open habitats along rivers and streams across the Commonwealth. This work is supported by the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, the Department of Fish & Game, MassWildlife District Offices, and the Division of Ecological Restoration.

In addition to recognizing the work of the DFG, the resolution also calls on the agency to work with Congress to establish a National Biodiversity Strategy, a plan that would coordinate a conservation response from all levels of government.

This resolution was sponsored by Senator Moore and co-sponsored by Senators Gobi, Lovely, O’Connor, Oliveira, Pacheco, Payano, Rausch, Rodrigues, and Timilty.

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