$44,500 Given To Marlborough To Improve Desert Natural Area

MARLBOROUGH, MA—Marlborough is among 18 cities and towns across the state that got a chunk of $506,856 in grants for wildlife habitat improvement projects.

The city got $44,500 from the state to create and improve young forest habitat in the Desert Natural Area. Last year, Marlborough got $14,483 from the state to control invasive plants at the Desert Natural Area.

The MassWildlife Habitat Management Grant Program was developed to establish partnerships between MassWildlife and private and municipal landowners to enhance habitat and increase recreational opportunities on properties across the state. This year, funds provided through the grant program benefit 20 wildlife habitat improvement projects, totaling 950 acres in 19 Massachusetts communities.

“The Habitat Management Grant Program is a great example of the strong partnership between the state, municipalities, private landowners and organizations working together to conserve land and wildlife,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. “These grants are an important tool to help build upon the thousands of acres of important conservation land for wildlife and residents across the Commonwealth.”

“Massachusetts is home to an incredibly diverse array of protected natural resources and habitats that include saltwater marshes, mountain summits, and old growth forests,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton in a statement. “Habitat for common and rare plants and wildlife requires active and ongoing maintenance and management in order to thrive, and these grants will assist in those important efforts.”

Photo via Sudbury Valley Trustees