Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation in Massachusetts

• Author: Bob Durand and Sharon McGregor
• Pages: 61-73

Chapter 6

Mainstreaming Biodiversity

Conservation in Massachusetts1

by Bob Durand and Sharon McGregor

I. Introduction

No state agency, private organization,community, or individual—no matter

how determined, scientific, and well-funded—can alone secure the future of

our priceless biological resources. The solution requires an integrated plan,

efficient funding, new management tools, environmental education, and

most importantly, the cooperation of all to reach the common goal.

A number of natural resource programs spread across a diverse array of

state agencies are directly or indirectly involved in furthering the protection

and enhancement of the Massachusetts’ biological diversity. The conserva-

tion of biodiversity may represent only a small fraction of an agency’s re-

sponsibilities (which may include economically important activities such as

forestry and recreation), while in other cases it represents the primary focus

of an agency. In recognition of this divided authority, Bob Durand, former

Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs, developed a coopera-

tive, state-led model that maximizes the commonwealth’s efforts to protect

and enhance biological diversity while recognizing the traditional interests

and authorities of independent agencies.

Conserving vital wildlife communities and ecosystems requires a cooper-

ative approach to biodiversity protection and management on a landscape

scale. Cooperation must be extended to nonprofit partners and local and re-

gional officials. The creation of the Southeast Massachusetts Bioreserve is

an example of multiparty cooperation. That landmark environmental

achievement required the cooperation of three state agencies; the mayor, the

Water Board, and the City Council of Fall River; the Trustees of Reserva-

tions; local tribal officials; local land trusts; regional and local environmen-

tal groups; and individual and organized sportsmen to complete the project.

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1. This chapter is adapted from Bob Durand, Mainstreaming Biodiversity,3

Mass. Wildlife 2-11 (2002).