The General Assembly, when creating Maryland's Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act* (NESCA), recognized the importance of plants and animals to human existence. The Act reads:

1. It is the policy of the State to conserve species of wildlife for human enjoyment, for scientific purposes, and to insure their perpetuation as viable components of their ecosystems;

2. Species of wildlife and plants normally occurring within the State which may be found to be threatened or endangered within the State should be accorded the protection necessary to maintain and enhance their numbers.

Maryland's Act has been successful as a tool to set up a program to conserve endangered species. The Act mandates the Department of Natural Resources to list species that are in danger of extinction within the State; requires that State agencies use their authority to maintain and enhance nongame wildlife and endangered species populations; and directs the Secretary of the Department to set up programs to conserve these species.

The Maryland Natural Heritage Program (NHP) is the lead state agency responsible for the identification, ranking, protection, and management of nongame, rare and endangered species and their habitats in Maryland. Data collected by NHP ecologists, contractors and cooperators provide the scientific foundation for the Threatened and Endangered Species lists mandated by the Act.

Natural Heritage program researchers conduct inventory and monitoring activities on nongame wildlife, rare species populations and natural communities, documenting trends in population and habitat health and viability. Information gathered through this research guides land management decisions and regulations designed to protect and conserve our state biological diversity. One past example of this is NHP ecologists working with colleagues at the Critical Area Commission in designating habitat protection areas and criteria for protection of Forest Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS) in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. An example of a current cooperative project is the combined efforts of US Fish and Wildlife Service staff and NHP staff to monitor annually the State's bald eagle population.

Restoration of threatened ecosystems and land acquisition recommendations are other methods by which we work to conserve the natural habitats from degradation and fragmentation. We work with local land managers, state and federal agencies and private non-profit conservation groups to protect and restore examples of uncommon or fragile natural communities and the rare species they support.

Results of inventories, site evaluations, taxonomic studies and other supporting research is maintained in hardcopy and digital form in the NHP database. By analyzing state- and rangewide population data, we assign a rank denoting the species' level of rarity. Factors considered in rank assignment include number of individuals, current level of protection, ecological vulnerability and population trends. These ranks are then used to decide if a species may warrant listing, in accordance with NESCA. Placing a plant or animal on the state list of Threatened and Endangered Species affords that species certain legal protections. 

Data from the NHP database is also used to identify potential negative impacts of development projects during environmental review procedures. When potential impacts are identified, Regional Ecologists work with the applicant to avoid or minimize disturbance to rare species and communities. 

Endangered Species - Plants & Animals

* For full text of the Act and guiding regulations please see the Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act, Natural Resources Article, Sections 4-2A-01 -- 10-2A-01 -- 4-2A-08, 10-2A-09, Annotated Code of Maryland at the following websites, and search through Maryland Statutes.

www.mlis.state.md.us or  www.dsd.state.md.us