Press Release: Nature for Massachusetts Coalition Urges Inclusion of Dedicated Funding Mechanism for Climate Resilience in Mass Ready Act
For Immediate Release
Date: June 26, 2025
Contact: James Wu, james@field-first.com
Nature for Massachusetts Coalition Urges Inclusion of Dedicated Funding Mechanism for Climate Resilience in Mass Ready Act
The Mass Ready Act is a critical investment in the Commonwealth’s climate resilience—but without sustained, scalable funding for nature-based solutions, land conservation, and equitable outdoor access, it falls short of meeting Massachusetts’ long-term environmental goals. The Nature for Massachusetts Proposal is the Solution.
Braintree, Mass. – On June 24, Governor Maura Healey introduced the Mass Ready Act, a bill that proposes nearly $3 billion in bond authorizations related to environmental programs, and lacks sustainable funding sources that are critical for the Commonwealth to meet its ambitious and mandatory climate goals.
Statement from the Nature for Massachusetts Coalition on the Mass Ready Act
The Nature for Massachusetts Coalition looks forward to working with the legislature to ensure that the final Mass Ready Act includes the Nature for Massachusetts proposal. Our coalition knows that the Commonwealth needs a long-term, dedicated, and scalable funding solution for nature-based climate resilience, land and water conservation, and equitable outdoor access, and the Nature for Massachusetts bill provides the solution.
The Nature for Massachusetts bill is a fiscally responsible solution that will help the Commonwealth meet its 30x30 land protection and ambitious climate goals for 2050—without adding costs for residents. Including it in the bond bill is essential to building a more climate-resilient, healthy, and livable future for all communities across the state. We are grateful for our champions on Beacon Hill, including lead sponsors Senators Feeney and Comerford, and Representatives Blais and Montaño who will fight to make sure this provision is included in the final bill.
Background on the Nature for Massachusetts Campaign
The Nature for Massachusetts Coalition supports An Act Providing Nature for All - H.901 (filed by Representatives Blais & Montaño) & S.597 (filed by Senator Feeney). This bill would establish a permanent Nature for All Fund for the purposes of acquisition, restoration or improvement of nature to create parks and trails; protect forests, farms, wildlife habitat, and water resources; and advance climate resiliency and environmental justice goals. A portion of the revenue generated from the sporting goods sales tax would be dedicated to supporting the Nature for All Fund, and is estimated to contribute as much as $100 million every year without any increase in taxes.
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The Nature for Massachusetts Coalition is a diverse coalition of environmental, conservation, and community organizations that seek to create a dedicated, annual revenue stream to conserve land, water, urban greenspace, and outdoor recreation access in Massachusetts.
The coalition includes more than 40 organizations across Massachusetts, and is coordinated by a steering committee composed of the following members: Trust for Public Land, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, the Conservation Law Foundation, Brookline GreenSpace Alliance, Mass Audubon, and the Appalachian Mountain Club. More information about the coalition is available at natureforma.org