Press Release: North Shore & Merrimack Valley Environmental and Conservation Organizations Back “YES on 6” Ballot Campaign to Protect Water and Nature

For Immediate Release

October 13, 2026

Contact: Andrew Farnitano, 925-917-1354, andrew@acfstrategies.com

North Shore & Merrimack Valley Environmental and Conservation Organizations Back “YES on 6” Ballot Campaign to Protect Water and Nature

Local Conservation Groups, Land Trusts, & Community Organizations Endorse Ballot Question 6 to Create Dedicated Nature for All Fund for Water and Land Conservation in Massachusetts — Without Raising Taxes

Salem, Mass. — Local conservation groups, land trusts, and community organizations across the North Shore and the Merrimack Valley are endorsing the “YES on 6” ballot campaign, which aims to create a dedicated source of funding for land and water conservation in Massachusetts. Question 6, the Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative on the November statewide ballot, would create a new Nature for All Fund and dedicate funds from the existing state sales tax on sporting goods to protecting and conserving water and nature — without raising taxes.

“IRWA is proud to support Yes on 6. The success of the Nature for Massachusetts campaign would create more funding for conservation and restoration activities to protect both the Ipswich River and those who rely on it for critical drinking water supplies,” said Erin Bonney Casey, Executive Director of the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA). “Conserving land is one of the most effective ways we can protect the health of our rivers and streams. As pressures on our natural environment grow, it is more critical than ever that we have the resources, both financially and otherwise, to invest in projects that protect and restore our most vulnerable ecosystems. The Yes on 6 campaign is an important step to protecting the Ipswich River watershed for the future, and we hope you will join us in voting Yes on 6.”

“On the North Shore, our communities are deeply connected to the health of our coastal waters, wetlands, and watersheds. At Salem Sound Coastwatch, we see how protecting and restoring these natural resources benefits both people and wildlife,” said Gitte Venicx, Executive Director of Salem Sound Coastwatch. The Nature for All Fund would create an important opportunity to invest in clean water, healthy habitats, and access to nature in communities across Massachusetts, helping protect the natural resources that sustain us for generations to come.”

"Greenbelt strongly supports Yes on 6," said Chris LaPointe, President of the Essex County Greenbelt Association. "It's long past time that Massachusetts has a dedicated funding source to invest in conservation and restoration of our most important resources, like clean drinking water and places to get outside, ensuring that nature's benefits are available to all residents."

The following North Shore and Merrimack Valley organizations are supporting Question 6:

BTA/BOLT, Inc.

Essex County Greenbelt Association

Friends of Lawrence Heritage State Park

Haverhill Democratic City Committee

Ipswich River Watershed Association

Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust

Merrimac Neighbors for Nature

Mill City Grows

Salem Sound Coastwatch

Speak Up For Animals

Sustainable Marblehead

The Swampscott Conservancy

In supporting Question 6, the local groups join a broad coalition of more than 125 organizations led by the state’s leading nonprofit land and water conservation groups such as Mass Audubon, The Trustees, Appalachian Mountain Club, the Conservation Law Foundation, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, and Trust for Public Land. Also supporting Question 6 are sporting and outdoor recreation groups such as Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Surfrider Foundation Massachusetts, and the New England Mountain Bike Association, and farming and gardening advocates including the Northeast Organic Farmers Association, American Farmland Trust, Grow Native Massachusetts, and Native Plant Trust.

Individual endorsers include current and former elected officials like Governor Maura Healey and former Governor Deval Patrick, and environmental leaders like former U.S. EPA Administrator and White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy and author, environmentalist, and activist Bill McKibben. A full list of Question 6 endorsements can be found at natureforma.org/endorsements.

This month, the YES on 6 campaign began airing an ad titled “Naturally” on television and digital channels across the state. The ad features Mass Audubon wildlife biologist Lyra Brennan and The Trustees park ranger Matt Zieper addressing how Question 6 would protect clean drinking water; conserve forests, family farms, and natural wildlife habitat; and create more parks, trails, and greenspaces for all to enjoy — without raising taxes.

Background

Question 6, the ‘Protect Water and Nature’ initiative, would dedicate funds from the existing state sales tax on sporting goods to protecting and conserving water and nature — without raising taxes. Question 6 would create a dedicated Nature for All Fund with as much as $100 million each year to support the conservation and restoration of water and natural areas in Massachusetts, protect the quality of our drinking water and natural wildlife habitats, and support the creation and improvement of parks, trails, greenspaces, and other outdoor recreation spaces.

The Nature for All Fund would be funded by the state’s existing sales tax on sporting goods like camping gear, golf clubs, and fishing equipment — not by creating a new tax. Question 6 allocates just 0.16% of the state’s $63.4 billion annual budget, but it would make a big difference for land and water. Question 6 would also establish a public oversight board that would approve all expenditures from the fund, with strict annual reporting requirements to track every dollar spent.

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The YES on 6 campaign is led by Nature for Massachusetts, a large and diverse coalition of environmental, conservation, and community organizations that seek to create a dedicated, annual revenue stream to conserve water, land, urban greenspace, outdoor recreation access, and wildlife in Massachusetts. For more information, visit natureforma.org.