Press Release: Prominent Environmental Leaders Gina McCarthy, Bill McKibben, & Bob Durand Endorse the “YES on 6” Ballot Campaign to Protect Water and Nature

For Immediate Release

September 15, 2026

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

Prominent Environmental Leaders Gina McCarthy, Bill McKibben, & Bob Durand Endorse the “YES on 6” Ballot Campaign to Protect Water and Nature

Environmental Leaders Join Statewide Conservation Groups, Local Land Trusts, Community Organizations and Businesses In Backing Ballot Question 6 to Create Dedicated Nature for All Fund for Water and Land Conservation in Massachusetts — Without Raising Taxes

BOSTON — Three prominent environmental leaders — former U.S. EPA Administrator and White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy; author, environmentalist, and activist Bill McKibben; and former Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs Bob Durand — are endorsing the “YES on 6” ballot campaign. 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.

“Now more than ever, states like Massachusetts need to take the lead on protecting clean water and nature. If we don't act now to conserve our rivers, lakes, forests, farms, and wildlife habitats, they could be lost forever. And we're already seeing the consequences of extreme weather on our communities, from flooding and storm surges to coastal erosion,” said Gina McCarthy, a former U.S. EPA Administrator and White House National Climate Advisor. “Question 6 will deliver substantial dedicated revenue for Massachusetts to protect clean drinking water sources, conserve natural areas, expand local parks, and support natural flood control — all without raising taxes. Question 6 is a common-sense way to permanently protect the Massachusetts places we love, and I'm excited to vote YES on 6 this fall.”

“In a world deeply stressed by rising temperatures, we need every inch of margin we can get to keep our natural world healthy. That’s why I’m so excited about Question 6 on the November statewide ballot in my home state of Massachusetts,” said Bill McKibben, an author, environmentalist, and activist who founded climate justice organizations 350.org and Third Act. “Many of my first encounters with the natural world came there, and I've loved every inch of Massachusetts, from the top of Mount Greylock to the beaches on the Vineyard and the Cape. Question 6 is about ensuring we have the resources to keep our incredible natural places protected and healthy. It couldn't be a more timely and important idea, and I hope everyone in Massachusetts will vote YES on 6 this fall!”

“For Massachusetts hunters and anglers, our lands and waters are where we hunt, fish, feed our families, build community, and watch wildlife thrive. We know those places are at risk, and to protect them is to protect our outdoor way of life,” said Bob Durand, a former Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs and MassWildlife Board Member. “Question 6 will conserve the woods, wetlands, rivers, and streams that support healthy fish and game, while creating more opportunities for Massachusetts residents to hunt and fish. It’s about protecting the places that sustain our wildlife, give people a place to get outside, and keep Massachusetts strong for generations to come.”

Today’s announcement follows Governor Healey’s endorsement of Question 6 earlier this year, and last week’s announcement that Question 6 is now supported more than 100 environmental, conservation, and community organizations and businesses throughout Massachusetts, including 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, as well as dozens of local and regional groups from every corner of the state.

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 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.

Question 6 is supported by a diverse coalition of more than 100 environmental, conservation, and community organizations and businesses throughout Massachusetts, including 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, as well as dozens of local and regional groups from every corner of the state.

Over the last year, the coalition collected more than 122,000 signatures from Massachusetts voters to put nature on the ballot. Volunteers from dozens of organizations within the coalition contributed to this tremendous showing of support by collecting thousands of signatures from their neighbors at farmers’ markets, festivals, trailheads, and wildlife sanctuaries.

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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.