For Immediate Release
October 23, 2026
Contact: Andrew Farnitano, 925-917-1354, andrew@acfstrategies.com
“YES on 6” Ballot Campaign to Protect Water and Nature Launches Final Ad: “Simple”
Ballot Question 6 Would Create Dedicated Nature for All Fund for Water and Land Conservation in Massachusetts — Without Raising Taxes
BOSTON — The “YES on 6” ballot campaign, which aims to create a dedicated source of funding for land and water conservation in Massachusetts, today released their second and final campaign ad. 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.
Titled “Simple,” the ad features Arlington resident Nicole Freedman 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. The ad, part of a seven-figure media buy through Election Day, will air on broadcast television, digital channels and connected televisions. It follows a previous ad, “Naturally,” which began airing earlier this month.
“Question 6 is our chance to protect the water we drink and conserve our forests, farms, wildlife habitats, and parks — for today's families and for future generations,” said Nicole Freedman, an Arlington resident who serves as Executive Director of the New England Mountain Bike Association. “Question 6 will provide dedicated funding to conserve open spaces while creating and improving trails, parks, and outdoor recreation opportunities across the Commonwealth. It’s a win for clean water, for conservation, and for everyone who loves getting outside — without raising taxes.”
The new ad can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNbjEMd3KOM.
Script:
This year’s ballot’s a lot. But Question 6 is simple. The sales tax we already pay on sporting goods would go to clean water, forests, and parks. We can’t afford to lose places like these. Warehouses…now data centers…there are pressures. A day out here is priceless. Question 6 keeps it that way — no new taxes — and protects the water my kids drink. To preserve places like this. Yes on 6. Naturally.
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.
Question 6 is supported by a diverse coalition of more than 130 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.
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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.