Press Release: ‘Protect Water and Nature’ Ballot Campaign Collects Required Signatures to Advance Toward 2026 Statewide Ballot

For Immediate Release: November 18, 2025 

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

‘Protect Water and Nature’ Ballot Campaign Collects Required Signatures to Advance Toward 2026 Statewide Ballot

Dozens of Organizations Backing Ballot Initiative to Establish Dedicated Fund for Land and Water Conservation in Massachusetts — Without Raising Taxes 

BOSTON — Supporters of the ‘Protect Water and Nature’ ballot initiative, which would dedicate funds from the existing state sales tax on sporting goods to protecting and conserving water and nature, today announced that they have collected significantly more than the required 74,574 signatures to advance the initiative toward the 2026 statewide ballot. Tomorrow is the deadline for ballot signatures to be filed with local election officials for certification, before they are submitted to the Secretary of State’s office by Wednesday, December 3. 

If passed, the Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative would dedicate $100 million each year to support the conservation and restoration of water and natural areas in Massachusetts, and to create more outdoor recreational spaces like trails and parks that everyone can enjoy — without raising taxes. The ballot campaign is supported by more than 60 environmental, conservation,and community organizations throughout Massachusetts, including the state’s leading nonprofit land and water conservation groups as well as dozens of local groups from every corner of the state. 

Volunteers from dozens of organizations within the coalition contributed to the campaign’s milestone by collecting signatures from their neighbors at farmers’ markets, festivals, trailheads, and wildlife sanctuaries. 

“It was so rewarding to volunteer with Trust for Public Land and collect signatures at a local fall festival in Peabody,” said Emily McGranachan of Peabody, Mass. “In talking with people from all over the North Shore, we all shared common ground in our love of nature and being outside 

with our families. That's what inspires me to volunteer and support the Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative — to ensure my family, and especially my children, can continue to experience the wonder and beauty of the outdoors here in Massachusetts.”

“Volunteering with Mass Audubon to collect signatures for the Protect Water and Nature campaign was incredibly gratifying, and I am proud to have been a part of it,” said Joe LaFond of Chelsea, Mass. “When faced with federal rollbacks of environmental policies and a political climate in which so many issues seem so huge and out of our control, participating in this campaign made me feel like I did have the capacity to act and make a direct impact on my community and environment. That was incredibly empowering. Also, witnessing the willingness and enthusiasm of people to sign and support this campaign was really encouraging and gave me some hope for a better future.” 

“This was one of the easiest and joyful tasks to share hope of sustainability for the future,” said Karen Buck of the Friends of the Malden River, an effective citizens group member of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance. “People were thrilled to hear of this ballot initiative to allocate 

existing revenue from the sales tax on sporting goods to protect our natural resources, public open space and parks! Several people even said that they would shop more at Massachusetts sporting goods shops to support this Nature for All Fund! I have no doubt that public support will be strong, and it's been gratifying to be part of this initiative to protect our vulnerable waterways and nature.” 

“I was thrilled to volunteer with The Trustees and help gather signatures at the deCordova Museum in October in support of the Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative. I’ve always believed deeply in the Trustees’ mission, and this initiative represents something that benefits not only our environment but every resident of Massachusetts,” said Shari Monnes of Chelmsford, Mass. “Talking with museum visitors about the effort was such a rewarding experience—everyone I met was genuinely engaged and enthusiastic about protecting open spaces and the ecosystems we all share.” 

“With the support of Massachusetts’ incredible environmental and conservation community, we’ve successfully collected enough signatures to qualify for the ballot,” said Andrew Sharpe, Founder and CEO of the Boston-based Authentic Caribbean Foundation. “As we talk to our neighbors at farmers’ markets and parks across the state, it’s clear that voters want to prioritize and protect our rivers, lakes, forests, farms, and other natural areas, especially as federal funding for land and water conservation is under threat. With this ballot question, we can deliver clean water, healthy forests, more trails and parks, and access to the outdoors and nature for everyone in Massachusetts — all without raising taxes.” 

The ‘Protect Water and Nature’ ballot initiative would create a dedicated Nature for All Fund with $100 million each year to support the conservation and restoration of water and land in Massachusetts, and to 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 golf clubs, RVs, and camping gear — not by creating a new tax. The law would also establish a public oversight board that would approve all expenditures from the fund. 

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The Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative 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.