November 1, 2025 - If state legislators fail to pass legislation reallocating sales tax revenue on sporting goods to support protecting and conserving water and nature, a coalition of conservation agencies is prepared to bring the proposal to voters next November.

Nature for Massachusetts, a coalition of more than 50 conservation trusts and nature protection organizations, is collecting signatures for a Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative. If passed, the initiative would reallocate $100 million in existing state funds from the state sales tax on sporting goods to create a Nature for All Fund, which could be used to support the conservation and restoration of water and natural areas in Massachusetts, and to create more outdoor recreational spaces like trails and state parks.

October 20, 2025 - Dozens of Organizations Collecting Signatures to Place Initiative on November 2026 Ballot That Would Establish Dedicated Fund for Land and Water Conservation — Without Raising Taxes

The organizations endorsing the campaign include the state’s leading nonprofit land and water conservation groups as well as dozens of local groups from every corner of the state.

WCVB Ch. 5 covered the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance advocacy day for bills that would support local waterways, including our legislation to create the Nature for All Fund to “to protect the land, trails, and all the waterways.”

October 15, 2025 - “As rain pelted the State House, advocates for the Bay State’s many rivers and watersheds gathered Oct. 8 in a fourth-floor hearing room to prepare their call for the support of waterways across Massachusetts. [One bill] would create a new pot of money, called the Nature for All Fund, which would use tax revenue from an existing tax on sporting goods to pay for land acquisition, restoration of natural spaces to create parks and trails, and the protection of natural resources like waterways and forests.”

July 1, 2025 - Nature for Massachusetts Coalition Seeks Dedicated Fund to Reach State Goals for Nature and Climate

“The coalition – which consists of more than 50 local and statewide organizations – made the case for a dedicated sustainable revenue stream to protect and restore land, water, urban greenspace, and outdoor recreational access across Massachusetts.”

June 26, 2025 - Nature for Massachusetts Coalition Urges Inclusion of Dedicated Funding Mechanism for Climate Resilience in Mass Ready Act

“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.”

May 8, 2025 - Nature for Massachusetts Proposal Would Create Sustainable and Reliable Resources to Restore and Improve Nature to Create Parks and Trails; Protect Forests, Farms, Wildlife Habitats, and Water Resources; and Advance Climate Resiliency and Environmental Justice Goals

April 25, 2025 - “In a recent conversation with the News Service, O’Neill talked about where nature-based climate solutions fit into the state’s climate goals, how Mass Audubon wants Massachusetts to invest more in conservation, and the ways the organization is adjusting to federal funding and policy threats.”