Today, 100% of Boston’s residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park — but not all parks in the city serve the surrounding community equally. “This matters because at...

Supporters say the ballot measure could unlock $100 million in new conservation dollars if passed

Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday threw her support behind a ballot question that supporters say could unlock $100 million in new conservation dollars.

Boats, golf and gear would fund green space, but Beacon Hill still controls the money

April 18, 2026 - Earth Day, which is April 22, was enacted in 1970 and unofficially launched the modern environmental movement. Fueled by Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking 1962 bestseller “Silent Spring,” the environmental movement has accomplished many great things to protect the planet. Watersheds and aquifers have been preserved. People have learned of the importance of clean air, safeguarding wildlife, and valuing our finite natural resources. But there is still more to do.

This year, Massachusetts voters have an opportunity to protect outdoor spaces in a significant way for the health and enjoyment of future generations. The Protect Water and Nature Ballot Initiative is headed to the ballot this fall. Driven by more than 100,000 signatures, the ballot question, if passed, would dedicate funds from the portion of existing state sales taxes being collected on sporting goods to protect green spaces.

March 24, 2026 - Lawmakers and conservation advocates filled a State House hearing room on Monday as backers pressed a plan to create a "Nature for All" fund. Supporters say the proposal would redirect part of the state's sporting goods sales tax into a dedicated pot for land protection, water restoration and new parks, roughly $100 million a year by their estimate. The measure would set up a 15-member board to approve grants and oversee spending, and would be administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs…

Katharine Lange of the Conservation Law Foundation told the room that "residents across the state deserve equal access to outdoor green spaces," and Mass Audubon CEO David O'Neill was quoted saying if lawmakers do not act "we'll go to the ballot and we'll win there," per the WBZ account. The hearing brought representatives from a wide coalition of conservation groups to Beacon Hill to press lawmakers for quick action.

March 23, 2026 - The Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing today centered around the Nature for All Fund.

This fund would take a small percentage of the money from taxes on the sale of sporting goods and put it towards land and water protection in the state. If passed, the initiative could generate [$100 million annually] to fund nature conservation and restoration efforts, all without adding new taxes. The initiative would also created a 15-member oversight board that would oversee the allocation of funds.

February 12, 2026 - Visit the Neponset River any time of year, and you’ll find people. From families walking, biking, or rollerblading on the Neponset Greenway Trail, to people kayaking or fishing in the river itself —and the many parks that surround it — the scene is a source of peace and fresh air amidst our bustling city streets…

The Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative would help deliver much-needed funding to protect water and nature right here in Dorchester and Mattapan. That could include projects like building new urban parks, restoring access to more of the Neponset River waterfront, and supporting community gardens. All without raising taxes.

February 6, 2026 - This November, Massachusetts voters could create permanent funding for environmental conservation—without adding new taxes—thanks to the Nature for All bill (H.901/S.2571).

Navigating the complex legislative procedure of proposing a bill and mounting a ballot initiative might be daunting and prohibitive for citizen organizations, but the Nature for MA Coalition has the public policy expertise of Harvard Kennedy School’s Rand Wentworth on its side…

“With this bill, the Nature for MA Coalition is asking for 100 million a year of the sales taxes that have already been collected to be set aside for conservation of land and protection of water,” said Wentworth.

January 23, 2026 - The wild and scenic Nashua River winds through the heart of our region—from Groton and Dunstable to Ayer and Pepperell—before meeting the mighty Merrimack River as it flows towards Lowell.

The wildlife habitats, forests, fields, drumlins and rivers that make this part of Massachusetts unique and inviting deserve our stewardship for future generations to enjoy, and next year presents an important opportunity for Massachusetts to do more to protect them: the Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative, which is headed toward the November 2026 statewide ballot.

January 9, 2026 - Massachusetts is in a new era of severe weather and damaging storms. Flash floods in Leominster and the Berkshires, extreme heat in Boston, rising sea levels along the coast, and prolonged droughts are no longer rare events—they are our new reality. And their impacts are not felt equally. To protect all Massachusetts residents from these impacts of climate change — regardless of ZIP code— we must do more as a state to protect our rivers, lakes, forests, farms, and other natural areas.

That is why the Nature for Massachusetts Coalition, representing more than 95 conservation, environmental justice, and community organizations, along with members of the outdoor industry, are urging the Legislature to pass the Nature for All bill (H 901/S 2571) this session.

January 5, 2026 - Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office has certified two more initiative petitions dealing with conservation efforts and starter homes, bringing the total to 11 questions advancing toward the 2026 ballot.

The office said Monday that it had certified 89,216 signatures for an initiative that supporters say could steer up to $100 million annually toward land conservation and restoration work…

The conservation measure would direct sales tax revenue from sporting goods — such as golf clubs, RVs and camping gear — into a new fund. The $100 million projection stems from the $2.49 billion in sporting goods sales that the state recorded in 2022, according to coalition spokesperson Andrew Farnitano. The proposed question would also create an oversight board that would set rules on how the funding should be allocated.

December 20, 2025 - Here in North Central Massachusetts, we’re lucky to have access to some incredible natural resources.

The North County Land Trust manages 15 conservation areas with marked trails suitable for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, hunting, and geocaching. Crocker Conservation Area, Dwelly Farm, and Monomonac Hill, along with Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Leominster State Forest, Doyle Conservation Area, and the Lincoln Woods Wildlife Sanctuary, offer challenging climbs, family-friendly nature walks, and many other outdoor recreational activities, as well as supporting critical wildlife habitat…

But as a state, we must do more to protect our valuable natural resources, including right here in North Central Massachusetts.

December 3, 2025 - The Mount Holyoke Range. Mount Tom. Lake Wyola. Tully Lake. The Quabbin Reservoir. Robert Frost Trail. These are just a few of the beloved state parks and trails that are part of the fabric of life in western Mass.

Places like these are what makes Massachusetts — and the Connecticut River Valley — such a great place to live. Our state’s rivers, lakes, forests, farms, and other natural areas play a critical role in our everyday lives — improving our daily routines, boosting our health, and strengthening our state’s economy…

Next year, Massachusetts has an important opportunity to protect our rivers, lakes, forests, farms, and other natural areas by supporting the Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative.

December 2, 2025 - The state would be required to set aside $100 million in taxpayer money for land and water conservation under a proposal inching toward the 2026 ballot.

Backers of the “Protect Water and Nature” ballot initiative say they have collected more than 90,000 signatures from voters who support the measure, clearing a major hurdle in the qualifying process. Those signatures were due to be submitted to the Secretary of State’s office by Wednesday.

If approved, the proposal would divert a portion of sales tax from sporting goods and camping gear into a “Nature for All Fund” used to conserve or restore land to protect drinking water, rivers and farms. The proposal calls for allocating $100 million for the fund.

December 1, 2025 - A coalition of more than 60 conservation and nature groups say a proposed ballot question for next year’s election could raise more than $100 million to help preserve natural areas and create more outdoor recreational spaces in Massachusetts, including trails and parks.

Supporters have dubbed the ballot question the “Protect Water and Nature” initiative. It would direct state taxes collected on the sale and use of sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses to a fund dedicated to natural resource conservation.

Jodi Valenta, Massachusetts director for the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, pointed to Georgia, where voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 to create a similar conservation funding source that taps existing excise taxes on sporting goods.

December 1, 2025 - On the first day of shotgun season, Emma Ellsworth traded her hunting post for a hike to the State House steps to show her support for nature and conservation.

“When we protect our open spaces, our forests, our farms, the places where we go to hunt and fish, source local food and local timbers we're also protecting the air we breathe and our drinking water, we're protecting wildlife,” said Ellsworth, executive director of Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.

Ellsworth, who is also vice chair of the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, joined dozens of others donning outdoor gear for a hike across the Charles River up Beacon Hill Monday to rally for a ballot initiative that could generate $100 million annually for water and nature conservation and restoration efforts.

November 24, 2025 - Supporters of a potential 2026 voter referendum that could generate $100 million annually for conservation and restoration efforts around water and nature collected more than 100,000 signatures…

The measure would steer sales tax revenue from sporting goods like golf clubs, RVs and camping gear into a new Nature for All Fund. The petition's goal is to conserve or restore land to protect drinking water, streams, rivers, lakes, coasts, farms and forests. Funding could also support land and natural resources with "indigenous cultural significance."

November 23, 2025 - Supporters of a potential 2026 voter referendum that could generate $100 million annually for conservation and restoration efforts around water and nature said Tuesday they surpassed the number of signatures that are due this week.

Advocates with the Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative gathered more than 100,000 signatures for the measure, exceeding the 74,574 signatures that must be filed with local election officials for certification by Wednesday.