State House News Service: Ready for ballot, conservation advocates hope for win in Legislature

Written By Nature MA

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.

Nature MA
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