Why Massachusetts Needs Question 6

Safeguarding tap water, wells, and rivers from pollution.

Clean Water & Watersheds

Everyone in Massachusetts — no matter where we live — deserves clean drinking water, healthy natural areas, and access to the outdoors.

Saving working land, wetlands, and native wildlife before they disappear.

Forests, Farms & Habitat

Mental health, screen-free play, and active local parks.

Health, Kids & Recreation

$4 to $11 returned for every $1 invested in conservation.

Our forests, family farms, and natural areas are part of what makes Massachusetts so great.

Question 6 will fund land and water conservation year after year.

Economic Value & ROI

Protect Clean Drinking Water & Watersheds

  • Protection at the Tap: Conserving surrounding forests and natural areas reduces runoff in lakes, rivers, and streams, directly protecting drinking water quality in municipal taps and private wells.

  • Cleaning Up Polluted Waters: Question 6 will address Massachusetts' backlog of polluted rivers, streams, and coastal areas needing cleanup.

  • Wetland Preservation: Question 6 will help reverse the loss of wetlands that act as natural filters and flood absorbers for local communities.

Health, Recreation, & Kids’ Outdoor Access

Kids & Physical Health

Question 6 will create new local parks, playgrounds, and trails, giving children space to run, play, and experience nature — away from digital screens.

Mental & Physical Well-being

Research shows that exposure to nature improves brain function, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and enhances sleep quality and mental health.

Equitable Access to Nature

Question 6 will help ensure that every neighborhood— urban, suburban, and rural—has accessible green space, clean air, and safe walking trails close to home

Protecting Wildlife & Biodiversity

  • Sustaining Working Farms

    Question 6 will help preserve local family farms across Massachusetts so they can continue producing fresh, local food for Bay State families.

  • Protecting Wildlife & Biodiversity

    Question 6 will help protect critical habitats for diverse species of birds, fish, pollinators, and animals that depend on intact forests, salt marshes, and streams for survival.

  • Preventing Irreversible Loss

    Farmland and open spaces are disappearing fast across the state. Question 6 will help protect them before it’s too late.

Economic ROI & Natural Services

  • The $4–$11 Return

    A study by The Trust for Public Land demonstrates that every $1 invested in land conservation yields $4 to $11 in economic value by naturally purifying drinking water, preventing flood damage, and supporting local outdoor industries.

  • Natural Hazard Prevention

    Natural lands provide cost-effective infrastructure services like natural flood mitigation, water purification, and soil stabilization, saving towns millions in storm damage and artificial filtration costs.

  • Boosting Outdoor Economies

    By protecting land and water, Question 6 will support local outdoor recreation and tourism businesses and agricultural economies across Massachusetts.

  • No New Taxes

    Reallocates the existing sales tax on sporting goods like camping gear, golf clubs, and fishing equipment without adding new taxes or raising tax rates.

Why Now

Act Now Before It's Too Late. With federal conservation funding facing uncertainties and climate threats impacting our watersheds, Massachusetts cannot wait. Every year we delay, more forests, working farms, and wetlands are permanently lost, making protection far more expensive in the future. Passing Question 6 protects the places we love today so they are preserved for our children and grandchildren.