"Protect Water and Nature" Initiative Seeks Signatures

SVT encourages our members to support the proposed Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative that will dedicate funds to purchase land for conservation and outdoor recreation in Massachusetts. 

Sponsored by the Nature for Massachusetts Coalition (of which SVT is a member), the initiative aims to set aside funds from the existing state sales tax on sporting goods--estimated to be $100 million per year--to create a "Nature for All" fund. The money would be used for projects such as land conservation, the creation of trails, the cleanup of polluted water, and the improvement of the state’s climate resiliency. 

To be placed on the November 2026 ballot, the initiative requires two rounds of signatures. The first round collected more than 100,000 signatures that were delivered to the State House on December 1. For the second round, the Nature for Massachusetts Coalition needs to collect only 21,000 signatures for submission to the Secretary of State by July 1.

The group will launch the second signature drive this Friday, May 8. 

You can help, both by signing the papers and volunteering to collect signatures. Learn more at the Nature for Massachusetts Volunteer Portal, www.natureforma.org/volunteer-portal