Western Mass Environmental and Conservation Organizations Back “YES on 6” Ballot Campaign to Protect Water and Nature

Local Conservation Groups, Land Trusts, & Community Organizations Endorse Ballot Question 6 to Create Dedicated Nature for All Fund for Water and Land Conservation in Massachusetts — Without Raising Taxes

Northampton, Mass. — More than a dozen local conservation groups, land trusts, and community organizations across Western Massachusetts are endorsing the “YES on 6” ballot campaign, which aims to create a dedicated source of funding for land and water conservation in Massachusetts. Question 6, the Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative on the November statewide ballot, would create a new Nature for All Fund and dedicate funds from the existing state sales tax on sporting goods to protecting and conserving water and nature — without raising taxes.

“In the Berkshires, our forests, farms, rivers, and trails aren’t just beautiful scenery — they are part of the health, character, and economic vitality of our communities,” said Jenny Hansell, President of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council. “Question 6 would direct existing tax revenue toward protecting clean water and wildlife habitat, conserving working lands, and creating more opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors. BNRC supports a YES vote because investing in nature is an investment in the future of the Berkshires.”

“The Connecticut River Conservancy supports Question 6 as a new opportunity to advance critical conservation and restoration projects in Massachusetts at a time when other funding sources are reduced,” said Nina Gordon-Kirsch, River Steward at the Connecticut River Conservancy. “Protecting clean water, restoring wildlife habitat, and ensuring that everyone can enjoy healthy natural spaces requires long-term investment and innovative solutions. The Nature for All Fund meets that need by providing reliable support for projects that benefit resilient communities and a thriving environment throughout the Commonwealth.”

“Yes on 6 will mean Kestrel can protect more beloved local places up and down the Connecticut River — from the Mount Holyoke Range to Mount Tom and the Robert Frost Trail,” said Kristin DeBoer, Executive Director of Kestrel Land Trust. “Local neighborhood brooks and streams, from the Fort River to the Mill River will also benefit from funding to improve water quality. “

“Voting Yes on Question 6 would help protect the forests, wetlands, coldwater streams, and the diverse wildlife and plant communities that depend on them; these natural systems are what make the Berkshires and all of western Massachusetts such a special place,” said Chelsey Simmons, Stewardship Director of Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT). “We must invest in healthy ecosystems if we want Massachusetts to remain resilient for wildlife, communities, and future generations. Question 6 would allow the Commonwealth to make that investment without additional taxes on residents.”

“Massachusetts is home to beautiful natural areas and diverse species of birds, fish, and other animals, and our relationship with nature connects us all,” said Emma Ellsworth, Executive Director of Mount Grace Land Trust. “Protecting land in the Quabbin watershed improves the quality of drinking water in Greater Boston, while creating more opportunities for fishing, hunting, and hiking here in the North Quabbin region. Creating more outdoor recreation opportunities in the Berkshires or the South Coast attracts tourists from across the state and beyond, bringing more business to local hotels and restaurants. By supporting Question 6, we can preserve critical wildlife habitat and improve the quality of our drinking water, while creating more opportunities for everyone to enjoy our beautiful outdoors.”

The following Western Mass organizations are supporting Question 6:

Amherst Democratic Town Committee

Athol Bird and Nature Club

Berkshire Environmental Action Team

Berkshire Natural Resources Council

Connecticut River Conservancy

Connecticut River Watershed Partnership

Deerfield River Watershed Association

Franklin Land Trust

Hilltown Land Trust

Kestrel Land Trust

Lenox Garden Club

Mount Grace Land Trust

Native Land Conservancy

Norcross Wildlife Foundation

Shaker Ridge Trails

In supporting Question 6, the local groups join a broad coalition of more than 125 organizations led by the state’s leading nonprofit land and water conservation groups such as Mass Audubon, The Trustees, Appalachian Mountain Club, the Conservation Law Foundation, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, and Trust for Public Land. Also supporting Question 6 are sporting and outdoor recreation groups such as Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Surfrider Foundation Massachusetts, and the New England Mountain Bike Association, and farming and gardening advocates including the Northeast Organic Farmers Association, American Farmland Trust, Grow Native Massachusetts, and Native Plant Trust.

Individual endorsers include current and former elected officials like Governor Maura Healey, former Governor Deval Patrick, and State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, and environmental leaders like former U.S. EPA Administrator and White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy and author, environmentalist, and activist Bill McKibben. A full list of Question 6 endorsements can be found at natureforma.org/endorsements.

This month, the YES on 6 campaign began airing an ad titled “Naturally” on television and digital channels across the state. The ad features Mass Audubon wildlife biologist Lyra Brennan and The Trustees park ranger Matt Zieper addressing how Question 6 would protect clean drinking water; conserve forests, family farms, and natural wildlife habitat; and create more parks, trails, and greenspaces for all to enjoy — without raising taxes.

Background

Question 6, the ‘Protect Water and Nature’ initiative, would dedicate funds from the existing state sales tax on sporting goods to protecting and conserving water and nature — without raising taxes. Question 6 would create a dedicated Nature for All Fund with as much as $100 million each year to support the conservation and restoration of water and natural areas in Massachusetts, protect the quality of our drinking water and natural wildlife habitats, and support the creation and improvement of parks, trails, greenspaces, and other outdoor recreation spaces.

The Nature for All Fund would be funded by the state’s existing sales tax on sporting goods like camping gear, golf clubs, and fishing equipment — not by creating a new tax. Question 6 allocates just 0.16% of the state’s $63.4 billion annual budget, but it would make a big difference for land and water. Question 6 would also establish a public oversight board that would approve all expenditures from the fund, with strict annual reporting requirements to track every dollar spent.

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The YES on 6 campaign is led by Nature for Massachusetts, a large and diverse coalition of environmental, conservation, and community organizations that seek to create a dedicated, annual revenue stream to conserve water, land, urban greenspace, outdoor recreation access, and wildlife in Massachusetts. For more information, visit natureforma.org.