Advocate
Advocating for the Nature for Massachusetts Coalition
Massachusetts lacks a significant statewide funding mechanism for nature conservation, and existing state-level programs are underfunded and oversubscribed.
Massachusetts needs these resources to meet the Commonwealth’s goals of reaching net zero by 2050, and of protecting 30% of the state by 2030 and 40% by 2050. Our Pathway to 30x30 report outlines how we get there, and makes the case for providing social, economic, and environmental benefits through conserving natural and working lands.
A Coalition to Advocate for Change
Nature for Massachusetts Coalition is a group of over 50 organizations representing environmental advocacy, land conservation, community benefit and environmental justice, water protection, indigenous access, outdoor recreation, and industry.
Mass Audubon has taken a leadership role in the Coalition, participating in the steering committee along with partner organizations.
About the Nature for All Initative
Legislation filed by Representatives Blais and Montaño and Senator Feeney, An Act Providing Nature for All (H.901/S.597), would create a permanent Nature for All Fund for the purposes of acquisition, restoration or improvement of nature to create parks and trails; protect forests, farms, wildlife habitat, and water resources; and advance climate resiliency and environmental justice goals.
By setting aside just a portion of the revenue already generated from the existing sales tax on sporting goods, we would be able to dedicate more than $100 million every year for the Fund without any increase in taxes.
Advocate for the Nature for All Fund
We are building a movement, and we need everyone in Massachusetts who cares about supporting nature in their communities to help us. The first way to help is to let your legislator know how important it is to pass this bill.
In case the legislature doesn’t pass the bill in this session, the Coalition is also pursuing an initiative to place this question on the statewide ballot in the 2026 election.
Help With the Ballot Measure
It takes a lot of work to put a question like this in front of voters, and the process has already begun.
The Coalition needs to collect signatures from nearly 75,000 registered voters by November 19 in order to put the question on the ballot, and we’re looking for volunteers who can help!
Volunteers can collect signatures by staffing high-traffic locations like community events, grocery stores, commuter rail stops, and farmer's markets, or at the entrances to Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries across the state.
You don’t need to know a lot about this issue, and you don’t need to have canvassing experience. By signing up to volunteer, you’ll receive all the materials, training, and support you’ll need.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ballot Measures
An initiative ballot measure is change in the law that is proposed by supporters and voted on directly during a statewide election.
Filing and Attorney General Review: First, a petition is submitted with the Attorney General by August 6, 2025. The Attorney General reviews the petition for legal sufficiency. If approved, it's certified and sent to the Secretary of State who then creates a form for signature collection in the first week of September.
Signatures Collection: In early September through mid-November 2025, advocates gather voter signatures on the forms created by the Secretary of State. Approximately 125,000 signatures need to be gathered collectively by all coalition organizations to ensure that enough signatures can be certified by town clerks as registered voters and approved by the Secretary of State.
Signature Certification: By mid-November these signature forms are submitted to town clerks to be certified as registered voters.
Signature Submission: The first Wednesday in December, ~74,574 certified signatures are delivered to the Secretary of State.
Legislative Review: In January 2026, the ballot measure petition gets submitted to the legislature, who has the option to enact it, or propose a legislative substitute. If not enacted by the first Wednesday in May:
More Signatures: If the legislature does not enact the measure, a second round of ~12,429 certified signatures is required by mid-July 2026.
Ballot Placement: Once the second signature threshold is met, the measure qualifies for the next statewide general election ballot. More details at Mass.gov.
The strategic reasons for advocates to propose a ballot measure include the following.
Pursuing all available pathways to success: Legislative advocates sometimes pursue the ballot as a potential alternative to legislation. If a measure is popular with voters, the ballot is an option in the event a legislative campaign falls short.
Public attention: The ballot process starts a public conversation and can help build a movement around the issue, and signal to legislators and other policymakers that there is support for an issue.
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