Everyone in Massachusetts deserves clean drinking water and access to nature. This year, our state has an important, time-sensitive opportunity to protect our forests, wetlands, farms, rivers, lakes, and wildlife habitats by voting YES on Question 6 on the 2026 statewide ballot.
At North County Land Trust (NCLT), we connect people to natural places by conserving open land and creating outdoor experiences in north central Massachusetts. We are proud to join a broad coalition of over 90 organizations supporting this critical ballot measure to fund conservation statewide.
Question 6 is a win for our environment, our health, and our communities—all without raising taxes.
What is Question 6?
The Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative is a common-sense measure to secure steady, long-term funding for protecting and conserving water and nature. It would create a dedicated Nature for All Fund, generating as much as $100 million each year to support the conservation and restoration of natural areas in Massachusetts, protect the quality of our drinking water and natural wildlife habitats, and help create and improve parks, trails, greenspaces, and other outdoor recreation spaces.
Dedicated Conservation Funding, Without Raising Taxes
The best part? Question 6 does not raise taxes or create a new tax.
Instead, it simply dedicates the standard sales tax we already pay on sporting goods—like camping gear, golf clubs, and fishing equipment—to water and land conservation. Other states like Virginia, Georgia, and Texas have already successfully used this model to secure hundreds of millions of dollars for their parks and natural resources, and now Massachusetts has the chance to do the same.
To ensure every dollar is used responsibly, the initiative establishes a public oversight board to approve all expenditures and requires strict annual public reporting.
Why Question 6 Matters to North County Land Trust
- Conserving Forests, Farms, and Wildlife Habitats: Our forests, wetlands, and farms are part of what makes north central Massachusetts so great. These natural areas are also home to diverse species of birds, insects, fish, flowers, and pollinators. Question 6 will help conserve these natural spaces, both for people and for the wildlife that depend on them for survival.
- Parks and Outdoor Recreation: Question 6 will help create and improve parks, trails, and greenspaces for public use. That means more outdoor recreational spaces across the state that everyone can enjoy.
- Future Generations: Unless we act now to protect our natural landscapes, many of our beautiful natural areas will disappear before our children and grandchildren have a chance to use and enjoy them. Question 6 will help preserve recreational opportunities for future generations.
Ebenezer Keyes Conservation Area, Gardner.
The Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative will help deliver much-needed funding to protect water and nature right here in north central Massachusetts. For our communities, this funding could help support vital local priorities:
- Restoring wildlife habitat, such as the globally rare inland sandplain grassland at Ebenezer Keyes Conservation Area in Gardner
- Increasing access to outdoor experiences through accessible trails, adaptive equipment, and more
- Conserving and connecting land across the Nashua River watershed and north of Mount Wachusett
Protecting and improving our local greenspaces helps keep our communities healthy, vibrant places to live.
The Time to Act is Now
We are losing vital forests, farms, and wetlands every single year. With federal funding under threat and the accelerating impacts of climate change endangering our watersheds, we cannot afford to wait. The longer we wait, the more expensive it will be to protect these irreplaceable natural assets.
It is time to permanently protect the places we love, improve access to the outdoors for everyone, and secure clean water and open space for future generations before these beautiful environments disappear forever.
Join us in voting YES on Question 6 this November election!
To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit www.natureforma.org or reach out to us at info@northcountylandtrust.org.