Amid severe weather, Massachusetts must invest in protecting nature for all
As water and temperatures rise, so does need for land and water conservation
By David O’Neill, Kris Sarri, Katie Theoharides and Jodi Valenta
January 9, 2026
Savoy Mountain State Forest. (Photo courtesy of the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts)
Massachusetts is in new era of severe weather and damaging storms. Flash floods in Leominster and the Berkshires, extreme heat in Boston, rising sea levels along the coast, and prolonged droughts are no longer rare events—they are our new reality. And their impacts are not felt equally. To protect all Massachusetts residents from these impacts of climate change — regardless of ZIP code— we must do more as a state to protect our rivers, lakes, forests, farms, and other natural areas.
That is why the Nature for Massachusetts Coalition, representing more than 95 conservation, environmental justice, and community organizations, along with members of the outdoor industry, are urging the Legislature to pass the Nature for All bill (H 901/S 2571) this session.
The Nature for All bill, which would dedicate funds from the existing state sales tax on sporting goods to raise $100 million every year for protecting and conserving water and nature, is our coalition’s top priority. While a parallel ballot initiative reflects growing public support, the fastest and most effective path forward is legislative action. The bill is the perfect complement to the climate resiliency investments proposed by the Healey administration in their MassReady Act. We urge lawmakers: don’t wait.
Trees, parks, and green spaces are not just nice to have—they are critical, low-cost infrastructure that provide nature-based solutions to bolster climate resilience. They cool our cities, absorb stormwater, and improve public health and access to safe drinking water. But access is unequal, and without a coordinated approach, the gap will only grow.
The Nature for All bill would help level the playing field by identifying communities most in need of green space and climate resilience and supporting them with state funding to protect and restore that green space. It would enable smart investments in parks, greenways, and nature-based solutions all across the state, with community input at the center.
Climate resiliency isn’t the only issue this legislation addresses. It also will improve access to parks and green space. More than 1.5 million people in Massachusetts—including 300,000 children—lack access to a park or natural area within a 10-minute walk of home. These are often the same neighborhoods facing the worst effects of severe weather: heat islands, flood risk, and polluted runoff.
We’ve already seen efforts to change this work in practice.
In Boston, Trust for Public Land, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and Boston Public Schools partnered with students at the Chittick Elementary School in Hyde Park and residents of the surrounding community to redesign a deteriorating and flood-prone schoolyard. Using green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, it was transformed into a renovated, safe, climate-resilient schoolyard and public park that mitigates the heat island effect and manages stormwater runoff, while closing a gap in park access for surrounding neighborhoods.
In Chelsea, GreenRoots, The Neighborhood Developers, and Mass Audubon are working together to acquire 18 acres of waterfront property and transform it into a broadly accessible, climate-resilient park, mixed-income housing, and community amenities along the Chelsea Creek waterfront.
The Nature Conservancy is helping coastal communities adapt to climate change. With Massachusetts ranking third nationally in affordable housing at risk from coastal flooding, every dollar spent on climate resilience counts and can reduce future damages, protect people, and cut carbon emissions.
North of Boston, The Trustees is restoring thousands of acres of salt marsh in the Great Marsh, along the coast in Essex County. Along with numerous partners, The Trustees is remediating the marshland to help it adapt to sea level rise and bolster its ability to store carbon. This will help reduce storm surge and flood risk to uplands while also enhancing habitat for several wildlife species that rely on the marsh, including the saltmarsh sparrow.
The Nature for All bill builds upon these successes—and brings statewide coordination, resources, and urgency to address these dire needs.
The climate crisis demands more than reactive measures—it calls for bold action. That is why state Sen. Paul Feeney and state Reps. Natalie Blais and Samantha Montaño are leading the sponsorship of the bill, joined by bipartisan support from 52 members of the Legislature.
Managing the impacts of climate change is interconnected with the Commonwealth’s goals for health care, housing, food security, climate change, and land and water conservation. These efforts should be integrated and aligned to avoid conflicts and enable progress. Passing the Nature for All bill now will reduce harm from extreme heat and flooding; improve health and quality of life, create more resilient communities, and ensure every resident—no matter their ZIP code—has access to the joy and benefits of nature.
Massachusetts has been an environmental leader before. We built the nation’s first public park, and our forests, beaches, and parks are part of what makes Massachusetts a great place to live.
The cost of inaction is increasing. Let’s lead again—by investing in nature and protecting those most at risk from extreme weather.
David O’Neill is president and CEO of Mass Audubon. Kris Sarri is state director of The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. Katie Theoharides is president and CEO of The Trustees. Jodi Valenta is associate vice president and Massachusetts state director of Trust for Public Land.
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