This November, Massachusetts voters have an opportunity to make a lasting investment in the health of our rivers, forests, parks, trails, and everything else we love about our open spaces. IRWA is proud to endorse Yes on Question 6, a statewide ballot initiative that would establish a dedicated fund for land and water conservation across Massachusetts, without raising taxes.
What Is Question 6?
Question 6, also known as the Protect Water and Nature initiative, would establish a new Nature for All Fund, directing existing state sales tax revenue from sporting goods and related recreational purchases toward conservation and restoration projects. This money, while only 0.16% of the state’s entire general fund budget, would raise as much as $100 million annually. . This is money that would go towards protecting drinking water sources, conserving forests and wetlands, restoring rivers and streams, and expanding public access to parks, trails, and green spaces. Importantly, Question 6 would not create a new tax or increase existing taxes. Instead, it would dedicate a portion of revenue Massachusetts already collects to protecting our shared natural resources.
Why Does This Matter for the Ipswich River?
The Ipswich River watershed supports drinking water for approximately 350,000 people across the Massachusetts North Shore, and continued efforts to restore streamflow, enhance habitat, and build resilience to drought will protect river health now and for the future.
Protecting the land surrounding our waterways is one of the most effective ways to protect the waterways themselves. Healthy forests and wetlands naturally filter pollutants, absorb stormwater, replenish groundwater supplies, and provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife.
For the Ipswich River, the Nature for All Fund could help support projects that conserve undeveloped land, restore degraded wetlands and stream corridors, and protect important areas surrounding drinking water supplies. These investments would complement ongoing efforts to improve water quality, strengthen climate resilience, and restore the ecological health of the watershed. While Question 6 alone cannot solve the Ipswich River’s water challenges, it would provide an important additional funding tool to support the long-term protection and restoration our river urgently needs.
At IRWA, we know that protecting our rivers requires more than good intentions. It requires sustained investment, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to protecting the natural resources our communities depend upon.
Question 6 represents an opportunity to strengthen that commitment, providing a more reliable funding source for conservation efforts throughout Massachusetts.
On November 3, we encourage you to join IRWA in voting Yes on Question 6. Together, we can help ensure that the Ipswich River, and the communities and ecosystems that depend on it, remain healthy and resilient for generations to come.
To learn more about Question 6 and how to get involved, visit Nature for Massachusetts.