Environmental groups secure signatures to dedicate sales tax on sporting goods to water and nature conservation

$100m for clean drinking water and nature access

Environmental activists have gathered over 100,000 signatures to advance a ballot question to set aside the sale tax already collected on sporting goods to "promote clean water and access to nature.”

The “Protect Water and Nature” ballot iniative would raise approximately $100M a year for the Nature for All Fund, to support the creation and improvement of parks, trails and greenspaces.

Andrew Sharpe, Founder of the Authentic Caribbean Foundation called the effort a “human right.”

The State House presser announcing the signature milestone started with a walk from City Square in Charlestown and featured speakers from the Conservation Law Foundation, The Trusteees of Reservations, and Mass Audubon.

Ballot committees need 75,000 certified signatures at this time, the legislature the option to act on the measure by June of next year. If the legislature does not act, organizers will need to collect a smaller number of signatures to secure access to the 2026 ballot.