Policy Priorities

Streamlining Wetlands Restoration

Restoring wetlands is essential to climate action in Massachusetts—wetlands can capture carbon out of the atmosphere up to 10 times faster than mature forests.

Our scientists are working to revitalize degraded wetlands, but outdated regulations meant to protect wetlands are creating years of delays in securing permits. Bills H906/S457 would streamline permitting for wetlands restoration, so we can accelerate the work of rejuvenating these vibrant ecosystems.  

Creating Forest and Farmland Friendly Communities

From June 2012 to June 2017, approximately 24,700 acres of natural land were converted to development in Massachusetts. That’s 13.5 acres of forests, farmlands, fields, or wetlands lost per day—over half the size of the Boston Public Garden.

We're collaborating with the Healey-Driscoll Administration on Forests as Climate Solutions, an initiative to expand the state's network of forest reserves and incentivize landowners to practice climate-smart forestry. We're also supporting Bill S448, which would empower towns and cities to adopt regulations protecting their remaining natural lands in exchange for state funding, a major incentive for nature conservation. 

Planning a Managed Retreat from Flood-Prone Lands

Climate change is bringing sea level rise and more extreme storms to Massachusetts, causing coastal areas to flood and rivers to overflow their banks. When flooding becomes so severe and regular that protection is no longer feasible, the best solution is a managed retreat from flood-prone areas. Bills S557/H876 explore a program for the state to voluntarily purchase properties at extreme risk of flooding and restore them to the best flood control barriers possible: wetlands and other natural coastal and riverside habitats.

$1 Billion for Nature & Climate 

We're building on $1 Billion for Nature & Climate, our successful advocacy campaign to secure nearly a billion dollars in one-time state investments in nature and climate. Massachusetts still has almost a billion dollars in uncommitted federal COVID relief funds and state budget surplus funds that need to be invested. We’ll be pushing for increased investments in climate resilience, trails, urban green spaces, and land conservation across the board.

Creating a Fund for Climate Resilience in Environmental Justice Communities

For decades, Black, Indigenous, and low-income communities have faced greater exposure to toxic pollutants and natural disasters in Massachusetts. Now, extreme heat, flooding, and other climate change impacts threaten these communities the most. Bills S472/H750 would create a new fund to support local climate adaptation and mitigation projects, requiring the majority of funds to be spent in low-income communities or communities of color.  

Incentivizing Solar Energy Development on Developed Land

Massachusetts needs to rapidly scale up solar energy to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Unfortunately, our current pattern of solar development is harming nature—nearly 5,000 acres of forest and farmland have been cleared for solar projects since 2010. To chart a path towards building the solar energy we need while protecting the nature we have, Mass Audubon teamed up with Harvard Forest to write Growing Solar, Protecting Nature, a comprehensive report on Massachusetts' options for future solar development. Now, we're advocating for policies that would accelerate the growth of solar energy on already-developed lands, while leaving natural and working lands intact. Learn more about our position on solar energy

Making Massachusetts a Leader on Responsible Wind Energy

In May, 2023 Governor Maura Healey’s administration released a request for offshore wind energy proposals that could provide up to 25% of Massachusetts’ power. This is a crucial opportunity to ensure that our strategy for offshore wind development is ecologically responsible. Bill S3161 would streamline the process for building wind turbines. Bill S506 would create a working group to set standards for monitoring and mitigating the wildlife impacts of offshore wind development. Offshore wind projects can be designed with extremely limited impacts to wildlife; this bill would ensure developers are held accountable for mitigating any harm their projects cause to nature. Learn more about our position on offshore wind

Restoring Horseshoe Crab Populations to Healthy Levels

Horseshoe Crabs have thrived in Massachusetts coastal waters for millions of years. But climate change and decades of overexploitation have chronically depleted their populations, placing the endangered migratory shorebirds that depend on their eggs at risk. We’re pushing the state to implement strong regulations on the Horseshoe Crab harvest that will allow populations of these iconic creatures to return to healthy, historic levels. To succeed, we need thousands of Massachusetts residents to tell state officials how much they care about this ancient species.  Get involved

Enhancing Pollinator Habitats

Plants rely on bees, butterflies, bats, flies, birds, and other pollinators to reproduce, which means we rely on them for all the food that we eat. But pollinators are under serious threat; three bumblebee species in the eastern United States have declined by over 90% in the past 30 years. Bills H843/S520 would commission a study on how Massachusetts can enhance its pollinator habitat and put these essential species on a path towards recovery.  

Rescuing Raptors from Dangerous Rodenticides

Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are devastating Massachusetts wildlife. When eagles, hawks, foxes, and other predators consume rodents that have ingested these deadly poisons, they develop uncontrollable bleeding that often leads to slow, painful deaths. Bills H825/S487 would tightly regulate the use of SGARs, especially near schools and large campuses where children could be exposed and make a first step towards banning them entirely in Massachusetts. Get involved

Creating an Ecosystem-Friendly Mosquito Control System

Massachusetts has an outdated mosquito control system that relies on aerial spraying of insecticides that harm human and ecosystem health. Bills H845/S445 would create a safer mosquito control system by banning aerial spraying, banning pesticides that contain PFAS, and allowing cities, towns, and landowners to determine the mosquito management method that works best for them.