Press Release: 8/22/2025

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Nation-Leading Plan to Protect Nature and Wildlife

 



The 25-year biodiversity initiative will help revive rivers, forests and habitats across Massachusetts 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



8/21/2025



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Karissa Hand, Press Secretary



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Call Karissa Hand, Press Secretary at 617-725-4025



BARNSTABLE — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration unveiled a 25-year plan to protect and restore nature across Massachusetts. The plan, known as the Biodiversity Conservation Goals for the Commonwealth, is designed to rebuild nature, sustain the health and well-being of residents, improve access to fresh food and enhance the overall quality of life and economy for everyone.



Governor Healey made the announcement at Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, where local leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate this historic commitment in one of Cape Cod’s most valuable ecosystems, Barnstable Great Marsh. The Administration also announced Massachusetts’ intention to join the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) to deepen the state’s commitment to national and global leadership on conservation. Massachusetts will be the first state to join. Massachusetts is also one of three states to join in the United Nations High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People. 



“Our lands, waters and wildlife are at the heart of what makes Massachusetts so special. They shape our identity, drive our economy, promote public health and support the way of life we value,” said Governor Healey. “Protecting them isn’t optional – it’s essential. This is Massachusetts’ opportunity to lead. Through partnership and innovation, we are ensuring that we stay competitive, attract new talent and create a strong future for our residents.”



“Strong local economies are built on the foundations of healthy communities. When we protect our coasts, forests and open spaces, we help Massachusetts grow,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This is about ensuring lasting opportunity and well-being for the people who live and work here.”



"Nature is our first line of defense against the impacts of climate change — the more biodiverse our forests, wetlands, and marine environments are, the more resilient they are,” said Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer. “With this plan, Commissioner O’Shea and his team are leading a model effort to protect the nature that protects us. We are also thrilled to be the first state to join the IUCN, and to be kicking off our innovative Biodiversity Partnership, with Audubon as our initial partner. Vision, collaboration, and innovation—that’s how Massachusetts leads and I could not be prouder of the Commonwealth’s leadership!”



Launched by Governor Maura Healey’s Executive Order  No. 618, the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game engaged state agencies, municipalities, Tribes, and community partners to develop this whole-of-government approach. This is the first time a state has comprehensively set biodiversity targets for 2030, 2040, and 2050, including for coastal and marine habitats. Notably, this sets ambitious targets to restore 75 percent of our most important habitats for wildlife by 2050. 



“We are seeing real changes across the state – more flooding, longer droughts and growing strain on the natural systems that people rely on every day from clean water and fertile soil to healthy fish and wildlife,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “A long-term plan to protect these resources is essential. It’s how we keep our water safe, our farms productive, and our communities strong. Acting now helps us avoid much higher costs in the future and ensure a better quality of life.”



"Biodiversity—the abundance and variety of life—is the foundation for life. Despite its critical value, it is declining at an unprecedented rate. It’s a quiet crisis—in just one generation, we have lost over 3 billion birds in North America, seen the decline of iconic species like Atlantic cod, and rarely see once common and beloved wildlife like the monarch butterfly in our backyards,” Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “The time for action is now—Massachusetts is proud to launch this nation-leading effort to protect and restore nature for the benefit of all.”



The plan is structured around four key goals—Protect, Restore, Sustain, and Connect—each defining specific strategies for action by 2030, 2040, and 2050. The plan also includes governance and innovative funding models to drive action. 



Protect




  • Protect Land and Water: Preserve 30% of Massachusetts’ lands and waters by 2030 and 40% by 2050, focusing on the most important habitats for wildlife.

  • Safeguard Key Habitat: Protect over 425,000 acres of essential habitats. 

  • Create Safe Wildlife Crossings: Establish natural corridors that enable safe movement and access to food for fish and wildlife. 

  • Care for our Oceans: Support designation of Cashes Ledge National Marine Sanctuary, a vital habitat for fish and marine mammals. 

  • Reduce Pollution, Pesticides, and Plastics: Implement community-driven initiatives to curb pollution, clean up plastics and marine debris, reduce pesticide use, and safeguard local ecosystems.



Restore




  • Revitalize Essential Habitats: Restore 75% of the most important natural environments by 2050.

  • Enhance River Ecosystems: Remove over 10% of obsolete dams and restore fish passage in all coastal watersheds by 2050. 

  • Safer Communities: Upgrade 2,500 culverts by 2050 to support wildlife, while also reducing flooding risks. 

  • Restore Marine Habitats: Restore salt marshes, eelgrass, kelp, oyster, and artificial reef to support our blue economy and sustainable fisheries.

  • Accelerate Nature Based Solutions: Cut the green tape to fast-track projects that have immediate benefits for biodiversity and resilience through streamlining permitting and reduce costs.



Sustain 




  • Support Local Food Initiatives: Foster local farming, foraging, and fishing practices to strengthen food security. 

  • Boost our Blue Economy: Invest in working waterfronts and marine habitat restoration to sustain and grow Massachusetts’ seafood industry. 



Connect




  • Nature in the Neighborhoods: Build community gardens, parks, and green spaces in every neighborhood to bolster wildlife and pollinator populations.

  • Inspire Future Generations: Launch Nature in the Schools initiative to engage young people in environmental stewardship through schools and community programs.

  • Nature At Work: Identify gaps, licenses, and trainings needed to launch the next generation of the conservation and restoration workforce. Develop targeted Career Innovation Pathways for high school and vocational-technical programs.



To kick off this initiative, Massachusetts is launching a new public-private Biodiversity Partnership to protect the state’s land and water, with Mass Audubon as the first partner. Mass Audubon is making a $5 million investment to support Massachusetts in achieving the “30 by 30” goal of safeguarding 30 percent of our natural areas by 2030. 



"The release of the Healey Administration’s nation-leading biodiversity goals for Massachusetts is a huge and important step in protecting nature and addressing the dual threat of climate change and biodiversity loss. Nature is not only the lowest cost solution to clean our water and our air and address climate change, it’s also a joyful prescription to so many things that ail us,” said Mass Audubon President & CEO David O’Neill. “We are committed to working with Governor Healey and her Administration to drive this forward-thinking strategy to meet its ambitious goals, and to serve as a hopeful model for the nation.”



Additionally, the state is investing $4 million from capital funding, part of which will go towards establishing the Local Biodiversity Grant Program. The program will provide funding for municipalities, Tribes, non-profits and community organizations to enhance conservation efforts as well as for marine habitat restoration.



The Administration’s recently proposed Mass Ready Act also includes $370.5 million for land protection and biodiversity. It also includes $20 million dedicated to advancing the Biodiversity Goals for the Commonwealth.  The Mass Ready Act also includes $5 million to restore important marine habitats to support our blue economy, sustainable fisheries, coastal resilience, and carbon sequestration.



Statements of Support



Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury):



“Massachusetts is home to rich ecosystems across our stunning natural landscapes, but without deliberate and thoughtful actions to protect them, we risk losing these natural treasures forever. I’m thrilled that the Healey Administration and the Department of Fish and Game have come together to develop a plan to preserve our nature, our wildlife, and our unique habitats. It is this type of work that is critical to environmental conservation across every corner of the Commonwealth, and I look forward to finding ways to further protect our lands, forests, and waters for generations to come.”



Representative Christine Barber (D-Somerville): 



"As we confront the challenges of climate change, protecting and restoring biodiversity is essential. I am proud that Massachusetts is leading the way to protect biodiversity and build a more resilient future." 



Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester):



“Protecting biodiversity goes hand in hand with supporting our local food initiatives and sustaining the Massachusetts blue economy. Here on Cape Ann, our fishing industry has long been the anchor of our economy and culture, and this plan recognizes that we need thriving oceans and coastal ecosystems to keep those traditions alive. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for advancing this vision for pragmatic resource management. I look forward to working together to protect, restore, sustain, and connect the natural resources that make Massachusetts such a special place to live and work.”



Senator Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth):



"We are responsible for caring for the land and waters that sustain us. This plan lays out a clear path to protect and restore our natural resources while building a stronger, more resilient economy. Together, we can work toward a Commonwealth that is healthier, more sustainable, and ready for the future."



Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro):



“Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket are on the front lines of the climate and biodiversity crisis. Rising seas, warming waters, and habitat loss threaten not only our environment, but also our economy, culture, and way of life. This 25-year plan arrives not a moment to soon to ‘Protect, Restore, Sustain, and Connect’ the natural systems we need to survive. Implementing and maintaining such a bold vision for our shared future is what we do best here in Massachusetts.”



Chrissy Lynch, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO and Chair of Climate Jobs Massachusetts:



“The Massachusetts AFL-CIO and Climate Jobs Massachusetts applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s goals to rebuild biodiversity in our Commonwealth, which includes investing in the workers that are essential to climate resilience and ecological restoration. By prioritizing high-quality, family-sustaining jobs in efforts such as dam removal and culvert replacement, this biodiversity initiative strengthens both local economies and ecological communities. We look forward to supporting this initiative through collaborative efforts that benefit workers, community members, and our shared environment.” 



Vikki Spruill, New England Aquarium President & CEO:



“The New England Aquarium is excited to partner with the Commonwealth to further the biodiversity conservation goals set forth by the Healey-Driscoll Administration. We are committed to helping protect and restore the biodiversity of marine habitats and species to sustain our blue economy and connecting with Aquarium guests and the larger community about the importance of biodiversity for our planet and future generations.” 



Kris Sarri, Director, The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts:



“Massachusetts is leading the way with the first-in-the-nation biodiversity goals and a statewide plan, and we applaud the Healey-Driscoll administration’s bold, whole-of-government approach. Our recent polling shows over 90% of residents supporting habitat protection and pollution reduction, and this plan is a vital step toward restoring nature—from green forests to the blue ocean—and strengthening community well-being.”



Katie Theoharides, President & CEO, The Trustees of Reservations:



“We commend the Healey-Driscoll administration for its leadership and collaboration in creation of the biodiversity plan, and we wholeheartedly support the goals the plan lays out for the Commonwealth. Massachusetts is home to incredible biodiversity – from our coastal dunes and beaches to rich forests and abundant rivers. At a time when protection of our environment and nature is at peril, the priority that Massachusetts is putting on this plan to protect our biodiversity stands out. We stand ready to join the state in achieving the transformational goals laid out in the plan.”



David Sittenfeld, Director, Museum of Science Center for the Environment:



“Biodiversity is essential for the future of nature in the Commonwealth, and for our human species. The rich, fragile tapestry of living organisms in our region hold essential nature-based solutions for climate change resilience, food security, cures to fight disease, and our well-being as humans. The Museum of Science is grateful for the Commonwealth’s leadership to implement essential nation-leading biodiversity protection, conservation, and restoration goals over the coming decades. We are especially thankful that the Commonwealth is committing to sustaining our human and social connections to nature and respecting and protecting traditional and indigenous ecological knowledge, so that future generations will appreciate and sustain the biological diversity on which we and so many other organisms depend.”



Erica Fuller, Senior Counsel, Conservation Law Foundation:



“We are thrilled that support for the Cashes Ledge National Marine Sanctuary nomination is part of these recommendations. Biodiversity and climate resiliency go hand in hand. Healthy, diverse ecosystems like those at Cashes Ledge, as well as other critical habitats along our coasts, are better able to withstand climate impacts, absorb carbon, protect shorelines, and support fisheries that communities rely on. Protecting these vibrant and varied marine environments is essential to building a resilient ocean that sustains both wildlife and people for generations to come.” 



David Melly, Senior Policy Director, Environment League Massachusetts:



“As Massachusetts experiences increasingly severe climate impacts, it is imperative that we make smart, science-based decisions about conservation and land use. Integrating best practices for biodiversity preservation and vulnerable ecosystem protection into statewide decision-making is key to a successful whole-of-government approach to tackling climate change.”



Robb Johnson, Executive Director, Mass Land Trust Coalition:



"The Massachusetts Land Coalition commends the Commonwealth for recognizing the important role that land trusts play in preserving lands and waters that are critical to preserving the state's biodiversity. We look forward to working closely with state agency partners to advance these ambitious goals."



Julia Blatt, Executive Director, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance:



"Clean, flowing rivers are key for biodiversity and our collective future. We applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for setting ambitious yet practical goals to remove dams and culverts, reduce water pollution, protect and restore aquatic habitat, conserve water during droughts, and to make the most of our water use through techniques like greywater recycling. Together these strategies will ensure our waters support all life— for people, wildlife, food sources, and our economy."



Chris Borgatti, Eastern Policy & Conservation Manager, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers:  



"Backcountry Hunters & Anglers commends the Department of Fish & Game’s forward-thinking 25-year biodiversity conservation plan. By safeguarding farms, forests, and fisheries, we strengthen ecological health and food security across the Commonwealth. Equally important is the focus on expanding access to hunting, fishing, and foraging, alongside grants and educational programs that connect communities to nature. These efforts ensure that all residents, now and in the future, can enjoy and benefit from Massachusetts’ rich natural heritage."



Andrew Gottlieb, Executive Director, the Association to Preserve Cape Cod: 



"This bold and ambitious plan touches all the bases. The visionary plan reflects and addresses the challenges we face locally as practitioners of restoration projects, promoters of improved water quality, increased land protection and better overall environmental stewardship. We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for this bold vision and for further positioning of the Commonwealth as a committed partner in the protection and restoration of our critical natural resources"



Laura Davis, Massachusetts Chapter Board of Directors, Northeast Organic Farming Association:



“Farmers are on the front line of climate change and they can have a big impact on water quality, biodiversity and building healthy soils to sequester carbon. The Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter stands with Governor Healey and her team in support of the Biodiversity Conservation Goals."



Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director & CEO, Massachusetts Municipal Association:



"The MMA and local leaders across the state recognize the value and importance of biodiversity, and appreciate this first-in-the-nation effort. The Massachusetts Biodiversity Partnership will convene a broad coalition, including municipalities, to tackle this growing crisis and position Massachusetts as a national and global leader. Importantly, this effort views biodiversity as a climate solution, noting that protecting and restoring natural habitats contributes to our resilience against floods, drought, rising sea levels, and extreme heat."



Kristy Senatori, Cape Cod Commission:



“The Cape Cod Commission is pleased to support the Commonwealth’s Biodiversity Conservation Goals which will help further the Commission’s natural systems goal to protect and restore the quality and function of the region’s natural environment by providing clean water and healthy ecosystems. Conserving biodiversity is critical to preserving and maintaining the Cape’s natural resources, the vibrancy of the regional economy, and the health of our community. We look forward to continuing to work with the Commonwealth on transformative actions to conserve biodiversity on Cape Cod.”



Lizzi Weyant, Acting Executive Director, Metropolitan Area Planning Council:



As the creator of Greater Boston’s regional land use and policy plan, we advocate for the restoration and protection of wetlands, water bodies, forests, and plant and animal communities along with measures to ensure they are able to adapt to the impacts of climate-change. The State’s new Biodiversity Conservation Goals will ensure our cities and towns are healthy, connected, and resilient. We applaud the State’s commitment to cultivating relationships with Indigenous Leaders and investing in new initiatives that support locally-led efforts in our communities.”



Roseann Bongiovanni, Executive Director, Green Roots, Inc.:



"GreenRoots applauds the Healey-Driscoll Administration for announcing nation-leading Biodiversity Conservation Goals. Nature should be available for everyone and in every community. We are excited to work with the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game to realize these goals as we combat climate change and protect the biodiversity of our urban habitats."



Brian Swett, Climate Chief, City of Boston: 



"Protecting and restoring our natural ecosystems is crucial in meeting our climate resilience goals. A biodiverse Boston is better equipped to handle extreme heat, manage stormwater, and protect our communities from coastal flooding. We commend the Healey-Driscoll Administration for this bold vision and look forward to supporting the implementation of these goals in our city."



Emily Norton, Executive Director, Charles River Watershed Association:



“Kudos to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for this bold plan to protect and enhance biodiversity in the Commonwealth. From removing defunct dams and invasive species, to restoring fish passage and marine habitats, to protecting wetlands and water quality, to reducing plastics and pollution in our environment, the implementation of this plan will be transformative for all who call Massachusetts home, human and animals alike.”