Press Release: 11/2/2025

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $500,000 to Support Conservation and Restoration Efforts of Endangered Marine Species and Aquatic Habitats

 



Grants are funded through the sale of specialty environmental license plates 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



10/31/2025



MEDIA CONTACT



Aisha Revolus, Communications Manager



 Online



Email Aisha Revolus, Communications Manager at aisha.revolus@mass.gov



Massachusetts environmental specialty license plates



BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced nearly $500,000 in grants to support conservation and restoration efforts of aquatic habitats through the newly relaunched Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) grantmaking program.  



Twelve organizations have been awarded funds to promote environmental education and protect vulnerable marine animals, in addition to an annual allocation of $200,000 specifically designated for the Atlantic Large Whale and Sea Turtle Disentanglement Network (ALWDN). The ALWDN is a critical program operated alongside the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), the Center for Coastal Studies, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to meet federal and state mandates for protecting endangered marine life. 



“Proceeds from our environmental license plates goes to important projects — opening rivers for fish migration, cleaning up runoff, and rescuing entangled whales and sea turtles,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We are committed to protecting these iconic species, while strengthening the ecosystems that sustain them. The projects awarded align with Massachusetts’ Biodiversity Goals, supporting resilient natural areas that benefit both people and wildlife.” 



For more than 30 years, MET has funded urgent and long-term conservation efforts via the sale of specialty environmental license plates. However, the agency’s primary revenue source has declined nearly 50% over the past 20 years. To address this, MET launched its first auction of low-number whale plates in January 2025 and a low-number striper plate auction in October. A second low-number right whale plate auction is planned for December 1 this year.  



MET partners with MassWildlife to leverage proceeds from the Brook Trout license plate to restore and protect habitats for wild trout and other cold-water species increasingly threatened by climate change and habitat loss. In addition, MET and the DMF have established the Striped Bass Conservation Program, directing a portion of revenue from the Striped Bass license plate to projects that conserve saltwater fish, with a primary focus on striped bass. 



“We are proud to partner with Massachusetts Environmental Trust to drive local action to protect and restore biodiversity, sustain our fisheries, and connect all people with nature through education, art, and community engagement,” said Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “These critical projects showcase the importance of collective action, innovation, and interdisciplinary approaches to achieve a future where people and nature can thrive. Congratulations to the awardees and thank you to the public who make this possible through purchase of a specialty roseate tern, right whale, striped bass, or trout plate.” 



"The Massachusetts Environmental Trust has long been a partner in preserving and protecting our communities' natural resources," said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. "By choosing to support their specialty license plates, Massachusetts drivers can make a direct impact on environmental programs that safeguard our state's marine life and coastal ecosystems." 



"I am deeply grateful for the MET grantmaking program and its vital support for aquatic habitats across the Commonwealth. In my district, I see firsthand how the Mystic River and surrounding green spaces improve the daily lives of my constituents,” said State Representative Christine Barber (D-34th Middlesex). “This grant to replace outdated culverts and improve stormwater preparedness will strengthen our infrastructure, increase climate resilience, and protect our communities from flooding and costly storm damage. At a time when environmental protections are being challenged nationally, Massachusetts continues to lead by investing in the health of our rivers and the people who depend on them." 



MET’s grant program fosters a unique partnership between the grant recipients and the public, who support these efforts through the purchase of MET’s four environmental license plates. These license plates promote a visible and proud community of environmental stewards. The focus of MET’s 2025-2026 Grant Program is to provide funding for projects that encompass environmental advocacy, educational and conservation activities focused on improving aquatic habitats, and threatened & endangered marine life. 



To support the Massachusetts Environmental Trust by purchasing specialty environmental plates securely or to donate to MET’s grant making program visit www.mass.gov/eea/met  



Discover the Massachusetts Environmental Trust's impact and legacy in their 30 Years & Beyond Anniversary Report! 



FY26 MET Grant Recipients are:  



Associated Scientists at Woods Hole (Falmouth) – $10,000: Support for Right Whale News, a semi-annual newsletter advancing informed participation in right whale recovery. 



Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (Blackstone/Worcester) – $26,000: Support for the Watershed Warrior Junior Ranger Program, engaging local youth in watershed education. 



Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance (Chatham/Orleans) – $13,664: Support for Small Boats. Big Science, a public discussion series with fishermen, scientists, and residents. 



Clean River Project (Lawrence) – $39,750: Support for the Merrimack River Environmental Remediation Project, a comprehensive river cleanup. 



Community Boating Center (New Bedford) – $27,600: Support for Sea Lab with New Bedford 5th graders and Coastal Clean Up programs removing more than 2,000 pounds of marine debris annually. 



Ipswich River Watershed Association (Northshore) – $10,000: Support for The Ripple Effect, advancing community education in aquatic habitat restoration. 



Mass Association of Conservation Commissions (Belmont) – $42,000: Update of the MACC Environmental Handbook, a key resource for wetlands and habitat protection.                                                                



Mass Rivers Alliance (Somerville) – $16,000: Free workshops on stormwater preparedness and culvert replacement for municipalities statewide. 



Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (Boston) – $15,243: Youth-led Environmental Justice Workshops in East Boston, educating residents on climate resilience and water resource protection. 



North South River Watershed Association (Marshfield) – $12,595: Support for a South River restoration mural documenting dam removal and river restoration. 



Ocean Alliance (Gloucester) – $50,000: Support for the Large Whale Ecology Project, using non-invasive drone- deployed tags to study right, sei, and humpback whales in collaboration with NOAA. 



Whale and Dolphin Conservation (Plymouth) – $36,422: Support for the Marine Animal Rescue and Response Program to aid stranded marine mammals and collect critical data.