Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey unveiled a 25-year plan last month to protect and restore nature areas across the state. The plan, titled Biodiversity Conservation Goals for the Commonwealth (BCGC), 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 the economy.
The new initiative, which will help revive rivers, forests, and many other habitats, was announced at the Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, located in one of Cape Cod’s most valuable ecosystems, Barnstable Great Marsh. At the event, state officials also shared intentions to join the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) to deepen its commitment to national and global leadership on conservation, marking the first state to join the ICUN. This follows the state’s leading efforts in conservation as one of three states, including New Jersey and California, to join in the United Nations High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People.
The Biodiversity Conservation Goals for the Commonwealth will take a whole-government approach, which is outlined in Executive Order No. 618. The Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game have engaged state agencies, municipalities, tribes, and community partners to work towards the outlined goals. The plan marks the first time the state has comprehensively set biodiversity targets for 2030, 2040, and 2050. It will work to restore 75% of Massachusetts’ most important habitats for wildlife by 2050.
Within the plan are key goals, sorted into four categories each with specific strategies for action. The listed categories, Protect, Restore, Sustain and Connect, also include guidance and innovative funding models to drive future action. These include:
Protect
- Protect Land and Water – Preserve 30% of Massachusetts’ land and waters by 2030 and preserve 40% of Massachusetts’ land and waters by 2050.
- Safeguard Key Habitat – Protect over 425,000+ acres of essential habitats by 2050.
- Create Safe Wildlife Crossings – Establish natural corridors that enable safe movement and access to food for fish and wildlife.
- Care for our Oceans – Support the designation of Cashes Ledge National Marine Sanctuary, a vital habitat for fish and marine mammals.
- Reduce Pollution, Pesticides, and Plastics – Implement community-driven initiative 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 and grow native plants for pollinators and remove invasive species.
- Enhance River Ecosystems – Remove 10% of 3,000 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.
- Accelerate Nature Based Solutions – Cut red tape to fast-track projects that have immediate benefits for biodiversity and resilience through streamlining permitting and reducing costs.
- Restore Marine Habitats – Restore salt marshes, eelgrass, kelp, oyster, and artificial reef to support state’s blue economy and sustainable fisheries.
Sustain
- Support Local Food Initiatives – Foster local farming, foraging, and fishing practices to strengthen food security
- Boost 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.
- Nature at Work – Identify gaps, licenses and trainings needed to launch the next generation of the conservation and restoration workforce. Also, develop targeted career innovation pathways for high school and vocational-technical programs
To coincide with the BCGC, the state is also launching a new public-private Biodiversity Partnership to protect Massachusetts’ land and water. Mass Audubon is the first partner, investing $5 million to support the “30 by 30” goal to safeguard 30% of the state’s natural areas by 2030. The state is also investing $4 million in capital funding for the innovative initiative. Part of this money will go towards establishing the Local Biodiversity Grant Program to provide funds to enhance conservation efforts and marine habitat restoration. The funding will be awarded to projects performed by municipalities, tribes, non-profits, and community organizations.
Other funding for the plan will come from the proposed Mass Ready Act., which includes $370.5 million for land protection and biodiversity. Another $20 million would be dedicated to advancing the Biodiversity Goals of the Commonwealth. An additional $5 million would go towards restoring important marine habitats to support the state’s blue economy, sustainable fisheries, coastal resilience, and carbon sequestration.
To track projects and their progress, a Biodiversity Goals Matrix has been created. The living document holds all the goals of the plan, their implementation timelines, lead agencies, and potential collaborators. The matrix can be accessed on the state’s website.
Photo by Bastian Riccardi from Pexels
