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

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  

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.