Are you ready to protect water and nature in Massachusetts? Join environmental, conservation, outdoor recreation, and parks advocates from across the state in Boston on Monday, December 1 for a celebratory rally as we turn in more than 75,000 signatures to qualify the Protect Water and Nature Ballot Initiative for the November 2026 ballot!

The Protect Water and Nature Ballot Initiative would dedicate funds from the existing state sales tax on sporting goods to protecting and conserving water and nature. That means $100 million every year for clean water, healthy forests, more trails and parks, and access to the outdoors and nature for everyone in Massachusetts — without raising taxes.

Here’s how you can join us:

• Up for a 1.5 mile, ~30 min. urban hike? Join us before the rally at 9:15 a.m. at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s office in Charlestown (10 City Square, Boston, MA 02129). We’ll hike together across the Charles River, bringing signatures from voters all across Massachusetts up to Beacon Hill. (See the hiking route here). AMC will have gear available to borrow (including backpacks, hiking poles, boots, etc.), or you can bring your own! Hikers will depart at 9:30 a.m.

• Just want to join the rally? At 10:30 a.m., we’ll gather on the State House Steps — across from Boston Common, the country’s first public park — for a brief rally and speaking program to celebrate our milestone of 75,000+ signatures collected, before walking around the corner to the Secretary of State’s office (1 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108) to submit our signatures.

What to bring/wear: We want to showcase all the ways people across Massachusetts access nature, so bring your hiking or fishing gear, ride your mountain bike, or wear your hunting camo. And we’ll be outside - so bundle up and prepare to show off your best outdoor layers.