Conservation groups back new biodiversity fund but say 30x30 goals need more sustained money

What happened: Land‑trusts and conservation organizations supported the bill’s conservation components — a $340,000,000 authorization for land protection and a proposed $20,000,000 biodiversity grant fund — but urged larger, sustained funding and suggested pairing bond authorizations with recurring revenue to meet Massachusetts’ conservation goals.

Why it matters: Witnesses including Mass Audubon, The Trustees of Reservations, The Nature Conservancy and the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition said that the state is not on pace to meet its 30% land and water protection by 2030 goal. They urged the committee to pursue additional funding mechanisms (for example, the Nature for Massachusetts initiative or a dedicated revenue stream) to provide predictable conservation finance beyond one‑time bond authorizations.

Details and programmatic matters: Conservation witnesses asked for higher appropriations for DCR stewardship and parks maintenance — noting a significant deferred maintenance backlog — and argued the bond’s park and trails line items, though larger than 2018 levels, still fall short of need. The Trustees urged the committee to consider a statewide voluntary flood‑buyout program to reduce recurring flood damages and to expand land acquisition and farm protection programs such as APR.

Debate and requests: Land trusts requested that the bill keep or expand nonprofit eligibility for certain acquisition grants, and recommended support for pre‑acquisition reimbursements when nonprofits act to secure high‑priority parcels for later transfer to state stewardship. Speakers also asked the committee to fund increased stewardship and maintenance funding for DCR lands and MassTrails projects.

Next steps: Conservation groups committed to working with the committee to refine funding levels and consider outside sections or companion legislation that would create ongoing revenue streams for land protection and stewardship.