Category Archives: Advocacy

Advocating for Nature in D.C.

During the week of December 5, Mass Audubon President David O’Neill and team visited Washington, D.C. to meet with Federal leaders about policies and funding opportunities to advance Mass Audubon’s nature and climate objectives.  

Vice President of Policy & Advocacy Michelle Manion, President David O’Neill, Chief of Staff to the President Margo Mercer, and Director of Conservation Science Jeff Collins

During meetings with members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation and their staff, and officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Department of Interior (DOI), Mass Audubon thanked them for their support, encouraged their leadership on specific pieces of legislation, and explored ways to drive new resources to Action Agenda priorities.

Topics Discussed

Some of the specific topics discussed included:

  • Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), which passed the House in the summer of 2022. The bill provides financial and technical assistance to states, territories, and DC for recovering species listed as threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act or state law. Additionally, the funds would also support efforts to keep species from needing to be listed in the first place. For Massachusetts, RAWA would provide the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife with $14 million annually to help 570 species in need through habitat restoration, species reintroduction, and research. 
  • Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which also passed U.S. Congress this summer, including $370 billion for climate and clean energy measures. In Massachusetts, the IRA’s funding will be a vital complement to the state’s ambitious goals to achieve net-zero by 2050. 
Collins, O’Neill, and Rep McGovern

The team met directly with Rep. McGovern, Rep. Keating, Rep. Trahan, and met with staff from Rep. Clark and Rep. Neal’s offices. RAWA was a topic of particular interest, because while the bill passed the House in the summer, it has not yet been passed in both chambers. Our hope is that an Omnibus Federal Funding Bill will be passed in the next few weeks and that it includes RAWA.   

In addition to seeking continued support for RAWA, the Mass Audubon team sought support for the 17-acre Forbes project in Chelsea. The vision for the Forbes property is to create more than 12 acres of greenspace accessible to the surrounding under-resourced communities, build affordable housing units on the site, and to provide nature-based educational programming. Mass Audubon, in partnership with local organizations GreenRoots and The Neighborhood Developers, and the City of Chelsea, is committed to making this project a reality for the residents of Chelsea. While Chelsea is not in the districts of the Reps. that the team met with, every Rep. expressed their support for the project and committed to signing a joint letter that will be sent to DOI, NOAA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Lastly, a conversation with Rep. McGovern brought up the opportunity for small towns in rural Massachusetts to work together and to promote working lands and recreational opportunities potentially supported by funding that is available as a result of the passage of IRA. 

Get Involved 

Our advocacy will not stop here and we need your help. You can advocate for nature and climate solutions by becoming a Climate Champion. 

Learn more > 

Kevin Izzo Selfie

December Climate Champions Update

Climate Champions is a Mass Audubon grassroots volunteer program to advocate for policies that advance nature-based climate solutions. With training from policy experts, Climate Champions advocate for local and state policies that help achieve the state’s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reverse negative health impacts of climate change for Environmental Justice communities.    

Meet a Champion, find out how it’s going and what’s next, and learn how you can get involved.

Climate Champion Spotlight: Kevin Izzo 

“As I became more climate aware, I realized that reducing my individual impact wasn’t enough and that I needed to do more. Not having previous advocacy experience I wasn’t sure where to start. Climate Champions has provided me a way to educate myself and become more active. It is a thoughtful group with wide-ranging concerns. Since joining, I’ve: 

  • Researched local adoption of three climate initiatives, 
  • Written letters to influence building code design, 
  • Phone banked with the Environmental Voter Project, 
  • Participated in a Massachusetts solar siting survey, 
  • Helped to recruit new members, and 
  • Weighed in on legislative priorities.” 

How It’s Going 

Climate Champions celebrated the passage of a major Economic Development bill that included $540 million to support nature-based climate solutions, clean energy, and climate resiliency. Climate Champions pushed for these investments at our Beacon Hill Lobby Day in June, and the House and Senate responded. We hope this success inspires you as it has us!   

Champions were also briefed on the Community Preservation Act (CPA) that helps to preserve open space and cheered the passage of CPA in five towns at the mid-term election.  

As a way to grow the program, champions participated in recruitment workshops, where they learned about the variety of program recruitment materials available and brainstormed their own outreach to recruit more Climate Champions. 

In addition, champions had the opportunity to: 

  • Complete the MA Department of Energy Resources’ Solar Siting Survey to advocate for solar projects that protect our natural and working lands 
  • Submit comments on proposed changes to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) regulations to advocate for the reduction the time and costs involved with restoring wetlands 

What’s Next 

Climate Champions will be trained by Mass Audubon’s policy experts about local town government, how to take local climate action, and the resources available to facilitate that action. Champions will begin researching their local legislators, learning about their influences and interests, in preparation for future advocacy engagement. 

Mass Audubon’s Policy and Advocacy staff will be finalizing the Legislative Agenda for the 2023-2024 legislative session after reviewing insightful feedback from both Climate Champions and Youth Climate Leadership Program (YCLP) volunteers. 

Get Involved

Become a Climate Champion, no matter your time constraints or experience level! 

Find out more and sign up >