Emily Norton, Executive Director of the CRWA, at the Yes on 6 Rally with Gov. Maura Healey

Governor Maura Healey joined clean water and land conservation advocates from across Massachusetts at Hammond Pond in Newton on Sunday morning to rally in support of the “YES on 6” ballot campaign. Question 6, the Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative on the November statewide ballot, would create a new Nature for All Fund and dedicate funds from the existing state sales tax on sporting goods to protecting and conserving water and nature — without raising taxes. Leaders of some of the state’s top environmental and conservation organizations spoke about how Question 6 would protect clean drinking water; reduce pollution in rivers, lakes, and the ocean; conserve forests, family farms, and natural wildlife habitats; prevent flooding and storm damage; and create and improve parks, trails, and greenspaces for public use. "We are here at the Hammond Pond Reservation, which is a state park, owned by DCR, and it abuts Webster Woods, which is owned by the City of Newton. Over the years through donations and purchases, the city and state were able to acquire these parcels, and today this 230 acres is the largest conservation area in Newton. This is an incredibly valuable space for the residents of Newton and beyond, particularly because it’s a natural oasis within a semi urban environment," said Emily Norton, Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association. "As we develop more, and build even more housing, which is much-needed and coming, it’s even more important that spaces like this are preserved forever, not only for their ecological value, but for our residents to have a place to access nature. Question 6 is a vital way to protect our forests, wetlands, biodiverse habitat, and wild spaces that protect water quality in our aquifers."