Commonwealth Launches Biodiversity Conservation Goals in Barnstable
Yesterday, Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll launched the Commonwealth’s first-in-the-nation 25-year Biodiversity Conservation Goals at Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable, overlooking the Great Marsh.
The plan sets ambitious statewide targets to protect, restore, sustain, and connect Massachusetts’ lands, waters, and wildlife. These goals include preserving 30% of the Commonwealth’s lands and waters by 2030, restoring 75% of critical habitats by 2050, strengthening local food systems, and expanding access to community green spaces. Massachusetts also announced it will be the first state to join the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), deepening its commitment to national and global leadership.
All three Barnstable County Commissioners attended the launch alongside state leaders, conservation organizations, and community members. The choice of Barnstable’s Great Marsh for this announcement highlights the Cape’s importance to biodiversity and climate resilience. From salt marshes that buffer our communities from storms to fisheries that support our blue economy, Cape Cod’s natural resources are directly tied to the goals outlined in the new plan.
Barnstable County programs — including those in the Department of Health and Environment, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, and AmeriCorps Cape Cod — already support work in water quality, habitat restoration, and conservation education. The Commonwealth’s new plan offers opportunities for stronger partnerships and resources that will benefit Cape communities for generations to come.
Read the full announcement from the Healey-Driscoll Administration: Governor’s Press Release
