The landscapes of central and western Massachusetts are some of the most treasured in the commonwealth, providing beautiful natural areas for recreation, ensuring clean air and water, sequestering and storing carbon, supporting forestry jobs and providing habitat for species such as black bear, moose and bobcat, as well as many other important plants and animals. Because of the benefits these lands provide to people and nature, state environmental agencies and conservation organizations have been protecting these landscapes for decades. Now is the time for the commonwealth to recognize the value of public lands with equitable and fair compensation to the local communities that host state conserved lands.
Nature provides benefits to all across the state in a remarkably cost-efficient manner. Fresh and saltwater wetlands reduce pollution and flooding and provide cleaner water — services worth $2.3 billion each year. It’s estimated that protecting one acre of natural land in Massachusetts provides an estimated $48,000 – $79,000 in stormwater management value. This is why the commonwealth is a leader in permanently protecting the most productive, ecologically significant, and cherished lands and waters across the state.
The many benefits protected lands provide to communities are one reason they are exempt from property taxes in Massachusetts. However, state protected land can represent a tradeoff for some rural communities with significant amounts of conserved land that are also heavily dependent on property taxes to fund their roads, schools, public safety, and other services. Once land is permanently protected, communities can no longer rely on property tax revenue from those lands, which can put added pressure on their budgets. We all benefit, but the impacts of lost tax revenue fall on the host municipalities.
In recognition of this, through the commonwealth’s payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program, the state pays municipalities each year for the lost property tax revenues for acres of state-owned land in their communities. Reports by the state auditor in 2020 and 2025 found that Massachusetts’ current PILOT program for state-owned lands is inconsistent, underfunded and its current formula disadvantages communities with slowly increasing or declining property values, especially rural communities in Massachusetts. These communities are home to some of the largest concentrations of state-owned land, in part because they have long valued and supported conservation. In recent years, many local leaders are calling for a more balanced approach to conservation, one that advances shared environmental goals while also addressing the fiscal realities faced by communities with constrained tax bases.
Senators Jo Comerford (Franklin, Hampshire and Worcester), Paul Mark (Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire) and members of the western and central Massachusetts House delegation are advocating for legislation to fully fund the PILOT program and to revise its formula to better compensate communities for the environmental benefits conserved lands in their communities provide to the entire commonwealth. During this legislative session, The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts worked with Senator Comerford and Representative Joan Meschino (Plymouth County) to introduce and advocate for their legislation, SB. 549/HB. 1005 An Act Investing in Natural and Working Lands. The bill would increase PILOT payments for communities that adopt local by-laws that protect natural and working lands.
Recognizing the need for PILOT reform, Gov. Maura Healey established the Commission on Payments in Lieu of Taxes for State-Owned Land to recommend a more equitable approach. A stronger PILOT program should compensate communities for lost property tax revenue while reflecting the statewide benefits conserved lands provide, from clean water and climate resilience to recreation and wildlife habitat. The PILOT commission recently held listening sessions across the state where residents could share their suggestions for reforms. The Nature Conservancy stands ready to work with our partners and the Commission to ensure that communities are fairly and fully supported by the PILOT program for the conserved lands they steward.
Take Action:
- Use this online form if you were unable to attend a PILOT listening session but would still like to share your thoughts on the PILOT program with the commission.
- Speak up with your elected officials — Contact your state legislators and ask them to urge them to support the legislation “An Act to Invest in Natural and Working Lands.” Find your legislator here.
- Engage with your town to support local services and conservation.
Kristen Sarri is the Massachusetts State Director for The Nature Conservancy.