Mass Audubon loses $25 million after Trump administration cancels grant

The Trump Administration terminated a $25 million grant that protects 10,000 acres of forests and wetlands in the Connecticut River Watershed, Mass Audubon announced July 2. 

The grant, which was the largest federal endowment in Mass Audubon’s 129-year history, was a part of $1.5 billion dedicated to 92 conservation projects nationwide, the organization said.

Mass Audubon said it is weighing its options to challenge the cancellation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, which was first announced in October 2024.

The funding was also meant to create partnerships with landowners to rehabilitate forest habitats by removing dams and reinstating floodplain forests, Mass Audubon said. 

“Terminating grants that conserve our forests, keep working lands working, act as a flood protection buffer for communities, and leverage millions from other funding sources simply makes no sense, and represents a loss for all of us,”  said Mass Audubon CEO David O’Neill.

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England and says it has 160,000 members and supporters. 

The Healey administration condemned Trump’s funding cuts to Mass Audubon, as well as an additional $45 million slashed from Massachusetts land conservation efforts, in a statement June 26. 

“President Trump is yet again taking action that will hurt Massachusetts’ rural communities, farmers and economy,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This is funding that would have been used to ensure clean water, provide access to fresh local food, and support our agricultural economy.”

Mass Audubon’s grant also included money that would have paid for measuring variables such as carbon, biodiversity, and flood resilience using methods like field measurements and satellite imaging. 

The USDA did not immediately reply for comment.

“The importance of these conservation projects and protecting natural lands is paramount,” O’Neill said. “Even if the current administration terminates funding for nature, it’s our responsibility to do whatever we can to continue the necessary work that protects wildlife and their habitats, keeps our air and water clean, and makes the region more resilient to the negative impacts of climate change.”

Want to leave a comment?

Create an Account Or sign in to your account

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

To comment, please verify your email address

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com