Conservation Fund

Sixty years ago this month, the best conservation program you’ve likely never heard of  was signed into law. It’s called the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Originally proposed by President John F. Kennedy, the program has a simple yet brilliant design. It turns proceeds from oil and gas drilling into public parks, wildlife refuges, forests, playgrounds, and trails that millions now enjoy. Each year, $900 million in royalties is deposited in the fund, leading to projects all over the country. In the last several years, herculean efforts by champions in Congress and partners have ensured that this program will continue and be fully funded forever.

If you spent time this summer visiting the beach at Cape Cod National Seashore, hiking in the forests around the Quabbin Reservoir, picnicking at the Boston Common and Public Garden, or watching the start of the Boston Marathon at Hopkinton State Park, you have benefited from America’s best conservation program.

It’s an important example of how seemingly arcane legislation in Washington can change lives in every corner of our state. In the last 60 years, over $290 million has come through the fund to preserve some of Massachusetts’ most iconic natural and historic places, like Minuteman National Historic Park and Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, as well as countless state and local parks, trails, and playgrounds, leaving a legacy of public lands for future generations. It’s a meaningful lawmaking success that is worthy of our attention and celebration this year.

We still have a long way to go before every community across the Commonwealth has access to safe and welcoming outdoor spaces, as well as the myriad climate, economic, health, and natural services they provide, but the Land and Water Conservation Fund is one of the tools we have to help us get there. Next time you’re at your local park, see if there is an “LWCF” sign – you might be surprised!

Emily Myron

Senior Policy Manager at The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts

Iran policy

Joe Biden was never a conceptual thinker, but one idea he recognized immediately he became commander in chief was that no harm should come to our enemies. Thus, his reversal of Donald Trump’s excellent Iran policy and his rare but highly effective policy of precise strikes against enemies who have killed Americans. Instead we see American attacks against targets in Syria designed to scare our enemies, as if actually harming them might cause distress. Actually using our military assets effectively is so Trumpish, don’t you know.

Paul Bloustein

Cincinnati, Ohio

Sox fan

I’m a diehard Red Sox, my favorite player Theodore Samuel Williams. The last couple of years have been difficult to watch and most difficult to understand how players like Mookie Betts gets traded to the LA Dodgers and why didn’t the Sox draft Carl Yastrzemski’s son. But what really amazed me was giving up on Chris Sale who currently has a good chance to be National League Cy Young Awards winner this year for Atlanta Braves. But what do I know, I’m just a diehard BoSox fan.

Tony Meschini

Scituate