About Us

Soon after the first Conservation Commissions were formed in the late 1950s it became evident that they would benefit greatly from educational materials describing their duties and outlining methods of attaining their goals.

The need to disseminate and expand the information in these materials, to explain state government and to discuss ways of improving the citizen's role in environmental protection, led to the formation of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions in 1961.

The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) builds support for community conservation by working with state agencies, legislators, the courts, partner nonprofits and the general public. MACC advocates for strong, science-based laws, regulations and policies, assists state agencies in outreach efforts and serves as mentor for other conservation groups.

MACC's original mission included encouraging and assisting the establishment of Conservation Commissions in every municipality; this was achieved in the 1980s.

Our mission today continues to be education of and support for Conservation Commissions.

The MACC main office has been located at the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Habitat Sanctuary in Belmont since 1988. A western Massachusetts outreach office was established in Hadley in 1990.

Our Trademarks

MACC conducts two major annual meetings. The MACC Annual Environmental Conference, usually occuring the first weekend in March, is the largest annual gathering of local environmental officials in New England and includes about 40 workshops and nearly 50 exhibits. And in the autumn, our annual Fall Conference covers a relevant topic in depth. Question-and-answer sessions at these and other programs provide specific opportunities to discuss individual projects and cases. Commissioners representing nearly 90 percent of Massachusetts municipalities attend an MACC program each year.

In between annual meetings, MACC offers a variety of specialized education programs. In 1997 MACC introduced the first component of a comprehensive training program for Conservation Commissions and their staff, an eight-unit course: Fundamentals for Conservation Commissioners. Sessions are offered frequently around the state.
 
MACC publishes the Environmental Handbook for Massachusetts Conservation Commissioners and a regular Newsletter, and writes and/or distributes over 100 other government, legal and environmental publications.

A Telephone Helpline for is available to members at (617) 489-3930.

MACC is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the Commonwealth.

Our Mission