An Act investing in natural and working lands

This bill amends Massachusetts law to create a new program that helps towns protect farmland and forests from being developed. It directs state agencies to avoid using public funds to convert these lands into other uses and requires them to prioritize soil, tree, and water conservation. To qualify for funding, a town must adopt local rules that protect natural resources, such as ordinances to keep existing trees and plans that include agriculture in land use decisions. The program aims to prevent the loss of working lands, increase food production, and promote environmental benefits like carbon storage, with money coming from existing state climate funds and federal grants.