Photo: Courtesy of Massachusetts Environmental Trust
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts Environmental Trust will be holding an auction including low-number Right Whale and Roseate Terns license plates.
The event will take place on Jan. 30 and will reveal the first 30 plates to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Right Whale plate.
All proceeds from the auction will go towards the MET grant funding to support aquatic and marine habitat protection. The available plates will show the fluke of a Northern Right Whale, along with the Roseate Terns bird, which are both endangered in Massachusetts.
“Without dedicated citizens purchasing MET license plates and donating to the Trust, the grants that support numerous grassroots conservation efforts and organizations would cease to exist,” MET Program Manager Kim Tilas said in a statement.
The goal of the campaign is to raise one million dollars for MET’s grant programs and endowment. Plates 1-999 will be available for purchase.
Funds from the whale plates have been used to aid in the disentanglement and rescue operations of the Massachusetts Large Whale and Sea Turtle Conservation Program since 1997.
“Thanks to over 25,000 drivers with a MET whale license plate, MET has directed nearly $24 million to protect and conserve marine animals, aquatic life, and river and estuarine habitats, including over $7 million directed to large whale programs, with a strong emphasis help for the endangered North Atlantic right whale.” MET Board Chair R.J Lyman said in a statement.
People can visit the MET website if they are interested in participating or donating.