Press Release  Massachusetts Environmental Trust Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Whale License Plate with Online Auction

BOSTON — Today, the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) announced the upcoming auction of low-number Right Whale and Roseate Terns license plates. Proceeds from the auction will benefit MET grant funding to support the protection and preservation of aquatic and marine habitats and promote youth environmental stewardship. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the whale plate, MET is launching a 2025-2026 Fundraising Campaign, to raise $1,000,000 for MET’s grant programs and endowment. MET will offer a series of live online auctions of license plates with numbers 1-999.    

On January 30, MET will debut the first of several auctions with 30 license plates to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Right Whale plate. Available license plates depict the fluke of a Northern Right Whale and the Roseate Terns bird, both endangered species in Massachusetts. MET also offers other “Preserve the Trust” plates that display images representing the unique characteristics of the state’s coastal, central, and western regions. Over the next two years, more plates 1-999 will be up for auction in both the Right Whale (RW) prefix and the Roseate Tern (RT) prefix.   

“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,” said MET Program Manager Kim Tilas. “Your purchase of Right Whale and Roseate Terns license plates ensures that there are certified disentanglement team members, and trained researchers on-call every day of the year.”   

Since 1997, funds generated by the whale plate have been directed to disentanglement and rescue operations of the Massachusetts Large Whale and Sea Turtle Conservation Program. This program is a collaborative effort between the Division of Marine Fisheries, the designated steward of these animals; the Center for Coastal Studies, the only federally licensed whale disentanglement responder in New England; and the National Marine Fisheries Service. 

“As a Massachusetts resident you have the choice to select a charitable specialty plate to show your support or raise awareness for many important causes,” said Massachusetts Registrar Colleen Ogilvie. “The RMV is proud to help facilitate the issuance of a specialty plate during our initial vehicle registration or at your vehicle registration renewal. You can demonstrate your concern about pollution, wildlife, disappearing open space, and the quality of water that sustains Right Whales, Brook Trout, Striped Bass, or the Blackstone Valley by selecting one of these plate options.”  

“The Right Whale plate has set a standard for specialty license plates since its introduction by the Registry of Motor Vehicles in 1994.  Attractive and prominent, its message allows Massachusetts vehicle owners to show their commitment to our precious environmental resources. Three decades later, it is not merely a familiar sight on our roads; it is important for its fundraising,” said MET Board Chair R.J Lyman. “Thanks to over 25,000 drivers with a Massachusetts Environmental Trust 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.”   

The Trust has made substantial investments in all of the major whale programs conducted in the state. Over the years, organizations including the Center for Coastal Studies, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, the New England Aquarium, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Southshore Lobster Fisherman’s Association, and many others have received grants from MET. These grants fund conservation activities, including aerial and sea-based surveillance, vessel-based habitat studies, monitoring plankton, water quality monitoring, investigating why whales beach themselves, implementation of sinking line and fishing gear modification, marine debris removal, and ship strike avoidance techniques.  

To sign up for the auction and purchase plates securely or to donate to MET’s grant making program visit www.mass.gov/eea/met.  

30 Plates available for Auction: 

RW3, RT5

RW11, RW22, RW33, RT44, RT55

RW25, RW65, RW80, RT25, RT30, RT43, RT53, RT73

RW100, RT100, RW500, RT500

RW150, RW133, RW319, RW330, RT750, RW963

RT150, RT133, RT300, RT333, RT750 

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