Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration

Our staff sometimes have to brave the elements to collect data, meet with partners, conduct assessments, and other tasks needed for their project. ?? Recently, two of our Wetland Restoration Project Managers headed into the field to download data from stream gauges. By consistently gathering data from these stream gauges, we can track water levels, monitor climate impacts, and support restoration efforts for these projects. Especially during our current drought, fieldwork like this is also a great opportunity to document low streamflow in various regions. Have you noticed drought conditions near you? You can submit photos and help support state drought monitoring efforts here - https://bit.ly/41rinDY

Earlier this month, some DER staff attended the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions 2025 Annual Environmental Conference! With attendees from many different industries across New England, this conference is always a great opportunity to share DER’s work and network with partners. Special shout-out to our Dam Removal Program and Wetland Restoration Program for presenting during the conference. DER staff led three different workshops on Saturday, one on a dam removal project and two on wetland restoration practices. They got some great questions and connected with a lot of people afterwards. Thank you to everyone who chatted with us, took a fact sheet, signed up for our e-newsletter, or joined a workshop of ours!

Did someone say #MarshMadness? We will never miss an opportunity to talk about the importance of salt marshes! All month, we will be sharing some of the incredible slam-dunk salt marsh restoration projects that DER has been a part of. We are kicking it off with the Marsh Island Salt Marsh Restoration in Fairhaven!?????? In 2023, this project restored six acres of salt marsh in New Bedford Harbor as part of the first phase of construction. The play-by-play included excavating historic and contaminated fill, regrading the site, planting for a strong defense against erosion and climate change, and more. Restoration brings back natural habitats, improves water quality, and creates spaces for wildlife and the community to enjoy. With Phase One complete, plans are being drawn up for Phase Two so stay tuned! Project partners include the Buzzards Bay Coalition, New Bedford Harbor Trustee Council, NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Fairhaven-Acushnet Land Preservation Trust.

In 2024, Massachusetts joined 27 other states in advancing dam removal, as reported?in American Rivers' annual report! Out of the three dams removed in MA, DER’s Dam Removal team worked with partners on two of them and one of the projects, the emergency removal of the Dudleyville Pond Dam in Shutesbury, even got its own feature in the report. We are so proud of our team and look forward to more in 2025! ??

????Drought Update: The critical and severe drought conditions persist across the state. Following nearly seven months of below-normal precipitation, the Connecticut River Valley region has been raised to a Level 3 – Critical Drought and the Western region has been raised to a Level 2 – Significant Drought. Across the other state regions, the drought conditions remain.? DER participates in the Drought Management Task Force, along with many other state and federal agencies and professional organizations, to collect information and make recommendations for drought management to the Secretary of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Secretary of Public Safety and Security, and the Governor. Have you noticed drought conditions near you? You can submit photos and help support state drought monitoring efforts! Learn more about photo submission, as well as tips for residents and businesses to help conserve water here - https://bit.ly/3OfC4Hu

Attention drivers: watch for amphibians! ?? ?? For our state's amphibians, spring rains signal it’s time to emerge from winter retreats and migrate to breeding sites or disperse to new areas.?Unfortunately, many will?face the daunting task of crossing roads to reach?their?destinations. Spotted salamanders, wood frogs, blue-spotted salamanders, Jefferson salamanders, American toads, spring peepers, four-toed salamanders, northern leopard frogs, and eastern red-backed salamanders are frequently encountered on roads during early spring rains. Learn how you can help ensure they cross safely > https://lnkd.in/eQV7Eu4W

From initial reconnaissance to post-project monitoring, learn how to assemble the right team for a dam removal project! Dam Busters 201 is back next week (March 12th) with their newest free lunchtime webinar. Register below. ??

After safely passing under the road, this great blue heron is ready to fly! Culverts can be found where roads and streams intersection. However, with over 25,000 culverts throughout the state, many are undersized and aging. Unsafe culverts are not only a public safety issue but they can also prevent passage for fish and wildlife. DER works with many partners to replace culverts with those that meet the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards and benefit our communities, ecosystems, and the fish and wildlife that rely on them! Learn more - https://bit.ly/3Y4lRuy Credit for this incredible video goes to Berkshire Environmental Action Team, a Core Partner of the Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Restoration Partnership. #WorldWildlifeDay

DER Partnerships spotlight: As culverts age, assessments help evaluate their integrity and ensure they don’t impair the stream’s natural flow. But with thousands of culverts across Massachusetts, a lot of assessments are needed. Luckily, the Merrimack Restoration Partnership, with support from DER, completed the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) training last fall and led the field days to equip others with the skills to assess culverts. More hands mean more assessments can be completed, allowing more culverts to be prioritized for replacement with structures that enhance passage for fish and wildlife passage and improve public safety! Since July 2025, the Merrimack River Partnership has reported 56 culverts assessed in their region! Partners include Merrimack River Watershed Council, Nashua River Watershed Association, OARS, Groundwork Lawrence, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission and Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust. Learn more about the Partnership and their work assessing culverts - https://bit.ly/3D7a078 ??: Merrimack Valley Planning Commission

Even with the recent rain and snow, we're STILL in drought - here's how you can help!