Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration

?????Gratitude for Healthy Wetlands this Thanksgiving!????? As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to reflect on the incredible gift of nature — especially restored wetlands and cranberry bogs that are vital to our environment! ???? These restoration projects are not only critical for the health of our environment but also ensure the continued sustainability of the iconic?cranberry harvests?that are a staple of Thanksgiving tables across the country. ????? Through these efforts, we: ???Keep our water clean by filtering pollutants ?? ?? Support wildlife habitats and healthy ecosystems ?? ?? ???Protect communities by absorbing excess flood waters ?? ?And, of course, ensuring that cranberries—an iconic part of our Thanksgiving feasts—are plentiful year after year! ????? ????Happy Thanksgiving?to everyone working to protect our natural resources! ???? #CranberryBogRestoration #WetlandsRestoration #EnvironmentalStewardship #Thanksgiving #Sustainability #Massachusetts #EcologicalRestoration #GratitudeForNature

This Thanksgiving, we can't help but reflect on what we’re thankful for at DER.?Things such as.... ?? Our passionate partners that work alongside us to advance our projects. ?? Landowners and municipalities who are willing to collaborate on restoration efforts. ?? Our hard-working and innovative staff. ?? The beauty of our natural spaces that surround us. ?? People like you who support our work and allow us to advance restoration throughout Massachusetts! As the year wraps up and we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited about our future opportunities to create healthy, resilient ecosystems for people and nature.?What are you thankful for this season?

Today, DER awarded $6 million to twelve recipients to advance cranberry and coastal wetland restoration projects in Massachusetts! ?? These grants support all phases of restoration, from planning and design to advancing construction efforts. These projects will help communities increase resilience to climate change for people and nature, restore crucial wildlife habitat, and improve water quality. Learn more about this exciting announcement and see the list of funded projects here ?? https://bit.ly/3CG9qN6

Need some cranberry conversation starters this week?? ?? Cranberries are a native wetland plant that grows on a vine. ?? Fresh, ripe cranberries bounce when you drop them.? ?? Widely grown in Southeastern Massachusetts, cranberries are one of the few fruits native to North America.? ?? Cranberries are the number one food crop of Massachusetts.? ?? Even when a cranberry bog is no longer sustainable, farmers can restore the land to its natural wetland state, allowing it to continue supporting ecosystems and communities. Learn more about DER’s Cranberry Bog Restoration Program here - https://lnkd.in/gFXS-Kkc In the meantime, how will you be enjoying cranberries this Thanksgiving?

To advance ecological restoration throughout the state, DER needs strong partnership. During this month of Thanksgiving, we are grateful to work with many talented and committed individuals who support our river and wetland restoration projects. We want to thank Jane Winn from Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Christa Drew from Friends of Herring River, and Curt Rogers from the Merrimack River Watershed Council for their kind words and strong partnership as we look back at #15YearsofRiverRestoration. Check out some other quotes from our partners in our profile! ??: DER; Locations include 1: Pittsfield, 2: Duck Harbor in Wellfleet, 3: River Meadow Brook in Lowell

?Two more days left! The deadline for this opportunity is Friday (11/22) at 4:00pm ET so make sure to get your application in before that. Make sure you have all that you need and submit an application here?? https://bit.ly/4hAqWlP

Unfortunately, Massachusetts’ drought has progressed following unprecedented low precipitation this fall. Today, EEA Secretary Tepper elevated the Western, Connecticut River Valley, and Southeast regions to a Level 3 - Critical Drought. A Level 3 - Critical Drought persists in the Central and Northeast regions. The Cape and Islands Regions still remain at a “Level 0 - Normal Drought”. The dry conditions have also increased wildfire occurrence and intensity, with many brush fires being managed across the state. Residents and businesses are urged to follow water conservation and fire prevention steps to minimize impacts. Find more information including what residents and businesses can do to help here ?? https://bit.ly/3OfC4Hu

Another DER project is nearly complete! The project team is putting the final touches on the Cold Brook Eco-Restoration Project in Harwich after being under construction for most of this year. This project restored 50 acres of former commercial cranberry bog into healthy wetlands and created over 4,000 linear feet of river channel along Cold Brook. One of the unique aspects of this project is that it was designed to capture the groundwater through the newly crafted ponds and “treat” it naturally which improved water quality for the surrounding communities and ecosystems. The photos speak for themselves as they were taken in March and October! Primary project partners include DER, HARWICH CONSERVATION TR, the Town of Harwich, SumCo Eco-Contracting, Inter-Fluve and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).?

The Quinapoxet Dam removal has begun construction! On a recent field trip organized by colleagues from the Massachusetts Ecosystem Climate Adaptation Network (Mass ECAN), a few of DER’s staff got to see the progress on the Quinapoxet River Restoration in West Boylston. This #DERPriorityProject began construction this month to remove an aging dam at the confluence of the Quinapoxet River within the Wachusett Reservoir. Attendees got to see the water control structure rerouting the river around the dam so that the crew can begin removing the dam “in the dry” within the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more updates on this project as construction progresses. Project partners include the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and construction by Lucianos Excavation Inc..

Three months of construction in three minutes! ?? This awesome video shows the progress on the #HerringRiverRestoration Project from July to September. This #DERPriorityProject is restoring up to 890 acres of tidal estuary in Wellfleet and Truro. Give it a watch ?? https://bit.ly/48JQMzR Partners on this project include Friends of Herring River, Town of Wellfleet, National Park Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and many others.