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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · 17h

Happy World Mental Health Day! Spending time outdoors is directly linked to our wellbeing & can result in improved focus, lower stress, better mood, & many other benefits. Check out www.mass.gov/info-details... for some of our completed restoration sites, many with open space for public use!

Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · 1d

DER is happy to award over $700,000 in grants to support partnerships through our Regional Restoration Partnerships Program. Learn more about this program and the three partnerships it supports at www.mass.gov/news/healey-...

Four people in waders standing in a stream in front of a large culvert.

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · 8d

Last month, the Town of Windsor, with support from a DER culvert grant, replaced a perched & degraded culvert with a 16-foot bridge, reconnecting fish passage to important coldwater habitat & improving public safety. For more info on this year's culvert grant process, visit mass.gov/environment-...

A concrete culvert in the process of being installed, with construction equipment and crews in the background.

Reposted by Division of Ecological Restoration (DER)

Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game @massdfg.bsky.social · 14d

Today on @cbsnews.com: How @massecorestore.bsky.social supports farmers to transform former cranberry bogs into healthy, resilient wetlands. 🌱

"What once grew cranberries, now grows a possibility," says reporter Jacob Wycoff.

www.cbsnews.com/news/massach...

Massachusetts cranberry farmers choosing to restore their bogs into wetlands amid economic headwinds

A state program pays cranberry farmers to turn unproductive bogs back into wetlands.

www.cbsnews.com

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · 14d

Reminder! The deadline to apply for dam removal preliminary design services is Wednesday, October 1st!

Visit www.mass.gov/how-to/dam-r... for more information or to apply.

Two people in high visibility clothing walking near a dam in winter.

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · 15d

DER was happy to welcome two new faces to our team this summer! Meet Bridget and Kacey 👋

Bridget joins DER's Dam Removal Program as an Ecological Restoration Specialist. Kacey joins DER's fiscal team as a Procurement Specialist. Join us in welcoming them to DER in these two crucial positions!

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · 17d

Happy National #EstuariesWeek! We love our estuaries, which provide important habitat, improve water quality, protect against the impacts of climate change, & offer recreational opportunities to help people connect with nature. Tell us why you love estuaries!

Two large cranes and construction equipment in an estuary on a sunny summer day.

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · 25d

‼️This year, the application for DER's culvert replacement CRMA & training site grants will be part of ECO One Stop, a new initiative created to simplify the grant process for climate resilience projects. The Expression of Interest (EOI) period is now open. Learn more at mass.gov/environment-...

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Sep 8

📢 Alert: New opportunity! 🎉

DER has released a Request for Responses (RFR) for municipalities to apply for dam removal preliminary design services.

Visit www.mass.gov/how-to/dam-r... for more information or to apply.

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Sep 5

Why’s there a pile of debris in this cranberry bog restoration site? It’s old irrigation piping!

Removing pipes & other infrastructure helps restore natural hydrology, reduce plastic pollution, and set the stage for healthy wetlands. 🌿💧

📸: Fuss & O'Neill and Nantucket Conservation Foundation

A large pile of plastic piping with construction equipment in the background.

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Aug 26

Meet some restoration rockstars – the Buzzards Bay Watershed Restoration Partnership! One of the 3 Partnerships through DER’s Regional Restoration Partnerships Program, the Buzzards Bay Partnership works to advance restoration in the Buzzards Bay watershed. www.mass.gov/info-details...

A graphic that has a large photo of a group of people talking on a newly created bridge going over a muddy wetland. Text below the photo says “Meet the Buzzards Bay Watershed Restoration Partnership! Lead organization: Buzzards Bay Coalition. Location: Buzzards Bay Region”.

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Aug 22

‼️Notice of an upcoming opportunity for MA cities and towns to pursue dam removal preliminary design studies. Selected projects will receive technical assistance from DER to explore early stage dam removal projects. Learn more at www.mass.gov/how-to/dam-r...

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Aug 21

Last week, DER announced over $2.9 million in grants to support ecological restoration projects throughout MA. Funding will support culvert replacement projects in 21 towns as well as the Herring River Estuary Restoration Project in Wellfleet and Truro.

Learn more at www.mass.gov/news/healey-...

Water flowing through an undersized culvert while a large truck drives above.

Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Aug 11

Drought Update! Unfortunately, drought conditions have worsened in the Cape Cod Region, which was upgraded to a "Level 2 - Significant Drought."
For more information about the current drought status and how you can help, visit www.mass.gov/info-details...

A map of Massachusetts showing significant drought in the Cape Cod Region and Mild Drought on Nantucket.

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Reposted by Division of Ecological Restoration (DER)

Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game @massdfg.bsky.social · Aug 8

#SolutionsStory: How @massecorestore.bsky.social helps former cranberry farmers take a "green exit" and return their retired bogs to healthy, resilient wetlands! 💚

Learn more in @newbedfordlight.bsky.social > newbedfordlight.org/why-massachu...

Why more cranberry farmers are selling to conservationists, not developers - The New Bedford Light

A “green exit strategy” allows farmers to help the environment.

newbedfordlight.org

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Jul 31

Did you know that the largest tidal restoration in the northeastern US is happening right now on Cape Cod?

20+ years in the making, the Herring River Restoration will restore up to 890 acres of tidal salt marsh along the Herring River in Wellfleet & Truro. See the progress here - bit.ly/3Znco1w

Construction equipment on a bridge by a wetland.

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Jul 29

Earlier this month, DER staff visited the site of the Whitney Pond Dam removal in Ashburnham. Most of the dam breach is complete, the downstream channel has been built, and only a few aspects of the project remain. Construction is expected to wrap up in the fall, so stay tuned for updates!

An excavator digs at rocks making up a small dam.

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Jul 24

We're joining @noaa.gov in celebrating #HabitatMonth this July! Healthy habitats aren't just important for fish and wildlife, they also increase climate resilience, improve water quality, and provide a host of other benefits for both people and nature.

What do healthy habitats mean to you?

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Jul 22

In June, DER joined the Nantucket Conservation Foundation for a tour of the Windswept Bogs Restoration project site, which restored approximately 39 acres of retired cranberry bogs to wetland habitat. Construction wrapped up in April and you can already see the site coming back to life!

A wetland with new vegetation emerging and spots of open water.

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Jul 17

🧑‍🤝‍🧑❤️🌿🐟💧💪
That's "we love ecological restoration" in emoji 😉
What's your favorite restoration emoji?
#WorldEmojiDay

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Jul 14

This spring, OARS & the XCel Conservation Corps have been assessing culverts throughout the SuAsCo watershed — thanks to funding from DER’s Restoration Partnership Program. These field assessments identify & prioritize culverts to best support fish and wildlife passage, and improve flood resilience.

A group of people stand and crouch around a small culvert looking and writing things down. Everyone is wearing safety vests.

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Reposted by Division of Ecological Restoration (DER)

Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs @masseea.bsky.social · Jul 11

Today, Secretary Tepper downgraded the Cape Cod Region to a Level 1-Mild Drought after being at Level 2-Significant Drought since January. In the Islands Region, Dukes County has been downgraded to Level 0-Normal Conditions, while Nantucket County remains at Level 1-Mild Drought.

Map of Massachusetts showing Level 1 - Mild Drought Conditions in Cape Cod Region and Nantucket County

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Jul 10

Tire? Large rock? 🤔 Nope—snapping turtle! 🐢

Just after the Plymco Dam was removed in 2015, this turtle moved right into the restored stream at Town Brook, a key fish run in Plymouth.

Proof that when we reconnect rivers, nature shows up fast!

A large snapping turtle is seen just underwater next to a large tree root.

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Jul 2

We had a new face join DER's Stream Continuity Program! Meet Natalia👋

Natalia is DER's newest Culvert Replacement Technical Assistance Specialist. They recently completed their M.S. in Geography and have a background in Natural Resources Conservation focusing on wetland studies. Welcome to DER!

A person in a hat and glasses smiling in front of a cranberry bog with the words "Meet Natalia, DER's new Culvert Replacement Technical Assistance Specialist" overlaid.

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Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) @massecorestore.bsky.social · Jun 26

DER was proud to join officials and partners in Braintree on Tuesday to announce the Mass Ready Act, which includes important investments in ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, and public access to nature for all. 🌿 Learn more at mass.gov/massready

Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game @massdfg.bsky.social · Jun 25

Yesterday, we were pleased to join @massgovernor.bsky.social Maura Healey to announce the #MassReadyAct, a historic $2.9 billion investment in our environment to strengthen our infrastructure, protect water and wildlife, and prepare for disasters! 🌱 🐟

mass.gov/info-details... (1/3)

Governor Maura Healey announces the Mass Ready Act.

Monatiquot River Restoration Project in Braintree removed two defunct dams, restored fish passage, and created new public access.

EEA Secretary Tepper announces the Mass Ready Act

EEA agency staff celebrate the Mass Ready Act

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