Restoring Sesuit Marsh in Dennis, MA helps restore natural benefits to wildlife and communities. www.instagram.com/reel/DY4leC_...

Big dam removal, big benefits for people and wildlife. #nature #rivers #climateresilience

Volunteers hit the riverbank at the former Larkin Mill Dam site in Newbury, Massachusetts to plant 2,000 native willow and dogwood shrubs — stabilizing the banks and building habitat in the wake of the dam’s removal last fall. Conservation starts with community.

apnews.com/article/cran... a retired cranberry bog helped change the game for wetland restoration

Cynthia Henshaw with the East Quabbin Land Trust explains how removing the obsolete Wheelwright Dam in central Massachusetts will help restore ecological balance to the Ware River, improve public safety and enhance recreation. #nature #rivers #restore #climateresilience

Wheelwright Pond Dam is the largest dam removal in Massachusetts. Reporter Henry Schwan with the Worcester Telegram & Gazette explains how the project will reconnect 130 miles of freshwater habitat, eliminating a safety hazard and benefitting people and wildlife. bit.ly/3O38RTG

Restoring rivers. Reviving wetlands. Preparing for sea level rise. That’s what the Mass Ready Act does. We’re proud to have the support of @massaudubon.org Director of Ecological Restoration Alex Hackman, who shares why Mass Ready is critical to accelerating restoration work across the state.

#GrantOpportunity We are excited to announce that DER’s Partnerships Program Request for Responses is now live! Learn more and help us spread the word! Applications are due by Friday, April 3, 2026 at 5 PM EST. www.mass.gov/how-to/ders-...

Protecting people and wildlife from extreme weather takes action – and investment. We’re grateful for the support of @nature.org Massachusetts Director of Policy & Partnerships Steve Long who highlights why the Mass Ready Act is essential for safeguarding the state’s future.

Do you call it a creek, stream, or river? Tell us what you think in the replies! ⬇️

🚨 Notice of Upcoming Funding Opportunity! We will be seeking proposals for funding to establish new DER-supported Partnerships to advance regional restoration projects. Submit an Expression of Interest by Friday, February 6, 2026 at 5PM. Learn more > bit.ly/47y4J3c

@massgovernor.bsky.social’s state budget invests where it matters most – protecting clean air, clean water, and the land people rely on every day!

From feeding families to lowering energy costs, @massgovernor.bsky.social’s state budget invests big to deliver real benefits across Massachusetts.

Thank you for following along with us! We will be taking a break from social media and will be back later this year. While you may see fewer posts from us, know that all of DER’s impactful work is still going strong behind the scenes. We look forward to connecting with you again soon!

Happy New Year from DER! As we look back at 2025, we're proud of accomplishments like 21 projects under construction, 86 acres of freshwater wetland habitat restored, & over 620 river miles reconnected! We're excited for what 2026 has in store 😊

Interested in applying for a culvert replacement grant from DER? Join us on 1/8 at 3pm for an informational webinar on this year's Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant (CRMA) Program and the Training Sites Initiative opportunities. Register at: zoom.us/webinar/regi...

This year, the application for DER's culvert grants will be part of EEA's ECO One Stop simplified application process. EEA expects to open applications in January 2026, so is hosting two informational webinars on 1/27 and 1/28. Learn more and register at www.mass.gov/info-details...

DER is happy to announce $350,000 for dam removal studies in seven municipalities to help communities prepare for climate change and improve habitat for fish and wildlife. Check out the press release to learn more: www.mass.gov/news/healey-...

DER's Regional Restoration Partnerships Program currently supports 3 partnerships & new opportunities to join the program are expected in early 2026! Learn more at a webinar on December 11th at 12 noon: zoom.us/webinar/regi... Can't make it? We'll be posting the recorded webinar on our website.

This Thanksgiving, we are reflecting on what we’re thankful for at DER. We're thankful for our passionate partners, our hard-working and innovative staff, and for the beauty of the natural spaces that surround us. What are you thankful for this year? We hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving.

Grant opportunity!💥 The Community Biodiversity Grants program is now accepting proposals for projects that drive on-the-ground progress towards the state's Biodiversity Goals. Apply today > mass.gov/how-to/massa...

Another dam down! Earlier this month, partners including The Nature Conservancy removed the Becker Pond Dam on an unnamed tributary to Schenob Brook in Mt Washington. With the dam gone, natural riverine processes are restored, improving habitat for coldwater species like Eastern brook trout

You know what's scary? Undersized culverts! They can block fish passage & cause flood risks. DER works to replace undersized & degraded culverts with better designed crossings that meet improved standards. The photo of this culvert in Boxford— replaced in 2021— has been edited for Halloween flair 👻

Enjoy a brief moment of quiet nature sounds at one of DER's completed restoration sites. Many completed sites are open to the public to enjoy-- check out www.mass.gov/info-details... to find one near you. We encourage you to get out & enjoy the quiet of nature amidst all the noise of everyday life.

‼️ Reminder! The deadline to submit your Expression of Interest for DER's culvert replacement grants through the new ECO One Stop process is coming up. Submit your EOI by 10/28 at 11:59pm. Visit www.mass.gov/environment-... for more info

#BreakingNews Massachusetts is pleased to announce our intention to join the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network comprised of 1,400 members committed to global action for biodiversity! 🐟 www.mass.gov/news/massach...

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!

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-...

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-...

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...

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.

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!

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!

‼️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-...

📢 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.

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

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...

‼️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...

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-...

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...

#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...

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

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!

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?

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!

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

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.

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.

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!