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!

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!

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

Do you work with culverts? Interested in stream processes and resilient road infrastructure design? MassDOT is hosting a 2-day Rivers and Roads Workshop on June 25th and 26th in Worcester! Learn about the importance and specifics of culvert replacement projects. More at bit.ly/4kvefKc

Good news! While drought statuses for the Cape Cod and Islands Regions remain, the Southeast Region has been downgraded to Normal Conditions. Read the latest update here ➡️ bit.ly/3OfC4Hu

This #WorldEnvironmentDay, we’re reminded that restoring nature is restoring our future. 🌎🌿 From rivers to wetlands, ecological restoration helps ecosystems thrive and communities become more resilient. DER is proud to work with many partners to keep the momentum going!

Today on WBUR's Morning Edition: How @massecorestore.bsky.social is turning retired cranberry bogs back into healthy, resilient wetlands for nature and people! 🌾 🐟 Tune in to 90.9 FM to listen live, or listen here > www.wbur.org/news/2025/06... #ClimateSoutions #Biodiversity #Restoration

Want to stay current on DER restoration projects, success stories, and opportunities? Subscribe to the Ebb & Flow, DER’s e-newsletter! Our Spring issue will be coming soon so sign up here: bit.ly/3VK6Prt

How do you get a century-old cranberry bog on Nantucket restored into a naturally functioning wetland? With the dedication of lots of partners! Thank you to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for highlighting the Windswept Bog Restoration in this great article - bit.ly/43ghcXS

Why restore wetlands? Because they protect & sustain our quality of life! DER provides technical assistance, secures project funding, & coordinates the wetland restoration projects from start to finish. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/4jC2fGi #AmericanWetlandsMonth

Yesterday was International Day for Biodiversity! 🌿🌎

Perched culverts like this are not fish-friendly! 🐟🙅 Undersized and/or perched culverts block fish migration & wildlife passage. Replacing them with crossings that meet MA Stream Crossing Standards helps fish, restores flow & builds climate resilience. #WorldFishMigrationDay

Good news! 💧 While the Cape Cod Region remains at a Level 2 - Significant Drought, the rest of the state has been downgraded to either a Level 1 - Mild Drought or a Level 0 - Normal. Read the latest update here ➡️ bit.ly/3OfC4Hu

With many dams in Massachusetts in disrepair, where do you start? That’s where DER’s Partnerships Program is stepping in! The Merrimack Restoration Partnership is working to identify & prioritize dams that need to be removed in the Merrimack River watershed, such as the Stevens Pond Dam in Lawrence.

A moment for Monatiquot River’s before & after! 🙌 This #DERPriorityProject removed two dams, built a fish ladder, reconnected 36 river miles & created a recreational space for Braintree. And for the first time in 200+ years, river herring returned to migrate this spring! 🐟

Once active cranberry bogs➡️ now thriving ecosystems. Thank you @WCAI_NPR for covering cranberry bog restoration! Give it a listen to hear from DER Director Beth Lambert and many other partners talk about the benefits and process of restoration - bit.ly/4dfVHLj #EcologicalRestoration

Today, DER awarded over $800K to support ecological restoration projects in 8⃣ different communities! These grants will provide significant ecological, social, & economic benefits for our communities & ecosystems. Congrats to all recipients! Learn more➡️https://bit.ly/4jOfR1f

Spring showers bring improved drought conditions! ☔️ While the Cape Cod Region remains at a Level 2 - Significant Drought, the rest of the state have been downgraded to either a Level 1 - Mild Drought or a Level 0 - Normal. Read the latest drought status update here ➡️ bit.ly/3OfC4Hu

Only 5️⃣ days left to get your application in for DER's culvert replacement funding opportunities! Deadline to apply is 5/12 at 4pm ET. Learn more & apply here➡️ bit.ly/3Edt982

Amphibians can be great indicators that an #EcologicalRestoration project was successful in providing healthy habitat and plentiful food for them. During #AmphibianWeek, we celebrate these cool creatures that play a vital role in our ecosystems! 🌱

New construction alert🚧 Chosen as a #DERPriorityProject in 2018, the South Meadow Wetland Reserve Easement Restoration in Carver will begin construction this month! The project will restore 34 acres of retired commercial cranberry farmland into healthy, self-sustaining wetlands.

As storms grow stronger & flood risks increase, #EcologicalRestoration plays a vital role in building climate resilience for our communities. By restoring natural wetlands, removing dams, & replacing undersized/aging culverts, DER’s projects help prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Meet some restoration rockstars – the Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected (BCCC) Partnership! One of the 3 Partnerships through DER’s Regional Restoration Partnerships Program, the BCCC is made up of organizations working together to restore rivers in the Berkshire region of MA. #DERPartnerships

Rivers don’t just carry water, they also carry wisdom! From rivers, streams, and brooks, we can learn about the importance of: 💧 Resilience 🌿 Patience 🌍 Connection This #EarthWeek, let’s slow down and listen to the lessons that our rivers offer. #EcologicalRestoration #RiverRestoration

The Coonamessett River is open for migratory fish! 🐟 Decades in the making, this #DERPriorityProject opened 2.2 miles of river & restored 56 acres of wetlands along the middle & lower bogs in 2020. Construction is underway for the upper bogs - stay tuned! #EarthWeek

Happy #EarthDay! Ecological restoration doesn't just bring nature back, it builds a better future for everyone. Restoration projects provide: 💧 Cleaner water 🌿 Healthier habitats for wildlife 💪 Natural protection from floods and storms 💚 Stronger, more resilient communities

Windswept Bog construction has officially wrapped up! This month, construction was completed on the Windswept Bog Restoration on Nantucket. While it may look muddy now, this process restored 40 acres of former cranberry bogs into flourishing, connected wetlands. 🚧➡️🌾 #DERPriorityProject

Celebrate the beauty of nature and the power of words with some ecological restoration-themed haiku! A few of DER's staff shared their own creative take on their work in literary form. Are you a fellow haikuist? Share your own! #NationalHaikuDay