Division of Ecological Restoration (DER)
@massecorestore.bsky.social
Restoring and protecting rivers, wetlands, and watersheds in Massachusetts for the benefit of people and the environment 🌱💧
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
November 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
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 👻
The photo of this culvert in Boxford— replaced in 2021— has been edited for Halloween flair 👻
October 31, 2025 at 1:08 PM
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 👻
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.
to find one near you. We encourage you to get out & enjoy the quiet of nature amidst all the noise of everyday life.
October 28, 2025 at 2:14 PM
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.
to find one near you. We encourage you to get out & enjoy the quiet of nature amidst all the noise of everyday life.
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!
October 10, 2025 at 1:19 PM
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-...
October 9, 2025 at 5:46 PM
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-...
October 2, 2025 at 8:18 PM
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-...
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.
Visit www.mass.gov/how-to/dam-r... for more information or to apply.
September 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
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.
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!
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!
September 25, 2025 at 3:41 PM
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!
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!
September 23, 2025 at 2:38 PM
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-...
September 15, 2025 at 8:49 PM
‼️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.
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.
September 8, 2025 at 7:39 PM
📢 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.
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
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
September 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
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
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...
August 26, 2025 at 6:45 PM
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...
August 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
‼️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-...
Learn more at www.mass.gov/news/healey-...
August 21, 2025 at 3:22 PM
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-...
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...
For more information about the current drought status and how you can help, visit www.mass.gov/info-details...
August 11, 2025 at 9:17 PM
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...
For more information about the current drought status and how you can help, visit www.mass.gov/info-details...
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
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
July 31, 2025 at 7:35 PM
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
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!
July 29, 2025 at 7:11 PM
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?
What do healthy habitats mean to you?
July 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
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?
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!
July 22, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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!
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.
July 14, 2025 at 6:57 PM
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.
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!
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!
July 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
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!
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!
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!
July 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
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!
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!
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
June 12, 2025 at 4:29 PM
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
June 10, 2025 at 7:40 PM
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