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.
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.
Images of DER staff and partners touring a restoration site
#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
Governor Healey’s State Budget Invests $528 Million In Energy and the Environment FY27 State Budget
@massgovernor.bsky.social’s state budget invests where it matters most – protecting clean air, clean water, and the land people rely on every day!
$528 Million for Energy and the Environment Protecting clean air, water, and the land people rely on every day Fills critical gaps in food security, by providing $55 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program Renews focus on affordability, using energy efficiency and oversight to help keep costs down Strengthens environmental work to move permits faster, keep enforcement strong, and address emerging threats like PFAS Invests in state parks and public spaces, making them more welcoming for residents Continues work on permitting reforms that speed up clean energy and infrastructure projects while keeping communities at the table FY27 State Budget
From feeding families to lowering energy costs, @massgovernor.bsky.social’s state budget invests big to deliver real benefits across Massachusetts.
Several people in hard hats and high visibility vests standing near an excavator actively removing a dam.
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!
A large group of people posing outside in the autumn.
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 😊
A construction site showing a large concrete box culvert being installed with construction workers and an excavator in the background.
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...
ECO One Stop logo.
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...
A person wearing waders stands in water while reading a gauge with a dam in the background.
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-...
A person speaking to a large group of people standing outside.
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.
A stream running through fallen logs and rocks with fall foliage and sun beams surrounding.
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.
Massachusetts Community Biodiversity Grants Program - deadline for applications is December 26, 2025.
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...
Construction equipment actively removing a concrete dam as a stream flows in the foreground.
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
Water flowing out of a small culvert covered in dead leaves. Ghosts and bats have been added to the photo to make it spooky.
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
Massachusetts to join the International Union for Conservation of Nature
#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...
A lush wetland.
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!
Four people in waders standing in a stream in front of a large culvert.
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-...
A concrete culvert in the process of being installed, with construction equipment and crews in the background.
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...
Two people in high visibility clothing walking near a dam in winter.
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.
