Living Observatory Projects
Living Observatory (LO) is a public interest learning collaborative of scientists, artists, and wetland restoration practitioners engaged in the documenting, interpreting, and revealing the arc of change as it occurs prior to, during, and following the ecological wetland restoration on retired cranberry farms. LO was initially founded to complement the trajectory of the Tidmarsh Farms Restoration Project, the largest freshwater wetland restoration project to date in Massachusetts, and the upcoming restoration at Foothills Preserve.
This new site, at projects.livingobservatory.org, will serve as a central hub for Living Observatory researchers, projects, and data. Here you will be able to explore the diverse group of people and the projects that comprise LO.
Project Updates
Comparing Methods for Vegetation Monitoring
Monitoring of Wetland Restoration Properties
By
Adrian Wiegman
on March 11, 2026
Francesca LoPresti, Pat Ferrar and Chris Neill have been working with Kelly Omand and Nantucket Conservation Foundation scientists to compare methods for assessing the vegetation community. Francesca LoPresti gave talk at the sandplain grasslands conference that compares the point intercept (used by NCF) and plot based methods (used by Woodwell Climate Research Center). In summary, one point intercept transect identified an equivalent number of species to one 3 by 3 m quadrat. The point intercept methods yields higher estimate of percent cover compared to plots. The plots require less time to monitor than transects, so plots tend to be more practical for identifying species when high throughput monitoring is needed. See the
Creating Sandplain Grassland Habitat
Mattapoisett Bogs Wetland Restoration
By
Adrian Wiegman
on March 11, 2026
Because of permitting and cost, excavated materials from cranberry bog wetland restorations are kept on site. Increasingly these materials are being used intentionally create Sandplain grassland habitat. On Feb 5 Chris Neill presented the following talk to the Sandplain Grasslands Network, about early results from vegetation monitoring in created uplands at Mattapoisett.
What's New at Living Observatory
Living Observatory Community Platform
By
Adrian Wiegman
on March 5, 2026
(updated March 11, 2026)
On Thursday march 5, gave a talk at the Wildlands Trust barn about "What's New at Living Observatory?". We appreciate all who came out and those who tuned in to attend. Special thanks to Karen Grey, who invited us, and Amy Burt who coordinated our visit.
Volunteers needed for Herring Counts in 2026!
Volunteer River Herring Monitoring at Beaver Dam Brook and Manomet Brook
By
Kimberly Snyder
on February 5, 2026
To read more about the Herring Count project please check out the Tidmarsh Herring Count Project (massaudubon.org).
Landscape of Hope: A storymap tour of the property and restoration
Tidmarsh Farms/Beaver Dam Brook wetland and river restoration project
By
Kimberly Snyder
on December 2, 2025
The Living Observatory Team and Mass Audubon with support from the America the Beautiful Challenge Grant, have produced a story map resource for reference and archival purposes.
Fall retrieval of recorders
Soundscapes to Monitor Habitat Development on Restored Cranberry Farmland
By
Florencia Sangermano
on October 24, 2025
During the first week of October, we returned to Eel River, Tidmarsh, and Foothills to retrieve our acoustic recorders. After years of losing devices to vandalism and weather, it was a relief to find every single one intact. Now the fun begins: processing over 1,230 hours of sound to explore the ecological complexity of these recovering wetland landscapes.
Modeling Nitrogen Load Reductions from Restoring Wetlands on Retired Cranberry Bogs
Potential Nitrogen Removal by Restoring Wetlands on Retired Cranberry Bogs
By
Adrian Wiegman
on September 26, 2025
(updated November 13, 2025)
I am please to share a new open access publication from our research team at US Department of Agriculture — Agricultural Research Service and Partners at Woodwell Climate Research Center and Buzzards Bay Coalition. The citation and access links and highlights are given below.
New Contracts Signed to Advance Grant Strategy #3 – Foundations
Making Space: Restoring Cranberry Bogs for Marsh Migration
By
Andrea Jerabek
on September 26, 2025
We’re pleased to share that two new contracts have been signed in support of Grant Strategy #3 – Foundations, focusing on:
Overlook named in Honor of Betsy Gladfelter, Champion of the Coonamessett
Coonamessett River Restoration Project
By
Adrian Wiegman
on September 23, 2025
On May 30, 2025 the Overlook at the Coonamessett River Restoration Site was been officially named after Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Gladfelter, in recognition of her many contributions -- writing grants, coordinating partners and volunteers, and steadfast support for ecosystem restoration and creation of public open space in Falmouth and beyond.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Reflections and Updates
Upper Coonamessett River Wetlands Complex Restoration Project
By
Adrian Wiegman
on September 22, 2025
(updated September 24, 2025)
On Sept 16, 2025, the ribbon-cutting celebration at the Upper Coonamessett River Wetland Restoration Complex brought together tribal leaders, agency staff, nonprofits, and community members to reflect on the project’s accomplishments and its broader meaning. The speakers emphasized that this effort represents not only the restoration of habitat but also a renewal of civic commitment to steward our shared landscapes for generations to come. The project was recognized with separate citations from the Massachusetts State Senate and House.
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