Living Observatory Projects

That time of year is here again! Herring count trainings are scheduled for our new and returning volunteers!

The Nantucket Conservation Foundation (NCF) is very excited to report that the contractor for the Windswept Bog Wetland Restoration Project, SumCo Eco-Engineering, is finished with all earth-moving construction work. We plan to re-open the property at the end of March, once the trails have had a chance to dry out after a long, icy winter. This milestone completes two phases of construction which were preceded by four years of planning, permitting and fundraising. Construction activities for this project took place only during the winter dormant seasons (from November to mid-March) to avoid impacting rare plants, nesting birds and breeding wildlife on the property. Phase 1 construction began in January 2024 and was completed in March 2024, with ~14.0 acres of former cranberry bog cells restored to hydrologically connected wetlands. Restoration of the remaining bog cells (~26.2 acres) began in November 2024 and was completed in mid-March 2025.

A River Renaissance: Restoring the Coonamessett 

Despite the chilly weather, Emily and Andrea had a great day of fieldwork at Marks Cove on February 18th! We began the pre- and post-restoration photo monitoring, which will be conducted seasonally (winter, spring, summer, and fall) at 14 designated points across the site. At each monitoring point, we are capturing photos from four different perspectives (North, South, East, and West). These photographs serve to:

Weather for January 21, 2025 promised to be cold so the kick off event was moved into the Falmouth Library. Following her opening remarks, Betsy Gladfelter handed the mic over to Beth Lambert of the Division of Ecological Restoration. Beth pointed out that the first phase of the Coonamessett River Restoration was only the third cranberry bog restoration in Massachusetts, that these projects provide a visceral reminder that taking action can lead to positive change, and that, in addition to ecological benefits, river and wetland restorations of this kind bring economic, public safety, recreation and many other benefits to the community. Congressman Bill Keating, representing Massachusetts' 9th district in the US House of Representatives, expanded on this theme, reminding us of the efficiencies that collaborations between local, regional, state, and federal agencies bring to these large projects. Both State Senator Dylan Fernandes (Plymouth and Barnstable District) and Representative David Vieira (3rd Barnstable District) grew up on the river, a fortuitous happenstance. Dylan Fernandes highlighted the role the project plays in coastal resilience. David Vieira shared some marvelous memories about river culture, and acknowledged both Betsy and Beth for their accomplishments in bringing this project to fruition. The program also included: Representative Thomas Moakley (Barnstable and Nantucket District), Doug Brown (Falmouth Select Board), Jim Turek (NOAA Habitat Conservation/Restoration Center), Jamie Masterson (US Fish and Wildlife), Sara Grady (Mass Audubon), and Travis Sumner (SumCo Eco). As the program concluded, Betsy encouraged those who wanted to visit the site to do so,

On January 14, SumCo excavators were at work on the site. Later that week, Mark  Mark Kasprzyk, Falmouth Conservation"s land manager captured a group photo of some members of the team - left to right, Betsy Gladfelter (Project guru), Steve Fuller (SumcoEco), Manny de Costa (Interfluve), Annie Spangenberger (Interfluve), Dylan MaCarthy (Falmouth DPW), Jarrod Martellucci (SumcoEco), Sara Grady (Mass Audubon).

I'm pleased to announce that Andrea Jerabek has joined our ecological restoration program at Mass Audubon and will be assuming a significant role in the management of the Making Space award. Andrea has experience in coastal restoration and recently managed a marine biology graduate program at Northeastern University. Expect to hear from Andrea soon to make connections, update workplans and timelines, and explore new ideas for maximizing this opportunity together.

On Saturday, I installed a PurpleAir Flex Air Quality Monitor at the Tidmarsh Headwaters North location. The sensor measures PM2.5 concentration along with pressure, temperature, and humidity. You can view the Air Quality Index (AQI) data from the sensor on the PurpleAir map.

Both pilot projects are underway. First, the Upper Coonamessett River Wetlands Complex Project - led by the Town of Falmouth - has completed final designs and permitting and is now in bidding for construction. The Making Space Project will contribute $1.6M to project implementation thanks for NOAA. Second, the Marks Cove Wetlands Restoration Project recently hired our project engineer (Fuss & O'Neill) and has launched the assessment and design phase. Community engagement will commence this fall and winter.

Fall is starting. The days are becoming shorter, mornings crisp, and soundscapes quieter. The Fall semester is the best time to plan for the Spring acoustic sampling season.