Upper Coonamessett River Wetlands Complex Restoration Project

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).