Massachusetts cranberry farm restored to wetland; thousands of fish return

Tidmarsh Farms, a 600-acre cranberry farm in Plymouth, Massachusetts, underwent a transformation over the past decade to revert to its original freshwater wetland state. The land had been altered by cranberry farming practices, including draining wetlands, cutting trees, straightening streams, and adding sand to form barriers that controlled water flow and hindered fish movement.

Tidmarsh Farms' restoration process involved removing barriers, reconnecting streams to the sea, creating mounds and gullies with the remaining sand, and planting native trees and plants. The restoration work has returned the land to its natural state, providing a habitat for thousands of fish, including alewife and blueback herring, which had not been seen in the area for over a century.

The restored wetland, now known as Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, managed by Mass Audubon, is a popular destination for birdwatchers and schoolchildren. The success of Tidmarsh has led to the launch of Massachusetts' Cranberry Bog Restoration Program, offering technical assistance, federal funding, and connections to conservation buyers.

The program has already completed nine restoration projects, covering 500 acres and 10 miles of stream habitat, with another 11 projects in the planning stages. The need for such projects is growing as cranberry farming faces challenges, with the number of retired farms in Massachusetts increasing by over 40% between 2017 and 2022.