Massachusetts has lost approximately one-third of its pre-colonial era wetlands to historic human impacts. Many of the Commonwealth's remaining wetlands are degraded and offer diminished services to humans and wildlife. The mission of the Wetlands Restoration Program is to help people voluntarily restore the state's degraded and former coastal wetlands and the invaluable services they provide. Working with many federal, state, and local partners, WRP pursues this mission with activities in the core program areas listed below. Visit the Project Types page to learn more about common wetland impacts and types of restoration activities.

Partnerships Restoration projects simply would not be possible without effective partnering and collaboration among many different people and groups. Projects are often complex, costly, and protracted undertakings. WRP relies on a network of partners to help make restoration efforts successful in Massachusetts.

Project Implementation WRP supports restoration projects by providing guidance, coordination, and in-house technical assistance from experienced project managers for project development and implementation. Designated priority projects may also receive private sector technical services funded with WRP resources.

Restoration Planning

WRP identifies potential wetland restoration sites by preparing regional restoration plans and coastal atlases of impacted aquatic resources. Promising sites identified in these plans and atlases are followed up with feasibility studies and other project development activities.

Education and Outreach Through our web site, restoration updates, publications, press releases and other outreach efforts, WRP works to inform and engage people in restoration planning and project implementation.

Monitoring

Monitoring is an important element of restoration projects because it allows WRP and project sponsors to track restoration progress and ensure attainment of project goals. WRP also works with other state, academic, and non-profit programs to identify research opportunities and encourage research at restoration sites. The overall goals of monitoring and research are to ensure project success and improve future restoration efforts.