Partnerships are a hallmark of DER’s work. In June 2021, DER launched the Regional Restoration Partnerships Program, which helps non-profit organizations and Regional Planning Agencies increase their capacity to lead and support ecological restoration within their regions through financial and technical assistance. Pairing partner strengths with the state’s investments will empower networks of partners to restore rivers and wetlands and help people and nature adapt to climate change.
The Regional Restoration Partnerships Program is currently supporting three Partnerships across the state. A Request for Response (RFR) will be coming to establish new Partnerships in 2024. More details will be posted on the RFR webpage in spring 2024.
Current Partnerships
DER is currently supporting three Partnerships as part of the Regional Restoration Partnerships Program:
- Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Restoration Partnership
- lead organization: Housatonic Valley Association
- core partners: Housatonic Valley Association, Hoosic River Watershed Association, Farmington River Watershed Organizations, Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Trout Unlimited, and The Nature Conservancy
- location: Hoosic, Housatonic, and Farmington River watersheds
- Buzzards Bay Watershed Restoration Partnership
- lead organization: Buzzards Bay Coalition
- location: Buzzards Bay region
- Merrimack Restoration Partnership
- lead organization: Merrimack River Watershed Council
- core partners: Nashua River Watershed Association, OARS, Groundwork Lawrence, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, Lowell Parks, and Conservation Trust
- location: Merrimack River watershed
