- Division of Ecological Restoration
DER's 2021 Annual Report, Spotlight on Restoration, is now available. We are proud to share the accomplishments of DER and our partners over the last year.
Our success included DER guiding twelve projects into construction. These dam removal, culvert upgrade, and wetland restoration projects all improve habitat, water quality, wildlife passage, and increase recreational opportunities and climate resilience for nearby communities now and into the future. DER also accepted 20 new habitat restoration projects into our Priority Projects Program— a record number for a single year— and three organizations into our new Regional Restoration Partnerships Program.
This year also brought mainstreaming of restoration into federal budgets, infrastructure policy, and the news media. From the news show the Chronicle to speeches given by decision-makers, projects like dam removal and culvert upgrades are now seen as common-sense approaches to the twin challenges of climate change and aging infrastructure.
Read or download the full report for more information about our accomplishments in 2021.