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FRESHWATER RESTORATION PROJECTS
This cranberry farm in Massachusetts got converted to a wetland. Today, 20,000 native plants are restoring the ecosystem backIn Massachusetts, a former cranberry farm has undergone a remarkable transformation into a sprawling wildlife sanctuary. This successful re...
Post-1949, China increased its forest cover from 10% to 25%, but scientists found an unexpected side effect: Tree planting shifted water away from East & Northwest towards the Tibetan PlateauChina's extensive reforestation programmes have significantly increased forest cover across the country. However, this large-scale greening...
In recent years, workers began restoring 4,000 acres at Delaware's Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Today, new dunes stand nearly 10 feet high as grasses thrive and wildlife returnsScientists are bringing a damaged delaware wetland back to life begins with a massive repair effort at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge....
In 2003, Florida's Manatee County acquired 482 acres of farmland for restoration. 5 years later, Robinson Preserve opened, and today 135 acres of coastal habitat are restored fueling $32.7 million in economic activityAt Robinson Preserve, restoration specialists designed protected water features that made it harder for larger predatory fish to reach juve...
This city in Florida lost nearly 80% of its Oyster reefs; now a restoration project is rebuilding what disappeared. Here's howNaples Bay is taking an innovative step by restoring its oyster reefs, which will enhance natural shoreline defenses. These vital reefs pla...
In 2006, Delaware listed Broadkill River waters as impaired for nutrients. 18 years later, BMPs helped restore 7.6 miles of Ingrams Branch, bringing phosphorus levels below the state thresholdIngrams Branch in Delaware has reached an important water-quality milestone. The 7.6-mile stream segment was once impaired by excess phosph...
Maryland spent $12 million on a fish lift in 1991 to move American shad past Conowingo Dam; decades later, annual runs remained far below the 2 million-fish targetMaryland invested $12 million in a fish lift to help migrating shad overcome the Conowingo Dam. This technological solution proved ineffect...
In 2015, Cullinan Ranch crews breached levees, bringing tidal flows back to 1,200 acres. 11 years later, migratory birds and fish now use the restored Napa River habitat in CaliforniaTidal marshes are valuable coastal wetlands that support wildlife, protect shorelines, filter polluted water and provide other ecosystem se...
In 2010, federal wildlife trustees secured $2.65 million for San Francisco Bay tidal marsh restoration. 5 years later, tidal waters returned to 1,250 acres at Cullinan RanchSan Francisco Bay tidal marshes are being restored for a reason that reaches far beyond wildlife. These wetlands filter polluted water and ...
In 1918–1921, one dam built on California's Carmel River provided water storage but blocked fish runs; in 2015 it came down, reopening 25 miles of habitat for steelhead troutA century-old dam on California's Carmel River was removed, restoring fish spawning grounds. Crews rerouted the river and dismantled the st...
In Texas, oyster-shell waste became reef “shell bags”; along Galveston Bay, the new shell reefs supported living oysters and helped stabilize shorelinesThe Galveston Bay Foundation has initiated a commendable recycling program to repurpose oyster shells from local restaurants for vital reef...
In 2022, MIT researchers built a portable desalination unit that removed particles and salts at once, producing about 0.3 liters per hourMIT scientists created a portable device that turns seawater into safe drinking water. This compact system uses advanced processes to remov...
In 2014, Maine began developing a fish elevator to carry American shad past Milford Dam. 12 years later, the system could reopen 600 miles of river habitat to a fish whose migration has been blocked for decadesA Maine fish elevator could reopen 600 miles of river habitat for alewives, giving a small fish a much bigger chance to return upstream. Th...
In 1990, Utah officials killed more than 99% of the fish in a 17,000-acre reservoir; years later, it became a top trout fisheryIn 1990, Utah wildlife officials took the bold step of using rotenone to eradicate over ninety-nine percent of the fish biomass in the rese...
Australian couple bought a cattle farm and planted 34,000 trees. Years later, koalas and wildlife are returningIn 2020, Australian couple Brett and Lisa Vercoe bought a 30-hectare former cattle property near Coffs Harbour in New South Wales and began...
In 1953, a concrete barrier blocked fish migration in Massachusetts. 70 years later, it’s finally being removed to bring the native trout backSoon, a concrete barrier currently obstructing fish migration in Fresh Brook will be dismantled. This ambitious restoration initiative seek...
Since 2016, the Netherlands has used 37.2 million tonnes of lakebed sediment to build seven wildlife islands covering 1,300 hectaresIn the Markermeer region of the Netherlands, innovative artificial islands have been crafted using dredged materials from the lakebed. The ...
In 2012, researchers began collecting dragonfly larvae to reveal mercury pollution in protected waters. 13 years later, 21,000 samples helped create a model that can estimate freshwater mercury risk without testing every waterwayDragonfly larvae data from thirteen years helped scientists develop a new mercury risk model. This model estimates freshwater mercury risk ...
In 2014, Nevada agencies began poisoning 44 miles of waterway after hand-removal failed; they later released about 400 native troutThe recovery of a native trout population in a Nevada river spans fifteen arduous years, marked by extensive measures. After exploratory dr...
Billionaire Ian Wace bought a $2.2 million Scottish island in 2017. Now, his $135 million Tanera Mòr revival has restored 50+ buildings, planted 100,000 trees and rebuilt a lost communityBillionaire hedge fund manager Ian Wace bought Scotland’s remote Tanera Mòr island for about $2.2 million in 2017, when its historic buildi...