BOSTON—The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $700,000 in grants to support partnerships to restore rivers and wetlands. 

 

In the Berkshires, the Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Partnership was awarded $276,000 through the Housatonic Valley Association, the lead organization.

 

"The Berkshire Clean, Cold, and Connected Partnership is doing critical work to strengthen climate resilience and restore aquatic ecosystems across the Berkshires," said State Rep. Leigh Davis. "I'm grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for investing in these important partnerships that advance meaningful restoration projects throughout the Commonwealth." 

 

The Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Partnership unites organizations, agencies, and communities to strengthen aquatic health and climate resilience in the Hoosic, Housatonic, and Farmington River watersheds. This award will expand regional capacity to deliver nature-based climate solutions, accelerate the removal of aquatic barriers, and restore coldwater habitat for native fish species.  

 

This funding, provided by the Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), will support three established partnerships through DER's Regional Restoration Partnerships Program. These partnerships advance locally led projects that provide clean water, reduce flood risk, and restore healthy habitat for fish and wildlife. 

 

"Nature is our best defense against natural disasters. That's why the work of these local environmental leaders in the Berkshires, Merrimack Valley, and Buzzards Bay is so important," said Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "Removing aging dams, restoring wetlands and salt marshes, and expanding access to streams are some of our best strategies for preventing disastrous floods in our communities. By making progress through these partnerships, we'll be protecting people's livelihoods in the event of a storm." 

 

DER's Regional Restoration Partnerships Program helps build the capacity of regional organizations and regional planning agencies that work with cities, towns, and other local partners to lead watershed-scale ecological restoration within their regions. Pairing partners' strengths with state investments empowers local communities to restore rivers and wetlands and help people and nature adapt to climate change.