Massachusetts restores cranberry bog to protect rare trout
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In Massachusetts, officials are converting a retired cranberry bog in Plymouth and Wareham into a natural wetland to fully protect Red Brook, a waterway home to a unique population of brook trout.
The Century Bog project is part of a larger Cranberry Bog Restoration Program that helps farmers transition away from cranberry farming and conserve their land. Declining profits, climate change, and farmer retirements have made this program increasingly relevant in Southeastern Massachusetts.
The restored wetland will connect the protected area of Red Brook from White Island Pond to Buttermilk Bay, creating a continuous habitat for native species. This connection is especially important for “salters,” a rare variety of eastern brook trout that migrate between freshwater and saltwater. These trout seek cooler waters in saltwater estuaries during warmer months and rely on the estuaries’ food sources.
The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration has already completed nine similar restoration projects, collectively restoring over 500 acres of wetlands and 10 miles of streams, with another ten projects currently underway. Farmers participating in the program appreciate the opportunity to ensure their land remains protected for future generations.
