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Cape Cod cranberry bog/wetland restoration 

The topic of Spring 2019 Practicum will focus on a major wetland restoration project at a cranberry bog complex located at the headwaters of the Marstons Mills River and the Three Bays Estuary on Cape Cod.  The project is intended to reduce fertilizer applications and restore the natural wetland pollutant attenuation capabilities. According to historic USGS topographic maps the cranberry bogs were constructed in a natural wetland complex.  Currently the bogs are only partially farmed for cranberries as the industry is in economic decline and the owners are interested in participating in a restoration project.  Funding is available federally (USDA Wetlands Reserve Program) and locally (Town of Barnstable and the Barnstable Clean Water Coalition).

The Practicum will develop a comprehensive plan for this restoration project.  It will include the development of site plans (GIS) that illustrate a phased approach to restoration allowing some cranberry farming to continue over time.  Several alternative designs will be considered that optimize water quality restoration primarily related to nitrogen load reductions to the downstream Three Bays Estuary as well as habitat creation.  Students will research various wetland restoration projects including Tidmarsh Farms in Plymouth and Cold Brook in Harwich.  Students will meet and interview with current cranberry bog owners and other stakeholders to determine local preferences and needs.  The Restoration Plan will be presented to local stakeholders.

Read about other WSSS practicum opportunities here