EBC Nicholas Humber Award for Outstanding Collaboration

Award Project: Coonamessett River Restoration

Award Recipients:

  • Town of Falmouth Conservation Commission
  • Inter-Fluve, Inc.
  • Tighe & Bond, Inc.
  • SumCo Eco-Contracting
  • STIMSON
  • Sciaba Construction
  • The 300 Committee Land Trust
  • Coonamessett River Trust
  • Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration
  • Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
  • Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program
  • Massachusetts Environmental Trust
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Restoration Center
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA)
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Falmouth Community Preservation Fund
  • Association to Preserve Cape Cod
  • Falmouth Rod & Gun Club, Inc.

The EBC Nicholas Humber Award for Outstanding Collaboration is awarded to the Coonamessett River Restoration Project in recognition of the successful transformation of 56 acres of abandoned cranberry bogs which established a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem supporting wildlife, increasing coastal resiliency, and providing educational opportunities. Numerous barriers to fish passage were removed including a dam, water control structures, a series of undersized culverts that were replaced with the new John Parker Road Bridge, and 5,560 feet of the river were reestablished to closely match the historic natural flow of the river. A river overlook is the gateway to miles of trail with interpretive signs about the history and natural history placed along the river that is protected by town and land trust conservation lands. Project partners spanning local, state, and federal organizations collaborated with the technical engineering and construction teams to successfully complete this project. The restoration is serving as a catalyst for other Cape Cod communities to transform former cranberry bogs across the region into thriving wildlife habitat, and educational and recreational opportunities for all.

Presenting the Award:


Martin Suuberg

Commissioner
Department of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Award Photos

The 2022 Nicholas Humber Award for Outstanding Collaboration