DMEA CORNER
Message from Director David Gould
As spring makes its way into summer our focus shifts from herring and eel migration work to shorebird and land management activities. But before we complete that shift from spring to summer work, we continue to make progress on a couple of long-term diadromous fish projects including the Jenney Pond Bypass and our eDNA study.
Jenney Grist Mill Nature-Like Fishway Bypass
DMEA will be applying for NOAA funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), for the construction of the Jenney Grist Mill Nature-Like Fishway Bypass. The proposed nature-like fishway bypass will circumvent the historic Jenney Pond Dam, improving passage for alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), and American eel (Anguilla rostrata) at all life stages. Additionally, this project will include the dredging of Jenney Pond (an artificial impoundment created by the Jenney Pond Dam) and repairs to the Jenney Pond Dam. The bypass will provide passage of additional flow volumes, which will improve climate resiliency and public safety in catastrophic storm events.
eDNA
DMEA has begun to utilize Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding (biodiversity monitoring) methods to measure restoration/adaptation action efficacy within the Town Brook watershed. The eDNA survey has been designed to sample several locations on the Town Brook main stem. The study began in Spring of 2022, establishing a pre-restoration action biodiversity baseline for aquatic vertebrates (fish, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians), invertebrates, and the microbial community of the Town Brook watershed. Through collaboration with the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Maine, preliminary biodiversity findings are being completed.
Summer Work and Play
As our spring projects wind down, we all know how important it is to soak up the sun and enjoy the long days of summer as they go by way too quickly. While staff will be enjoying their personal time this summer kayaking, fishing, swimming, and hiking we will also be working outdoors at our coastal properties, coastal plain ponds, and the cool shaded forest lands. This summer we will continue to advance projects through the engineering and permitting phases and closer to actual implementation to enhance and protect these habitats.
Among the summer activities folks can do is to take advantage of a couple of new trail projects that were recently completed. It is now possible to walk from Brewster Gardens to Morton Park along the Town Brook Trail and/or sidewalk safely. You can follow the path of the herring all the way from the harbor to Billington Sea over a new footbridge and through some new pollinator meadow habitat planted in the area. This is a great walk for the summer with water always in sight and the cool breeze of the harbor and the shaded canopy of Morton Park.
The second walk is to try out the extended Seaside Trail running from Lothrop Street to Nelson Park. The new section has a nice, forested canopy that opens to the existing trail at Nelson Park. From there you can continue along the trail out to Hedge Road. Beautiful views and summer breezes make this a great walk, especially in the morning and evenings.
Summer Happenings
Plymouth Public Library
June 20th @ 6:30pm - Explore Water Catchment Systems with Terra Cura
June 26th @ 7pm - Sustainability Series: Heat Pumps - Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling
July 18th @ 6:30pm - Edible Wild Plants and Mushrooms in and around Plymouth
July 25th @ 7pm - Sustainability Series: Solar Panels - Run Your Home on Sunshine
July 29th @ 11am - Fixit Clinic
August 15th @ 6:30pm - Composting with Master Gardener Gretel Anspach
Plymouth MVP Partners
June 24th @ 9:30am- Connecting Climate, Water, and Community
Click for additional information and to learn about special guest speakers
Pilgrim Hall Museum
June 29th @ 6:30pm- Rescuing Ellisville Marsh w/ Eric Cody
Click here for your free tickets and additional information
Contact US
If you have questions about any of these articles please email Mark Reil at mreil@plymouth-ma.gov