Posted on January 21, 2026
IPSWICH — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced last week that it is awarding over $2 million in funding to restore and monitor salt marshes along the Massachusetts coastline, including in Ipswich, Newbury, and Essex.
The grants, which are administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), will support seven projects to restore and monitor degraded salt marsh ecosystems.
Ipswich, Newbury, and Essex received $719,079 for a study to measure carbon dioxide flux in restored salt marshes and for post-restoration monitoring in the Great Marsh.
The resulting data will help identify effective techniques to inform future restoration efforts and investment, officials said.
“Marshes are important resources that provide valuable habitat, efficient carbon sequestration, and extremely effective natural defenses against the powerful forces of coastal storms,” Sen. Bruce Tarr said. “These benefits, however, depend directly on marshlands being healthy.”
This funding will help preserve and restore salt marshes, which in turn will help shield communities from the harsh effects of climate change.
“Salt marsh restoration is key to coastal resilience,” Rep. Kristin Kassner said. “The Great Marsh helps to store massive amounts of carbon, reduce flooding, and support fisheries and biodiversity.”
Eastham, Buzzards Bay, Dennis, Falmouth, and Boston also received funding for salt marsh monitoring and restoration, according to MassDEP.
