The Great Marsh Coalition
Minding our ecological future
The Great Marsh Coalition
Eight Towns and the Bay is a member 
of the Great Marsh Coalition (www.massaudubon.org/GreatMarsh), which, along with other not-for-profit environmental organizations, works to promote the Great Marsh. This unique complex of natural coastal marsh systems extends from Cape Ann northward into southern New Hampshire. The Great Marsh adds ecological, economic, recreational, and cultural value to the region, both on the coast and inland, where land is connected by river and stream networks. The Coalition meets regularly to discuss education and outreach project development, and hosts an annual event to raise awareness of the Great Marsh.
The Great Marsh Restoration
8T&B is involved in the Great Marsh Restoration Team which is addressing the multitude of coastal and tidal restrictions affecting the marsh. Transportation networks crisscrossing the marsh often result in undersized culverts, perched culverts, truncated water courses and undersized bridges that impede the flow of tidal and freshwater into and out of important areas of the Great Marsh. Dams along waterways also inhibit passage of anadroumous and catadromous fish populations. The Restoration Team (comprised of federal, state, local, NGO partners) works with involved stakeholders to remove and/or enlarge these obstructions. (www.mass.gov/dfwele/der/wrp/gmplan/introduction.htm)
