The Coalition’s latest cranberry bog restoration project that will bring back a rare Atlantic White Cedar swamp in Rochester was approved by the conservation commission in early November.

The Stuart Cranberry Bogs project off Walnut Plain Road will be the first restoration project of its kind in Rochester, but given the Coalition’s recent Slocum-Gibbs land purchase in which some bogs are slated to be restored to natural wetlands, it will not be the last.

This and the Mattapoisett Bogs project had been selected by Massachusetts Dept. of Ecological Restoration as part of its Priority Projects Program years ago. The 65 acres of retired cranberry bogs here will be restored back to freshwater wetlands that drain to the west branch of the Sippican River.

Whereas the Mattapoisett Bogs project backed up to a Red Maple Swamp, this project will expand a rare natural Coastal Atlantic White Cedar Swamp. Because it is right at the headwaters, it is expected to be a drier landscape than the other recently restored bog, but like its counterpart will make vast improvements to wetland habitat and function (including the absorption of storm overflow) and enhance public access through the creation of a trail network over the restored site. It is expected that two ponds will be created in addition to the two existing ponds on the site right now.

The (de)construction includes the removal of pipes and culverts from under and around the bogs, regrading berms and ditches, and removing sand from the many years of farming cranberries. Work is anticipated to begin on the site in Spring 2026.

A bird’s-eye-view of Stuart Bogs.