Restoring New England's estuaries: follow the story of an estuary restoration project.

ALL ALONG NEW ENGLAND'S COAST, salt and fresh waters mix and churn to create a unique and beautiful ecosystem teeming with birds, fish, shellfish and diverse plant life.

Healthy estuaries support a wide range of aquatic life while providing essential flood control and water filtration functions. Without them, we lose scenic fishing, birding and boating destinations; we face increased storm damage and water pollution.

New England has already lost many of its precious estuaries and many more are struggling to survive. As coastal populations exploded, estuaries were filled for housing and industrial development, coastal roads and rail lines, blocking the life-sustaining tidal flows. Without the twicedaily rush of ocean water, the delicate balance of salt and fresh water was destroyed.

In 1997, CLF launched a program to help restore New England's estuaries. Every spring, CLF distributes more than $100,000 to community groups for critical estuary restoration projects.

Partners in this venture include Restore America's Estuaries, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Restoration Center and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Gulf of Maine Coastal Program.

CLF is currently accepting proposals through March 31.

Oak Island, Revere, MA

Restoration begins in an unhealthy estuary. The tall, invasive fresh water Phagmites sp. grasses have taken over, choking out salt water plants and endangering the estuary's ecological balance.

West Branch of the Pleasant River, Addison, ME

When coastal roads restrict the flow of salt water into estuaries, the ecosystem rapidly changes, enabling invasive fresh water...