The Official Website of the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game
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Ebb&Flow #7The Division of Ecological Restoration Ebb&Flow #7 - March, 2011 An electronic newsletter from the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) Welcome Letter
Greetings, restoration friends and colleagues, This late winter edition of Ebb&Flow is packed (as usual) with information on grant funding and other useful resources for those engaged in safeguarding and restoring the ecological and other natural values of our wetlands and waterways. Our lead article details the completion of the restoration of Clark Pond in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Also highlighted is the successful dam removal on the Hoosic River North Branch in Clarksburg. Please take a quick look at the Grants and Calendar sections of Ebb&Flow to read about fast-approaching events and deadlines. In the meantime, here is a quick overview of announcements and happenings at DER: DER is partnering with the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance to co-host a conference on river monitoring and climate change. The conference will address how citizen-based monitoring can help us understand and address the impacts of climate change on our rivers. The conference will take place May 18 and 19 at the Doyle Conference Center in Leominster and will include a tour of “climate-smart” restoration projects in eastern and western Massachusetts. Click here or check the Calendar section below for more info. On the personnel front, we give a hearty welcome Laila Parker and bid fond farewell to Joanna Carey. Jo departed DER to pursue her doctorate at Boston University and will be missed by stream flow monitoring volunteers and her former colleagues at DFG. Laila Parker comes to DER from Cascadia, a Seattle-based environmental consulting firm. Laila holds double masters degrees in water resource engineering and policy and will be leading DER’s stream flow restoration initiatives that include the acclaimed, volunteer-based River Instream Flow Stewards (RIFLS) program. Remember to check out the Mass. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)’s The Great Outdoors Blog, particularly a recent post on the North Shore’s Great Marsh, which offers a perspective on how climate change, and in particular sea level rise, may impact the largest and arguably most ecologically-significant salt marsh system in New England. Spring is around the corner, and that means paddling season will soon be upon us. DER’s own Russ Cohen recently co-produced with the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) a video entitled Trees, Paddlers and Wildlife: Safeguarding Ecological and Recreational Values On the River that is featured on the EEA’s new YouTube channel. The video is part of a larger partnership with the AMC intended to raise the awareness of paddlers (as well as property owners/managers, DPW directors and others) about the ecological and other natural functions and values of living and dead trees located in and along rivers and streams, and to encourage the retention of that vegetation wherever possible unless it poses a significant threat to public safety. Click here to see the AMC’s Trees, Paddlers and Wildlife web page, which will eventually include an informative brochure and references as well as the video above. Russ and the AMC will be giving several presentations on this subject this spring [click here for more info on the dates and locations of these talks as they are arranged]. DER’s Carrie Banks was also featured in a World Fishing Network video. Carrie is interviewed about DER’s restoration work in the Westfield River basin. Click here to see it. As winter begins to loosen its grip, the lure of getting on the water and out onto the marshes is strong, so to help satiate this urge the DER is currently preparing our annual Rivers and Wetland Months Calendar. Please let Russ Cohen know [(617) 626-1543, russ.cohen@state.ma.us] by Earth Day (April 22) if at all possible about any river- or wetland-related events taking place between Saturday, April 30 and Monday, July 4, 2011 so that we can promote them in our Calendar. [Click here to view the 2010 calendar to see the kinds of events we typically include in our Calendar as well as the type of info we provide for each event.] And finally, looking forward to warmer spring weather, we say, “see you soon on the water”. Sincerely,
Tim Purinton, Acting Director
Hunt Durey, Acting Deputy Director
The Trustees of Reservations, the Mass. Division of Ecological Restoration, Partners, and Local Volunteers Restore Tidal Flow to Clark Pond, Manchester-by-the-Sea
View from the new wooden footbridge crossing the widened channel serving as the inlet/outlet to Clark Pond. The bridge replaced a narrow granite culvert and bridge, and the widened channel has greatly improved circulation of tidal flow to/from the pond. Over the New Year, crews put the finishing touches on a coastal wetland restoration project at Clark Pond, Manchester-by-the-Sea. Clark Pond is on Coolidge Point, a prominent point of land that projects into the Atlantic Ocean and shelters Kettle Cove and Magnolia Harbor. The Trustees of Reservations’ Coolidge Reservation surrounds much of the Pond. The Trustees, with critical assistance from numerous agencies and individuals, set out to address several longstanding water quality and stormwater issues at the Clark Pond site. This restoration effort focused on removing multiple flow restrictions in the Clark Pond waterway with the intention of improving tidal exchange and drainage in the Pond. By January 15th, the work was complete, and The Trustees’ Coolidge Reservation was re-opened to the public. "Coastal wetlands like Clark Pond form an important link between fresh and salt water systems, provide habitat for juvenile fish, foraging areas for herons, egrets, and waterfowl, and sustain a productive food web that supports our commercial and recreational fishery.” said Mass. Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Commissioner Mary Griffin, who added the department has initiated more than 1,000 acres of wetlands restoration projects across the state over the past 12 years. A former tidal salt marsh, Clark Pond was created over a century ago when its tidal connection through Gray’s Beach was filled and the pond’s drainage was routed to the west, towards Kettle Cove. This resulted in the slow deterioration of the Clark Pond system as surface waters freshened and the pond became stagnant and nutrient rich in the absence of regular tidal flushing. Regular flooding events also became a persistent problem as the pond’s re-routed drainage was not engineered to accommodate today’s stormwater flows. "Our motivation for initiating this project was to improve environmental conditions in Clark Pond and to address the serious flooding that was following major rain events,” said Chris Buelow, Coastal Ecologist for the Trustees of Reservations. The Trustees collaborated with environmental consultants and DFG ’s Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) to develop a plan to redesign the narrow granite culvert and bridge at the outflow of Clark Pond and replace these with a wide, open channel spanned by a wooden footbridge. “Conditions for this project were near ideal, and The Trustees are extremely happy with how the new channel and bridge were constructed. We are already seeing positive results from this project and I look forward to monitoring the environmental response to this work in the coming years,” Buelow added. Previous efforts at the site identified and removed three additional restrictions downstream of the Clark Pond outflow, and together, these improvements have increased the flow capacity of Clark Brook by more than 50%. The end result is increased tidal flushing, higher salinities, improved water clarity and quality, and enhanced ecological function. “The previous restoration work has resulted in increased tidal influence in the waterway below Clark Pond and has already had a clear positive impact. I expect continued positive results for this project," said Franz Ingelfinger, a Restoration Ecologist for the DER. The project was funded from grants, including $50,000 from the FishAmerica Foundation, $22,750 from the Gulf of Maine Council , and $8,000 from the US Fish and Wildlife Partners for Fish and Wildlife Coastal Program. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was pleased to support The Trustees of Reservations in making this restoration project a success. Improved tidal exchange will benefit several species of migratory birds that are dependent on healthy coastal wetlands,” said Eric Derleth, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Coordinator for Massachusetts. “Through our Community Conservationist volunteers, we already see positive changes”, said The Trustees’ Cape Ann Educator, Ramona Latham. “Since initiating restoration this summer, water quality has improved, and birds such as kingfishers and mergansers are taking advantage of improved conditions to forage on fish found in the waterway.” Project partners include The Trustees of Reservations, The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration, The NOAA Restoration Center, The US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the Fish America Foundation, The Gulf of Maine Council, and Salem Sound Coast Watch.
Division of Ecological Restoration News and Project Updates Massachusetts River Restoration Project Receives National Award – Partners recognized for completion of the Eel River project in Plymouth BOSTON – February 18, 2011 – Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. today announced that the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and its partners have received a Coastal America Partnership Award for their successful restoration of the Eel River Headwaters in Plymouth. The national award honors an array of DFG's local, state, federal, non-profit and corporate partners who helped restore over 60 acres of habitat and two miles of headwater stream extensively altered and degraded by human use. In addition to producing significant environmental benefits, the project helped bolster the economy by sustaining a dozen construction and engineering jobs. "This is a major accomplishment, and I would like to congratulate all of the partners and especially recognize the leadership of the Town of Plymouth and the Department of Fish and Game's Division of Ecological Restoration, who helped guide this complicated project from start to finish," said Secretary Sullivan. [Click here to read the press release in its entirety.] --------------------------------------------------- Coldwater Restoration Complete – Removal of the Briggsville Dam
In December the Briggsville Dam, located in the northwestern Massachusetts town of Clarksburg was removed. Removal of the dam, owned by Cascade School Supplies, reconnects over 30 miles of premium coldwater habitat on the North Branch of the Hoosic River. Biologists from the Mass. Division of Fisheries & Wildlife are undertaking a long-term study to better understand how the project benefits coldwater, fluvial-dependent species such as the state-listed longnose sucker, slimy sculpin, and eastern brook trout. DER partnered with Cascade and the Hoosuck Chapter of Trout Unlimited to explore removal of the dilapidated, 15-foot-tall dam, which was rated by the Mass. DCR’s Office of Dam Safety as a “Significant Hazard” and in “Poor” condition. DER recognized an opportunity to accomplish some high-quality habitat restoration, with the side benefit of relieving Cascade from a continuing financial and liability burden that threatened the company’s economic survival. The project finally became a reality through technical and financial support from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, the Wildlife Conservation Society, American Rivers, the Sweet Water Trust, the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (Proctor & Gamble and National Grid), Hoosic River Watershed Association and the Town of Clarksburg. The project overcame some substantial technical and planning difficulties to arrive at a sustainable, innovative approach. The final design plans were produced by Milone & MacBroom, Inc. who oversaw the construction by Costello Dismantling. The final site grading and planting of native riparian plants will take place in the Spring of 2011. The removal of the Briggsville Dam in December capped an exciting year for river restoration; Massachusetts ranks second nationally in dams removed in 2010 (click here to see the 2010 dam removal results compiled by American Rivers). [Click here for more info on dam removal and possible DER assistance on a dam removal project.] Grant, Prize, Fellowship, Contest, Award, Fundraising, etc. Opportunities (presented in rough chronological order by application/nomination/entry deadline) The Mass. Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM, http://www.mass.gov/czm/) is seeking applications for funding under the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP). CELCP provides state and local governments with matching funds to purchase significant coastal and estuarine lands (or conservation easements on such lands) that are considered important for their ecological, conservation, recreational, historical, or aesthetic values. Applications will be reviewed and ranked for possible nomination to NOAA for evaluation and potential Federal Fiscal Year 2012 CELCP funding. In March, CZM will hold a question and answer session for potential applicants: Thursday, March 3 at 1:00 p.m. in CZM's Boston Office. To view the Request for Responses (RFR), go to Comm-PASS and then enter ENV 11CZM 04 into the "Keywords" box. Proposals are due by March 25. E-mail David Janik at david.janik@state.ma.us for more info. The U.S. EPA is making approximately $2 million available in 2011 to reduce pollution at the local level through its Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. CARE is a community-based program that works with county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources. EPA will award CARE cooperative agreements in two levels. Level I awards range from $75,000 to $100,000 each and will help establish community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities. Level II awards range from $150,000 to $300,000 each and will support communities that have established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk-reduction activities and become self-sustaining. (Please note that due to appropriation law concerns, until Congress provides separate authorization, EPA can only award CARE Level II cooperative agreements to applicants that have already received CARE Level I cooperative agreements). Applications for the CARE assistance agreements are due by March 22, 2011, 4:00 p.m. EST. EPA will conduct a webcasts to answer questions from prospective applicants about the application process on Wednesday, March 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Click here and here for more info. Constellation Energy supports nonprofit organizations that are working to improve the quality of life in company communities throughout the U.S. The company offers EcoStar Grants of up to $5,000 to local nonprofit organizations for projects that address at least one of the following five environmental focus areas: pollution prevention, education, energy efficiency, conservation, and community activism. Funded projects must be located geographically within a region where Constellation Energy does business (this includes all six New England states and most communities in MA). The application deadline is March 10, 2011. Tree planting/urban forestry, litter reduction, wetlands restoration and wildlife habitat protection are among the eligible activities. Click here for more info. On behalf of the Estuary Habitat Restoration Council, NOAA Fisheries Service is soliciting project proposals for estuary habitat restoration project grants. The Council seeks projects that achieve cost-effective restoration while promoting partnerships among agencies and between public and private sectors. Priority consideration will be provided to project proposals that:
Selected projects must provide ecosystem benefits, have scientific merit, be technically feasible, cost-effective, and support the Estuary Habitat Restoration Strategy. Proposals selected for Estuary Habitat Restoration Program funding may be implemented in accordance with a cost-share agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps); or a cooperative agreement with the Corps or NOAA, subject to availability of funds. The Council anticipates up to $7 million may be available for funding; awards are expected to range between $100,000 and $1 million. Proposals are due by March 10, 2011. For more information on how to apply, view the resources below:
Click here or contact Jenni Wallace at Jenni.Wallace@noaa.gov or (301) 713-0174 for more info. MassDEP recently issued its annual “pre-RFR” notice of the upcoming availability of federal FY12 funding under the Section319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Competitive Grants Program. This year’s RFR is anticipated be issued on or about April 1, 2011. Proposals will be due on or about June 1, 2011. The full pre-RFR notice is posted on Comm-Pass (click on “Search for Solicitations” and then enter BRP 2011-01A in the “Keywords” box). A Pre-RFR meeting will be held at MassDEP’s Central Regional Office, 627 Main Street, Worcester, MA. on Thursday, March 10, 2011 from 10:00 AM - 12 noon in the Commissioner’s Conference Room. The purpose of the meeting is to review project requirements and eligibility and to discuss FFY ’12 program priorities. Any other aspect of the program may also be discussed. Under state procurement regulations, Department and other EEA staff will not be able to discuss projects with proponents once the RFR is issued on or about April 1. Therefore, potential applicants are urged to take advantage of the Pre-RFR meeting and all other opportunities to engage 319 program staff [Jane Peirce, 319 Program Coordinator at (508) 767-2792 or Jane.Peirce@state.ma.us] in discussion about how to develop eligible, competitive projects, prior to the April RFR issuance. The Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award is given annually to an outstanding middle or high school teacher who successfully integrates environmental education into their curriculum and engages students in interdisciplinary solutions to environmental challenges. The 2011 will go to a middle school teacher, which includes grades 5-8. The winner will receive $5,000 and two merit winners will receive $750 each. The award will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week, the first week in May 2011. Nominations are due March 14, 2011. The Abelard Foundation is a family foundation, with offices on both the east and west coasts, which has been making grants in support of progressive social change since 1958. The Lincoln, MA-based Abelard Foundation-East (Abelard East) focuses its grantmaking on projects operating east of the Mississippi River . The board of directors meets in the late spring and late fall each year to make grantmaking decisions. The average grant size is $10,000. Each year the Foundation makes approximately 15 grants, of which generally five are new (click here to see the 2009 grant recipients). The Foundation gives priority to projects that are in their first years of development and have budgets less than $300,000. Most grants are for general support. Click here for more info on eligibility and here for how to apply. Although proposals may be submitted at any time, applications mailed by March 15th will be reviewed for the spring meeting and applications mailed by September 15th will be reviewed for the fall meeting.
The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission recently announced the availability of small grants for projects that will result in improved river water quality, ecosystem health, public awareness and/or recreational access to the Connecticut River. Non-profits, municipalities, and schools within the watershed of the Connecticut River in Massachusetts and Connecticut are eligible to apply. This effort is being put forth by the PVPC, Capitol Region Council of Governments, the Franklin Region Council of Governments, and the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency. Funding for this project has been provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Proposals are due Friday, March 18, 2011. Click here (.pdf) or here (.doc) to download more details, or contact the PVPC's Anne Capra at (413) 781-6045 or acapra@pvpc.org for more info. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is now accepting applications for the 2011 Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education. All K-12 Massachusetts schools are eligible for cash awards for outstanding environmental and energy education projects. Winners will be notified in April and invited to attend a formal award ceremony at the State House. Applications are due by March 28. Click here for more info and here to submit a nomination, or contact Meg Colclough at (617) 626-1110 or meg.colclough@state.ma.us. The Australia-based International RiverFoundation promotes the sustainable management of the world's rivers, lakes and wetlands to improve the health of these precious resources and the communities dependent upon them. The Foundation recently announced that it is accepting applications/nominations until March 30, 2011 for its 2011 Riverprize. All organizations engaged in all aspects of river management anywhere on Earth are eligible to apply for the Thiess International Riverprize. In 2011, Thiess International Riverprize winners and finalists will each receive a trophy and a cash prize. A twinning grant will be made available to the winner of each category, to facilitate their knowledge and expertise to be shared. Click here and here for more info. The U. S. EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants Program (EJSG) supports and empowers communities working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues. The Program assists recipients in building collaborative partnerships to help them understand and address environmental and public health issues in their communities. Successful collaborative partnerships involve not only well-designed strategic plans to build, maintain and sustain the partnerships, but also to work towards addressing the local environmental and public health issues. The EPA is now accepting grant applications (through March 31, 2011) for a share of $1.2 million in funding to support projects designed to research, educate, empower and enable communities to understand and address local environmental and public health issues. EJSG funding is available for two categories of projects: 40 grants of up to $25,000 each, to support projects that address a community’s local environmental issues through collaborative partnerships, and; 4 grants of up to $50,000 each, to support research on the environmental and human health impacts of exposure to multiple sources of pollution in communities. Click here for more info and here to download the FY 2011 Application Guidance document. Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Contest, now in its 13th year, is a conservation education program combining art to catch the imagination of students and science to foster discovery of the natural world and increase awareness of and respect for aquatic resources. Kids in grades 4-12 are invited to submit artwork based on their state’s official fish (Massachusetts ’ is the Atlantic Cod). The contest entry deadline is March 31. Click here for more info, including a downloadable Fish On! Using Art as a Springboard Into the Fascinating World of Fish lesson plan for teachers and classrooms, and here to view last year’s winning entries. [Click here for info on a similar marine art contest.] The National Grid Foundation endeavors to improve the quality of life within its grant making area (focusing on the New York Metropolitan area, upstate New York , Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island) by supporting educational opportunities that assist people of all ages advance their opportunities for self sufficiency. The Foundation seeks to develop partnerships with outstanding organizations that benefit the communities in which it makes grants. Grants (typically in the range of $5,000-$25,000) are made on a competitive basis to non-profit organizations for programs and projects that fall within its major areas of focus: Education and Environment. Environmental priorities include: projects that support the sustainability of our natural resources; programs and projects that inspire and educate young people about their connection to and responsibility for the preservation of the environment; and projects that seek to preserve open spaces for future generations. Proposals for a given year will be accepted and reviewed on a first come/first served basis through October 31. Click here for more general info, here for proposal guidelines and here to take the eligibility quiz. The NiSource Charitable Foundation’s mission is to help create strong and sustainable communities where NiSource employees and customers live and work (that includes areas served by Bay State Gas/Columbia Gas of Massachusetts). In close collaboration with NiSource employees and community partners, the Foundation seeks opportunities to provide funding and encourage volunteer support for non-profit organizations in the areas of Community Vitality and Development, Environmental and Energy Sustainability, Learning and Science Education, and Public Safety and Human Services. The annual grant application deadlines are April 1 and September 1. Click here or contact Jennifer Moench at (219) 647-6209 or jmoench@nisource.com if you have questions of for more info. Acres for America, a partnership between Walmart Stores, Inc. and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), was established in 2005 to provide funding for projects that conserve important habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants through acquisition of interests in real property. The goal of the Acres for America program is to offset the footprint of Walmart’s domestic facilities on at least an acre-by-acre basis through these acquisitions. Pre-proposals are accepted annually on or before April 1. Click on the following items for more info: Request for Proposal - Acres For America (Last Updated: 10/25/2010); Apply for a Grant (Last Updated: 01/30/2008) and Overview - Acres For America (Last Updated: 06/08/2007). The U.S. EPA is now accepting applications for the 2011 WaterSense Partner of the Year Awards. These awards showcase WaterSense partners who have done the most in the past year to increase awareness and understanding of water efficiency and the WaterSense label. Applicants must be WaterSense partners in good standing, and award applications must be submitted online by April 1, 2011. Winners will be announced at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 5 to 7, 2011. Click here to apply or for more info. Do you work with a boating group or nonprofit that has an innovative or new way to reach boaters on safety or environmental topic of concern in your area? The BoatU.S. Foundation is seeking applications for its 2011 Grassroots Grants. Up to $4,000 is available to local volunteer organizations for the promotion of safe and clean boating education. Applications are due by April 1. This year, applicants are encouraged to upload photos and videos showcasing their proposed project ideas or anything else that will convey their vision. In the Spring, the best grant proposals will be posted online for the boating public to vote on. You decide who receives funding (click here for more info.) The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is currently (until April 1, 2011) accepting applications for its 2011 Fellowship Program’s New England Regional Leadership Class. The Fellowship Program offers intensive leadership skill training and regional networking opportunities. Consisting of three retreats over a total of 10 days, the Fellowship curriculum helps emerging leaders hone their leadership skills, improve their strategic communications, and strengthen their outreach to diverse constituencies. Click here, here or contact Errol Mazursky at (202) 422-9193 or errol@elpnet.org for more info. The 2011 Thatcher Environmental Research Contest, an activity of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, awards cash prizes to secondary school students (grades 9-12) whose projects demonstrate the best use of satellites and other geospatial technologies or data to study Earth. Three cash awards will be given: 1st place -- $2,000; 2nd place -- $1,000; and 3rd place -- $500. Entries can be submitted by individuals or teams. In the case of team entries, the cash award will be split equally among the winning team members. Entries are due April 11, 2011. The NLT Foundation supports projects that promote the arts and protect the environment in Boston, Cincinnati, and Mid-Coast Maine. The Foundation’s environmental funding is focused on promoting greater human well-being by supporting grassroots and other efforts to promote clean air, protect water resources and coastal areas, and preserve open space resources, including recreational space and natural areas in urban, rural and wilderness locations. Foundation’s normal grant range is $3,500 – $10,000. While the Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, it invites interested applicants to submit new project ideas through a simple Concept Application Form. Completed forms are due on April 15. Click here for the FAQ page or contact Michelle Jenney, Foundation Administrator, at (617) 391-3087, (617) 426-7080 ext. 318, or mjenney@gmafoundations.com for more info. Environmental Sustainability is one of the four focus areas for the ING Foundation, the charitable giving arm of the ING insurance and retirement products company. Click here first to download the Grant Guidelines, and then here (when you’re ready to apply) to submit an on-line application (your funding request must be for at least $2,500). The Foundation favors grantmaking in areas where ING has business operations (which includes Boston , Quincy , Springfield and Waltham as well as Providence, RI). The deadline for the next grant cycle is April 30, 2011. Swiss Re’s International ReSource Award for Sustainable Watershed Management, intended to recognize leadership in implementing the principles of sustainability in watershed management, expresses the company’s acknowledgement that water is vital to the survival of man and nature, yet is an increasingly threatened resource, and its commitment to the planning, evaluation and realization of water-related projects. Entries must demonstrate the potential to make a measurable contribution to ensuring that water will remain an available, clean resource in the future. Each year, an international jury allocates $150,000 to one, or between several, of the projects entered. The prize money is awarded strictly for project implementation activities and not for building or strengthening the organization behind the entry. Entries for the 2012 award will be accepted until April 30, 2011. Click here or write to resource_award@swissre.com for more info. Trout Unlimited’s Coldwater Land Conservancy Fund (CLCF) is intended to encourage collaborations and partnerships with land trusts and public agencies to achieve the common goal of permanently protecting lands with important trout and salmon habitat. TU’s goal is to create, through the CLCF, a $2 million grant fund to support collaborative efforts between TU and the land trust community to protect high-priority trout and salmon habitat. Specifically, the CLCF will be a source of restricted funding, similar to TU’s successful Embrace-A-Stream program, which provides grants to TU chapters and councils, land trusts, and state agencies to permanently protect priority streams and watersheds throughout North America. Once established, the CLCF will provide funding on a bi-annual basis to cover the transaction costs associated with donated and purchased conservation easements and the stewardship costs associated with voluntary public angling access on lands protected through TU-land trust partnerships. While the CLCF is still in its formative stages (click here for updated info), you can register now to receive notice of the first Request for Proposals by emailing landprotection@tu.org. [See TU’s Eastern Land Protection Project web page for related info, which includes helpful publications on how land trusts and coldwater fisheries advocates can work together.] The Island Foundation, a family foundation based in Marion, MA, accepts proposals for projects in the three priority areas of Environment, New Bedford, and Alternative Education. The Foundation supports marine research, natural resource conservation, community economic development, and education projects within coastal areas of Maine , Massachusetts, and Rhode Island (grants are generally in the $10,000 - $30,000 range). The Foundation seeks organizations that are innovative, well-regarded, sustainable, nondiscriminatory in any way, and able to demonstrate the impact of their work. The Foundation accepts letters of inquiry (LOI) at any time; full proposals (if invited) are accepted on a quarterly basis (click here for more details). To submit a LOI or for more info, contact: Denise Porché, Executive Director, Island Foundation, Inc., 589 Mill Street, Marion, MA 02738-1533, Entergy’s Open Grants Program focuses on improving communities as a whole. It looks for giving opportunities in the areas of arts and culture, community improvement/enrichment, the environment and healthy families. Grants tend to be made in the places where Entergy has operations (such as in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont). Open Grant applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, but you should submit an online application form at least three months before the funding is needed. Contact the Entergy contributions coordinator in your area for more info (for Massachusetts, that’s Dave Tarantino at (508) 830-8895). The Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation (LCEF) provides grants generally in the $5,000 to $25,000 range to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for projects in communities where Lowe’s operates stores and distribution centers (click here for a store locator) and can utilize company employee volunteers. The Foundation requires that all applicants take and pass an on-line eligibility test. Additionally (or alternatively), the Foundation encourages you to contact your local Lowe’s store when seeking a modest gift card, door prize or donation of materials for a community project or event, as well as seeking their support for a larger grant from the Foundation. Click here to preview the contents of LCEF’s on-line application. Both the Abbot and Dorothy H. Stevens Foundation and the Nathaniel and Elizabeth P. Stevens Foundation (no web pages) support a variety of causes, including conservation, community development, education and scientific research, particularly within the Merrimack Valley and Greater Lawrence areas. Grants are typically in the $2,000-$9,000 range. There is no application deadline. They accept the Common Proposal [Application] Form developed by Associated Grant Makers. To apply or for more info, contact Josh Miner, Executive Director, Stevens Foundations, PO Box 111, North Andover, MA 01845. Telephone: (978) 688-7211. The Greenwich, CT-based Alexander Host Foundation (no web page) provides funding (from $100 to $10,000, with typical grant size around $1,000) to groups working on environmental issues, particularly relating to water quality. Send a letter describing the organization and the project for which funds are sought to: N. George Host, Alexander Host Foundation, 35 Mason St., Greenwich, CT 06830. Telephone: (203) 626-1070. The Edward H. and Virginia K. Gunst Foundation (no web page) provides funding to conservation groups in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Send a letter describing the organization and the project for which funds are sought to: Mr. Lloyd Conley, Edward H. and Virginia K. Gunst Foundation, c/o Suntrust Bank, P.O. Box 85159, Richmond, VA 23285-5159. Telephone: (804) 782-5248. The Boston-based Constance Killam Trust (no web page) gives grants to conservation and educational organizations in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Send a letter describing the organization and the project for which funds are sought to: Mr. Thomas P. Jalkut, Constance Killam Trust, c/o Nutter, McLennen and Fish, LLP, P.O. Box 51400, Boston, MA 02205-1400 . Telephone: (617) 439-2000. The Harding Educational and Charitable Foundation (no web page) makes grants to conservation and educational organizations in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Send a letter describing the organization and the project for which funds are sought to: Timothy Thompson, Esq., Harding Educational and Charitable Foundation, 88 Pine St. New York, NY. Telephone: (212) 943-0280. The Telemachus and Irene Demoulas Family Foundation and the Demoulas Market Basket Foundation (no web pages) give grants (generally in the $2,500 to $10,000 range – sometimes considerably bigger) to a large number of youth, educational, civic and other organizations, particularly in the Merrimack Valley. Funding requests should be submitted by a letter describing the needs for which the funding is sought. Letters should be addressed to: Arthur T. Demoulas, Demoulas Foundations, 286 Chelmsford St., Chelmsford, MA 01824. Telephone: (978) 244-1024 The Arcadia Charitable Trust’s (no web page) areas of interest include environment (land conservation, environmental health, wildlife, and protection of the natural environment) as well as alternative education, social service and medical research, primarily in the greater Boston area. Grants are in the $1,000 - $50,000 range. Interested applicants should submit a letter of intent of not more than three pages that describes the project, its purpose, its likely impact, and the amount requested. If there is sufficient interest in the project, a full proposal will be requested. Letters should be sent to: Ms. Megan B. Reilly, Philanthropic Advisor, Arcadia Charitable Trust, c/o Hemenway & Barnes LLP, Select Client Services, 60 State Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02109. Telephone: (617) 557-9774, e-mail: mbriggsreilly@hembar.com The Archibald Family Charitable Foundation (no web page) gives to educational, animal welfare and other organizations in the Boston area and beyond. Typical grants are in the $1,000 to $5,000 range. Funding requests should be submitted to: David W. Lewis, Jr., KL Gates, One Lincoln St., Boston, MA 02111-2950. Telephone: (617) 261-3100. The Fine Fund (no web page) makes grants in the $5,000-$15,000 range to conservation, visual arts and environmental health organizations and projects, primarily in the Boston area. Groups seeking funds are requested to submit a letter of inquiry to The Fine Fund, c/o Susan H. Brownlee, 625 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Telephone: (412) 444-3518. Established by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, the Innovations in American Government (IAG) Awards program recognizes and promotes excellence and creativity in the public sector. Through its awards competition, the program provides concrete evidence that government can work to improve the quality of life for citizens and that it deserves greater public trust. The IAG’s Bright Ideas initiative seeks to give a higher profile (e.g., through inclusion in the Government Innovators Network) to noteworthy and praiseworthy government practices in order that government leaders, public servants, and other individuals can learn about noteworthy ideas and can adopt those initiatives that can work in their own communities. Applications submitted to the IAG’s Bright Ideas Initiative will be selected and notified on a rolling basis. Bright Ideas applicants that fully meet the IAG Awards eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for the upcoming Innovations Awards competition, tentatively scheduled to begin in 2011. Last but not least: Trader Joe’s accepts requests for donations and involvement in community events through its retail locations (click here to access the store finder). Non-profit (501c3) organizations with a valid, current tax ID number are eligible. Donations are limited to one per year, per organization from Trader Joe’s Company (not one from every Trader Joe’s store in your area). All donations are to be arranged with the store’s Donations Coordinator. The following information is necessary for a donation to be considered: A written request, on the non-profit group’s letterhead, delivered to the store by your organization’s representative, including your tax ID number, explaining the nature of the organization, why the donation is needed and what kind of donation is being requested. Written requests should be made at least three weeks prior to the date donation is needed. Click here for more info.
(sorted chronologically by date of event, submission deadline, etc.) The Ecological Landscaping Association (ELA)’s 17th Annual Conference & Eco-Marketplace: Staying Ahead of the Curve, takes place March 3, 2011 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Sessions cover leading-edge topics by industry experts on Stormwater Infiltration, Turf Management that Puts Ecology First, Attracting “At-Risk” Pollinators to your gardens, Designing with Native Plants, and much, much more. The concurrent Eco-Marketplace showcases the latest in ecological services, products, and technologies. This year’s keynote dinner/panel discussion features three leading experts in the field of plant selection sharing their unique perspectives on the important and frequently (and hotly!) debated topic of the use of natives, introduced, invasive, and endangered plants in the landscape. Click here to register or for more info. The Lawyers Clearinghouse, in partnership with: The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR), May, Bonee & Walsh, and the Mel King Institute, are presenting a free workshop entitled Navigating the Waters of Insurance and Risk Management for Nonprofits, to be held on Thursday, March 3, 2011 (9:00 AM refreshment/networking 9:30 – 11:30 AM program) at the TTOR’s Doyle Conference Center in Leominster. Send an e-mail to msanohewitt@lawyersclearinghouse.org to register. The Somerville Garden Club is hosting a presentation entitled De-Paving Somerville on Wednesday, March 9, beginning at 7:00 PM . Several members of Somerville Climate Action will give a presentation on de-paving Somerville (click here to read an article in the Boston Globe on this effort). Removing an asphalt or cement driveway/backyard and replacing it with plants or vegetables is a great way of contributing to the environment, the watershed, and the greening of Somerville . The presentation will be held at the Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland St. (about five blocks from the Davis Square stop on the Red Line), on the second floor. The meeting is open to the public and is wheelchair accessible. The Organization for the Assabet River (OAR) will be hosting its third annual showing of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at the Maynard Fine Arts Theatre, 19 Summer St. (Route 62) in Maynard. The doors open at 6:00 PM and the movies and related entertainment run from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM. The cost is $12/General Admission (or free if you join OAR that evening). Click here for more info on some of the movies to be shown. The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) will be hosting a special screening of the movie A Civil Action and a talk by the trial's lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann. The 1998 film is based upon a true story that took place in the Mystic River Watershed. This legal thriller details the case surrounding the contamination of the Woburn City water supply. Jan Schlichtmann will speak about his experience on the case and further thoughts on environmental law and advocacy and why individuals must remain vigilant. The event takes place on Thursday, March 10th at 7:00PM at the Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street in Arlington. No tickets needed: Suggested $10 donation to support MyRWA, cash or check only. Click here or here for more info. Guidestar is hosting a free webinar entitled Trying Times ... Trying Harder: The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's Response to Historic Flooding on Thursday, March 10 at 1:00 PM . This webinar will discuss how a community foundation conducted a successful fundraising campaign in response to the huge floods that affected its region in the spring of 2010. Click here to register or for more info. [In the meantime, you might want to read a recently-posted article on Guidestar.org, Don't Miss the Opportunity to Strengthen Your Organization through Legacy Giving, which states that “the vast majority of philanthropic gifts come from individuals, not foundations or businesses”, and suggests ways to tap into that generosity.] The 16th Annual Cape Cod Natural History Conference will be held Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Cape Cod Community College in Barnstable. The conference is organized by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Presentations will cover research projects and methods/results focusing on the ecology, behavior, status, or distribution of local plants, animals, or natural communities on Cape Cod. Click here to register or contact: Melissa Lowe at (508) 349-2615 ext. 107 or mlowe@massaudubon.org for more info. The Toxics Action Center is (with a number of other groups) hosting the Environmental Action 2011 conference, which will take place on Saturday, March 12th, 2011 at Bentley University in Waltham. Don’t miss the opportunity to attend over 25 workshops covering the hottest environmental issues, meet experts in a dozen fields, and network with residents from across New England. Click here to register or for more info, or contact Dan Frosh at dan@toxicsaction.org or (617) 747-4362. The International Day of Action for Rivers, sponsored by the organization International Rivers, is Monday, March 14, 2011. You/your organization are encouraged to take part in the observance of this event. Be inspired to hold your own creative action: express your love for rivers through music and dance, speak out against human rights violations with paintings and photographs, and call for a better energy and water management model through poetry and words. Click here for more info. The National Association of Remedial Project Managers (NARPM) is offering a free webinar entitled Ecological Revitalization: Turning Contaminated Properties into Community on Tuesday March 15 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Join in this seminar to learn about cost-effective remedies that naturally lead to an ecological reuse of your contaminated site. Participants will hear about the technical considerations for designing and implementing cleanups that facilitate ecological reuse of streams, wetlands, and terrestrial ecosystems, including long-term stewardship. Click here to register or for more info. The Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) is hosting a webcast entitled Design, Installation & Maintenance of Constructed Wetlands & Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance Systems on Wednesday, March 16 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM. Learn how to boost the performance of constructed wetland designs, and what research is telling us about runoff reduction and pollutant removal rates. You will also be introduced to “regenerative stormwater conveyance”, an innovative approach to convey and treat runoff and restore habitats, originally developed as an alternative outfall design for coastal plain sites. Click here for more info on this and other webcasts hosted by the CWP. The 35th Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists (NEAEB), hosted by MassDEP, will take place from March 16-18, 2011 in Sturbridge, MA. NEAEB provides a forum to coordinate and improve communications regarding water resource policies, issues and research. The three-day conference brings together those in New England and New York State involved in water resource management, including participants from state and federal agencies, NGOs, the private sector and academia. Click here to get a preview of the topics being covered at this year’s conference. The Mass. Watershed Coalition (MWC) is hosting a meeting entitled Community Stormwater Solutions on Thursday, March 17, 2011 from 5:00 – 8:30 PM at the Doyle Conference Center in Leominster (click here to see info on the 2010 version of this event.) The meeting will feature workshops about municipal stormwater permitting, MS4 educational outreach, low impact design, “coldwater” stream issues, and solutions such as tree box filters, sediment vaults, infiltration trenches, and more. Expert speakers will offer practical guidance for community boards, town planners, lake associations, watershed organizations, home-builders, engineers, local stormwater committees, and concerned citizens. This annual meeting of the MWC is free and refreshments will be provided. Click here, email mwc@commonwaters.org or call (978) 534-0379 to register or for more info. The Mass. Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC)’s 10th Annual Conference - Advanced Tools and Techniques for Planning and Zoning, will take place on Saturday, March 19 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Hogan Conference Center, College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. The conference features 18 different sessions on such topics as The Lifecycle of Water: What Is It? Why Should We Care?, by MassDEP’s Jane Peirce, and Saving Land and Money: Protecting Your Community's Natural Assets and Fiscal Stability through Planning and Zoning, by Mass Audubon’s Heidi Ricci. Click here to register or for more info. The Arnold Arboretum and the Ecological Landscaping Association are co-hosting Gardening for the Birds, a workshop taught by Stephen Kress of the National Audubon Society, author of the newly-published second edition of The Audubon Society Guide To Attracting Birds: Creating Natural Habitats for Properties Large and Small (see Publications, etc. below). The workshop will take place at the Arboretum on Saturday, March 19, 2011 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The fee is $40 ELA & Arnold Members or $48 Non-Members. Click here for more info. The 21st Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference will take place on Saturday, March 26 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Worcester Technical High School. The 2011 Conference Theme is Climate Change and Land Conservation with a focus on raising awareness about climate change and ways in which land protection and stewardship can contribute to adaptation and mitigation strategies. Click here to register or for more info. In honor of its 10th Anniversary, Project Native, a grassroots community initiative providing indigenous plants to nurseries, landscapers and homeowners who are interested not only in beautifying their own backyards, but also in restoring the wild habitat and diversity of the region, is hosting the Project Native Film Festival on Sunday, March 27th from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM at the Triplex Theatre & Mixed Company in Great Barrington, MA. The festival is open to the public free of charge (seating is limited) and will present a collection of award-winning feature & short films on various environmental topics to educate, inspire, enrage, and engage. Click here or call (413) 274-3433 for more info. A Southeastern Massachusetts Conference on the Community Preservation Act will be taking place on Saturday, April 2, 2011 from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM on the campus of Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA. The conference will consist of workshops, presentations, and round-table discussions on all aspects of the Community Preservation Act. Click here to register and here or here for more info. Too often, fundraising galas, large dinners and tributes to honored guests result in very low profits and extremely stressed-out staff and board of directors. How can you plan your event so that it will make money and help strengthen your organization? The Boston-based Technical Development Corporation (TDC), a nonprofit consulting and research group dedicated to providing the nonprofit sector with the business and management skills critical to operating effectively, is offering a course entitled Fundraising Events that Raise Funds: What you need to do to structure a successful event, taught by Cindy Rowe and taking place on Tuesday, April 5 from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Topics include:
Click here for more info on this session and here for other TDC training opportunities. The University of Massachusetts/Amherst’s Water Resources Research Center (WRRC)’s 8th Annual Water Resources Conference will be taking place on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the Lincoln Campus Center on the UMass/Amherst campus. The conference will address the needs for water monitoring, assessment, and management of water resources in New England due to variability and changes in climate, land use, population, and other environmental stressors. The conference will provide an interdisciplinary forum for researchers, regulatory experts, practitioners, and policy makers to discuss current critical water research; foster greater collaboration among scientists and practitioners; and strengthen the connection between research, education, and policy. Click here to register, here to read the presentation descriptions and speaker biographies or contact the WRRC at wrrc@tei.umass.edu or (413) 545-2842 for more info. Earth Night, an annual party to benefit the Environmental League of Massachusetts, is Boston 's biggest environmental benefit, drawing hundreds of the state's business, environmental, and community leaders. Over the past 14 years, Earth Night has featured award-winning food, networking, and exciting live and silent auctions. The event's Earth Fair features fun, interactive booths showcasing products and services of local businesses and non-profits working to protect the Massachusetts environment. This year’s celebration is taking place on Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. Click here for tickets or for more info. The Association of Watershed and Stormwater Professionals (AWSPs) is currently (until April 13, 2011) soliciting short articles for the Fall 2011 issue of the Watershed Science Bulletin. This issue features the next generation of research on the influence of watershed land cover (e.g., impervious surfaces, forest, wetlands, grasslands, cropland, pasture, managed turf) on the condition of downstream water resources. Research papers, policy analysis and discussion papers are requested that help to improve our understanding of the land cover / water resource connection that is so critical to managing impacts. Click here for more info. The 12th Annual Charles River Cleanup will be taking place on Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 9:00 AM until 12 noon . The Charles River Cleanup, part of American Rivers’ National River Cleanup, typically involves thousands of volunteers helping to beautify the Charles River and tributaries, picking up trash and cleaning the riverbanks at over 40 sites from Milford to Boston. Click here to sign up or for more info. The 67th Annual Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference: Fish & Wildlife 911 – Are We Ready? will be held on Sunday, April 17th - Tuesday, April 19th at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, NH. The conference features presentations and poster sessions on various aspects of fish and wildlife science and management conducted by state wildlife agencies and others and relevant to the Northeast. Click here to register and here for more info on conference presentations. The 2011 Northeast Water Science Forum - Science to Inform Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Product Management, hosted by the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC), is scheduled to take place from April 27-29, 2011 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, ME. The Forum has been convened to enable sharing of the latest in high-quality, timely, and relevant scientific information and research on pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP) in the water environment in order to help Northeast states make informed decisions regarding their policy and management. This conference will build on the successes of the 2007 Northeast Water Science Forum that examined the state of PPCP science and research. Click here to register or for more info. The Instream Flow Council and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency invite you to participate in FLOW 2011: Instream Flow Valuation in Public Decision-Making, scheduled to take place from May 2-4, 2011, in Nashville, Tennessee. Similar to FLOW 2008 in San Antonio, this conference seeks to further advance the integration of state-of-the-art science, policy, and public dialogue regarding water management related to aquatic resources. The specific goal of the 2011 conference is to build participants' abilities to effectively participate in public decision-making to generate outcomes favorable to aquatic resources. Click here for more info. The schedule of programs listed in the 2011 Eagle Hill/Humboldt Institute Advanced and Specialty Field Seminars on the Maine Coast include:
Click here or contact for more info: Anne Favolise-Stanton, Administrative Assistant, Humboldt Institute, PO Box 9, Steuben, ME 04680-0009 (207) 546-2821, (207) 546-3042 (fax), office@eaglehill.us. Last but not least: Are you concerned about the impact of climate change on rivers? Does your organization have a river or stream monitoring program? Are you interested in learning what other organizations, government agencies, and universities are doing to address climate impacts on rivers? Would you like guidance in developing a climate change plan for your river or watershed? If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, then you may want to take part in a Conference on River Monitoring and Climate Change in Massachusetts, presented by the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance in partnership with the MA Department of Fish and Game's Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) and scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 18th and Thursday, May 19th, 2011. Day #1 (5/18) will consist of presentations, break-out sessions, and discussions from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM at The Trustees of Reservations’ Doyle Conference Center in Leominster, MA. On Day #2 (5/19), participants may choose to go on one of two field trips, to sites in either eastern or western Massachusetts. The conference is funded primarily by a grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust. The cost of the conference is $20 per person. Click here to register or contact Julia Blatt at (857) 445-2028 or juliablatt@massriversalliance.org for more info. Committed watershed organizations and state and local governments need adequate resources to achieve the goals of the Clean Water Act and improve our nation's water quality. To support these efforts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a Resources for State and Local Governments website to provide tools, databases, and information about sources of funding to practitioners and funders that serve to protect watersheds. Search through sustainable finance tools, requests for proposals, and training opportunities. Is your community water/wastewater system financially sustainable? The purpose of the new Financially Sustainable Water Infrastructure Initiative website, maintained by the Environmental Finance Center Network, is to equip system managers, operators and staff with the tools to evaluate system financial health, to educate the utility board and the public and to overcome political barriers to making the system financially sustainable. The environmental conditions in urban areas throughout New England and across the country expose residents to significant public health hazards every day from toxics, heavy metals, poor ambient and indoor air quality, and a lack of open and green space. These conditions create cumulative, disproportionate and inequitable health risks to urban residents, especially high risk populations such as children and the elderly. Established a decade ago, the mission of the U.S. EPA Region One/New England’s Urban Environmental Program (UEP) is to improve the environment and enhance the quality of life for urban residents throughout New England by building community capacity to assess and resolve environmental problems, achieving measurable and sustainable improvements in urban communities, and restoring and revitalizing neighborhoods for urban residents. Resources at the UEP web page include info on these specific topics:
Click here for more info on urban issues and the UEP’s activities in Massachusetts. In a recent posting to Greenversations, the official blog of the U.S.EPA, Region 1/New England Regional Administrator Curt Spaulding writes about Green Chemistry, a relatively new science that focuses on sustainable chemicals & processes, reduced waste and reduced or eliminated pollution and environmental damage. The concept began in the 1990s and has continued to gain momentum through collaboration between the US government, Industry, and Academia. Spalding reports on the steps the EPA and partners are taking to lay the foundation that will hopefully establish New England as the “Green Chemistry Corridor”. At a recent ceremony at the White House, President Obama announced a new America’s Great Outdoors Initiative (AGO). Largely based on comments received via 50 public listening sessions and ideas submitted online by the public over the past six months, the AGO report and action plan proposes to establish a secure federal funding stream for land conservation as well as raise Americans’ awareness of the outdoors and the importance of nature, especially among children. One of the report’s primary priorities is “Newly-restored river restorations and recreational “blueways” that power economic revitalization in communities.” Click here to read a press release, here to read a news story, and here to read a message from the Land Trust Alliance about the AGO. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently announced a draft 10-year plan for management of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The draft document, titled Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation, includes nearly 100 management recommendations and was developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Wildlife Refuge Association. The draft plan is available for public comment until Earth Day, April 22, 2011; click here to comment or for more info. The Spring 2011 edition of the Narragansett Bay Journal, put out by the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program, contains several informative articles relating to stormwater, such as the stormwater outreach campaign in the Blackstone watershed, the Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions Program, the installation of an urban rain garden to absorb stormwater, and a “Stormwater Dictionary” glossary of stormwater-related terminology. Late last year, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) released a new publication entitled Design of Bridges and Culverts for Wildlife Passage at Freshwater Streams. This new guidance handbook is was prompted by Context Sensitive Design, one of the Guiding Principles contained in MassDOT’s Project Development and Design Guide, which requires the development of transportation facilities to fit their environmental resource setting while maintaining safety and mobility for all users. While Chapter 14 of that Guide specifically addressed wildlife accommodation along new and existing roadways, this new document expands on that guidance, focusing on structures at inland stream crossings. Several DER staff were involved in shaping the content of this document. The Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recently announced the completion of the Ipswich Targeted Watershed Grant project, which was funded by the U.S. EPA and other partners. The project implemented four low impact development (LID) demonstration projects and five water conservation pilots in the Ipswich River Watershed (click here for examples). Additionally, the project included a watershed-wide modeling analysis by USGS that evaluated what would happen to streamflow in the major tributaries and the Ipswich River mainstem if LID and certain water conservation strategies were implemented broadly across the watershed. The Project has now been completed, and descriptions, results, photos, and publications are all now available on the project website. Click here or write Sara Cohen at sara.cohen@state.ma.us for more info. The Winter 2011 edition of the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)’s EnviroMatters eNewsletter features a letter from newly-appointed Commissioner Ken Kimmell stating the agency’s legislative and other priorities over the coming year as well as links to guidelines for safe snow disposal and recent water conservation grant awards. Click here to subscribe or to submit comments. An Assessment of River Herring Stocks in Massachusetts (January 2011), the latest in the Mass. Department of Fish and Game ( DFG )’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF)’s series of technical reports, provides the findings from data collected on the abundance, size structure and age composition of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) in Massachusetts’ coastal rivers and streams. The data revealed that fish counts in three rivers (Parker River, Monument River and Mattapoisett River) indicated a precipitous decline in alewife abundance after 2000. Other declines in size, increases in total mortality and population declines were observed in other rivers, and the report discusses the potential causes of these trends. Last but not least: Chances are you’ve heard by now that recreational anglers in the Commonwealth’s coastal waterways are now required to obtain a Massachusetts saltwater fishing permit. The permit, which costs $10 for both residents and non-residents, was established in response to a federal mandate and is valid for the calendar year. Saltwater fishing permits (along with freshwater fishing and other sporting licenses) may be purchased using a credit card online through the Department of Fish and Game (DFG)’s new electronic licensing system, named MassFishHunt. More details and an FAQ page on the saltwater permit and permit purchase are found on the Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF)’s web page on the subject. Anglers who are under 16 years old, who are disabled, or who are fishing on permitted for-hire (charter or headboats) are not required to purchase a permit. Anglers age 60 and over are required to obtain a permit, but are exempt from the fee. Permits are also available at DMF offices located in Boston, Gloucester, and New Bedford. Saltwater fishing permit fees will be deposited in a dedicated account managed by DMF which can be used only to administer the permit program, improve the management of Massachusetts ’ marine recreational fisheries and enhance recreational fishing access opportunities in the state. An advisory panel will assist DMF in developing programs for the expenditure of all collected funds. Non-government On-line Resources (in rough alphabetical order – the following are offered for information purposes only and are not an endorsement of the items listed below) Causecast Causecast was created in 2008 to give nonprofit organizations an effective and aesthetically-pleasing forum to promote their ideas, raise money and increase awareness on the internet. Today, Causecast works with over 50 nonprofits, utilizing and developing Internet and mobile technology, volunteer database systems, campaigns and events that provide people the resources they need to turn interest into action. Nonprofits may join Causecast for free and qualify for many membership benefits. Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT)
Founded in 1978, CNT has been a leader in promoting more livable and sustainable urban communities. As a creative “think-and-do-tank”, CNT researches, invents, and tests urban strategies that use resources more efficiently and more equitably. The link above takes you to a new document, co-produced with American Rivers , entitled The Value of Green Infrastructure: A Guide to Recognizing Its Economic, Social and Environmental Benefits . Green infrastructure is a network of decentralized stormwater management practices—such as green roofs, trees, rain gardens and permeable pavement—that can capture and infiltrate rain where it falls, reducing stormwater runoff and improving the health of surrounding waterways. The Value of Green Infrastructure fills an information gap that has hampered widespread deployment of green infrastructure—the practice of managing stormwater with natural systems. The Value of Green Infrastructure brings together current research on green infrastructure performance and presents methods for calculating related benefits in water management, energy, air quality, climate, and community livability. Ecological Landscaping Association (ELA) ELA, its board and members advocate for environmentally responsible stewardship of land and natural resources in landscaping and horticultural practices of both professionals and the public. Through education, collaboration, and networking, ELA promotes the design, installation, and maintenance of landscapes that are guided by a knowledge of and respect for natural ecosystems. Content on the ELA web page includes a growing number of inspirational articles on ecological restoration in action, such as the Clearwater Conservancy in central PA, restoring native plant species in coastal buffer zones in RI, and the Eel River Headwaters Restoration Project in Plymouth, for which the DER is playing a leading role. Living Architecture Academy Recently launched by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the Living Architecture Academy is a new online learning center focused on green roofs, walls, and other forms of green infrastructure. The Living Architecture Academy offers 24/7 access to multimedia conference proceedings, webinars, and research papers from past conferences, and provides a convenient way to earn continuing education credits towards credential maintenance or license renewal. Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Urban Pathways Initiative (UPI) The active transportation and recreation options that trails provide are not always available to low-income communities and communities of color facing the challenges of obesity, congestion and scarcity of open space. Urban pathways are part of the solution. By providing opportunities for healthier living, they effect positive changes in neighborhoods where the demand for improved health and community empowerment is greatest. RTC ’s UPI page includes an informative article describing the UPI, a resources page, info about the in-depth technical assistance the RTC is providing to seven projects, including the Connecticut River Walk in Springfield and adjoining communities, and the opportunity to sign up for the UPI’s electronic newsletter. River Restoration Centre (RRC) The RRC provides a focal point for the exchange of information and expertise relating to river restoration and enhancement in the United Kingdom (UK). The RRC organizes guest speaker seminars, and provides archived versions of some of these talks on their website (click here to see what’s available). Topics to date include innovative stream restoration techniques, stormwater management for catchment restoration, floodplain restoration and more. Other resources on this website site include a manual of river restoration techniques, publications and a video. Save Our Land, Save Our Towns How does a small town... a county... a state... or a nation reverse the twin blights of suburban sprawl and urban decay? This question became the focal point of a crusade by Pennsylvania newsman Tom Hylton in the mid 1980s, as he watched his lovely small town decline while the surrounding countryside was paved over for a jumble of roads, stores, parking lots, and tract housing. This crusade led to a Pulitzer Prize, a year-long planning fellowship, an influential book, a public television documentary, and finally, to the charitable corporation Save Our Land, Save Our Towns, Inc. Resources at this site include info on the book, video and related articles on preserving community character and vitality. SeeClickFix SeeClickFix allows anyone to report and track non-emergency issues anywhere in the world via the internet. This empowers citizens, community groups, media organizations and governments to take care of and improve their neighborhoods. See a non-emergency issue in anywhere in the world, and file a public report online or via mobile phone. Citizens can use SeeClickFix to report potholes, broken water lines, dumping into rivers, blocked bike lanes and other items needing attention, or keep track of others’ reports in your neighborhood or other areas you care about. Sharon Friends of Conservation Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the SFOC’s mission is to support and work with the Sharon Conservation Commission “to promote, encourage and foster the preservation, care and maintenance of all public lands, waters and wildlife in the Town of Sharon, Massachusetts in order to further the recreation and enjoyment of the town’s residents.” SFOC sponsors interesting and informative meetings, holds work parties to maintain trails, and leads hikes to encourage everyone to enjoy the unique beauty of Sharon ’s natural environment. Resources on the SFOC’s web page include a Virtual Tour of Sharon's Water Resources, a 4.5 MB (.pdf) slideshow presentation prepared by Paul Lauenstein that’s chock-full of photos, facts and figures intended to help town residents get a better understanding of the challenges facing Sharon’s water supply as the town grows. It’s very informative and worthy of emulation by other communities. Also at the SFOC web page is a downloadable Secrets of a Waterless Lawn… brochure as well as a set of water conservation links. Wild Apricot Blog The Wild Apricot blog is about technology for non-profit organizations: how to do more with less; Usability issues; how to properly select and implement technology - and a sprinkling of humor and posts on general non-profit industry issues. Recent postings are on membership recruitment techniques, taking advantage of the oncoming bumper crop of “baby boom” volunteers, and building or revamping your organization’s website. Wild Trout Symposium X (the following are offered for information purposes only and are not an endorsement of the items listed below.)
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The Mass. Watershed Coalition (MWC)’s “mwc-list” listserv is a great source of information on river- and watershed-related funding and job opportunities, upcoming events, recent articles and more. Many of the posted items are time-sensitive and can’t wait until the next edition of Ebb&Flow. You can access the mwc-list listserv at http://lists.topica.com/lists/mwc-list@igc.topica.com, where you can subscribe to receive the posted messages to your e-mail address, or simply read them on-line. Highly recommended!
REMEMBER ENDANGERED SPECIES ON YOUR STATE INCOME TAX FORM Join the thousands of "in-the-know" people who use their state tax form to make a big difference for rare species in Massachusetts! Since 1983, Massachusetts tax filers of Form 1 have had the option of donating to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund when filing their state income tax (Line 32a: “Endangered Wildlife Conservation”), and tens of thousands of people have done so over the years. All contributions go directly into the Fund, currently the source of a significant portion of the annual operating budget of MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), which conserves and protects endangered species and their habitats in Massachusetts. Over 20,000 tax filers support the program with over $200,000 in critically-important donations each year. Won't you join them? With your contributions to the Fund, you directly help to study, protect, and restore rare and endangered animals and plants and their habitats. If you have made contributions in this manner, thank you for supporting the Program and its conservation efforts! Past donations have helped restore populations and conserve and maintain habitat for Northern harriers in grassland habitats and Northern Red-bellied Cooters. You can also make contributions directly to the Fund by sending a check payable to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund to: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, MA 01581.
Division of Ecological Restoration Staff: Tim Purinton, Acting Director ******************************************* Commonwealth of Massachusetts 251 Causeway St. Suite 400 Boston , MA 02114 617) 626-1540 http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/der/index.htm Visit the DER Staff page
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A series of widespread, large, low-pressure systems in southern New England in late February through late March 2010 resulted in record, or near record, rainfall and runoff. The total rainfall in the region during this period ranged from about 17 to 25 inches, which coupled with seasonal low evaporation, resulted in record or near record peak flows at 13 of 37 streamgages in central and eastern Massachusetts . The highest record peaks generally occurred in southeastern Massachusetts in late March–early April; at most other streamgages, the peak was in mid-March. 
Last December, the 
The 
“Improving the quality of land for wildlife is the single most constructive step that anyone can take to assist wild bird populations. Happily, it is well within almost everyone's capability to improve bird habitats by providing important food and cover plants.” In 
The 
Professors Justin Hollander (Tufts U.) Niall Kirkwood (Harvard) and Julia L. Gold (Bristol Community College), authors of the recently-published book 
Payments in Lieu of Taxes: Balancing Municipal and Nonprofit Interests
Most of the content from the 
Mass. Audubon has teamed up with Equilibrio Films on 
Over the 2010 fall semester, four students from Emerson College undertook a project to make 
Coordinated by the Mass. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), 
| Division of Ecological Restoration, Department of Fish & Game, 251 Causeway St., Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 626-1540 (main line), (617) 626-1505 (fax) Visit the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Visit the Department of Fish & Game |