MassFishHunt

This page, CZ-Mail - April 2024, is offered by
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM)

CZ-Mail - April 2024

The monthly electronic newsletter from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM).

Welcome to CZ-Mail, the monthly electronic newsletter from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Each issue provides information on major CZM initiatives, available tools and publications, upcoming workshops and events, grants, contracting opportunities, job openings, and other news of interest to people working on coastal issues. Additional information about CZM's programs, publications, and other coastal topics can be found on the CZM website. To subscribe, send a blank email (please be sure that the email is completely blank, with no signature line) to join-env-czmail@listserv.state.ma.us. Also, please feel free to share CZ-Mail with colleagues and friends—and if you have any suggestions for future editions, or would like make a change to your CZ-Mail subscription, email your request to CZ-Mail@mass.gov. For periodic updates from CZM between CZ-Mail editions, follow us on Twitter.

All links on this web page were current and working on the date of publication.

Highlights

Upcoming Coastal Resilience Grants - Pre-Application Support Available from CZM - CZM anticipates the release of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Request for Responses (RFR) for the Coastal Resilience Grant Program soon. Coastal Resilience Grants provide funding and technical assistance to coastal communities, eligible nonprofit organizations, and tribes to reduce risks associated with coastal storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise through innovative and transferable local and regional projects. The following CZM support is available for this grant program:

Direct Support - Up until the RFR is released, CZM can discuss project ideas and eligibility for the grants with potential applicants. See the contact information at the bottom of the Coastal Resilience Grant page to connect with CZM.

Coastal Resilience Grants Pre-RFR Webinar - CZM hosted an informational webinar on the Coastal Resilience Grant Program on March 12, which covered the goals and requirements for the grants, eligibility and evaluation criteria, and successful projects from previous grant rounds. For details, see these links to the recording of the webinar and the PowerPoint presentation:

For additional information, please see the Coastal Resilience Grant page. To receive an email notification of the release of the RFR, please email india.j.mackinson@mass.gov. The RFR announcement will also be posted on the CZM Jobs and Grants page.

Upcoming Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants - Pre-Application Support Available from CZM - CZM’s Coastal Habitat and Water Quality (CHWQ) Grants provide funding for projects that assess and treat nonpoint source (NPS) pollution from stormwater runoff, build municipal capacity to implement green stormwater infrastructure, develop comprehensive habitat restoration plans, and advance planning to support land acquisition for restoration, buffer protection, and marsh migration. CZM anticipates the release of the FY 2025 RFR soon. Municipalities within the Massachusetts coastal watershed are eligible to apply, along with federally recognized and state-acknowledged Tribes, certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, regional planning agencies, and stormwater collaboratives in partnership with eligible municipalities. Eligible project activities include:

Efforts to assess, identify, and characterize NPS pollution impacts from stormwater runoff to coastal waterbodies.
Design and construction of stormwater structural Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Capacity-building activities—including trainings for municipal staff, bylaw development, and case studies—that support future implementation of green stormwater infrastructure.
Development of habitat restoration plans, including data collection and synthesis, natural resource assessments, and restoration prioritization work.
Advancement of priority land acquisition planning activities for the purposes of restoration, buffer protection, and/or future marsh migration.

Direct Support - Up until the RFR is released, CZM can discuss project ideas and grant eligibility with potential applicants. Email adrienne.pappal@mass.gov with any questions.

April 10 Info Session - From 10:00-11:00 a.m. on April 10, CZM will host an informational webinar, which will provide an opportunity to ask questions and discuss project ideas. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend. To register and receive a link to the Zoom meeting, please fill out and submit this online registration form. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants page after the info session.

For additional information, please see the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants page. To receive an email notification of the release of the RFR, and updates about the grant, please check the appropriate box in Question 5 on the online registration form. The official RFR announcement will also be posted on the CZM Jobs and Grants page.

Grants Awarded to Protect Habitat in the Buzzards Bay Watershed - On March 14, the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) announced $182,897 in federally funded grant projects that will preserve critical habitat, support fish migration, and improve tidal flow to salt marshes in the Buzzards Bay watershed. The four grants, which are being matched by nearly $90,000 in state, local, and private funds, were awarded by the NEP through CZM, with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Southeast New England Program. The following municipalities were awarded grants:

Fairhaven - $15,000 to purchase a conservation restriction on a 5.75-acre parcel of land to prevent future development, preserve natural resources, and provide passive recreational opportunities to the public. The property, consisting of coastal forest, wetlands, and a perennial stream, immediately connects to over 250 acres of existing conservation land as well as the regional multi-use Phoenix Bike Trail.
Marion - $47,897 to work with its partner, the Buzzards Bay Coalition, to complete feasibility/conceptual designs to replace two undersized culverts on Delano Road in Marion. The culverts restrict water flow between the expansive wooded wetlands of the Great Swamp and adjacent coastal habitats of Buzzards Bay. The project will provide climate resilience benefits, such as preventing the upstream impoundment of water and resultant road flooding and allowing for salt marsh migration with rising sea levels.
Wareham - $70,000 to work with its partner, the Buzzards Bay Coalition, to complete feasibility/conceptual designs to support the replacement of a tidally restrictive culvert on Indian Neck Road at the Crooked River. The project will also investigate the partial removal of a dike that restricts tidal exchange within the adjacent Jack’s Marsh. The replacement of these structures will support climate resilience goals by improving tidal exchange to 11 acres of marsh and facilitating future pathways for marsh migration to adjacent low-lying areas in the face of rising sea levels.
Westport - $50,000 to work with its partner, the Buzzards Bay Coalition, to complete data collection and survey work to advance the replacement of three undersized and deteriorating culverts located on cold water streams. The culverts reduce aquatic connectivity, serve as barriers to native fish migration, and pose risks to public safety. Replacement of these culverts will provide access to critical habitat for migratory fish, including sea-run brook trout, as well as river herring and American eel.

See the press release for more information and the links below for news coverage. (Articles may only be available for a limited time.)

Buzzards Bay towns receive federal grants for culvert replacement, land purchases - CapeCod.com, 3/15/24
Marion receives $47,897 state grant - Sippican Week, 3/18/24
Wareham receives tidal flow grant funding - Wareham Week, 3/18/24

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Climate Action Campaign - On March 11, the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched “Climate Action Is for All of Us,” a statewide media campaign to raise awareness about climate change and encourage residents to explore ways to participate in state initiatives such as energy efficiency, weatherization, electric vehicle adoption, and residential solar programs. Informed by recommendations from the Massachusetts Office of Climate Science and Innovation, the Clean Heat Commission Report, and the Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) developed an integrated marketing strategy that provides educational resources for integrating climate action into people’s homes, commutes, and communities. See the press release for details and the Everyone Can Take Climate Action web page for more on how to help protect our communities, save energy, and save money.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Coastal Resilience Grants - CZM anticipates the release of the FY 2025 RFR for the Coastal Resilience Grant Program soon. Coastal Resilience Grants provide funding and technical assistance to coastal communities, eligible nonprofit organizations, and tribes to reduce risks associated with coastal storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise through innovative and transferable local and regional projects. For additional details, see “Upcoming Coastal Resilience Grants - Pre-Application Support Available from CZM” at the beginning of this CZ-Mail.

Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants - Later this spring, CZM anticipates the release of the FY 2025 RFR for the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants, which will provide funding for projects that assess and treat stormwater impacts and support comprehensive habitat restoration planning activities. CZM will host an informational webinar on Wednesday, April 10, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. See “Upcoming Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants - Pre-Application Support Available from CZM” at the beginning of this CZ-Mail for additional details.

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program Action Grants - EEA is seeking one- or two-year project proposals for Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grants, which provide eligible communities funding to implement priority adaptation actions. Projects are required to use best available climate data and projections. Projects that propose nature-based solutions or strategies that rely on green infrastructure or conservation and enhancement of natural systems and that have robust community engagement plans are preferred. Applicants can request up to $3 million in funding (regional proposals may request up to $5 million), and a 10 percent match of the total project cost is required. For more information, see the MVP website. To view the RFR directly, see the COMMBUYS website. Proposals are due through this online form by 2:00 p.m. on April 24 for projects that must be completed by June 30, 2025, or June 30, 2026.

Grants for Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal - EEA is seeking grant applications for the repair or removal of dams, levees, seawalls, and other forms of inland and coastal flood control. The Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Program offers grants to qualified applicants for final design and permitting and grants for repair, reconstruction, and removal projects. EEA encourages applicants to maximize restoration of natural systems. To view the two RFRs, see the COMMBUYS bid solicitations for design and permitting grants and construction grants. Proposals for both grant opportunities are due by April 5.

Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grants - The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is seeking proposals from Massachusetts municipalities for the Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program to replace undersized, perched, and/or degraded culverts in areas with high ecological value with new structures that meet environmental design and structural standards along with flood resiliency criteria. Only projects that intend to meet the goals of the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards (PDF, 2 MB) are eligible. See the Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program web page for details on how to apply, including links to the RFR, technical resources, and briefing materials from grant meetings. Applications are due by April 12 at 4:00 p.m.

Cranberry Bog Acquisition for Restoration Program - The EEA Division of Conservation Services (DCS) is seeking applications for the Cranberry Bog Acquisition for Restoration Program, which provides funding to assist qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, municipalities, and other qualified conservation organizations in acquiring interests in land containing retired or soon to be retired cranberry bogs and associated uplands for the purpose of subsequent ecological restoration to natural wetland habitat. Funding can be used to acquire land or a Conservation Restriction (CR), or for due diligence costs associated with donated land or CRs to an eligible applicant. For more information, see the COMMBUYS website. Applications are due on June 13.

Parks and Conservation Grants - DCS is seeking applications for the FY 2025 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC), Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND), and Conservation Partnership grants. PARC grants help communities acquire parkland, develop new parks, and renovate existing parks. LAND grants provide funds to municipal conservation commissions to purchase conservation land. Conservation Partnership grants provide funds to nonprofit organizations for land acquisitions. DCS will hold two workshops for the PARC and LAND grants and strongly recommends that potential applicants attend the in-person workshop, which will be held on May 6 at 11:00 a.m. at DFW Field Headquarters in Westborough. A second workshop will be held on Microsoft Teams on May 9 at 2:00 p.m. To RSVP for either session, please email Melissa Cryan at melissa.cryan@mass.gov if you are interested in applying for a PARC grant, and email Vanessa Farny at vanessa.farny@mass.gov if you are interested in applying for a LAND grant. PARC and LAND grant applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on July 11. Conservation Partnership applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on July 15.

Water Quality Management Planning Grants - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking proposals for §604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grants to fund assessment and planning projects to address nonpoint source pollution. For more information, including a link to the RFR, see the MassDEP website. To view the RFR directly, see the COMMBUYS website. Project proposals are due by May 8 at 5:00 p.m.

§319 Nonpoint Source Competitive Grants - MassDEP is seeking proposals for the §319 Nonpoint Source Competitive Grants Program to fund comprehensive projects that address nonpoint sources of pollution affecting water quality. For more information, including a link to the RFR, see the MassDEP website. To view the RFR directly, see the COMMBUYS website. Project proposals are due by May 24 at 5:00 p.m.

Massachusetts Dredging Program Grants - The Executive Office of Economic Development is seeking proposals for the 2024 grant round of the Massachusetts Dredging Program. One-year construction grants for saltwater dredging will be competitively awarded with a focus on shovel-ready projects that contribute to the economic vitality, vibrant waterfronts, maritime safety, or ecosystem health of the Commonwealth’s harbors. All Massachusetts coastal municipalities are eligible to apply. Applications are due by April 19 via electronic submission. See How to Apply for application instructions.

Coastal Ecosystems Climate Resilience Research Funding - EPA’s Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program is seeking applications to fund research that will advance the understanding of climate resilience in estuarine and coastal marine ecosystems to better inform management strategies. EPA anticipates funding approximately seven awards up to $1.2 million each. On April 2 from 2:00-3:00 p.m., EPA will hold an informational webinar on this opportunity. For more information on this funding, including required research areas and application details, see the EPA website. Applications are due by May 1.

American Lobster Research Funding - The National Sea Grant College Program is seeking applications for the 2024 American Lobster Research Program for projects that advance scientific knowledge of the American Lobster fishery and support the resiliency of fishing communities to environmental change and economic uncertainty. Approximately $2 million is anticipated to be available for requests up to $600,000 each. For details, see the Grants.gov website. Proposals are due by May 7.

National Coastal Resilience Fund - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and partners are seeking pre-proposals for the 2024 National Coastal Resilience Fund for projects that will create, restore, increase, and strengthen natural infrastructure to protect coastal communities and enhance fish, wildlife, and other natural habitats. Priority is given to projects that are community led or have direct community engagement and benefit underserved communities with disproportionate climate impacts. Submit pre-proposals through the NFWF Easygrants system by April 10, and full proposals will be by invitation only.

NOAA Planet Stewards Project Funding - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Planet Stewards program is seeking proposals from educators for up to $5,000 to support hands-on, action-based stewardship projects that build science literacy in elementary- through college-age students and the general public. Projects should address an environmental issue related to the educator’s community and should focus on conservation, restoration, and/or protection of human communities and/or natural resources in one of four focus areas—marine debris, habitat conservation and restoration, carbon footprint reduction, or carbon sequestration. For details on the funding, see the NOAA website. Applications are due by June 2.

BoatUS Grassroots Grants - The BoatUS Foundation is seeking applications for Grassroots Grants to promote boater education. Up to $10,000 is available to local volunteer organizations, student groups, yacht clubs, and chapters of national organizations for creative and innovative projects that promote safe and clean boating. Applications are accepted year round.

Reminders - These opportunities, listed previously in CZ-Mail, are still open:

Landscape Partnership Grants - DCS is seeking Landscape Partnership Grant Program applications for conservation projects that protect 100-500 acres of land through partnerships between local, state, and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations. Grants up to $1.25 million will be available this grant round. Applications are due by April 18 at 3:00 p.m. See the application instructions for additional details.
Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Watershed Implementation Grants - Restore America’s Estuaries is seeking Letters of Intent for the 2024 SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants for projects that restore clean water, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable communities and support the goals and priority actions of the SNEP Strategic Plan for the coastal watershed of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts (see map). Approximately $2.8 million is available to state, county, local, and tribal governments, regional planning organizations, nonprofits, and academic institutions for grants from $10,000 to $500,000. For more information, including links to the Request for Proposals and application, see the grant web page. Letters of Intent are due by April 5 at 4:00 p.m., and full proposals will be by invitation only.

Online Tools and Resources

National Water Prediction Service - The National Weather Service has launched the National Water Prediction Service (NWPS), which replaces the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) and continues to provide users with the latest observations and forecasts for river points and tide gauges. New functionality includes access to the National Water Model and increased user interaction options, including the ability to overlay warning and analysis data. Access to AHPS will cease in late May—see details on URL changes (PDF, 67 KB). For more on NWPS, see the User’s Guide Story Map and this fact sheet (PDF, 2 MB).

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Coastal & Estuarine Science News - The first 2024 issue of Coastal & Estuarine Science News, the newsletter of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation, includes articles about salt marshes and sea level rise on New York’s Long Island, living shoreline pilot projects in New Hampshire, diadromous fish populations after dam removals in Maine, and other coastal and estuarine research topics.

Coastal Impacts - The March 2024 issue of Coastal Impacts, the newsletter of Woods Hole Sea Grant, includes stories on $1.7 million in Sea Grant funding for coastal and marine science research projects, a winter study of sugar kelp growth at eight locations on Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay, a citizen science effort to collect photos of shoreline observations in Sandwich in collaboration with CZM’s MyCoast, and other Woods Hole Sea Grant news and updates.

Coastal States Organization Newsletter - The latest newsletter of the Coastal States Organization (CSO) highlights a shoreline stabilization project in Illinois, a collaboration in New Jersey to communicate climate risks, and other ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes news, events, announcements, and jobs.

Neponset River Watershed News - The March Watershed Update from the Neponset River Watershed Association includes information on the Lower Neponset Superfund site and the potential to form a community advisory group, a call for “on call” newsletter volunteers, and other Neponset River news, jobs, upcoming events, and watershed updates.

NOAA HabitatNews - The March 2024 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes items on fish passage barrier removals in Washington state, recycling oysters shells to restore oyster populations and combat erosion along the U.S. Gulf of Mexico coast, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

USGS Sound Waves - The January-February 2024 issue of Sound Waves, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) newsletter, includes items on a project to increase marsh resilience in San Francisco Bay, new research on the growing impacts of subsidence on the U.S. East Coast, and other coastal and marine research news.

Public Notice/Public Comment

Please note: All official CZM requests for public comment are published in the Public Notices section of the Environmental Monitor, the bi-weekly publication from the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office.

Draft Massachusetts TMDL Prioritization—Comment Period Extended - MassDEP’s Watershed Planning Program (WPP) is seeking public comments on the Massachusetts Vision 2.0: Clean Water Act Section 303(d) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Development (PDF, 2 MB). WPP’s TMDL Section develops water quality-based controls to reduce pollutant loads from both point and nonpoint sources and develops TMDLs using available data and models with a goal to restore impaired waters or maintain high quality waters. This Vision 2.0 document outlines WPP’s approach to TMDL prioritization, based on impairments listed for the Final Massachusetts Integrated List of Waters for the Clean Water Act 2018/2020 Reporting Cycle with a large focus on nutrient and pathogen impairments. MassDEP invites feedback on the TMDL prioritization approach. Please email comments with “Vision 2.0” in the subject line to Timothy Fox at timothy.m.fox@mass.gov by April 5 at 5:00 p.m.

Gulf of Maine Final Wind Energy Area and Environmental Assessment for Leasing Activities - On March 15, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the Final Wind Energy Area (Final WEA) in the Gulf of Maine, which covers more than two million acres approximately 23-92 miles offshore Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. BOEM finalized the WEA after extensive spatial modeling and engagement with the public, which has been documented in a memo and final report available on the BOEM website. BOEM is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the potential environmental impacts associated with offshore wind leasing and site assessment activities in the Final WEA. BOEM is seeking public input regarding important environmental issues and the identification of reasonable alternatives that should be considered in the EA. For more information, including commenting instructions, see the Federal Register Notice. Comments are due by April 17.

Environmental Review of Proposed Vineyard Northeast Project - BOEM is seeking public comments on the proposed Vineyard Northeast offshore wind energy project, located 29 miles offshore Nantucket. The project will install up to 160 wind turbine generators, three electrical service platforms, one booster station, and two offshore export cable corridors making landfall in Connecticut and Massachusetts. BOEM will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project’s Construction and Operations Plan. Two virtual and two in-person public meetings will be held in April for stakeholders to get project details, ask questions, and provide oral comments. For more information, including meeting registration details and commenting instructions, see the BOEM website. Comments are due by May 9.

Reminder - This Public Comment opportunity from the last CZ-Mail is still available:

Proposed Wetlands and Waterways Regulations—Comment Period Extended - MassDEP is seeking public comment on two sets of proposed regulations: the Wetlands Resilience 1.0 Draft Regulations, which establish procedures for conservation commissions and MassDEP to follow in issuing permits for work in areas protected under the Wetlands Protection Act, and the Waterways (Chapter 91) Resilience 1.0 Draft Regulations, which protect the public’s right to access the state’s tidelands and waterways and regulate the kinds of activities that can take place on coastal and inland waterways. Written comments on both proposed regulations are now due by April 30 at 5:00 p.m.

Jobs/Internship Postings

Seasonal Positions at Waquoit Bay Reserve - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) in Falmouth and DCR are seeking applications for several seasonal positions at WBNERR and DCR’s South Cape Beach State Park. Positions include Conservation Biologist I, Forest & Park Supervisor I, Seasonal Forest & Park Supervisor I, Season Laborer II, and Seasonal Park Interpreter. For details and application instructions, see the WBNERR Employment web page.

Engagement Specialist - The Neponset River Watershed Association is seeking a full-time Engagement Specialist to help connect with and empower residents from across the watershed’s 14 cities and towns to advance equitable climate adaptation priorities. For more information, see the Association’s Employment page.

Marine Animal Entanglement Response Specialist - The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) in Provincetown is seeking a Marine Animal Entanglement Response Specialist to conduct on-call responses for reports of entangled whales and sea turtles. The specialist will disentangle these marine animals following strict protocols that emphasize human and animal safety and will also be responsible for program data processing/management, trainee supervision, communication with the public and maritime community, and administrative tasks. For additional details, see the CCS Employment page. Applications are due by April 12.

Research Assistant - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking a full-time Research Assistant to support water quality monitoring efforts with a focus on bay-wide monitoring using continuous sensors. The position combines fieldwork, data management and analysis, lab work, and data entry. For details, see the Coalition’s Job Opportunities page.

Open Space Protection Manager - The Town of Ipswich is seeking a part-time Open Space Protection Manager to administer the community’s open space acquisition program and initiatives, in coordination with municipal boards and committees and the Planning Department. This position will remain open until filled. For details, see the job posting (PDF, 174 KB).

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Positions - The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport is seeking applications for several seasonal positions, including Recreational Assistant/Fee Collector, Administrative Assistant, Great Marsh Restoration Coordinator, Pepperweed Technician, and Salt Marsh Restoration Technician. For details and application instructions, see the Refuge’s Ways to Get Involved page.

Summer Greenway and River Access Interns - The Neponset River Watershed Association is seeking two part-time interns from late spring through summer to help plan and manage events along the Greenway Corridor. The interns will also assist with park revitalization projects to improve riverfront and parkland access in the watershed and help organize volunteer opportunities in these revitalized spaces. For details, see the Association’s Employment page.

Reminders - These job postings, listed previously in CZ-Mail, are still open:

EEA Agency Positions

Other Full-Time Positions

Other Part-Time or Seasonal Positions

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Cobble Berms in Action - April 2, April 23, and May 8, two free informational field courses and a virtual information session from the Stone Living Lab, Woods Hole Group, and CZM. Cobble Berms in Action Site Visit: Monitoring and Maintenance on April 2 at Duxbury Beach Reservation will provide hands-on demonstrations of monitoring techniques (including salt marsh surveying and drone surveys) and cover maintenance requirements for cobble berms. Permitting & Cobble Berms Virtual Info Session on April 23 will discuss permitting requirements for these nature-based solutions. Cobble Berms in Action: Site Exploration & Municipal Panel on May 8 in Hull will include an exploration of a potential cobble berm site and a Q&A session.

Lunch & Learn with Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony - April 4, event from the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) to be held in Boston.

Plastics and Climate Webinar - April 4, webinar from EPA’s Trash Free Waters program on the relationship between plastics and climate change.

Talking Trash Conference - April 10, 10^th annual conference sponsored by EBC on solid waste management in New England to be held in Lowell.

Communications Strategies for Water Quality Management Planning - April 11, webinar from the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center on effective communication strategies for water quality management planning in New England.

Honor the Earth Fair - April 20, Earth Day celebration presented by the Native Land Conservancy and the Mashpee Wampanoag Natural Resources Department to be held in Mashpee, featuring exhibitors and vendors, including traditional indigenous craft vendors, traditional cultural performances, speakers, kids activities, and a cooking competition (contestant registration required by April 14). CZM will have a table where visitors can learn about using the MyCoast mobile app for sharing and viewing photos of coastal flooding, coastal storm impacts, and shoreline adaptation.

Boston Harbor Ecosystem Network Meeting - April 24, spring meeting on “Tools in the Nature-Based Toolkit for Coastal Resilience” to be held at UMass Boston.

PFAS Analytical Methods - So Many Choices, Which One Do I Need? - April 25, Emerging Contaminants Webinar from EBC.

Cool Science Showcase - April 25-26, conference and exhibition at UMass Boston on climate-science oriented art produced by K-12 students as part of the Cool Science Competition, which is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Stormwater Summit: Collaboration Across Boundaries - Building Resilient Watersheds - May 1, second annual summit from EBC on planning and implementation of stormwater management strategies at the watershed scale and combined sewer overflow management, to be held in Westborough.

EPA-SNEP 2024 Symposium—Call for Abstracts - June 12, symposium from EPA and SNEP with the theme “Planning for Climate Resilience: Thinking Regionally, Acting Locally” to be held in Bristol, Rhode Island. Abstracts for presentations and posters are due by April 30.

U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae—Call for Abstracts - October 27-November 1, 12^th symposium organized by NEIWPCC to be held in Portland, Maine. Abstracts are due by May 8.

NSF Grants Conference - June 3-5, conference from the National Science Foundation for new educators, researchers, faculty, and administrators with up-to-date information on NSF proposals and award processes, funding availability, and policies and procedures to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Capitol Hill Ocean Week - June 4-6, conference on issues that impact the oceans hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to be held in Washington, DC.

The Role of Marine Protected Areas in Providing Ecosystem Services to Improve Ocean and Human Health - June 20, webinar presented by Open Communications for the Ocean (OCTO).

Race for Open Space - June 29, annual running race to support the Nantucket Conservation Foundation’s efforts to preserve and protect open space on the island.

NMEA 2024 Annual Conference - July 28-August 1, conference of the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) to be held in Boston, hosted by Massachusetts Marine Educators with the theme “Wicked Good Marine Education.”

2024 National Coastal and Estuarine Summit - October 6-10, annual conference sponsored by Restore America’s Estuaries to be held in Washington, DC.

Reminders - The following calendar items posted previously in CZ-Mail are still to come:

Northeast Conference on the Science of PFAS - April 2-4, conference from the Northeast Waste Management Officials Association, NEIWPCC, Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, and the Northeast Recycling Council, to be held in Marlborough.
2024 National Watershed and Stormwater Conference - April 8-11, annual conference sponsored by the Center for Watershed Protection to be held in Kansas City, Missouri.
34^th Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Conference - April 10-11, conference sponsored by NEIWPCC with theme, “Climate Resiliency through NPS Outreach and Implementation,” to be held in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
NEERS Spring Meeting - April 18-20, sponsored by the New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) to be held in Freeport, Maine, with a virtual option.
Massachusetts Park Serve Day - April 20, annual statewide day of volunteer service sponsored by the DCR to help get Massachusetts state parks and beaches ready for summer.
2024 Earth Day Charles River Cleanup - April 20, river cleanup sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA). Registration is required.
Muddy River Cleanup - April 20, annual cleanup sponsored by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy as part of the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup.
Neponset River Spring Cleanup - April 20, waterfront and parkland cleanup sponsored by the Neponset River Watershed Association.
79^th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference - April 21-24, sponsored by the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies to be held on Cape Cod.
Ipswich River Watershed Association Annual Meeting - April 25, annual meeting to be held at the Crane Estate in Ipswich.
City Nature Challenge 2024 - April 26-May 5, a citizen-science opportunity organized by the Natural History Museum Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences held in cities around the world.
40^th Run of the Charles - April 27, canoe, kayak, and paddleboard race sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association. Registration is required.
NALMS Symposium—Call for Abstracts - November 5-8, 44^th International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) with a focus on “Managing Lakes under Changing Climates” to be held in South Lake Tahoe in California and Utah. Abstracts are due by May 3.
River Rally 2024 - May 13-16, conference on equitable and sustainable water resources sponsored by the River Network to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
National Adaptation Forum - May 14-16, annual event for climate adaptation professionals to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
2024 Flood Management Conference—Call for Abstracts - September 3-6, 48^th annual conference sponsored by the Flood Management Association to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Abstracts addressing the theme, “Flood Risk - Know Your Odds,” are due by May 15.
28^th Annual Mystic Herring Run and Paddle - May 19, run and paddle event sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association.
24^th AEES Meeting - May 29-31, annual meeting of the American Ecological Engineering Society (AEES) to be held in at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Buzzards Bay Swim - June 22, fundraiser for all ages and abilities to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Registration is required.
National Floodplain Managers Conference - June 23-27, 48^th annual conference sponsored by the Association of State Floodplain Managers to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Climate Crossroads Summit 2024 - July 16-17, event sponsored by NASEM to engage attendees on equitable pathways to address climate change to be held in Washington, DC, and online.
Stormwater Conference - August 27-29, annual conference sponsored by StormCon to be held in Reno, Nevada.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

Barnstable Land Trust Events - Programs for children and adults across Barnstable.

Boat Safety Course - Free course from the Massachusetts Environmental Police held in coastal communities.

Boston Harbor Islands Events - Upcoming events and activities in the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park.

Boston Harbor Now Events - Events throughout the Boston Harbor area.

Buzzards Bay Events - Regional events compiled by the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

Cape Cod Bird Club Walks and Activities - Free bird-watching field trips across Cape Cod.

Cape Cod Field Schools - Multi-day field courses offered by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

Cape Cod Maritime Museum Events - Upcoming events and lectures at the museum in Hyannis.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Programs - A calendar of events at the museum in Brewster.

Center for Coastal Studies Events - Events across the Cape Cod region.

Charles River Watershed Events - Events throughout the watershed compiled by the Charles River Watershed Association.

Climate Adaptation Webinars - Webinars on climate change, adaptation, and resilience from the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Climate Conversations: Pathways to Action - Monthly webinars from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on national policy action on climate change. Recording of past webinars are also available.

Coastal Perspectives Lecture Series - Lectures offered both in-person and online through April sponsored by the University of Connecticut.

Conservation Commission Education - Workshops, webinars, and trainings scheduled across Massachusetts and posted by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. See the MACC Complete Education Catalog and Community Calendar.

Dam Busters 101 Webinars Series - Lunchtime webinars on dam removal in Massachusetts sponsored by the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, DER, and CRWA.

Ecological Landscaping Events - Webinars, classes, and events from the Ecological Landscape Alliance.

Evening with Experts Series - Free public lecture series on ecology and native plant landscaping, including recordings of past events, hosted by Grow Native Massachusetts.

Great Massachusetts Cleanup - Volunteer and coordinator opportunities from Keep Massachusetts Beautiful.

Ipswich River Watershed Events - Events throughout the watershed compiled by the Ipswich River Watershed Association.

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful Events - Talks and volunteer opportunities across the Commonwealth on litter prevention and cleanup, waste reduction and recycling, beautification and community greening, and environmental education.

Lloyd Center for the Environment Activities - Birding and nature walks and other activities for all ages at the Lloyd Center in Dartmouth.

Marion Natural History Museum Programs - Community and summer programs at the museum in Marion.

Mass Audubon Program Catalog - Programs for children and adults hosted at the following Mass Audubon coastal locations:

MBL Falmouth Forum Lecture Series - Free public lectures at the Marine Biological Lab (MBL) in Woods Hole.

Mystic River Watershed Events - Events throughout the watershed compiled by the Mystic River Watershed Association.

Nantucket Conservation Foundation Events - Activities and events across Nantucket.

National Climate Adaptation Science Center Webinar Series - Webinars every other Thursday through May 9 on “Incorporating Climate & Environmental Justice into Research & Resource Management.”

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinars - Webinars hosted by the sanctuary system.

Native Plant Trust Events - Classes, field studies, and webinars across Massachusetts.

Neponset River Watershed Association Events - Events throughout the watershed.

New England Aquarium Events - Upcoming events, lectures, and programs at the New England Aquarium. Recordings of past lectures are available on the Aquarium Lecture Series page.

NOAA Coastal Training and Learning Resources - A range of training opportunities from NOAA’s Digital Coast.

NOAA Planet Stewards Events - Webinars, workshops, and book club sessions from the NOAA Planet Stewards Education Project.

NOAA Science Seminars - Webinars and seminars on science and climate issues from several NOAA partners.

North and South Rivers Watershed Association Events - Event listings on the South Shore.

Salem Sound Coastwatch Events - Activities and events posted in the Salem Sound region.

Sound in the Sea Webinars - Webinars on underwater sound hosted by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.

Trustees Activities - Programs and activities at The Trustees of Reservations properties across the Commonwealth.

Walks & Events in Orleans - Guided walks, programs, and talks from the Orleans Conservation Trust.

Walks, Talks, & Events in Harwich - Birding and nature walks and talks from the Harwich Conservation Trust.

Waquoit Bay Reserve Programs - Activities for kids and adults from the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Westport River Watershed Alliance Events - Events presented by the Westport River Watershed Alliance.

Other Items of Interest

Shrink Wrap Recycling Program - Through June, Woods Hole Sea Grant, in collaboration with the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension of Barnstable County and the towns of Bourne, Chatham, Eastham, Falmouth, and Wellfleet, will offer a free shrink wrap recycling program for Cape Cod residents. Boat owners can bring clean (free of plastic strapping, ropes, doors, and vents), bundled shrink wrap to one of five Cape Cod locations to be recycled. For details, including locations, times, and instructions, see the Sea Grant website.

Herring Counters for Mystic River - The Mystic River Watershed Association is seeking volunteers to conduct weekly counts of river herring at one of two sites from April until June. If interested, an online training session will be held on April 3. For more information and to sign up, see the Association’s website.

Student Environmental Research Funding - The Marjot Foundation in Falmouth is seeking grant applications from New England and New York students in grades 9-12 for one-year, independent field and/or laboratory environmental research projects designed by individual students or student teams. Grants of $5,000—with $1,000 going to the student or team, $1,000 to the mentor, $500 to the school department, and $2,500 for project costs—will be awarded. For more information, see the Foundation website. Applications are due by April 20.

Marine Art Contest - Massachusetts Marine Educators and Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary are seeking entries from students in grades K-12 for the 2024 Marine Art Contest. Entries should be based on the theme, “Exploring the Biological Diversity of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.” Winning submissions will receive cash prizes and be used on websites and social media. For details, see the contest brochure (PDF, 1 MB). Entries are due by May 10.

EarthEcho OurEcho Challenge - EarthEcho International, a nonprofit working to motivate young people to work toward sustainability, is seeking entries for the OurEcho Challenge, a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competition for students aged 13-16. The competition challenges students to analyze biodiversity where they live, identify threats to the local ecosystems, and propose solutions to protect and improve affected natural resources. The top three teams will be awarded grants to fund their projects. Entries are due by April 26.

Zero Waste Week - PreK-12 schools and students are invited to participate in the 2024 Students for Zero Waste Week Campaign from April 1-May 3. Schools select one week or more to reduce waste generated at school and throughout the community. The focus for 2024 is “Go Green and Think Blue” with students addressing land-based waste to protect local marine environments. Register by April 22.

Help Us Improve Mass.gov with your feedback

Did you find what you were looking for on this webpage?

Yes

If you have any suggestions for the website, please let us know. How can we improve the page?

Please do not include personal or contact information.

The feedback will only be used for improving the website. If you need assistance, please see CZM Website Help. Please limit your input to 500 characters.

Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback.

If you need assistance, please see CZM Website Help.

Please let us know how we can improve this page.