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 to CZ-Mail, 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, feel free to share CZ-Mail with colleagues and friends—and if you have suggestions for future editions or would like to make a change to your subscription, email your request to CZ-Mail@mass.gov. For periodic updates from CZM between CZ-Mail editions, follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and Twitter/X.
All links on this web page were current and working on the date of publication.
Highlights
Grants Awarded to Protect Water Quality and Habitat in the Buzzards Bay Watershed - On March 6, the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) announced $834,861 in grant awards that will protect and restore habitat in the Buzzards Bay watershed. The following five grants were awarded by the NEP through CZM:
- Bourne - $250,000 to complete permitting and final designs to restore 15 acres of coastal wetland at a retired cranberry bog site. This project will reestablish tidal flow to the site from Little Buttermilk Bay, provide a significant area for salt marsh to move inland as sea levels rise, and protect the adjacent community from flooding.
- Plymouth - $210,000 to complete preliminary designs to restore 3.7 miles of stream habitat in the Agawam River for migratory and resident fish, as well as to restore fish passage between the river and Halfway Pond through removal of two dams and restoration of the stream channel.
- Wareham - $143,700 to conduct the first phase of a dam removal feasibility study for Tremont Pond Dam. The dam interferes with river flow and is the last structural barrier to migratory fish passage on the Weweantic River from Buzzards Bay. The project will support river restoration, improve water quality, reestablish fish passage, and reduce hazard and liability risks from flooding.
- Wareham - $101,200 to evaluate options for handling effluent from the Wareham Water Pollution Control Facility, which currently discharges into the upper reaches of the Wareham River. Relocating the effluent outfall would remove a significant nitrogen load from the Wareham River. The project will assess the potential environmental impacts of treated effluent discharge at up to three outfall locations within the Wareham River Estuary.
- Wareham - $129,961 to work with the Buzzards Bay Coalition to permanently protect and restore 98 acres of ecologically significant cranberry bogs along the Weweantic River. After the bogs are acquired by the Buzzards Bay Coalition, the existing agricultural infrastructure will be removed, natural water flow will be restored, and improvements will be made for migratory fish passage and habitat in Beaverdam Creek.
Funding for the grants was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and leverages more than $2.7 million in local and state funds and in-kind services and helps to meet Massachusetts climate resilience and environmental quality goals. See the press release for more information and the link below for news coverage. (Article may only be available for a limited time.)
- State awards grants to improve Buzzards Bay water quality - The Bourne Enterprise, 3/8/26
- Migration is on the mind with Tremont Pond Dam removal study - Wareham Week, 3/10/26
Coming Soon: Updates to the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System - In April, the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System (MORIS), CZM’s online data portal and mapping tool, is being updated to ensure continued functionality with the current generation of Esri technology and to meet state and federal online accessibility guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While the upcoming changes will be visible, the goal is to minimize any impacts to the user experience.
Reminder: New Federal Consistency Review Approach for Army Corps Nationwide Permits - On March 15, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) implemented Nationwide Permits (NWPs) for Section 10 and Section 404 authorizations in Massachusetts, replacing the Massachusetts General Permits. Section 10 covers structures or work in or affecting navigable waters of the United States, and Section 404 covers discharges of dredged or fill material into the waters of the United States. For details on the new CZM federal consistency review process, please see Federal Consistency Review for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permits. This web page includes a link to the video of a March 10 informational webinar providing an overview of the CZM federal consistency review process for the NWPs.
Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities
Buzzards Bay Municipal Mini-Grant Program - The Buzzards Bay NEP is seeking proposals for the Buzzards Bay Watershed Municipal Mini-Grant Program. More than $165,000 in funding is available for grants up to $75,000 for projects that implement recommendations in the Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and are located within the Buzzards Bay watershed. Eligible projects include: stormwater remediation design and construction, land preservation, installation of conservation moorings, habitat restoration, construction of boat pumpout facilities, and alternative septic system assessment. A 33 percent match of requested funding is required. For details and required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. A question-and-answer period is open through May 5 at 5:00 p.m. Proposals are due by May 19 at 5:00 p.m.
Regional Restoration Partnerships Program - The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is seeking applications for the Regional Restoration Partnerships Program, which provides capacity-building assistance for regional collaboratives that work with municipalities and other local partners to support river and wetland restoration projects in Massachusetts. See the DER Request for Responses (RFR) for details. Applications are due by April 3 at 5:00 p.m.
Parks and Conservation Grants - The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Division of Conservation Services (DCS) is seeking applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 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 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough. A Microsoft Teams option will be held on May 6 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. A virtual grant workshop for the Conservation Partnership grants will be held on May 13 at 2:00 p.m. on Microsoft Teams. To RSVP and for questions on the Conservation Partnership grants, email Darya Mattes at darya.mattes@mass.gov. PARC and LAND grant applications are due by July 9. Conservation Partnership applications are due by July 13.
Tidal Restoration Preliminary Field Investigations - DER is seeking applications for potential tidal restoration sites within the Massachusetts portion of the Narragansett Bay Estuary. DER is specifically looking for sites within coastal wetlands that need preliminary field investigations to support tidal restoration project planning and development. Projects with demonstrable ecological value and community benefits at an early stage of development and/or decision making are eligible to receive technical assistance from DER staff and DER-led contracted technical services from qualified vendors. The question-and-answer period is open until April 6 at 4:00 p.m. and applications are due by April 27 at 4:00 p.m. For more information, see the DER website.
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Funding - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has announced the upcoming availability of funding for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025 Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. These federal grants are designed to protect lives and property by reducing or eliminating the long-term risks posed by natural hazards. Full details and application instructions will be available in the State Notice of Funding Opportunity, scheduled for release on April 3. See the MEMA website for more information on how to apply.
Accelerating Climate Resilience Grants - The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is accepting Expressions of Interest for the Accelerating Climate Resilience Grant Program to help fund strategies that protect people, places, and communities from the impacts of climate change. The grants are open to the 101 cities and towns in the MAPC region and local 501(c)(3) community-based organizations, tribes, and Indigenous communities. MAPC is holding Office Hours through April 10 to support interested communities and organizations with their project ideas. Interested applicants should complete an Expression of Interest form by April 6 and schedule a meeting to discuss their projects.
SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants - The Restore America’s Estuaries Southeast New England Program (SNEP) is seeking Letters of Intent for the 2026 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 the “Geographic Area” section on the SNEP Background Information page). Funding is available to state, county, and local governments, Native American tribes, regional planning organizations, nonprofits, and academic institutions for grants up to $250,000. For more information, including links to the Request for Proposals and application, see the grants web page. Letters of Intent are due by April 3 at 4:00 p.m., and full proposals will be by invitation only.
Newsletters and Other Periodicals
Coastal & Estuarine Science News - The first 2026 issue of Coastal & Estuarine Science News, the newsletter of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation, includes articles on monitoring of living shorelines, impacts of oyster shell growth from pH and salinity, and other coastal and estuarine research topics.
Coastal Impacts - The Winter 2026 issue of Coastal Impacts, the newsletter of Woods Hole Sea Grant, includes stories on sea level rise planning on Cape Cod, public perception of erosion and flooding, and other Woods Hole Sea Grant news, updates, and education opportunities.
NOAA HabitatNews - The March 2026 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes items on the protection and restoration of marsh habitat, restoration of the Indian River Lagoon in Florida, and other marine fisheries habitat news.
Jobs/Internships
MassWildlife Director - The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is seeking a Director to lead the management and stewardship of wildlife species and habitat in Massachusetts, including 239,000 acres of land and water overseen by MassWildlife. The Director will advance the agency’s efforts in biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, public access to outdoor recreational opportunities, and responsible wildlife management. For additional details, see the position posting.
Waquoit Bay Summer Science School Teacher - The Friends of Waquoit Bay Reserve, in partnership with the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, is seeking a Summer Science School Teacher for the Waquoit Bay Summer Science School to co-teach children in grades 2 to 12 in weekly estuary ecology sessions. For details on this July through mid-August position, see the Employment page.
Buzzards Bay Coalition Positions - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking applicants for three permanent positions and several seasonal opportunities. Permanent positions include Reserve Manager, Watershed Restoration Project Manager, Vice President of Clean Water Advocacy, and Research Associate. Seasonal opportunities include Summer Land Steward, Sailing Instructor, Waterfront Instructor, Events Intern, Activity Station Instructor, Launch Driver, and Rental Staff. See the job opportunities page.
Administrative Assistant - The Massachusetts Association of Floodplain Management (massFM) is seeking an independent contractor to serve as a part-time Administrative Assistant to support massFM with organizing, implementing, and reporting on project initiatives and administrative activities, working closely with and reporting to the massFM Board of Directors. For details and application instructions, see the job posting.
Seasonal Water Steward Interns - The Barnstable Clean Water Coalition is seeking Seasonal Water Steward Interns to work on local water quality issues and nature-based solutions to nutrient pollution. Interns will collect water samples, identify marine invasive species, conduct wildlife and plant surveys, and develop outreach materials. For information on these paid internships from June 1 to August 31, see the job posting (PDF, 192 KB).
Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements
Introduction to Dam Management - April 7, webinar from Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) on the fundamentals of dams.
36th Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference - April 7-9, conference sponsored by NEIWPCC to be held in Plymouth, which will include a CZM presentation entitled “Case Studies Protecting and Improving Coastal Habitat and Water Quality in Massachusetts.”
Underwater Archaeology Talk - April 12, presentation from the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources at the Hull Lifesaving Museum on underwater archaeology and the recently completed Project of Special Merit, “Assessing the Vulnerability of Massachusetts Coastal Cultural Resources to Coastal Hazards.” Registration is required.
Powering Through Winter: Offshore Wind, Energy Affordability, and a Healthy New England Grid - April 15, webinar from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Applying the Watershed Protection Standard to Stormwater Control System Design - April 23, webinar from the SNEP Network.
”Talking Trash Conference” - April 28, 12th annual conference sponsored by EBC on solid waste management in New England to be held in Boxboro.
Practical Approaches to Identifying and Managing PCB Waste - April 29, webinar from EBC on regulation of PCBs in soils and building materials.
Massachusetts Marine Educators Annual Meeting and Conference—Call for Presenters and Exhibitors - May 2, meeting and conference to be held in Woods Hole. Presentation submissions are due by April 10 and Proposals for exhibits are due by April 24.
Westport River Watershed Alliance Annual Meeting - April 12, annual meeting to be held in Westport.
Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events
Association to Preserve Cape Cod Events - Free events and webinars on natural resources, gardening, and more. Links to free films, recordings of previous webinars, and information from past events are available.
Barnstable Clean Water Coalition Events - Activities and events for all ages throughout Barnstable.
Barnstable Land Trust Events - Programs for children and adults across Barnstable.
Boat Safety Course - Free, in-person course from the Massachusetts Environmental Police held in Commonwealth communities. This course will meet the mandatory boater education requirements for all motorized vessel operators that began on April 1.
Boston Harbor Islands Calendar - 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 Coalition - Bay Adventures - Free, guided activities across the Buzzards Bay watershed.
Cape Cod Bird Club Walks and Activities - Free birdwatching field trips across Cape Cod.
Cape Cod Maritime Museum Events & Lectures - Upcoming events and lectures for all ages at the museum in Hyannis. Links to recordings of past lectures are also posted.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Events - Events at the museum in Brewster.
Center for Coastal Studies Events - Events and educational programs across the Cape Cod region.
Charles River Watershed Association Events - Upcoming events throughout the Charles River watershed.
Chatham Conservation Foundation Events - Activities and events across Chatham.
Climate Conversations: Pathways to Action - Monthly webinars from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on national policy action on climate change. Recordings of past webinars are also available.
Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Webinar Series - Monthly science webinars, with recordings of previous webinars available to Federation members.
Conservation Commission Education - Workshops, webinars, and trainings scheduled across Massachusetts and posted by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC). See the MACC Educational Programming Page and Events Calendar.
Duxbury Beach Events & Programs - Public events and education programs from Duxbury Beach Reservation.
Ecological Landscaping Alliance Events - Webinars, workshops, tours, and conferences on natural landscaping options, with recordings of past webinars available to Alliance members.
Evening with Experts Series - Free public lecture series on ecology and native plant landscaping, including recordings of past events, hosted by Grow Native Massachusetts.
Falmouth Forum Lecture Series - Free public lectures at the Marine Biological Lab in Woods Hole. Recordings of previous lectures are available.
Floodplain Management Training - Various training opportunities compiled by the Department of Conservation and Recreation Flood Hazard Management Program.
Friends of Herring River Events - Upcoming Herring River watershed events in Truro and Wellfleet.
Harwich Conservation Trust Walks, Talks, and Events - Birding and nature activities.
Healthy and Resilient Communities Research Webinar Series - Periodic community resilience webinars from EPA for local decision makers, with links to Past Webinar Recordings.
Ipswich River Watershed Association Events - Events throughout the watershed focusing on natural resources.
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. See the Great Massachusetts Cleanup page for community-wide litter cleanups and park maintenance opportunities.
Lloyd Center for the Environment Calendar - Birding and nature walks and other activities for all ages at the center in Dartmouth.
MACC Lunch & Learn Webinars - Free monthly webinars on a variety of natural resource protection topics. Recordings of previous webinars are available.
Marion Natural History Museum Programs - Community and summer programs at the museum in Marion.
Mass Audubon Programs & Events - Opportunities for children and adults hosted at the following Mass Audubon coastal locations:
- Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
- Joppa Flats Education Center
- Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary
- North River Wildlife Sanctuary
- Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Mystic River Watershed Association Calendar - Volunteer events, festivals, learning opportunities, public meetings, and more throughout the watershed.
Nantucket Conservation Foundation Events - Walks, workshops, and community events across Nantucket.
National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series - Webinars hosted by the sanctuary system. See Past Webinar Recordings for descriptions of and links to previous webinars.
National Tools for Coastal Challenges Showcase - Quarterly webinars from the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association on tools to address coastal challenges.
Native Plant Trust Classes & Field Studies - Events on plants and landscaping throughout the region.
Neponset River Watershed Association Events - Opportunities throughout the watershed.
New England Aquarium Events and Programs - Events, lectures, and programs at the aquarium in Boston. Recordings of past lectures are available on the Lowell Lecture Series page.
NOAA Digital Coast Training Calendar - A range of NOAA training opportunities, with links to on-demand resources available on the Training page.
NOAA Science Seminars - Webinars and seminars on science and climate issues from several NOAA partners. Past seminars are catalogued and available.
Nonpoint Source Pollution Technical Exchange Webinars - Periodic webinars from EPA on a variety of nonpoint source pollution topics, with links to previous webinars.
North and South Rivers Watershed Association Events - Event listings on the South Shore.
Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Webinars - Webinars on climate change, adaptation, and resilience from this center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst with links to Archived Webinars.
Northeast Monthly Climate Updates - Free webinars from the Northeast Regional Climate Center to address timely weather and climate concerns. Recordings of previous webinars are also available, along with PDF copies of presentation materials.
Northeast Waste Management Officials Association Events - Upcoming webinars and events, with links to past presentations.
Ocean Encounters - Periodic educational webinars from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on various ocean-related topics with links to previous webinars.
Open Communications for the Ocean Webinars - Periodic webinars on ocean topics, with links to past webinars.
Orleans Conservation Trust Events - Guided walks, programs, and talks in Orleans.
Salem Sound Coastwatch Events - Activities and events posted in the Salem Sound region.
Soak Up the Rain New England Webinar Series - Periodic webinars from EPA that highlight innovative ways to address stormwater, with links to archived webcasts.
Sound in the Sea Webinars - Webinars on underwater sound hosted by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography. See the Webinar Archives for links to past presentations.
Stone Living Lab Events - Free climate-focused events around Boston Harbor from this lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Trustees Programs - Experiences and opportunities at The Trustees of Reservations properties across the Commonwealth.
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Events - Activities for all ages at the reserve.
Westport River Watershed Alliance Events - Events in the watershed.
Whale & Dolphin Conservation Events - Education and outreach opportunities in Massachusetts and beyond.
Other Items of Interest
River Herring Monitors 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. For more information and to sign up, see the Association’s website.
MAPC Scholarship - The Metropolitan Area Planning Council is seeking applicants for the Planning Our Communities: Reimagining the Region Scholarship for graduating high school seniors in 101 greater Boston cities and towns. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student committed to “advancing a more equitable, sustainable, collaborative, and climate-friendly region” through studies in fields including environmental protection, community engagement, planning, public health, public policy, and more. For details and application instructions, see the MAPC website. Entries are due by April 20 at 9:00 a.m.
Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship- The Woods Hole Sea Grant College Program is accepting applications for the 2026 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program. This one-year paid fellowship (June 1, 2027-May 31, 2028) provides early career professionals with work on coastal, marine, and Great Lake science and policy in the legislative and executive branches of government in Washington, DC. For details, see the Woods Hole Sea Grant website. Applications are due by June 3 at 5:00 p.m.
Joshua A. Nickerson Conservation Fellowship - The National Park Service, in partnership with the Atlantic Research & Learning Center and Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore, is soliciting proposals to support scientific research on the natural and cultural resources of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Proposals for research in natural and social sciences—including terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, biotic and abiotic ecosystems, cultural and natural resource management, and the political and social implications of resource protection—will be accepted. For details, including application information, see the fellowship web page. The application deadline is April 10.