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CZ-Mail - August 2023

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, coastal legislation, 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, please email your request to CZ-Mail@mass.gov. For periodic updates from CZM between CZ-Mail editions, please follow us on Twitter.

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

Highlights

CZM to Lead Seventh Rapid Assessment Survey of Marine Species in New England - This August, CZM staff and a team of scientific experts will spend an intensive week searching floating docks and piers from Penobscot Bay, Maine, to Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, to observe, identify, and record marine organisms. The Rapid Assessment Survey (RAS), held every 3-5 years since 2000, uses a visual search method within a fixed timeframe to identify marine species at both long-term and new sampling sites. Scientists, including a team of divers, collect samples that are brought back to a laboratory for accurate identification to help determine if the species found are native, introduced, or cryptogenic (i.e., of unknown origin). The RAS is critical for detection of new species introductions and to capture regional trends, with several new marine invasive species discovered by the team in past surveys. Long-term monitoring programs like the RAS also build significant knowledge of native species’ distributions and can be used to detect ecological responses to climate change and other human impacts. Funding for the 2023 RAS is provided by CZM, the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Massachusetts Bays and Buzzards Bay National Estuary Programs, and the Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel. For more information, see the CZM Rapid Assessment Surveys of Marine Invasive Species page, which includes the final report from the 2018 RAS (PDF, 3 MB). See CZM’s Marine Invasive Species Program website for more on other CZM efforts.

COASTSWEEP 2023 - Cleanups Start this Month! - From late August into November, thousands of volunteers in Massachusetts turn out for COASTSWEEP, the statewide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM. COASTSWEEP is part of an international campaign organized by the Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC, and participants all over the world collect trash and other marine debris and record data to help reduce future marine debris problems. A great way to get involved in COASTSWEEP is to organize a cleanup. All supplies (bags, gloves, data cards, pencils, etc.) are provided free of charge and cleanups can be scheduled at your convenience. Individuals can also volunteer at a scheduled cleanup—lists of cleanup dates will be posted later this month and updated regularly. For more information on getting involved as a cleanup coordinator or volunteer, see Sign Up to Volunteer for COASTSWEEP.

CZM Staff and People

Coastal Resilience Grant Specialist - In July, CZM welcomed India Mackinson as the new Coastal Resilience Grant Specialist. In this new position, India will support the StormSmart Coasts team with the Coastal Resilience Grant Program. She has experience working in municipal government and has a strong interest in engaging with coastal communities and other partners to build equitable, long-term resilience. India recently completed a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University and has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. CZM is excited to have India join the StormSmart Team to help advance local coastal resilience. Welcome aboard India!

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

ResilientCoasts Plan - CZM, in partnership with EEA, is seeking an expert vendor team to facilitate the development of the “ResilientCoasts Plan” that will help guide coastal resilience policy and action as part of the 2023 Massachusetts Integrated State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (SHMCAP) effort. Now known as “ResilientMass,” SHMCAP is the Commonwealth’s strategy for reducing risk and building resilience to natural hazards and local impacts of climate change. A key ResilientMass commitment is for CZM to develop a coordinated, equitable, and effective coastal resilience strategy in partnership with coastal municipalities and other coastal stakeholders that will delineate geographic zones of climate vulnerability, identify climate resilient development standards and best practices for coastal adaptation, and develop management recommendations for these vulnerable areas. CZM and EEA are seeking a consultant to support this effort that can provide significant project management capabilities, utilize the MA Climate Change Assessment and additional climate science and other relevant stakeholder expertise, plan and facilitate complex and sensitive stakeholder engagements, and develop actionable content and strategy recommendations including a final report with content, data, and graphics ready for integration onto ResilientMA.mass.gov. To view the Request for Responses (RFR) and download required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on August 31.

Dam Removal Design Studies - The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is seeking proposals from municipalities for dam removal preliminary design studies, which are funded and managed by DER to provide critical information on ecological restoration planning and climate adaptation. DER will contract with engineering firms to conduct reconnaissance studies, develop preliminary designs, and generate cost estimates for removal for five selected dams. Projects will be rated on the potential environmental and community benefits resulting from removal, including proximity and benefits to Environmental Justice communities. To view the RFR and download required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. Applications are due by August 11.

Technical Assistance Grants - MassDEP is seeking proposals from eligible community or municipal applicant groups for Fiscal Year 2024-25 Technical Assistance Grants to support public involvement during oil and hazardous material disposal site assessment and cleanup under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan. Up to $200,000 is available for this grant round, with up to $20,000 per group application. For more information, including informational meeting materials, eligibility requirements, and application instructions, see the grants web page. Applications are due October 13.

Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council Grants - The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development is seeking proposals for the 2023 Seaport Economic Council Grant Program, which offers five categories of flexible funding for communities to implement projects that cultivate and stimulate the maritime economy and job growth. The program is open to all Massachusetts coastal communities and other qualified public entities. For details, see the application page. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For consideration at the December meeting of the Seaport Economic Council, applications must be received by October 1.

Ocean Acidification Education Mini-Grants - The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program is seeking proposals to develop coastal and ocean acidification education tools and programs that address the goals of the NOAA Ocean Acidification Education Implementation Plan (PDF, 2 MB) and the 2021-2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan (PDF, 2 MB). The principal objective of this grant program is to provide financial assistance to develop these education tools and programs in underserved and/or Indigenous communities or Tribes. For more information and application details, see the Notice of Funding Opportunity. NOAA strongly encourages applicants to submit Letters of Intent to receive feedback and application assistance. Letters are due by September 15 and full proposals are due by February 23, 2024.

Marine Debris Grants - The Marine Debris Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports NOAA’s marine debris activities, is seeking proposals for Marine Debris Grants to fund diverse partnerships, initiatives, and creative solutions that reduce marine debris impacts on the economy, environment, and/or maritime safety. Proposals should address reduction, prevention, removal, and/or assessment of marine debris. Funding will be prioritized for projects that deliver the biggest impact in and across these focus areas. Applicants can request up to $30,000. See the Grantmaking page for more information. Proposals are due by August 31.

STREAM Grants - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sea Grant is seeking applications for Solutions Through Research, Education, and Art in Massachusetts (STREAM) grants to provide up to $9,999 for nine-month projects that: meet objectives of the MIT Sea Grant Strategic Plan in one or more of four focus areas (healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies, and environmental literacy and workforce development); incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and accessibility principles; and cultivate partnerships. The grants can be used for educational initiatives, small research projects, seed funding for innovative efforts, college student research, classroom initiatives, and rapid response projects to tackle a current challenge. Grants are open to educators in preschool through grade 12, Massachusetts university faculty and students, nonprofit organizations, and artists affiliated with these groups. For more information, see the MIT Sea Grant website. To meet with MIT staff to discuss proposals, complete the Pre-Submittal Interest Form by August 22. Proposals must be submitted through eSeaGrant by September 1. Please request access by August 31.

Including Indigenous Knowledge in Ocean and Coastal Decision Making - The Lenfest Ocean Program is seeking proposals for projects that “elevate Indigenous Peoples in sharing their traditions, culture, knowledge, and wisdom to improve evidence-based decision-making for the management, conservation, and restoration of coastal marine species, habitats, and ecosystems.” Proposals should support “identification, analysis, and/or communication of Indigenous Knowledge and wisdom (where it is culturally appropriate) and approaches that allow this knowledge to inform ocean and coastal management decisions.” For details, see the Lenfest website. Proposals are due by October 16.

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

  • Buzzards Bay Water Quality Grants - Round 2 - The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program is seeking proposals for a second round of the Buzzards Bay Watershed Infrastructure and CCMP Support Grant Program, with an anticipated $737,131 in federal funding available through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Eligible projects must implement recommendations in the Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) and can include: feasibility, design, and construction of stormwater facilities to treat discharges affecting surface waters; tasks to achieve MS4 compliance; feasibility studies to enhance nitrogen removal from wastewater treatment facilities; restoration of wetlands, habitat, and migratory fish passage; construction of boat pumpout facilities; and other activities in support of the CCMP and compatible with BIL funding. Municipalities within the Buzzards Bay watershed are eligible. For details and required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. Proposals are due by August 1 at 4:00 p.m.
  • Climate Resilience Regional Challenge - NOAA is seeking applications for the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, which will provide approximately $575 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act for collaborative approaches to coastal resilience at regional scales. Proposals should address the grant priorities of risk reduction, regional coordination and collaboration, equity and inclusion, and enduring capacity. Also, applicants should select one of two parallel funding tracks: Regional Collaborative Building and Strategy Development or Implementation of Resilience and Adaptation Actions. For more information and grant details, see the NOAA website. Letters of Intent are due by August 21 and full applications, by invitation only, will be due by February 13, 2024.
  • PROTECT Discretionary Program - The U.S. Department of Transportation is seeking applications for the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program to fund projects that address the climate resilience of surface transportation systems and include nature-base solutions. For more information, including a grant webinar recording, see the PROTECT web page. Submit applications by August 18 (use the “apply” button on the Grants.gov page for this grant opportunity).

Online Tools and Resources

Federal Consistency Basics Course - NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management has released Federal Consistency Basics, a new online course in the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) 101 series that provides an introduction to the CZMA federal consistency process. The course includes definitions, examples, core concepts, flowcharts, and links to guidance and quick references.

Energy, Environment, Economy Podcast - The Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) has released the first five episodes of the new Energy, Environment, Economy podcast, which features interviews with leaders in the energy and environmental fields. New episodes are released every other Monday.

New Resource and Data from NOAA Digital Coast - NOAA’s Digital Coast has posted these new resources:

Products/Publications

2022 Beach Cleanup Report - The Surfrider Foundation has released the 2022 Beach Cleanup Annual Report (PDF, 4 MB), which highlights results from the more than 1,200 Surfrider beach cleanups last year.

Nature-Based Solutions and Coastal Adaptation Report - The University of Arizona’s Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions, in collaboration with the Aspen Global Change Institute, has released Understanding the Effectiveness of Coastal Nature-Based Solutions: Practitioner-Based Learning (PDF, 9 MB), a report that explores the experience of professionals with implementing nature-based solutions to protect coastal areas against sea level rise and coastal storms in each coastal region in the United States and the Pacific Islands.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

DMF News - The latest issue of DMF News, the twice-yearly newsletter of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), features articles on an emergency effort to reduce the number of striped bass caught with recreational permits, the approval of the Gulf of Maine Lobster Conservation Plan by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the expansion of DMF’s winter flounder research plan, and other Massachusetts fisheries updates.

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The July 2023 Newspaper (PDF, 14 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) covers the court ruling for MLA in a case challenging the National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion, efforts in Canada to mitigate fishing and shipping industry interactions with North Atlantic Right Whales, the New England Fisheries Management Council’s new Executive Director, MLA updates, and other lobster news.

NOAA HabitatNews - The July 2023 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes items on NOAA’s support of environmental education in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, expeditions to explore deep sea corals and sponges in Alaska, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

USGS Sound Waves - The May-June 2023 issue of Sound Waves, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) newsletter, includes stories on coral restoration to reduce impacts of sea level rise and coastal flooding, a new USGS Coastal Science Navigator, work to study Hurricane Ian to better prepare for future storms, and other coastal and marine research news.

Jobs/Internship Postings

Forest and Park Supervisor - DCR and the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Falmouth are seeking a Forest and Parks Supervisor to work collaboratively with reserve staff to support the operational and maintenance activities of the reserve’s property and buildings and supervise operations staff. For more information, see the job posting.

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.

Neponset River Watershed Association Positions - The Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA) is seeking applications for two part-time positions. The Green Infrastructure Specialist/Environmental Scientist will work with communities to identify stormwater, green infrastructure, and flood storage retrofit opportunities and help secure and manage grant funding, provide technical assistance, and implement projects. The Education and Volunteer Coordinator will lead the NepRWA school outreach program to fifth graders and some middle and high school students on water pollution and conservation, stormwater, and climate resilience, as well as lead the NepRWA volunteer program and ensure volunteers reflect the diversity of the watershed’s communities. For details on both positions, see the NepRWA Employment page.

APCC Positions - The Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) is seeking applicants for three positions. The full-time Cyanobacteria Science Coordinator will manage sample analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results for the APCC Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program. The Cyanobacteria Intern will collect water samples to monitor cyanobacteria levels in freshwater ponds on Cape Cod from mid-August to mid-November. The State of the Waters: Cape Cod Intern will assist with water quality analysis of coastal waters, ponds, and drinking water throughout Cape Cod to inform the annual State of the Waters: Cape Cod report. For details, including application instructions, see the APCC Employment page.

Education Specialist - Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), a nonprofit based in Plymouth, is seeking a full-time Education Specialist to support the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of WDC education programs; assist with recruitment, management, and training of interns and volunteers; and support WDC communications. For more information, see the WDC Employment page.

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

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Boiling Over: Marine Heatwaves, What Are They and What Can We Expect? - August 10, webinar from NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries.

Nantucket Conservation Foundation Annual Meeting - August 10, annual meeting featuring ecologist and author, Doug Tallamy, as Keynote Speaker.

Woods Hole Science Stroll - August 12, annual event held in Woods Hole featuring science demos, hands-on activities, crafts for kids, a documentary screening, research vessel tours, and more activities to showcase Woods Hole science.

Tribal Lands and Environment Forum - August 14-17, annual forum sponsored by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals on improving management, protection, and restoration of Tribal lands, to be held in Syracuse, New York, with a virtual option.

Nature-Based Approaches Field Trip: Duxbury Beach - August 22, the third of four free field trips highlighting various nature-based approaches that can be used to protect coastlines from storm surge and sea level rise. This informational trip to Duxbury Beach is sponsored by the Stone Living Lab at UMass Boston and Woods Hole Group, with funding from CZM’s Coastal Resilience Grant Program. Local officials in coastal communities or those working to advance natural protection along the shoreline are strongly encouraged to attend. One additional field trip will be held on September 20 to explore nature-based approaches in Falmouth. For details, see the Stone Living Lab website.

Industrial Stormwater Management Webinars - August 22 and 23, two-part webinar series on industrial stormwater permitting and monitoring from the International Erosion Control Association.

Orleans Conservation Trust Annual Meeting - August 28, annual meeting covering new initiatives, including work in Orleans schools and efforts to increase pollinator habitat.

Collaborative Approaches to Establishing Stormwater Utilities - September 12, virtual workshop on stormwater financing from the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance.

Ocean Sciences Meeting—Call for Abstracts - February 18-23, 2024, the biennial meeting co-sponsored by the American Geophysical Union, the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, and The Oceanography Society to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, with limited virtual presentations. Session proposals on the 2024 theme, “Inspire. Discover. Restore,” are due by September 13.

EBC Leadership Program with EPA Regional Administrator - September 20, presentation sponsored by EBC featuring EPA Region One Administrator David Cash.

2023 massFM Conference - October 23, fourth annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Floodplain Management to be held in Worcester.

ClimateTech Summit - November 1-2, annual climate technology entrepreneurship conference hosted by Greentown Labs to be held in both Somerville and Houston, Texas, or online.

Massachusetts Science Teachers Conference - November 8, annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers to be held in Marlborough.

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

  • Addressing Ocean Sewage Pollution: Financing Wastewater Treatment Upgrades at Scale - August 3, webinar from Open Communications for the Ocean.
  • Agriculture and Watersheds Symposium—Call for Abstracts - October 18-19, conference from the Center for Watershed Protection for watershed and resource conservation professionals to be held in Fulton, Maryland. Abstracts on the conference theme, “The Nexus Between Agriculture and Healthy Watersheds,” are due by August 4.
  • Ocean Literacy Summit—Call for Presenters - November 15-17, biennial conference sponsored by the New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative with the theme, “Connecting Climate, Communities, and Coasts,” to be held in Gloucester. Proposals for 15-minute talks, lightning talks, and posters are due by August 15.
  • Stormwater Conference - August 29-31, annual conference sponsored by StormCon to be held in Dallas, Texas.
  • National Floodplain Managers Conference - September 5-8, 47th annual conference sponsored by the Association of State Floodplain Managers to be held in Los Angeles, California.
  • 2023 National Coastal Conference - October 10-13, conference on coastal science, technology, and policy with the theme, “Anchors Aweigh: Revolutionary Times for Coastal Habitats,” sponsored by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association to be held in Providence, Rhode Island.
  • NALMS Symposium - October 22-26, 43rd International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) to be held in Erie, Pennsylvania.
  • Living Shorelines Tech Transfer Workshop - October 24-25, biennial workshop from Restore America’s Estuaries to be held in Galveston, Texas.
  • AWRA 2023 Annual Water Resources Conference - November 6-8, conference sponsored by the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) to be held in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • National Nonpoint Source (NPS) Workshop - November 6-9, workshop sponsored by NEIWPCC to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • CERF 2023 Conference - November 12-16, biennial conference sponsored by the Coastal Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) with the theme, “Resilience and Recovery,” to be held in Portland, Oregon.
  • International Erosion Control Conference - February 25-28, 2024, conference and exposition sponsored by the International Erosion Control Association on erosion, sediment control, and stormwater to be held in Spokane, Washington.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

APCC Events - Free virtual events on landscaping, gardening, and more from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod.

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

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.

Building Blocks for Sharing Science - Webinar series through October from the Lake Superior Reserve and Ohio Coastal Training Programs on challenges in environmental and science communications.

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 Change Webinar Series - Webinars on climate change, marine protected areas, offshore wind, marine heatwaves, and freshwater acidification from the National Marine Protected Areas Center.

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

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

Great Massachusetts Cleanup - Volunteer and coordinator opportunities through the summer 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:

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 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.

Summer Education Series - Free education programs for various ages on coastal topics to be held Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays through August at Duxbury Beach Reservation.

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

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

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

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

Wednesday Morning Garden Tours - Guided tours of the Shirley G. Cross Wildflower Garden at the Thornton Burgess Society’s Green Briar Nature Center in East Sandwich through August.

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

Other Items of Interest

Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship - NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management is seeking applications from graduate students for the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship, a two-year research fellowship at each of the 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves. Fellows will conduct research on a key reserve management priority to improve understanding of coastal challenges and potentially impact policy and management strategies. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend an informational webinar on September 28. Applications for fellowships that begin in the summer of 2024 are due by December 4.

National Environmental Youth Advisory Council - EPA is seeking applications from diverse young people ages 16-29 for the new National Environmental Youth Advisory Council, which will provide advice and recommendations on environmental issues directly to the EPA Administrator. Sixteen members will be selected and at least 50% of the membership will come from, reside in, or work in environmental justice communities. For more information and to apply, see the EPA website. Applications/nominations are due by August 22.

Waquoit Bay Reserve Stream Stewards Volunteers - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in East Falmouth is seeking volunteers to join the new Stream Stewards monitoring program. Volunteers are needed for up to three hours on one or two weekdays per month to work in the field or lab. If interested, please contact Ryan Clark at ryan.d.clark@mass.gov.

Pen Pal Program for Future Scientists - Letters to a Pre-Scientist has a goal to clarify and explain careers in science by creating connections between real scientists and middle school students. Interested science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals are invited to be matched with a pen pal for the 2023-24 school year. This volunteer opportunity will involve exchanging four rounds of letters with your assigned student. Learn how to sign up.

Mass Audubon Photo Contest - Mass Audubon is seeking entries for its 2023 Picture This photo contest, which is open to all participants and seeks digital images of people in nature and those that “highlight the beauty and diversity of Massachusetts wildlife, plant life, and landscapes.” Entries of up to 10 pictures are due by September 30.

Martha’s Vineyard Magazine Photo Contest - Martha’s Vineyard Magazine is seeking photos for its 15th Annual Photo Contest. Winning photos be announced in the Winter-Spring 2023-2024 edition of the magazine. Submissions are due by September 16 under the following categories: beaches and lighthouses, wildlife and nature, sunrise and sunset, people and pets, and everything else. Everyone is welcome to vote for your favorite photo through October 7 for the People’s Choice Award.

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