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CZ-Mail - August 2026

The monthly email 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 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

CZM Co-Authors a Paper on the Recent Bioinvasion of the Manila Clam in Massachusetts - On July 4, the journal Biological Invasions published a research paper, “Completing the journey in the global north: the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) (Bivalvia: Veneridae) arrives in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean,” co-authored by a collaborative team of researchers, resource managers, and shellfish harvesters, including CZM. The publication documents the establishment of the Manila clam in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and solidifies evidence of reproducing populations. Publication contributors include Antioch University, Center for Coastal Studies, Chatham Shellfish Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and MIT Sea Grant, Northeastern University, Salem Sound Coastwatch, Smith College, University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst, University of Rhode Island, Williams College, and Woods Hole Sea Grant/Cape Cod Cooperative Extension.

Manila clams (also known as Asari clams or Japanese littlenecks) can be best identified in the field by the cross-hatched, raised ridges on the shell. If you find a Manila clam along the shoreline, upload your finding to the MIMIC Project on iNaturalist. For more identification tips, see CZM’s Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC) non-native bivalve identification card. To learn more about this species or the MIMIC Program, please email Lexie Neffinger at alexis.neffinger@mass.gov.

See the links below for news coverage on this publication. (Articles may only be available for a limited time.)

CZM Completes Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grant Projects - The following seven projects funded through CZM’s Coastal Habitat and Water Quality (CHWQ) Grants have been completed this year:

  • Association to Preserve Cape Cod - Advanced permitting, final designs, and construction of green stormwater infrastructure best management practices (BMPs) at four public boat ramp sites on Cape Cod, in partnership with the Towns of Dennis, Mashpee, and Yarmouth. Sites include Scargo Lake Landing and Dr. Lords Common Landing in Dennis, Follins Pond in Yarmouth, and Mashpee-Wakeby Pond in Mashpee.
  • Association to Preserve Cape Cod - Advanced design for a stormwater BMP at the Herring River Boat Ramp, in partnership with the Town of Harwich, to reduce nutrient and bacteria pollution entering the Herring River and Nantucket Sound.
  • Charles River Watershed Association - Finalized a comprehensive habitat restoration plan, in partnership with the Town of Milford, that prioritizes habitat connectivity and water quality remediation efforts.
  • Duxbury - Developed a comprehensive habitat restoration plan for the Upper Bluefish River upstream of Harrison Street that prioritizes restoring tidal flow and addressing water quality impairments.
  • Kingston - Completed assessment work and early designs for a system to treat stormwater runoff from Drew and Seaver Avenues before entering Kingston Bay. The stormwater treatment system will use landscaped bioretention cells for stormwater collection, storage, treatment, and infiltration.
  • Mashpee - Completed construction of green stormwater infrastructure at the Mashpee-Wakeby Pond boat ramp, which drains to the Mashpee River and Popponesset Bay, in partnership with the Association to Preserve Cape Cod and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game Office of Fishing and Boating Access. This work built on previous planning and design funded by the Southeast New England Program and CHWQ Grants.
  • Yarmouth - Advanced stormwater BMP designs at seven sites and permitting and final design at one site, in partnership with the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. The systems include green stormwater infrastructure designed to collect, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff at Wings Grove Beach, Old Main Street, and Grove Street.

To learn more about these projects and others funded through the CHWQ Grants, see the CZM Grants Viewer.

Grants Awarded to Protect Habitat and Water Quality in the Buzzards Bay Watershed - On July 7, the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) announced $150,000 for land conservation projects in the Buzzards Bay watershed. The Towns of Bourne and Plymouth will each receive $75,000 to permanently protect land at the head of Buttermilk Bay as part of the Buttermilk Bay Land Conservation Project, a partnership between the Buzzards Bay Coalition and the two municipalities. This project will protect more than 390 acres of forested uplands, cranberry bogs, and wetlands, conserving core habitat for wildlife, benefiting water quality, enabling restoration of retired cranberry bogs, and expanding areas for public access. The two grants were awarded by the NEP through CZM. For more information, see the press release.

COASTSWEEP 2026 - Cleanups Start this Month! - From late August into November, thousands of volunteers in Massachusetts turn out for COASTSWEEP, the statewide beach cleanup organized by CZM. COASTSWEEP is part of the International Coastal Cleanup coordinated by Ocean Conservancy, and participants all over the world collect trash and other marine debris and record data to help find solutions. 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. Everyone is also welcome to volunteer at scheduled public cleanups—the cleanup list 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 Instagram Update - Follow the CZM Instagram account for video reels, photos, graphics, and more about the Massachusetts coast. Highlights from the last month include:

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Community Culvert Grant Program - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is seeking applications for the Community Culvert Grant Program to fund projects to modernize, repair, replace, remove, and improve the resilience of culverts. Municipal and Tribal governments are eligible to apply for projects on local public ways. Both new and ongoing design and construction projects are eligible for funding. For details, see the Community Culvert Grant Program website. Proposals are due by August 7.

Brownfields Job Training Grants - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization is seeking applications from state and local governments, Tribes, and nonprofit organizations for Brownfields Job Training Grants to recruit, train, and place local, unemployed, and under-employed residents with new skills needed to secure full-time employment in the environmental field. For more information, including details on an August 6 grant application webinar, see the Brownfields Job Training Grants website. Applications are due by September 23.

Online Tools and Resources

Breeding and Raising Fish for Aquariums - Woods Hole Sea Grant and UMass Boston have published the new interactive story map, Breeding and Raising Fish for Aquariums, which details aquarium efforts to breed and raise marine fish species to reduce the need for stocking with wild fish. The story map is the result of a multi-year National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sea Grant-funded collaboration between UMass Boston and Roger Williams University, along with project partners including the Aquarium of the Pacific, National Aquarium, New England Aquarium, three North Carolina Aquariums, and Shedd Aquarium.

Products/Publications

2025 Beach Cleanup Report - The Surfrider Foundation has released the 2025 Beach Cleanup Annual Report (PDF, 12 MB), which highlights results from more than 1,050 Surfrider beach cleanups last year.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Coastal & Estuarine Science News - The third 2026 issue of Coastal & Estuarine Science News, the newsletter of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation, includes articles on enhanced seagrass growth when reproductive shoots are exposed to high CO2 and low pH, recovery estimates of salt marshes after sediment enhancement, and other coastal and estuarine research topics.

Coastal States Organization Newsletter - The latest newsletter from the Coastal States Organization highlights the effects of El Nino and a marine heatwave on west coast marine species, along with other ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes news, events, announcements, and jobs.

DMF News - The latest issue of DMF News, the twice-yearly newsletter of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), features articles on fishing permit fees and what they are used for, efforts to tackle derelict fishing gear, impacts to eelgrass from bay scallop dredging, and more.

MassBays Newsletter - The Summer 2026 issue of the MassBays Newsletter, the quarterly update from the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays), covers eelgrass restoration and mapping efforts, planning for more resilient coasts on Plum Island and Salisbury Beach, a Gulf of Maine Council Visionary Award presented to MassBays’ Jill Carr, and other information and updates from MassBays.

NOAA HabitatNews - The July 2026 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter from NOAA Fisheries, includes pieces on a habitat restoration project in Virginia, producing hydroelectric power in balance with aquatic resources, public comment opportunities on restoration projects in Mississippi and Texas, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Urban Harbors Institute E-News - The July 2026 issue of Urban Harbors Institute E-News, the newsletter of the Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) at UMass Boston, includes items on the assessment of commercial fishing resources in Massachusetts harbors, municipal harbor planning, a CZM-funded managed retreat project, and other news and updates from UHI.

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.

Wetland Protection and Water Quality Regulations Amendments - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking comments on proposed amendments to the Wetlands Protection Act regulations at 310 CMR 10.00 and the 401 Water Quality Certification regulations at 314 CMR 9.00. The changes are intended to “streamline permitting for beneficial wetland restoration and other projects, including invasive plant management, damaged tree removal, and limited maintenance and construction of unpaved paths.” Two virtual public hearings are scheduled for August 10 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. For details, see the MassDEP Public Hearings & Comment Opportunities web page. Comments are due by August 20 at 5:00 p.m.

Jobs/Internships

Data Management and Water Quality Assessment Section Chief - MassDEP is seeking a Section Chief for Data Management and Water Quality Assessment in the Watershed Planning Program to oversee reporting of surface water quality conditions in Massachusetts. See the job posting for the complete description.

Community Partnerships and Communications Coordinator - Salem Sound Coastwatch is seeking a full-time Community Partnerships and Communications Coordinator to lead the regional Greenscapes coalition and communicate Salem Sound’s efforts on the North Shore. For details, see the Employment page.

Manager of Research Administration - MIT Sea Grant is seeking a Manager of Research Administration to serve as the primary financial administrator, overseeing all daily financial operations of the office. This is a one-year position, which may be renewed. For details, see the position posting.

Project Accountant - The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is seeking a Project Accountant to oversee the accounts of all projects and ensure accurate, compliant, and on-time financial processing. For more information, see the MAPC Careers page.

Research Assistant and At-Sea Technician - The Coonamessett Farm Foundation is seeking a Research Assistant/At-Sea Technician to work on a range of commercial fisheries projects. This position will include substantial time at sea for research. For details, see the Careers page.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Charles River Dam Removal Field Trip - August 6, tour of the Charles River Dam removal project in Natick hosted by the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC).

Woods Hole Science Stroll - August 8, annual event held in Woods Hole featuring family-friendly, hands-on activities to showcase the major science institutions, U.S. Coast Guard, and environmental and education-focused nonprofits operating in Woods Hole.

Charting the Future of U.S. Climate Policy - August 11, event on U.S. climate policy and meeting future challenges presented by the Woodwell Climate Research Center to be held in Falmouth with a virtual option.

Massport and Climate Resilience - August 12, part three of an EBC webinar series on Climate Resilience in Massachusetts with the Chief Climate and Resilience Officer from the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport).

Living Seawalls Tour - August 21, visit to a living seawalls site at the Condor Street Urban Wild in East Boston presented by the Stone Living Lab.

Orleans Conservation Trust Annual Meeting - August 25, annual meeting to be held in Orleans.

RARGOM Annual Science Meeting—Call for Abstracts - November 4, virtual meeting sponsored by the Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine (RARGOM) with talks and panel discussions on Gulf of Maine research to be held in Durham, New Hampshire. Abstracts are due by September 4.

2026 Flood Management Conference - September 8-10, annual conference sponsored by the Flood Management Association to be held in Long Beach, California.

MEMA on Building Hazard Preparedness into Climate Resilience - September 9, part four of an EBC webinar series on Climate Resilience in Massachusetts with leadership from theMassachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

New England Waterworks Conference - September 13-16, annual conference for water works professionals in New England to be held in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Building Climate Resilience in the Business Sector - September 15, webinar from EBC.

DamBusters Conference - September 18, conference for dam removal practitioners to be held in Weston.

Annual Regional Conference of State Solid Waste Directors - September 23, EBC webinar on solid waste management across New England.

Navigating Site Remediation in the Age of PFAS - September 29, EBC webinar on remediation of PFAS contamination.

4th Annual Stormwater Summit - Sustaining Stormwater Infrastructure - October 2, program presented by EBC to be held in Natick.

National Coastal Conference 2026 - October 5-8, conference on coastal science, technology, and policy with the theme “Celebrating 100 Years of Shore and Beach Preservation” sponsored by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association to be held in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae - October 25-29, 13th symposium to be held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

Association to Preserve Cape Cod Events - Free events and webinars on natural resources, gardening, and more, with links to free films, recordings of previous webinars, and information from past events.

Barnstable Clean Water Coalition Events - Activities and events for all ages throughout Barnstable.

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

Better Beaches Events - Programs at beaches around Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay featuring music, arts, games, children’s activities, boating, and more from Save the Harbor Save the Bay.

Boat Safety Course - Free, in-person course from the Massachusetts Environmental Police held in Commonwealth communities. This course meets 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 Field Schools - Multi-day field courses offered by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

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.

Dam Busters 2026 Webinars Series - Lunchtime webinars on dam safety, dam removal financing, and community engagement in Massachusetts sponsored by the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, and Charles River Watershed Association, with links to past webinars and related material.

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.

Emerald Necklace Conservancy Events - Upcoming events and volunteer opportunities throughout the Emerald Necklace parklands in Boston and Brookline.

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.

International Erosion Control Association Webinars - Webinars on erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, climate adaptation, and more, with links to previous webinars through the on-demand catalog.

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:

Mudflat Mania - Hikes to Cape Cod Bay to explore the Brewster sand flats led by the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History through September 3.

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 UMass 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.

Rainwater Readiness Stormwater Workshop Series - Free public workshops on municipal stormwater management strategies and financing in Massachusetts presented by the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, with links to previous workshop resources.

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

True Blue Fellowship - The Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs is seeking applicants 16 to 24 years old to participate in the True Blue Fellowship to use the creative arts to make change in local communities. Up to $2,500 is available for projects to safeguard the ocean, waterways, and climate. For more information, see the Bow Seat website. Applications are due by August 30.

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