CZ-Mail - February 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 [e-mail]. Also, feel free to share CZ-Mail with colleagues and friends—and if you have any suggestions for future editions or would like to make a change to your subscription, email your request to [e-mail]. For periodic updates from CZM between CZ-Mail editions, follow us on Bluesky and Twitter/X.

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

Highlights

Apply Now for Coastal Resilience Grants - CZM is seeking proposals for the Coastal Resilience Grant Program through the new Environment & Climate One Stop (ECO One Stop) application to fund innovative and transferable local and regional projects that address coastal flooding, erosion, and sea level rise impacts. Applications for this grant round must be submitted through the ECO One Stop application by March 20.

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, CZM will provide funding and technical assistance to Massachusetts coastal cities and towns, Tribal Governments, and certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to advance local and regional (multi-community) coastal resilience efforts. Eligible project types include evaluating vulnerabilities and risks, public outreach, retrofitting and relocating vulnerable public facilities and infrastructure, shoreline restoration, and proactive planning projects. Applicants may request up to $2 million in funding per project. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2027—or by June 30, 2028 (FY 2028) for projects selected for an extended contract, depending on the proposal and Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) funding decisions.

Details for the FY 2027 Coastal Resilience Grants are now included as part of the ECO One Stop FY 2027 Grants Round Request for Responses (RFR). The RFR and application can be accessed through the Grants Management System (GMS). Please note that applications can now only be submitted through the GMS.

See New ECO One Stop Application in the Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities section below for details on this new application process, including required information, question and answer options, available informational webinars, and available office hours for MassEnviroScreen.

Apply Now for Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants - CZM is currently seeking proposals for the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality (CHWQ) Grants through the new ECO One Stop application to fund projects that assess and treat stormwater pollution and advance habitat restoration. Applications for this grant round must be submitted through the ECO One Stop application by March 20.

Municipalities within the Massachusetts coastal watershed are eligible to apply, along with federally recognized Tribes, certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, regional planning agencies, and stormwater collaboratives in partnership with eligible municipalities. Projects eligible for CHWQ funding should advance one or more of the following project categories:

1. Assessment, identification, and characterization of stormwater nonpoint source pollution (NPS).
2. Design, permitting, implementation, and/or retrofits of structural stormwater best management practices (BMPs).
3. Capacity-building activities to support implementation of green stormwater infrastructure.
4. Comprehensive habitat restoration planning.
5. Advancement of priority land acquisition planning activities.
6. Data collection and engineering to support future implementation of crossing infrastructure improvements or retrofits for habitat restoration.

Details for the FY 2027 CHWQ Grants are now included as part of the ECO One Stop FY 2027 Grants Round RFR. The RFR and application can be accessed through the Grants Management System (GMS). Please note that applications can now only be submitted through the GMS.

See New ECO One Stop Application in the Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities section below for details on this new application process, including required information, question and answer options, available informational webinars, and available office hours for MassEnviroScreen.

EEA Releases 2025 Yearly Report - On December 30, 2025, EEA released the 2025 End of Year Report, which highlights key milestones and accomplishments from EEA agencies including CZM. Over the past year, the EEA team has engaged residents and partners across the state to create more resilient and sustainable communities. Highlights include the filing the Mass Ready Act, which proposes $3 billion to strengthen infrastructure and protect communities from extreme weather events—including $200 million for near-term coastal resilience projects. Also of note, CZM released the ResilientCoasts Plan to support coastal communities in preparing for storms, flooding, sea level rise, and erosion. Finally, EEA and its agencies distributed almost $240 million in grants across 70+ programs in 2025, supporting over 1,600 individual awards statewide. See the press release for additional information on the yearly report.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

New ECO One Stop Application - EEA is currently seeking proposals through the new ECO One Stop application. The ECO One Stop provides eligible applicants with a simplified, single point of entry for various climate and environmental resilience grants offered through multiple EEA departments, divisions, and offices. This integrated process allows applicants to be considered for multiple grant programs using a centralized, common application. The process further enables EEA to match as many projects as possible with the most suitable funding sources.

The following grants are included in the ECO One Stop application:

• CZM Coastal Habitat and Water Quality
• CZM Coastal Resilience
• Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance
• DER Culvert Replacement Training Sites
• EEA Cooling Corridors
• EEA Dam and Seawall Program
• EEA Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant
• EEA Planning Assistance

The ECO One Stop Grants Catalogue provides descriptions and details on each of these grant programs.

Details for these FY 2027 grants are now included as part of the ECO One Stop FY 2027 Grants Round RFR. The RFR and application can be accessed through the Grants Management System (GMS). Please note that applications can now only be submitted through the GMS.

Applicants should reference the ECO One Stop Grants Catalogue for what information to include when answering questions in the combined application and for specific grant programs (as applicable). A matrix of the required information by grant program is also available for reference.

To apply, the ECO One Stop application must be completed by Friday, March 20, at 11:59 p.m.

Question and Answers - All questions on the FY 2027 ECO One Stop RFR will need to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. on February 18. Questions can be submitted either by email to [e-mail] or through the Bid Q&A tab on COMMBUYS. Responses to questions will be published to COMMBUYS on or before February 25, at 11:59 p.m. (estimated).

FY 2027 ECO One Stop RFR & Application Webinar - EEA hosted two informational webinars to discuss the ECO One Stop application process, review this round’s participating grant programs and combined application, and answer questions. See the ECO One Stop RFR Webinar video.

Using the GMS to Submit Your ECO One Stop Application: How-To Webinar - EEA also hosted a webinar on how to submit a FY 2027 ECO One Stop application through the EEA Grants Management System. This webinar covered how to create a GMS account, navigate the GMS platform, and access and submit an ECO One Stop application. See the How to Use the GMS for ECO One Stop video.

MassEnviroScreen Office Hours - Applicants for grants within the ECO One Stop are advised to use MassEnviroScreen to help identify the most environmentally vulnerable or burdened communities in Massachusetts. Join EEA for MassEnviroScreen Office Hours to get your questions answered regarding the draft MassEnviroScreen and how to use it to complete your ECO One Stop grant application.

• Wednesday, February 4 - 12:00-1:00 p.m. - Register
• Wednesday, February 11 - 3:00-4:00 p.m. - Register
• Wednesday, March 11 - 12:00-1:00 p.m. - Register

Drinking Water Supply Protection Grants - EEA’s Division of Conservation Services (DCS) is seeking applications for the Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to public water systems and municipal water departments to purchase land or interests in land for the protection of existing Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) approved public drinking water supplies, planned future public drinking water supplies, or groundwater recharge. Grants of up to $350,000 are available. See the application instructions for details. An online information session will be held on February 11 at 2:30 p.m. Please contact Vanessa Farny at [e-mail] by February 6 to register. Applications are due by April 13.

Landscape Partnership Grants - DCS is seeking applications for the Landscape Partnership Grant Program for conservation projects that protect 100-500 acres of land through partnerships between local, state, and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations. Grants up to $1,250,000 will be available this grant round. Applications are due by April 23 at 3:00 p.m. See the application instructions for additional details.

Dam Owners Technical Assistance Program - EEA’s Dam Owners Technical Assistance Program assists dam owners in complying with dam safety regulations and, in some cases, to begin planning for dam repair, breach, or removal projects. Private and public dam owners of dams subject to Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) regulations (302 CMR 10) are eligible. Assistance is provided at no cost to dam owners. See the application instructions. Applications are due by May 1.

Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative Small Research Grants - The Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative is seeking proposals for the Small Research Grants Program, which funds general biodiversity research and climate change and resilience projects that expand knowledge of understudied taxonomic groups and the overall biodiversity of Nantucket, Tuckernuck, and/or Muskeget Islands. Grants up to $3,500 will be awarded. Proposals are due by February 13 at 5:00 p.m.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The January-February 2026 Newspaper (PDF, 14 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) includes items on Endangered Species Act reform, a Division of Marine Fisheries Commercial Trap & Pot Gear Compliance Guide, 2026 priorities of the New England Fisheries Management Council, MLA updates, and other lobster news.

NOAA HabitatNews - The January 2026 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes items on a salmon restoration in Washington, river habitat restoration for migratory fish in North Carolina, an interactive tool for calculating benefits of marsh restoration in Virginia, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Northeast Ocean Data Portal Newsletter - The December 2025 issue of Northeast Ocean Data, a newsletter of the Northeast Ocean Data Portal, provides information on the redesign of the portal to help the public engage with federal agencies, data updates, and other portal news.

Watershed Planning Program Newsletter - The Winter/Spring 2026 Watershed Planning Program Newsletter from the MassDEP Watershed Planning Program includes articles on surface water quality standards and monitoring, data management and water quality assessment, total maximum daily loads, and nonpoint source management, along with staff updates, events, and helpful links.

Jobs/Internships

Director of Climate Policy - The City of Boston is seeking a Director of Climate Policy to provide expertise in policy, regulation, and law. The Director will oversee: development of climate policy and engagement with policymakers and regulators, development of high-priority climate and sustainability special projects, oversight of energy utility collaboration, and provision of guidance and support on legislative and policy strategy. For details, see the position posting.

Buzzards Bay Coalition Positions - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking applicants for three full-time, permanent positions: Annual Fund Director, Reserve Manager, and Watershed Restoration Project Manager. Also, three summer 2026 positions are available: Salt Marsh Research Technician, Water Quality Research Technician, and Water Quality Monitoring Assistant. For details, including application instructions, see the Job Opportunities page.

Association to Preserve Cape Cod Seasonal Positions - The Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) is seeking applicants for the following seasonal and internship positions: Pond Monitoring Technician, Cyanobacteria Monitoring Interns, and Restoration Intern. For details, see the APCC Employment page.

Summer Environmental Education Internships - The Center for Coastal Studies is seeking applications from college students and recent graduates for part-time summer Marine Education Internships to assist with environmental education programs. For more information, see their Employment and Internships page. Applications are due by March 6.

Shorebird Monitors - The Duxbury Beach Reservation is seeking Shorebird Monitors from May to August to collect data on Piping Plover broods and Least Tern chicks, provide information to the public, and conduct other tasks as part of their Endangered Species Program. For more information, see the position posting.

Summer Environmental Educators - The Westport River Watershed Alliance is seeking two Environmental Educators for the summer to assist with field trips for public schools, support development of lesson plans and educational materials, and lead outdoor programs for participants ages 5-12. For details on this 30-35 hour per week position from June 1-August 14, see the Jobs and Internships page. Applications are due by March 15.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference - February 4-6, annual conference coordinated by NEIWPCC, in partnership with state members and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to be held in Westbrook, Connecticut.

Watershed Protection Standard Webinar - February 10, webinar from the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Network on this stormwater design standard to protect and restore water resources.

Saugus River Watershed Council Annual Meeting - February 23, annual meeting to be held in Revere.

NEERS Spring Meeting—Call for Abstracts - April 23-25, sponsored by the New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) to be held in Plattsburgh, New York. Abstracts are due by February 26.

MACC Annual Conference - February 28, conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) to be held in Worcester.

6^th Annual Ocean and Coastal Resources Regional Agency Update - March 3, webinar presented by the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) including updates from New England’s coastal regulatory leaders with a focus on sea level rise.

7^th Annual PFAS Seminar- March 12, event presented by EBC to be held in Worcester.

Northeast Invasive Species and Climate Change Symposium - March 24-25, virtual event from the Northeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network on managing invasive species in an era of climate change.

36^th Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference - April 7-9, conference sponsored by NEIWPCC to be held in Plymouth.

81^st Annual Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference - April 7-10, conference sponsored by the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies to be held in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

2026 National Watershed & Stormwater Conference - April 14-16, annual conference sponsored by the Center for Watershed Protection to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina.

3^rd Biennial Science of PFAS Conference - April 14-16, conference from the Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association to be held in Worcester.

City Nature Challenge 2026 - April 24-May 10, a citizen-science opportunity organized by the California Academy of Sciences and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and held in cities around the world.

River Rally 2026 - May 11-14, conference on equitable and sustainable water resources sponsored by the River Network to be held in San Antonio, Texas.

National Adaptation Forum - May 12-14, annual event for climate adaptation professionals to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

50^th Annual Association of State Floodplain Managers Conference - May 31-June 4, conference with the theme “The Fresh Coast Legacy: 50 Years of Floodplain Management” to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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 will begin 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. 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 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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 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 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.

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 Workshops - 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.

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.

Water Watch Lecture Series - On Wednesday evenings through March 4, free, public lectures from the North and South Rivers Watershed Association and Mass Audubon available in person or virtually.

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

Marine Policy Fellowships - The NOAA Sea Grant College Program is accepting applications for the 2026 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program. This one-year paid fellowship matches graduate students studying ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and policy with hosts in the legislative and executive branches or appropriate associations and institutions in and around Washington, DC. Potential applicants are encouraged to notify their state Sea Grant program that they intend to apply to receive assistance with the application process. Applications must be submitted to state Sea Grant programs by February 19.

Black Girl Environmentalist Fellowship - In honor of the mother of the environmental justice movement, Hazel M. Johnson, Black Girl Environmentalist is seeking applications for a fellowship program. The fellowship for early career Black women and gender-expansive persons in the United States will provide rising juniors and seniors and recent college graduates 10-week paid summer environmental/climate internships at partner organizations to gain the skills, resources, and connections necessary to enter and stay in the environmental and climate sector. Applications are due by February 14.

Lewis E. Kimball Scholarship - The Friends of Chatham Waterways is seeking applications for the Lewis E. Kimball Environmental Scholarship, with up to $2,000 available for upper-level undergraduate or graduate students from Cape Cod or the Islands majoring in environmental studies, marine ecology, or a related field. For more information, see the Scholarships page. The application deadline is March 31.

Charles River Environmental Watch - The Charles River Conservancy is recruiting volunteers to join the Charles River Environmental Watch (CREW). CREW Stewards monitor and remove litter and invasive plants and report pathway conditions for an assigned section of park along the Charles River. CREW Vegetation Monitors help determine the effectiveness of Conservancy restoration efforts in a section of the Charles River Parks called Hell’s Half Acre. If interested, please submit an application.

Mystic River Volunteers - The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is seeking volunteers to help with river and park cleanups, invasive plant removal, water quality monitoring, river herring monitoring, watershed education, and more. For more information, see the MyRWA Volunteer page.

Neponset River Watershed Water Monitoring - The Neponset River Watershed Association is seeking volunteers to join the Community Water Monitoring Network to help monitor water quality in the Neponset River Watershed from May through October. Please contact Sean McCanty at [e-mail] with questions.

Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest - Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, Inc., is now accepting creative submissions for the 2026 Ocean Awareness Contest with the theme, “Your Story, Our Ocean: How Our Ocean Sustains, Protects, and Inspires Us.” Students ages 11-18 can work as individuals or as a group, class, or club and submit entries. Participants can earn cash awards, including awards for Boston and Massachusetts students. Submissions are due by June 8.

Science Without Borders Art Challenge - The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation has launched the 2026 Science Without Borders Challenge, an international contest for students and teachers involved and interested in ocean conservation through art. Students are encouraged to create a piece of art that illustrates this year’s theme, “Microscopic Marine Life.” Students ages 11-19 are eligible, with scholarships of up to $500 awarded to winning entries. The entry deadline is March 2.

Sea Education Association High School Programs - The Sea Education Association (SEA) in Woods Hole is seeking applications for its 2026 High School and Pre-College Summer Programs including offshore sailing and oceanographic research voyages, ocean studies on Cape Cod, a virtual program on environmental communication, and more. For details and to sign up, see the SEA website.

Watershed Discovery Programs - Registration is now open for the Westport River Watershed Alliance Watershed Discovery Programs for kids ages 7-12 to learn about coastal ecology and explore coastal habitats in week-long summer programs.