CZ-Mail - June 2019

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 [e-mail]. 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 [e-mail]. For daily updates from CZM, please follow us on Twitter.

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

Highlights

Seeking Local Cleanup Coordinators for COASTSWEEP 2019 - COASTSWEEP, the annual statewide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM, kicks off in September—and now is the time to sign up to be a local cleanup coordinator for your favorite beach, marsh, dive site, and riverbank. Volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out in large numbers each year for this event, which is part of an international campaign organized by the Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Participants all over the world collect trash and other marine debris and record what they find. This information is then used to help reduce future marine debris problems. Cleanups can be scheduled throughout September and October. To get involved, see the COASTSWEEP website.

Hurricane Season Is Here - June 1 marks the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a near-normal year with 9 to 15 named storms (two to four major). For regularly updated hurricane information, see the NOAA National Hurricane Center website, and for the definitions of watches and warnings for hurricanes and tropical storms, see the National Weather Service Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches, Warnings, Advisories and Outlooks web page. CZM’s Hurricane Preparedness Kit provides information on reducing risk and preparing for these dangerous storms, and CZ-Tip - The Complete Guide to Online Hurricane Tracking for Massachusetts covers how to track storms heading toward Massachusetts, was well as potential flooding and disaster recovery.

CZM Staff and People

Chief Archaeologist/State Underwater Archaeologist - CZM is pleased to announce that David S. Robinson has been selected as the new Chief Archaeologist (State Underwater Archaeologist) for the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR). David will carry out BUAR’s mission “to identify, preserve, and interpret the Commonwealth’s underwater cultural heritage, non-renewable public resources, for the recreational, economic, environmental, and historical benefit of its citizens.” David is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology at the University of Connecticut. He received his Master’s in Anthropology (nautical/shipwreck archaeology) from Texas A&M University and his B.A. in Anthropology and Art Studio from the University of Rhode Island. He was previously a marine archaeologist with the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography and President and CEO of his own marine archaeological consulting firm. David brings more than 28 years of archaeological experience to BUAR and CZM. Congratulations and welcome aboard David!

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

EPA Seeks Organization to Run the Southeast New England Coastal Watershed Restoration Technical Assistance Network - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications from government agencies, universities, nonprofits, and other eligible organizations to establish and manage a Technical Assistance Network for the Southeast New England Program for Coastal Watershed Restoration (SNEP) (which focuses on Rhode Island, Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod and the Islands). The network will provide financial and technical assistance to communities, tribes, and organizations in the region through custom advice, training, and technical stormwater support. EPA expects to award a single grant of approximately $2 million per year for three years to implement the bi-state program. For more information, see the EPA website. Applications are due by June 28.

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking proposals for the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program to help support the long-term conservation of these resources. Matching grants to state agencies can fund property acquisition for conservation and/or efforts to restore, enhance, or manage coastal wetland ecosystems. For details, see the Grant Opportunity. Applications are due by June 28.

Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Financing - EPA is seeking applications for long-term, low-cost loans for eligible water and wastewater projects through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Program. This program works with State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs to subsidize financing for eligible borrowers and projects. The minimum project size is $5 million for communities with less than 25,000 residents and $20 million for larger communities. See Program Overview for more on eligibility. Letters of interest from applicants are due by July 5.

Reminders - These opportunities, listed in the last CZ-Mail, are still available:

• Coastal Resilience Grant Program - CZM is seeking proposals for innovative and transferable local projects to address coastal flooding, erosion, and sea level rise under the Coastal Resilience Grant Program. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, CZM will provide technical assistance and up to $3 million in grants to coastal communities and certified 501 (c)(3) nonprofits that own vulnerable coastal property that is open and accessible to the public. Applicants may request up to $750,000 for projects to be completed by June 30, 2020. See the Request for Responses on the COMMBUYS website for eligibility requirements, project categories, and evaluation criteria. Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. on June 3.
• §319 Grants - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking proposals for the §319 Nonpoint Source Competitive Grants Program to fund comprehensive projects that address nonpoint sources of pollution affecting water quality. For more information, including a link to the RFR, see the MassDEP website. Proposals are due by noon on June 3.
• Hazard Mitigation Grants—Application Deadline Extended - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has extended the application deadline for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program resulting from the federal disaster declarations (FEMA-4372-DR & FEMA-4379-DR). These grants fund projects that can reduce natural hazard damage, including stormwater drainage and culvert improvements, floodplain and stream restoration, flood control, property acquisition, slope stabilization, infrastructure protection, and structure elevation. For complete grant details, see the updated Grants Availability Memo. The application deadline is now 11:59 p.m. on June 4.
• Parks and Conservation Grants - The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications for the FY 2020 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 and conservation restrictions. Conservation Partnership grants provide funds to non-profit organizations for land acquisitions. PARC and LAND grant applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on July 11. Conservation Partnership applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on July 15.

Products/Publications

Natural Disaster Debris Planning Guidance - EPA has released Planning for Natural Disaster Debris, an updated guidance document to help communities plan for debris management before a natural disaster occurs. The guidance includes recommended management options and components of a management plan, successful case studies from across the United States, and additional planning resources.

Educational Sand Dune Signs - Woods Hole Sea Grant and the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension are offering free These Dunes Aren’t Made for Walking educational signs. These water-resistant paper signs can be ordered by emailing [e-mail].

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Buzzards Bay Coalition Newsletter - The latest edition of The Bay Buzz from the Buzzards Bay Coalition includes stories on the upcoming Buzzards Bay Guardian Awards, fishing charter recommendations, and other regional news, volunteer opportunities, and events.

Earth Scientist - The Spring 2019 issue of The Earth Scientist (PDF, 9 MB), the peer reviewed journal of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, includes articles on a climate stewardship program in a California K-8 Charter School, a marine debris monitoring toolkit for educators, and NOAA’s Ocean Guardian School Program, which partners with K-12 schools to encourage students to connect with their natural surroundings through school- and community-based conservation projects.

Ebb&Flow - The Spring 2019 issue of Ebb&Flow, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) eNewsletter, reports on new DER staff, the positive economic impacts of dam removals, six new DER priority projects made possible with almost $2.5 million in new grant funding, and other restoration project updates, grant opportunities, and resource links.

HabitatNews - The May 2019 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, features a story map on dam removals that have restored herring and eel passages in Town Brook in Plymouth, along with articles on funding for habitat restoration initiatives in the Great Lakes, a salt marsh restoration in southern Rhode Island, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Right Whale News - The April 2019 issue of Right Whale News, a quarterly newsletter distributed by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, includes whale count reports from the Southeast and Cape Cod Bay, a summary of legislative activity in the U.S. Congress, calendar items, and other right whale news.

Stormwater News - The April 2019 edition of Massachusetts Stormwater News (PDF, 636 KB), a periodic newsletter from EPA and MassDEP on the Massachusetts Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, discusses how to implement an illicit discharge detection and elimination program, including information on recommendations and requirements of a municipal program. To sign up to receive Massachusetts Stormwater News, send your request to [e-mail].

The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management - The May 2019 edition of The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management, the monthly newsletter on ocean planning and ecosystem-based management from the University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, explores the impacts of plastics on the marine economy, U.S. offshore wind developments, and other resources and news.

Web-Based and Mobile-User Resources

Recreational Boater Resources - The NOAA Ocean Service’s Resources for Recreational Boaters highlights NOAA nautical products. The site includes links to navigational charts, current and tide predictions, real-time coastal observations, forecasts and warnings, coastal navigation information, historical maps and charts, and boating education activities and videos to teach kids about navigation and safe boating.

Get Outdoors on the South Shore - The North and South Rivers Watershed Association has updated their website to include extensive information about boating, fishing, hiking, shellfishing, historic sites, and more. See Get Outdoors to explore sites to visit, download a trail map, and get additional details.

NOAA Marine Debris Blog - Recent posts in the NOAA Marine Debris Program Marine Debris Blog include innovative efforts in Alaska to address marine debris issues, providing water filling stations in Hawaii state parks to reduce litter, and the Makah Tribe’s work in the Pacific Northwest to tackle derelict fishing gear. All blog topics can be searched by category and date. To receive notifications of new posts, sign up for email updates.

New Data from NOAA Digital Coast - NOAA’s Digital Coast has posted this new resource:

• New and updated data sets (PDF, 172 KB).

Job/Internship Postings

Geologists - The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Woods Hole is seeking three Geologists to help plan and conduct studies on coastal processes and natural hazards, deploy data collection systems, develop and maintain databases, and analyze data. These short-term positions may require travel up to 5 days per month. For details, see the job posting. Applications are due by June 10.

Marine Information Specialist - The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is seeking a Marine Information Specialist to assist with energy permitting and regional marine planning, primarily for offshore energy projects. This one-year position is located at the USCG Boston office. For more information, see the job posting. Applications are due by June 4.

Cape Ann Islands Manager - The Trustees of Reservations is seeking a full-time, seasonal Cape Ann Islands Manager to manage and care for the coastal land, woodlands, islands, beaches, and historic structures of the Trustees Cape Ann properties. Duties include routine maintenance, field reclamation, trail maintenance, brush removal, and visitor services. For more information, see the job posting. This position will remain open until it is filled.

Summer Boat Intern - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking an R/V Baykeeper Boat Intern to assist with water quality monitoring activities in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound for the summer. Duties will include collection of water samples, deployment and retrieval of the Coalition’s monitoring buoy, operation of water quality monitoring equipment, and accurate recording and reporting of monitoring data. Preferred candidates for this unpaid position should minimally be entering their third year of college and have basic swimming and boating skills and an interest in the environment and water quality protection. For more information, see the Coalition’s Job Opportunities page.

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.

FEMA Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Grants - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking public comments on the new Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program, which will focus on reducing risk by funding public infrastructure projects that increase community resilience before a disaster. In June, FEMA will present a Webinar Series on the grant program that will provide opportunities for comment and discussion. Comments can also be submitted by July 15 on FEMA's IdeaScale page or by email at [e-mail].

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

NROC Ocean Planning Committee Meeting - On June 4, the Northeast Regional Ocean Council’s (NROC) June 2019 Ocean Planning Committee Meeting will be held at the NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office in Gloucester. The meeting will include updates on ocean planning activities at the regional and federal levels, offshore wind projects in the Northeast, and regional data development priorities. Registration is required.

Neponset River Watershed Association Annual Meeting - On June 5 in Quincy, the Neponset River Watershed Association will hold its Annual Meeting, which will focus on climate change. Guest speaker Paul Kirshen, Co-Academic Director of the Sustainable Solutions Lab and School for the Environment professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston, will discuss the future of the Boston area in a changing climate.

Chasing Coral Documentary Screening - On June 6, Seaside Sustainability will present a free screening of the documentary Chasing Coral, an award-winning film on the decline of coral reefs around the world. The screening will be held at Cape Ann Cinema & Stage in Gloucester. Reserve your ticket.

Shipwreck Lecture - On June 7, the Marion Natural History Museum will present Shipwreck: Search and Discovery of the Treasure Galleon San Jose by Dr. Jeff Kaeli from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Dr. Kaeli will discuss the discovery of the San Jose shipwreck off the coast of Columbia in 2015 using an underwater robot built and operated by WHOI engineers. The San Jose was a Spanish galleon that sank in 1708 with a cargo of gold, silver, and emeralds believed to be worth billions of dollars. Registration is required.

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge Open House - On June 8, the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge will host an Open House at its headquarters in Chatham. Visitors can enjoy fishing demonstrations, local shellfishing discussions, a tour of the weather observation station, and a weather balloon launch. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

Salem Sound Run/Walk for the Beach - On June 9 in Beverly, Salem Sound Coastwatch will hold the 10^th annual Run/Walk for the Beach, a 5K road race to support their efforts to protect local beaches, marshes, and marine life.

World Oceans Day Festival - On June 9, the New England Aquarium will host their World Oceans Day Festival, which will focus on eliminating single-use plastics and feature outdoor activities, cooking demonstrations and tastings, opportunities to meet scientists and local conservation groups, and information about how to protect the oceans.

Charles River Swimming Day - On June 15, the Charles River Conservancy is holding City Splash, an annual opportunity to swim in the Charles River. Participants 12 or older can register for a 25-minute time slot from noon-4 p.m. to swim at the Fiedler Dock on the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Esplanade in Boston. Attendees can also enjoy on-land activities including games and food trucks. The swim will be followed by an afterparty in Cambridge. Separate registration is required for each event.

EBC Annual Awards - On June 19, the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) will hold its Annual Awards Celebration in Newton to recognize companies, organizations, and individuals for outstanding environmental/energy accomplishments in the promotion of a sustainable, clean environment. This year’s event will feature a keynote address by Governor Charlie Baker, who will also receive the Paul G. Keough Award for Government Leadership for his development and support of the Commonwealth’s clean energy and climate change programs.

Nantucket Coastal Conference - On June 26, Woods Hole Sea Grant, in coordination with the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and CZM, will hold the 2019 Nantucket Coastal Conference on Nantucket. This free conference will include presentations on coastal resilience, sea level rise, ocean acidification, storm flooding, water quality, and erosion, as well as a keynote address by Ruperto Chaparro Serrano, Director of the Puerto Rico Sea Grant Program, on the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017 and the ongoing work to prepare, adapt, and respond to future events. Registration is required.

Barnstable Clean Water Coalition Open House - On June 27 in Osterville, the Barnstable Clean Water Coalition will hold its Annual Open House to present details of their work and provide an update on the upcoming nitrogen removal pilot projects. Registration is available online.

Boston Harbor Educators Conference—Call for Workshop Presenters - On October 5, Massachusetts Marine Educators will hold the Boston Harbor Educators Conference, A Working Harbor: Past, Present, and Future. Organizers are seeking workshop proposals from teachers on engaging students to “learn about the past, present, and future of our working Boston Harbor.” Submit proposals online by June 28.

Natural Hazards Research Workshop - From July 14-17, the Natural Hazards Center will host the 44^th annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop, Convergence: Coming Together to Improve Hazards and Disaster Research, Practice, and Policy, in Broomfield, Colorado. The three-day workshop will focus on collaborative efforts to reduce risk, save lives, and build sustainable communities.

Preventing Toxic Spills after Storms - On July 16, EBC will present the EBC Climate Change Program: Preventing Toxic Exposures During Climate Events in Boston. This program will introduce planning tools and resources for companies on the containment of chemicals and wastes during and after major storm events, and will include presentations from regulators, insurers, floodplain specialists, public health practitioners, and industry experts. The morning concludes with a panel discussion.

National Marine Education Conference - From July 21-25, the National Marine Educators Association will hold its 2019 Conference, Turning the Tide: Learning from Yesterday, Adapting for Tomorrow, in Durham, New Hampshire. This conference brings together marine educators from around the world to discuss the latest trends and research in marine education.

Gulf of Maine Climate Resilience Conference—Call for Abstracts - From November 4-8, the Gulf of Maine 2050 International Symposium, Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Resilience, will be held in Portland, Maine. The conference will focus on the changes expected in the Gulf of Maine over the next 30 years, with the goal of developing ideas, next steps, and collaborations for climate resiliency throughout the region. Early registration discounts are available through July 15. Organizers are now accepting abstracts for posters, oral presentations, panel presentations on current scientific research related to the Gulf of Maine, examples of climate impacts on communities and businesses, and case studies on efforts to promote resilience. For details, see the Call for Abstracts, which are due by August 5.

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

• Capitol Hill Ocean Week - From June 4-6, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will hold Capitol Hill Ocean Week in Washington, DC. This annual conference examines current marine, coastal, and Great Lakes policy issues and features an awards gala.
• Climate Adaptation Forum—Disruptive Climate, Disruptive Technologies - On June 7, the next Climate Adaptation Forum from EBC and the University of Massachusetts Boston Sustainable Solutions Lab will be held in Boston. Disruptive Climate, Disruptive Technologies will feature speaker Kate Stebbins, Vice President of Economic Development at the University of Massachusetts.
• Spectacle Island 5K - On June 8, Boston Harbor Now will hold the ninth annual Spectacle 5K and Fun Run on Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor. The event includes a 5K Race, half-mile Kids Fun Run, picnic lunch for runners, music, and kids’ activities. Registration is required.
• World Oceans Day - June 8 is World Oceans Day and activities celebrating oceans and coasts are held around the world throughout June. The 2019 theme is “Together We Can Protect and Restore Our Ocean.” To get involved, see the World Oceans Day website.
• One Ocean, One Cape Cod Celebration - To honor World Oceans Day, Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids will hold the second annual One Ocean, One Cape Cod: A Marine Celebration in Chatham on June 8. The event will feature a screening of the Emmy Award winning documentary Sonic Sea followed with a talk by Katie Moore, Deputy Vice President of Conservation and Animal Welfare at the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
• Managed Retreat Conference - From June 19-21, the Climate Adaptation Initiative at Columbia University’s Earth Institute will host At What Point Managed Retreat? Resilience Building in the Coastal Zone in New York City. This conference will focus on the science and policies of sea level rise and coastal flooding.
• Buzzards Bay Swim - On June 22, the Buzzards Bay Coalition will host the 2019 Buzzards Bay Swim in Fairhaven. Join hundreds of swimmers of all ages and ability levels for a 1.2-mile open-water swim across outer New Bedford Harbor. Registration is required.
• Professional Development Workshops at New England Aquarium - This summer, the New England Aquarium is presenting Professional Development Workshops for teachers. Space is still available in the following workshops: On the Waterfront: Integrating Science Standards Through Classroom and Field Investigations (July 22-26) for grade 6-8 teachers; and Go with the Flow: Water’s Journey Around the World (July 29-August 2) for grade 3-5 teachers. The deadline to register for all workshops is June 21.
• Stormwater Conference - From August 18-22, StormCon, the North American Surface Water Quality Conference and Exposition, will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. This annual conference will feature presentations on stormwater infrastructure and best management practices, green infrastructure, stormwater program management, permitting, stormwater research, monitoring, and industrial stormwater management.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

Aquarium Lecture Series - On June 13, the New England Aquarium will present How to Fall in Love with Coral by Joanie Kleypas, Senior Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and Founder of Raising Coral Costa Rica. Part of the Aquarium Lecture Series, this free presentation starts at 7 p.m. in the Aquarium’s IMAX Theatre. Sign up for email notifications of future lectures. Recordings of past lectures are available on the lecture series archive page.

Barnstable Land Trust Walks, Talks, and Events - The Barnstable Land Trust has scheduled several upcoming events, including a Sandy Neck Plover Walk on June 5 and a Conservation Workshop for Landowners on June 12. For a full schedule, see their 2019 events page.

Boat Safety - From now into summer, the Massachusetts Environmental Police will offer free, state and nationally approved Boat Safety Courses for boaters age 12 and older. Courses cover responsible equipment and operating guidelines, and all graduates ages 12-15 receive a safety certificate that allows operation of a motorboat without adult supervision, as required by state law. All graduates ages 16-17 will also be allowed to operate a personal watercraft (jet ski, wave runner, etc.).

Buzzards Bay Walks and Events - The Buzzards Bay Coalition maintains an Events page with outdoor and environmental events hosted by numerous organizations and land trusts in the region. June events include a field-based workshop on monarchs and milkweed, bird walks, yoga, and other walks, talks, and opportunities for all ages. Events can be filtered by town, month, host, or select topics, such as kid-friendly and volunteering.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Programs - The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History hosts a variety of lectures, movie screenings, bird walks and talks, trainings, and volunteer opportunities in June, including Polar Earth: Portraits of a Vanishing World on June 9. Check out their calendar for additional events.

Center for Coastal Studies Events - The Center for Coastal Studies presents free public events on Cape Cod, including a Field Walk: From Dunes to Sea on June 22 in North Truro. For additional upcoming activities, see their events page.

Ecological Landscaping Talks - This spring and summer, the Association to Preserve Cape will present the Eco-Landscape Lecture Series. Upcoming lectures include Pollinators: What Do Bees Need? on June 20 at the Mashpee Library and The Prfct Yard: An Eco-Landscape Lecture on July 13 at Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth. Pre-registration is requested.

Inflatable Humpback Whale - On several dates this summer, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will allow visitors to walk inside a 44-foot inflatable humpback whale. Learn about humpback whale behavior and habits from the inside out. The next session is on July 9. Registration is recommended.

Ipswich River Watershed Events - The Ipswich River Watershed Association hosts events on the North Shore, including garden volunteer days, paddling trips, and a volunteer event to remove invasive pepperweed plants in the Great Marsh region on June 8. See their events page for details.

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Programs and Activities - In June, Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary will host numerous nature walks, talks, and adventures. See the programs, classes, & activities page and search the program catalog for event and schedule information on birding, canoeing, and kayaking events, educational programs, art classes, nature walks, and day camp for kids ages 4-16.

Joppa Flats Education Center Programs and Events - The Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center hosts a variety of programs for children and adults. See their program catalog for June events and education opportunities, including lectures, gardening workshops, birding and family events, and summer camp for children ages 6-11.

Mass Audubon Cape Cod Walks, Lectures, and Events - Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in South Wellfleet and Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable offer educational programs for children, adults, and families including kayaking trips, hikes and nature walks, and day camps for ages 4-17. For more information on June events, search the calendar of programs, classes, and activities for Wellfleet Bay and Long Pasture.

Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions Education - The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions provides specialized training programs. See their Complete Education Catalog for an overview of upcoming wetland delineation and other workshops and the Community Calendar for a schedule of other programs including Wetland Delineation for Beginners on June 13 in Boxford.

Mystic River Watershed Events - See the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) Calendar for links to lectures, cleanups, and other June events by date, including the Park Cleanup: Bittersweet and Litter Removal on June 8 in Medford.

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinars - The NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series provides educators with resources and training to support ocean and climate literacy in the classroom. Upcoming webinars include Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies—Vessel Speed Reduction in California on June 11 and Catch and Release: Large Whale Entanglements and Response Efforts to Mitigate the Threat on July 10.

NOAA Science and Climate Seminars - The OneNOAA Science Seminar web page provides details on NOAA science and climate seminars and webinars that are available across the nation, including Lessons Learned from the 2017-18 Hurricane Seasons and What Lies Ahead? on June 7.

North and South Rivers Watershed Events - The North and South Rivers Watershed Association hosts events on the South Shore. June events include a horseshoe crab walk for kids, a fishing tournament, nature and history pontoon tours, a photography workshop, and a Father’s Day Family Paddle on June 16. See their events page for details.

Salem Sound Workshops, Trainings, and Events - Salem Sound Coastwatch will host a variety of educational events in June, including a movie screening of A Plastic Ocean, a marine invasive species workshop, a World Ocean’s Day cleanup, and a rain barrel sale. For details on these and other events, see their June calendar.

Stormwater Management in New England Webinar - As part of its Soak Up the Rain Webinar Series, EPA will present Smart Cities and Parks: Resilient Environmental Design and Infrastructure in Chelsea, MA (PDF, 181 KB) on June 12. This webinar will discuss planning, designing, and implementing green and resilient infrastructure practices in Chelsea—a densely populated, urban, coastal community. Registration is required.

Thornton Burgess Nature Program - The Thornton Burgess Society at the Green Briar Nature Center in East Sandwich is hosting their Nature Program 2019, a series of in-depth naturalist classes. The next session is Butterflies with Marjorie Williams on June 8.

Other Items of Interest

NOAA Volunteer Opportunities - NOAA is seeking citizen scientists to help them predict, observe, and protect the changing environment. Volunteers can report local weather, collect earth observation data, or even count whales in Hawaii. Check out the available citizen science positions on the NOAA Volunteer Opportunities page.

Volunteer at the Waquoit Bay Reserve - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve has many volunteer opportunities, including work with the Oyster Aquaculture Project, the Garden Crew, or as a Visitor Center greeter. For more information, see the spring 2019 Volunteer Voice newsletter. To volunteer, contact Volunteer Coordinator Laurie Tompkins at [e-mail].

Summer Adventures for Children - In July, the Thornton Burgess Society will hold Summer Adventures at the Smiling Pool at the Green Briar Nature Center in East Sandwich. These week-long nature programs provide environmental education through a science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) curriculum led by educators and naturalists. Eco Explorers (ages 4-6) uses games, stories, creative projects, experiments, and outdoor exploration to introduce kids to nature. Nature Detectives (ages 7-10) focuses on activities designed to build strong STEAM skills with interactive indoor and outdoor investigations, including study of the Nature Center’s live animals.