CZ-Mail - June 2022

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 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

New EEA Secretary Beth Card Replaces Departing Kathleen Theoharides - On April 27, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito announced the departure of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides and the appointment of the Undersecretary of Environmental Policy and Climate Resilience Beth Card as the incoming Secretary, which became effective on May 6. Key accomplishments under the leadership of Secretary Theoharides, who held the position since 2019, include:

• Deployment of the nation’s first large-scale offshore wind farm and the development and selection of the second and third round of procurements that will bring 3,200 Megawatts of clean, affordable power to the Massachusetts grid—enough energy to power an estimated 1,752,000 homes.
• Creation of a nation-leading climate resiliency partnership between the Commonwealth and its municipalities through the voluntary Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program that in just four years enrolled over 95% of the state’s cities and towns, while also leading the Administration’s effort to comprehensively plan for statewide climate change resiliency and invest over $1 billion for climate solutions.
• Establishment of an aggressive limit of net zero emissions by 2050 and development of the 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Study, a first-in-the-nation planning effort to reach this milestone affordably and equitably.

As Undersecretary at EEA since 2021, Beth Card served as chief environmental advisor to the Secretary and directed efforts that, in coordination with elected officials and external stakeholders, protect, preserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s environmental resources while ensuring a clean energy future for the state’s residents. A key focus of this work has been development of approaches to invest in environmental infrastructure under the American Rescue Plan Act and implementation of the Administration’s comprehensive climate change law. She and her team have also worked on successfully permitting two offshore wind projects in a way that balances the need for renewable energy projects with careful mitigation of fishing industry impacts. Secretary Card has more than 25 years of service in state agencies and quasi-governmental organizations where she has been a leader on environmental policy development and implementation of regulatory programs. Prior to joining EEA, she served as the Director of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and worked at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for over six years as both Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Planning and Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Water Resources. For more information, see the Governor’s Press Release.

Research Priorities Identified for Salt Marsh Resiliency - The Salt Marsh Working Group (SMWG) has released Gaining Ground: Defining Priority Research for Resilient Salt Marshes (PDF, 336 KB), which outlines critical research needs and data gaps to support understanding and resiliency of salt marsh ecosystems in the context of a changing climate. SMWG is a network of researchers and coastal managers from state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and universities in Massachusetts and the wider New England region. The group was formed as one of five working groups of the Massachusetts Ecosystem Climate Adaptation Network (Mass ECAN) and is co-led by CZM and the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst Gloucester Marine Station. Throughout 2021, SMWG identified salt marsh data gaps and research needs through a consensus-based approach, resulting in the release of this document, which is a collaborative effort representing the expertise of SMWG participants. In addition to communicating SMWG research priorities, the goal of this important work is to inspire coordinated, transdisciplinary discussion and action around the complex and intersecting challenges of salt marsh management and resilience. For more information on SMWG, see the CZM website and the UMass Amherst website.

BUAR and The Trustees Partner on “Shipwreck Scholars” (Complete with Sea Shanty!) - In the fall of 2021 and winter of 2022, the Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) conducted the “CraneExplorers: Shipwreck Scholars” interactive public education program with The Trustees at their Castle Hill/Crane Estate property in Ipswich. Participants in the Shipwreck Scholars program were led on a hike through the salt marsh, dunes, and beach while learning about local maritime history. The tour also featured the site of the Ada K. Damon, an 1875 Essex-built schooner that was wrecked on Steep Hill Beach during the “Christmas Gale” of 1909. Participants worked alongside BUAR Director David Robinson (who is also the state’s underwater archaeologist) and made observations and measurements of the shipwreck—learning how marine archaeologists and The Trustees are working to research and protect these artifacts. As many of the world’s earliest histories were passed on through time and across generations through song, David Robinson also penned a traditional sea shanty to sing with participants to help them learn about and remember this shipwreck story. Northampton's Kingfisher Duo set the lyrics to music and recorded the tune. Listen yourself to The Wreck of Ada K. Damon and learn the tale of the fateful day that this two-masted schooner, which set out for Plum Island from Maine on its first sand-harvesting trip, encountered hurricane-force winds and was ultimately driven up onto Steep Hill Beach to rest as a total loss. The Shipwreck Scholars program was expected to last through the spring and summer, but alas, the hull of the Ada K. Damon is once again buried under the ever-shifting sands of the beach. Until it is uncovered again, The Trustees will continue to run shipwreck-themed hikes and a shipwreck detectives program where participants search for evidence of the wreck (see Castle Hill on the Crane Estate’s Exploring Things to Do page to find an upcoming event). For photos of the shipwreck site, check out the CZM Flickr page, and see Historic Ipswich’s Wreck of the Ada K. Damon page for tales and photos of the ship’s long history.

Hurricane Season Is Here - June 1 marks the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an above-normal year with 14-21 named storms (see the NOAA May 24 press release). Of those storms, 6-10 are predicted to become hurricanes, 3-6 of which are expected to be major hurricanes with winds in excess of 111 mph (Category 3-5). The NOAA National Hurricane Center website provides regularly updated hurricane information, including new experimental storm surge maps in tropical cyclone advisories. (See the National Weather Service Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches, Warnings, Advisories and Outlooks web page for information on the difference between watches and warnings for hurricanes and tropical storms.) Now that hurricane season is here, it is time to get prepared and stay prepared for these storms. CZM’s Hurricane Preparedness Kit provides information on protecting yourself and your home, boat, and more, and CZ-Tip - The Complete Guide to Online Hurricane Tracking for Massachusetts covers how to monitor storms heading this way. The Hurricane Safety Tips page from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) also provides excellent Massachusetts-specific resources, including links to Be Informed and Receive Emergency Alerts, with details on how to access multiple methods of emergency alerts, and Hurricane Evacuation Zones, which provides maps and other information to help determine if you live or work in an evacuation zone and what to do when evacuating.

Seeking Local Cleanup Coordinators for COASTSWEEP 2022 - COASTSWEEP is back! The annual statewide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM will begin in late August—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 from late August into November. To get involved as a cleanup coordinator or to volunteer at a cleanup, see the COASTSWEEP website.

CZM Offices Remain Closed - All CZM offices are currently closed for in-person services, however, CZM staff are available to assist with coastal management issues. See Contact CZM for details.

CZM Job Posting

Marine GIS/Mapping Specialist - CZM is seeking a Marine GIS/Mapping Specialist to collect, compile, and correlate Geographic Information System (GIS) data; perform spatial and statistical analysis; cartography; and web mapping. The position supports a multi-disciplinary team with data acquisition, processing, analysis, management, and delivery for the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan, CZM’s seafloor mapping and characterization program, planning/siting for offshore wind and other marine uses and activities, and the regional ocean planning initiatives. The position also provides significant GIS and data assistance to other CZM program areas, such as ports and harbor planning, StormSmart Coasts, and coastal public access and creates engaging maps for a variety of audiences in both traditional and online formats. See the full job posting for all details. And to receive notification of CZM job postings between CZ-Mail editions, follow us on Twitter.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Healthy Estuaries Grants - The Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays) is seeking proposals for the 2022-2024 Healthy Estuaries Grants. Eligible projects include research, monitoring and data analysis, and planning initiatives that advance MassBays priorities, which focus on protecting, restoring, and enhancing coastal habitats—including shellfish and seagrass beds, salt marshes, diadromous fish habitat, beaches, and rocky shores and the communities that these habitats support. Topics of specific interest include identifying and documenting impacts of climate change and sea level rise on natural systems and water quality in the 68 assessment areas of the MassBays region. To view the Request for Responses (RFR) and download required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. For details on past projects, see the MassBays website. Pre-proposals are due by June 10 at noon. Full proposals, by invitation only, will be due by July 15.

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

• Coastal Resilience Grant Program - CZM is seeking proposals for innovative and transferable local and regional projects to address coastal flooding, erosion, and sea level rise impacts through the Coastal Resilience Grant Program. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, CZM will provide funding and technical assistance to coastal communities and certified 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations that own vulnerable coastal property that is open and accessible to the public. Eligible project types include evaluating vulnerabilities and risks, public outreach, redesigning and retrofitting vulnerable municipally owned 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, 2023—or projects may be selected for an extended contract end date up to June 30, 2024 (FY24), depending on the proposal and EEA funding decisions. See the RFR on the COMMBUYS website for eligibility requirements, project categories, and evaluation criteria. Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. on June 13. On March 3, CZM hosted an informational webinar to review the goals and requirements of the grants, cover anticipated funding levels and timelines, highlight recent projects, and answer questions and discuss potential project ideas. Links to the recording of the webinar and the PowerPoint presentation are available below.
  • Coastal Resilience Grants Webinar Video
  • Coastal Resilience Grants Webinar Presentation (PDF, 16 MB)
• Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program Planning Grants - EEA is seeking proposals for Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Planning Grants, which provide support for Massachusetts cities and towns to complete vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented climate resiliency plans. The program helps communities define extreme weather and natural and climate related hazards; understand how their community may be impacted by climate change; identify existing and future vulnerabilities and strengths; and develop, prioritize, and implement key actions. State-trained MVP providers offer technical assistance to communities in completing the assessment and resiliency plans. Communities that complete the MVP Planning Grant process become certified as an MVP Community and are eligible for MVP Action Grant funding. For details, see the new MVP website. To view the RFR and download required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. Applications are due via email by 4:00 p.m. on June 7 for MVP planning processes that must be complete by June 30, 2023.
• Parks and Conservation Grants - EEA’s Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications for the FY 2023 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC), Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND), and Conservation Partnership grants. PARC grants help communities acquire parkland, develop new parks, and renovate existing parks. LAND grants provide funds to municipal conservation commissions to purchase conservation land. Conservation Partnership grants provide funds to nonprofit organizations for land acquisitions. PARC and LAND grant applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on July 14. Conservation Partnership applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on July 18.
• Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Grants - The Fort Point Channel Operations Board is seeking proposals for the Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Grant Program to fund capital improvements and public programming (events for the general public) in and along the Fort Point Channel in Boston. These grants support the goals in the Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Plan. Approximately $50,000 is available for the 2022 grant cycle. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations, or those that operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit. For-profit organizations may be deemed eligible by the Board for not-for-profit, public, eligible projects. For details, including application instructions, see the 2021 RFR (PDF, 107 KB). Proposals are due by June 3 at 5:00 p.m.
• Environmental Finance Center Grant Program - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications for the Environmental Finance Center Grant Program to establish regional and national Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs) to provide EPA partners with technical, managerial, financial, and administrative support. A major program priority is to provide technical support to disadvantaged communities across the country to develop and submit project proposals, including State Revolving Fund (SRF) applications for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. In addition, the EFCs will support projects focused on solid waste, clean air, toxic substances, drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. For more information, see the EFC Grant Program Request for Applications. Proposals are due by June 17.
• NOAA Planet Stewards Project Funding - NOAA Planet Stewards is seeking proposals from educators for up to $5,000 to support hands-on stewardship projects that build science literacy in elementary- through college-age students, as well as the general public. Projects should focus on conservation, restoration, and/or protection of human communities and/or natural resources in one of four focus areas—marine debris, habitat conservation and restoration, carbon footprint reduction, or carbon sequestration. For details, see the NOAA website. Applications are due by June 5.

Online Tools and Resources

Climate Resilience Design Standards Tool Update - In April, the Climate Resilience Design Standards Tool received a major update to provide additional support for climate resilience planning across Massachusetts. This web-based tool uses up-to-date climate projections to provide preliminary climate change risk levels and recommendations to increase the resiliency of project designs. Rather than simply pointing users to recommended methodologies, the updates (Version 1.1) now provide users with numeric outputs and additional guidance for several coastal and precipitation design criteria from the latest statewide climate and hazard datasets to better support early planning and design of projects with physical assets.

Cape Cod Pond Viewer - The Cape Cod Commission recently completed an update to its Cape Cod Pond and Lake Atlas and developed an online viewer as a companion tool. Created using ArcGIS mapping and analytics software, the viewer presents data on all 890 ponds on Cape Cod, including name, location details, pond acreage, depth, protected open space around the pond, and amenities such as parking, rest rooms, and hiking trails.

NOAA Marine Debris Blog - Recent posts to the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s Marine Debris Blog include entries on preparing for storm-generated marine debris from hurricanes, upcoming NOAA-funded debris removal efforts in the Northeast Region, and the 2022 Art Contest winners. All blog topics can be searched by category and date. To receive notifications of new posts, sign up for email updates.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Coastal Impacts - The May 2022 issue of Coastal Impacts, the newsletter of Woods Hole Sea Grant, includes articles on the return of school visits through the COAST program that provides hands-on coastal science education, studies to determine the best sub-species of surf clam to cultivate in Massachusetts waters that are warming due to climate change, floodplain management training for public and private sector professionals, and other news and updates.

Massachusetts Association for Floodplain Management Newsletter - The Spring 2022 Newsletter (PDF, 3 MB) from the Massachusetts Association for Floodplain Management (massFM) discusses the recently released Sea Level Rise Technical Report from NOAA’s National Ocean Service, the newly implemented Risk Rating 2.0 for the National Flood Insurance Program, work on the five-year update of the Massachusetts Hazard Mitigation & Climate Adaptation Plan, and other Massachusetts floodplain management news and resource links.

MassBays Newsletter - The Spring 2022 issue of the MassBays Newsletter, the quarterly update from the MassBays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays), covers the Call for Pre-Proposals for the Mass Bays Healthy Estuaries grant program, additional habitat and water quality grant opportunities, and an invitation to join #MassWrack to document what is living in the wrack line—the seaweed line left on beaches after high tide. Consider subscribing to receive updates directly.

NOAA HabitatNews - The May 2022 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes articles on the selection of Virginia’s Middle Peninsula as NOAA’s next Habitat Focus Area to restore habitats and improve coastal resiliency, a 1,200 acre marsh creation project in Louisiana funded through mitigation funds from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

The Flow Newsletter - The May 2022 issue of The Flow (PDF, 4 MB), the newsletter of EPA’s Trash Free Waters program, includes stories on a resolution passed by the United Nations Environmental Assembly to negotiate a global agreement on plastic pollution, recent discussions to identify the major challenges facing municipal stormwater and solid waste departments when trying to tackle trash in waterways, and other news and updates on litter and marine debris.

Northeast Ocean Data Portal Newsletter - The April 2022 issue of Northeast Ocean Data, a newsletter of the Northeast Ocean Data Portal, provides details on the new ability to view data from outside sources in the data explorer, new data layers available in the portal, and additional portal news and updates.

Jobs/Internship Postings

Marine GIS/Mapping Specialist - CZM is seeking a Marine GIS/Mapping Specialist to collect, compile, and correlate Geographic Information System (GIS) data; perform spatial and statistical analysis; cartography; and web mapping. For details, see the “CZM Job Posting” section near the beginning of this CZ-Mail or the full job posting. And to receive notification of CZM job postings between CZ-Mail editions, follow us on Twitter.

Environmental Justice Deputy Director—Stakeholder Coordinator - EEA is seeking an Environmental Justice Deputy Director, Stakeholder Coordinator to serve as the initial contact for environmental justice (EJ) advocacy groups and stakeholders across the Commonwealth. This position’s primary role will be outreach to EJ populations (including those with limited English proficiency). In addition, this position will develop contacts in EJ neighborhoods, conduct training and information sessions, and develop an expertise in community dynamics of both urban and rural areas of Massachusetts, as well as work with EEA’s Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office on outreach and public involvement strategies for projects located in or near “EJ populations.” For more information, see the position posting.

Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration Positions - The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is seeking applications for three open positions. The Grants Specialist will conduct fiscal administrative tasks under the supervision of the DER’s Finance Manager, including fiscal tracking, reconciliation, and reporting on federal grant awards; oversight of grant match commitments; coordination of applications for new federal grants; and maintenance of federal grant records and reimbursement transactions. The Fiscal Coordinator will carry out fiscal administrative duties to support the DER Finance Manager. Responsibilities include conducting fiscal transactions, preparing and analyzing fiscal and accounting reports, budget tracking, maintaining inventory records, and tracking and analyzing spending. The Operations Specialist reports to the Assistant Director of Operations and will serve a critical role helping DER transition to the Future of Work and strengthen operations by leading high-priority technology and operations projects, including development and support of digital tools, building knowledge-sharing capacity, and developing internal controls and standard operating procedures for DER.

Gloucester Conservation Agent - The City of Gloucester is seeking a Conservation Agent to provide support, coordination, and professional management for the Gloucester Conservation Commission; administer and enforce the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, town bylaws, and applicable environmental regulations; and participate in long-range environmental planning for the Community Development Department. For additional details, see the job posting.

Buzzards Bay Coalition Positions - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking applicants for seven available full and part-time positions, including Watershed Restoration Coordinator, Experiential Learning Manager, Summer Land Steward, Baywatchers Monitoring Program Assistant Coordinator, Waterfront Leaders (3), and Sailing Instructor. For details, including application instructions, see the Coalition’s Job Opportunities page.

Sea Rovers Summer Internship - The Boston Sea Rovers 2023 Summer Internship is open to graduating high school seniors and college freshman and sophomores that are certified divers from New England with an interest in underwater careers. The intern will receive advanced dive training and opportunities to dive and train with professionals in a variety of diving fields, including photography and filmmaking, education, marine engineering and science, and others. Applications are due by June 30.

DCR Lifeguards - The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is seeking certified lifeguards to work full-time at DCR pools and inland and ocean beaches. Free lifeguard and first aid/CPR training will be provided to candidates that commit to a DCR position for the summer of 2022. For details, including on the competitive salary and signing bonuses, see the DCR Lifeguarding web page.

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 Office.

Reminder - This public comment opportunity from the last CZ-Mail is still available:

• Designation Report for the East Boston Designated Port Area (DPA) Boundary—Comment Period Extended - On December 15, 2021, CZM issued the East Boston DPA boundary designation report (PDF, 2 MB) for public comment. The initial 30-day comment period ended on January 21. At the request of the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), CZM extended the comment period for an additional 28 days, ending on February 18. A second extension of 45 days was granted at the request of the BPDA, ending on April 4. At the request of the BPDA, CZM has extended the comment period for an additional 120 days, ending on August 1. CZM shall consider written comments received by 5:00 p.m. on August 1. See the Notice of this Extension (PDF, 401 KB), which was published in the Environmental Monitor on April 8. Submit comments to [e-mail] or by mail to: Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, Attention: Tyler Soleau, Assistant Director, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02114.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Great Massachusetts Cleanup - Volunteer and cleanup coordinator opportunities through the spring from Keep Massachusetts Beautiful.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Monitoring, Inventories, and Data Integration: Understanding the Landscape - June 2, meeting, hosted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, DC, with an online option.

International Erosion Control Conference—Call for Abstracts - February 5-8, 2023, conference and exposition sponsored by the International Erosion Control Association on erosion, sediment control, and stormwater to be held in Kansas City, Missouri. Abstract submissions are due by June 3.

Westport River Watershed Alliance (WRWA) Open House - June 4, family fun day and open house to be held at the WRWA River Center in Westport.

Neponset River Watershed Association Annual Meeting - June 8, annual meeting to be held in Norwood.

White Shark Research Update - June 9, lecture from Dr. Greg Skomal of the Massachusetts Shark Research Program at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster.

EBC Annual New England Regional Conference of State Solid Waste Directors - June 9, conference from EBC to be held in Framingham.

Using Robots to Explore the Ocean - June 9, professional development webinar for teachers sponsored by Delaware Sea Grant.

National Monitoring Conference—Call for Sessions - April 24-28, 2023, 13^th National Monitoring Conference sponsored by the National Water Quality Monitoring Council and likely to be held in either in Hartford, Connecticut, or Virginia Beach, Virginia, with a limited virtual option. Concurrent session proposals that align with the conference themes are due by June 10.

Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment Meetings - June 13, 15, 18, online meetings organized by EEA to seek public input to prioritize the climate change impacts as part of the ongoing 2022 Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment.

Superheroes! Horseshoe Crabs of Cape Cod - June 20, lecture to be held at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster.

Climate Conversations: Water Justice - June 22, webinar sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on ensuring access to clean, safe drinking water in a changing climate.

Development of a Framework for Evaluating Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Information for Decision Making - June 27-28, workshop hosted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, DC, with an online option.

Stormwater Summit - June 27-29, summit sponsored by the Water Environment Federation on technology and advancements in stormwater to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Perfect Storm: Exploring How Sea Level Rise and Storms Intersect - July 15, workshop for educators sponsored by Woods Hole Sea Grant to be held in Woods Hole.

National State Revolving Fund Workshop - July 27-29, NEIWPCC workshop on this federal program that provides loans to cities and towns for water supply infrastructure and drinking water safety to be held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae - October 23-28, 11^th symposium organized by NEIWPCC, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and U.S. Geological Survey to be held in Albany, New York.

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

• National Working Waterfront Network Conference—Registration Now Open - July 18-21, annual conference on working waterfronts and ports to be held in Boston. The 2022 conference will be hosted by Urban Harbors Institute and UMass Boston and co-hosted by CZM and Maine Sea Grant. Registration is now open, with early discounts available until June 1.
• NALMS Symposium—Call for Abstracts - November 14-17, 42^nd International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS), entitled “Leveraging Experience to Manage Diverse Lakes, Landscapes, and People,” to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Abstracts are due by June 1.
• NEERS Spring Meeting - June 2-4, sponsored by the New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS), to be held in Salem with a virtual option.
• Sweltering Heat Waves and Increasing Drought: Can the Northeast Handle the Heat? - June 3, forum organized by the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) and the Sustainable Solution Lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston to be held in Boston, with a virtual option.
• River Rally 2022 - June 4-7, conference on equitable and sustainable water resources sponsored by the River Network to be held in Washington, DC.
• Capitol Hill Ocean Week - June 7-9, conference hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation that will bring together policymakers, scientists, managers, business leaders, conservationists, students, and educators to discuss issues that impact the oceans and the Great Lakes, to be held in Washington, DC, with a virtual option.
• Plastic Waste Free World North America Conference and Expo - June 8-9, conference on materials, technologies, and solutions to reduce plastic use and waste to be held in Atlanta, Georgia.
• The ONo Index: Detecting Novel Ocean Conditions for MPA Management - June 9, webinar from the National Marine Protected Area (MPA) Center and Open Communications for the Ocean on the Ocean Novelty (Ono) Index to help MPA managers identify priorities in a changing climate.
• Run for the Beach 5K - June 12, annual run/walk event to support Salem Sound Coastwatch that will start at Dane Street Beach in Beverly.
• National Harbor Safety Committee Conference - June 13-15, 18^th biennial conference hosted by the Massachusetts Bay Harbor Safety Committee with the theme “Maritime Strong: Navigating Diverse Growth and Change” to be held in Boston.
• EBC EBEE Awards Celebration - June 16, 29^th annual EBC event to recognize “companies, organizations, and individuals for outstanding accomplishment in environmental management, energy resources and management, and climate change” to be held in Boston.
• Buzzards Bay Swim - June 18, fundraiser for all ages and abilities to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Registration is required.
• Ipswich River Paddle-a-thon - Annual fundraiser, through June 18, to support the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
• City Splash - June 18, community event sponsored by the Charles River Conservancy that provides an opportunity to swim in the Charles River and highlight the water quality improvements in this urban river.
• 22^nd AEES Meeting - June 21-23, annual meeting of the American Ecological Engineering Society (AEES) with the theme, “Designing for Our Future: Ecotechnology for Watershed Health in the Urban-Rural Continuum,” to be held in Baltimore, Maryland.
• NMEA 2022 Conference - July 9-13, conference sponsored by the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) with the theme, “Charting the Course with Perseverance,” to be held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, and online.
• International Sand Sculpting Festival - July 22-24, annual festival at Revere Beach.
• Marine Mammal Biology Conference - August 1-5, biennial conference sponsored by the Society of Marine Mammalogy to be held in Palm Beach, Florida, with a virtual option.
• Stormwater Conference - September 26-28, annual conference sponsored by StormCon to be held in National Harbor, Maryland.
• Sea Rovers Show - October 1-2, annual event in Danvers from Boston Sea Rovers to showcase the marine environment with a focus on diving with seminars, workshops, displays of dive equipment and services, an art exhibit, kids’ activities, and a film festival.
• National Adaptation Forum - October 25-27, 5^th national event on climate adaptation to be held in Baltimore, Maryland.
• 2022 National Coastal and Estuarine Summit - December 4-8, annual conference sponsored by Restore America’s Estuaries to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a virtual option.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

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

Boat Safety Courses - Through June, free course from the Massachusetts Environmental Police held in coastal communities.

Boston Harbor Now Events - Events throughout the Boston Harbor area.

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.

Center for Coastal Studies Events - Events across the Cape Cod region.

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 and classes from the Ecological Landscape Alliance.

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.

Mass Audubon Program Catalog - Programs for children and adults hosted at the following Mass Audubon coastal locations:

• Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
• Joppa Flats Education Center
• Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary
• North River Wildlife Sanctuary
• Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

MBL Falmouth Forum Lecture Series - Free public lectures presented in person and virtually from the Marine Biological Lab in Woods Hole.

Mystic River Watershed Events - Events throughout the watershed compiled by the Mystic River Watershed Association.

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 Neponset River Watershed.

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 Community Calendar - Events posted in the Salem Sound region.

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

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

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 24.

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

Other Items of Interest

Visitor Greeters Needed - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in East Falmouth is seeking volunteers to work as Visitor Greeters at the Reserve’s Visitor Center in July and August. If interested, please attend the training session on June 3 from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Laurie Tompkins at [e-mail].

Neponset River Volunteers -The Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA) is seeking volunteers to assist with invasive species removals, water sampling, and shoreline cleanups, and to serve on the Association’s Advisory Council. For details and to sign up, see the NepRWA Volunteer page.

Summer Educational Programs at the Shark Center - Registration is now open for the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Youth Summer Educational Programs at the Atlantic White Shark Center in Chatham. Kids from ages 7-11 will learn about shark biology through hands-on lab investigations, art projects, and outdoor games. Programs will be held from July 11-14 for children in grades 2-3 and from August 15-18 for grades 4-6. Also this summer, the Shark Center will offer one-day Shark STEM Workshops on July 5 and 26 and August 2, 9, and 23 for kids in grades 2-6.

SEA Quest Online Summer Programs - The Sea Education Association (SEA) is now accepting applications for SEA Quest, an online summer program for high school students to learn about the ocean and ocean conservation, while preparing for college. Classes meet online twice each weekday for two weeks. The 2022 sessions are: Plastics and Oceanography, June 20-July 1; Sargassum and Marine Ecology, July 11-22; and Coral and Climate Change, July 25-August 5.

Coastal Ocean Science Academy - The Northeastern University Marine Science Center in Nahant is accepting applications for the 2022 Coastal Ocean Science Academy, a one-week summer experience for high school students from August 15-19 and for middle school students from August 1-5. Participants gain firsthand experience with diverse New England coastal habitats and marine resources and engage in hands-on research activities.

Girls Science and Nature Camps - Registration is open for the Science and Nature Camps for Girls at the Penikese Island School, located 15 miles off Cape Cod in Buzzards Bay. The camp is open to girls entering grades 7 and 8 with an interest in science and nature. These camps aim to boost girls’ confidence in the sciences with fun, hands-on activities with female scientists. One-week sessions are available this summer from July 11-August 20.