Welcome to CZ-Mail, the monthly electronic newsletter from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Each issue provides information on major CZM initiatives, available tools and publications, upcoming workshops and events, grants, contracting opportunities, job openings, and other news of interest to people working on coastal issues. Additional information about CZM’s programs, publications, and other coastal topics can be found on the CZM website. To subscribe to CZ-Mail, send a blank email (please be sure that the email is completely blank, with no signature line) to join-env-czmail@listserv.state.ma.us. Also, feel free to share CZ-Mail with colleagues and friends—and if you have suggestions for future editions or would like to make a change to your subscription, email your request to CZ-Mail@mass.gov. For periodic updates from CZM between CZ-Mail editions, follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and Twitter/X.
All links on this web page were current and working on the date of publication.
Highlights
Updates and New Publications from CZM’s Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative - Since 2006, the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC) has brought together scientists, resource managers, and coastal community members to monitor for established marine invasive species. Monitoring groups from Rhode Island to Canada are kicking off the 2026 MIMIC season with some exciting program updates. This year, CZM added four new species to the MIMIC monitoring list, updated identification cards, and published the first annual report for the program.
- New MIMIC Species - Species on the MIMIC monitoring list are chosen because they are identifiable in the field, commonly occur in monitored habitats, and are of interest to managers.When species in the region fit these criteria, they may be added to the MIMIC monitoring list. In 2026, CZM added these four new species:
- Aiptasiogeton eruptaurantia, the “Pink-Spotted Anemone,” is native to the U.S. Atlantic Coast from the Chesapeake Bay and south, but its range is expanding northward likely due to warming waters. Currently, no observations have been confirmed north of Rhode Island, where the species was first reported in 2010.
- Archidoris pseudoargus, the “Sea Lemon” nudibranch, is a sea slug whose native range extends from northern Europe to the Mediterranean Sea. The species was found by a diver off the coast of Cape Ann in 2017 and has since become established in the MIMIC monitoring region.
- Ciona intestinalis, the “Sea Vase” tunicate, is a solitary tunicate that is commonly found attached to hard substrates in the coastal environment. The species was previously considered cryptogenic (species with unresolved origins) in the region, but recent evidence suggests it is native to Europe and was introduced to the Northwest Atlantic Ocean.
- Ruditapes philippinarum, known as the “Manila Clam,” “Asari Clam,” or “Japanese Littleneck,” is a bivalve native to the Northwest Pacific Ocean that has recently established in Massachusetts, as documented by researchers and commercial shellfish harvesters. It has been observed from Beverly to Cape Cod.
- New Identification Cards - CZM published new MIMIC Identification Cards to include identification and distribution information for the four newly added species. Additionally, two new cards were added that provide more detailed background information on the taxonomy, anatomy, and life history of the major MIMIC taxonomic groups. The card formatting was streamlined, common names were updated, and all information was reviewed to align with the latest science.
- 2025 Year in Review Report - In April, CZM also published the first annual MIMIC Year in Review Report (PDF, 17 MB) to summarize findings of the 2025 monitoring season. This report includes an overview of the monitoring season, data summaries by region, links to MIMIC in the news, 2026 program updates, and more.
Seeking Local Cleanup Coordinators for COASTSWEEP 2026 - COASTSWEEP is coming! 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. Each year, thousands of volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out for COASTSWEEP, which is part of an international campaign organized by 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 through November. To get involved as a cleanup coordinator or to volunteer at a cleanup, see the COASTSWEEP website.
Living Shoreline Planning Series Projects Selected - Organizations across New England—including the Town of Bourne, City of Quincy, and nonprofit TownGreen in coordination with the City of Gloucester—have been selected to participate in the 2026 Living Shoreline Planning Series. These teams will receive training and technical assistance to develop living shoreline project approaches, conceptual designs, and cost estimates, as well as identify potential requirements for monitoring and maintenance. This program is a partnership between the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), which CZM is a member of, and The Nature Conservancy, with support from Woods Hole Group and the Stone Living Lab. CZM is providing guidance on how beaches, salt marshes, and coastal banks in Massachusetts can be restored or enhanced to provide coastal resilience. For details, see the NROC website.
Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources Director Receives Massachusetts Marine Educators Award - Massachusetts Marine Educators (MME) presented David Robinson, Director of the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR), with the 2026 Marine Educator Award at their 50th Annual Meeting in May. The award is given for outstanding effort and distinguished performance in the teaching of marine science and recognizes an individual’s ability to foster interest, appreciation, and love of the marine environment. David was recognized for the educational programming that BUAR developed with The Trustees of Reservations for the Ada K. Damon shipwreck site, located on The Trustees Crane Estate/Steep Hill Beach property in Ipswich. He was nominated by MME President, Dr. Carolina Bastidas from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant program. Congratulations Dave!
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 below-normal year with 8-14 named storms (see the NOAA May 21 press release). Of those storms, 3-6 are predicted to become hurricanes, 1-3 of which are expected to be major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher (Category 3-5). The NOAA National Hurricane Center website provides regularly updated hurricane information, including 2-day and 7-day graphical tropical weather outlooks. (See the NOAA 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 is the 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).
Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities
Marine Oil Spill Prevention and Response Grants - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking applications for the Marine Oil Spill Prevention & Response Grant Program to enhance oil spill prevention and response activities. Grants fund preparedness training, spill prevention and detection equipment, identification and mitigation of oil spill risks, vessel navigational safety improvements, sensitive area data management and mapping, geographic response strategies, research and development projects, wildlife rehabilitation training, spill detection equipment, and research on and improvements to climate change resiliency in oil marine transportation and storage. Preference will be given to projects that provide direct benefit to Disadvantaged Communities. Applications are due June 19 by 4:00 p.m.
Massachusetts Community Biodiversity Grants - The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game is seeking applications for Community Biodiversity Grants to support local efforts to meet the Biodiversity Goals for Massachusetts. Grants from $20,000 to $150,000 will be awarded, and public and nonpublic organizations are eligible to apply. Applications are due by June 24.
Online Tools and Resources
Coastal Monitoring Dashboards - The Stone Living Lab has launched two new online dashboards with real-time coastal monitoring data for Boston Harbor and other coastal Massachusetts locations. The Flood Dashboard includes real-time data from overland flood sensors, and the Current Coastal Conditions Dashboard covers wind speed, wave height, and water levels in addition to flooding.
Newsletters and Other Periodicals
Coastal & Estuarine Science News - The second 2026 issue of Coastal & Estuarine Science News, the newsletter of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation, includes articles on successful plantings for dune restoration, beach nourishment and sediment availability, and other coastal and estuarine research topics.
Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The May-June 2026 Newspaper (PDF, 8 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) includes articles on federal regulations for the commercial lobster fishery, the new U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Seafood, potential shellfish classification changes in Boston Harbor, MLA updates, and other lobster news.
NOAA HabitatNews - The May 2026 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter from NOAA Fisheries, includes items on world fish migration day, restoration of a coastal preserve in Florida, and other marine fisheries habitat news.
Stone Living Lab Newsletter - The Spring 2026 issue of the Stone Living Lab Newsletter covers the newly released Salt Marsh Health Assessment Report, the Living Shorelines Planning Series, upcoming events, and other updates from the lab.
Jobs/Internships
Associate General Counsel - Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is seeking an Associate General Counsel for Environment and Energy to provide counsel and advice and develop MWRA responses on environmental, health and safety, and energy law subjects. For details, see the job posting.
Buzzards Bay Coalition Positions - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking applicants for Vice President of Clean Water Advocacy, Reserve Manager, and a seasonal Launch Driver at the Onset Bay Center. See the Coalition’s Careers page.
Director of People & Operations - The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is seeking a Director of People & Operations to oversee and enhance information technology, human resources, finance, and office management functions. See the position posting.
Training and Technical Assistance Specialist - NEIWPCC is seeking an Environmental Analyst or Engineer-Training and Technical Assistance Specialist for their wastewater training program. For details, see the Current Openings page.
Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements
Erosion and Sediment Control Education & Field Expo - June 1-3, education opportunity from the Northeast Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association with classroom, outdoor, and hands-on learning sessions on erosion and sediment control for stormwater professionals to be held in Concord, New Hampshire.
2026 Annual MAPC Meeting - June 2, annual meeting and awards ceremony of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to be held in Melrose.
Capitol Hill Ocean Week - June 2-4, 25th annual conference on issues that impact the oceans and Great Lakes hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to be held in Washington, DC.
Flood Resiliency Conference - June 3, conference in Boston from Save the Harbor Save the Bay that will focus on governance, finance, and project management for flood protection projects.
South Shore Striper Tournament - June 5-7, annual event with cash prizes to support the North and South Rivers Watershed Association’s fisheries restoration efforts.
Manila Clam Monitoring Field Trip - June 9, free field trip from the Boston Harbor Ecosystem Network at Calf Pasture at the University of Massachusetts Boston for the monthly intertidal monitoring of Manila clams, a species not native to New England.
Neponset River Watershed Association Annual Meeting - June 9, annual meeting to be held in Canton.
Brownfields Roundtable - June 11, MAPC meeting on brownfields funding and technical resources available in northeastern Massachusetts to be held in Malden.
International Horseshoe Crab Day - June 19, annual celebration at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History featuring live horseshoe crabs, arts and crafts, a museum scavenger hunt, and guest speaker Liana DiNunzio to talk about her work with horseshoe crabs.
Westport River Day 2026 - June 20, annual event hosted by the Westport River Watershed Alliance featuring live music and cultural performances, children’s activities, environmental education booths, local food, and more.
Teacher Workshop on Traditional Ecological Knowledge - June 29-July 1 and November 10, workshop for educators in grades 2-12 on incorporating indigenous knowledge of sustainability and historical accuracy into curriculums from the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Mashpee Wampanoag Community and Government Center.
North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Annual Meeting—Call for Abstracts - November 16-17, meeting of the consortium to be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a virtual option. Abstracts for presentations are due by July 1.
2026 massFM Conference—Call for Abstracts - October 19, seventh annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Floodplain Management (massFM) to be held in Worcester. Abstracts are due by July 9.
Teachers on the Estuary Workshop - August 19-20 (on-site) and November 4 (virtual), training for teachers in grades 6-12 on estuarine science and how to bring this information into the classroom, to be held at the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Falmouth.
2026 Floodplain Management Association Conference - September 8-10, annual conference of the Floodplain Management Association with the theme “Navigating Changing Tides, Maintaining Resilient Communities” to be held in Long Beach, California.
2026 National Coastal and Estuarine Summit - September 22-25, annual conference sponsored by Restore America’s Estuaries to be held in San Francisco, California.
Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events
Association to Preserve Cape Cod Events - Free events and webinars on natural resources, gardening, and more, with links to free films, recordings of previous webinars, and information from past events.
Barnstable Clean Water Coalition Events - Activities and events for all ages throughout Barnstable.
Barnstable Land Trust Events - Programs for children and adults across Barnstable.
Boat Safety Course - Free, in-person course from the Massachusetts Environmental Police held in Commonwealth communities. This course meets the mandatory boater education requirements for all motorized vessel operators that began on April 1.
Boston Harbor Islands Calendar - Upcoming events and activities in the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park.
Boston Harbor Now Events - Events throughout the Boston Harbor area.
Buzzards Bay Coalition - Bay Adventures - Free, guided activities across the Buzzards Bay watershed.
Cape Cod Bird Club Walks and Activities - Free birdwatching field trips across Cape Cod.
Cape Cod Field Schools - Multi-day field courses offered by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
Cape Cod Maritime Museum Events & Lectures - Upcoming events and lectures for all ages at the museum in Hyannis. Links to recordings of past lectures are also posted.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Events - Events at the museum in Brewster.
Center for Coastal Studies Events - Events and educational programs across the Cape Cod region.
Charles River Watershed Association Events - Upcoming events throughout the Charles River watershed.
Chatham Conservation Foundation Events - Activities and events across Chatham.
Climate Conversations: Pathways to Action - Monthly webinars from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on national policy action on climate change. Recordings of past webinars are also available.
Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Webinar Series - Monthly science webinars, with recordings of previous webinars available to Federation members.
Conservation Commission Education - Workshops, webinars, and trainings scheduled across Massachusetts and posted by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC). See the MACC Educational Programming Page and Events Calendar.
Dam Busters 2026 Webinars Series - Lunchtime webinars on dam safety, dam removal financing, and community engagement in Massachusetts sponsored by the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, and Charles River Watershed Association, with links to past webinars and related material.
Duxbury Beach Events & Programs - Public events and education programs from Duxbury Beach Reservation.
Ecological Landscaping Alliance Events - Webinars, workshops, tours, and conferences on natural landscaping options, with recordings of past webinars available to Alliance members.
Emerald Necklace Conservancy Events - Upcoming events and volunteer opportunities throughout the Emerald Necklace parklands in Boston and Brookline.
Evening with Experts Series - Free public lecture series on ecology and native plant landscaping, including recordings of past events, hosted by Grow Native Massachusetts.
Falmouth Forum Lecture Series - Free public lectures at the Marine Biological Lab in Woods Hole. Recordings of previous lectures are available.
Floodplain Management Training - Various training opportunities compiled by the Department of Conservation and Recreation Flood Hazard Management Program.
Friends of Herring River Events - Upcoming Herring River watershed events in Truro and Wellfleet.
Harwich Conservation Trust Walks, Talks, and Events - Birding and nature activities.
Healthy and Resilient Communities Research Webinar Series - Periodic community resilience webinars from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for local decision makers, with links to Past Webinar Recordings.
International Erosion Control Association Webinars - Webinars on erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, climate adaptation, and more, with links to previous webinars through the on-demand catalog.
Ipswich River Watershed Association Events - Events throughout the watershed focusing on natural resources.
Keep Massachusetts Beautiful Events - Talks and volunteer opportunities across the Commonwealth on litter prevention and cleanup, waste reduction and recycling, beautification and community greening, and environmental education. See the Great Massachusetts Cleanup page for community-wide litter cleanups and park maintenance opportunities.
Lloyd Center for the Environment Calendar - Birding and nature walks and other activities for all ages at the center in Dartmouth.
MACC Lunch & Learn Webinars - Free monthly webinars on a variety of natural resource protection topics. Recordings of previous webinars are available.
Marion Natural History Museum Programs - Community and summer programs at the museum in Marion.
Mass Audubon Programs & Events - Opportunities for children and adults hosted at the following Mass Audubon coastal locations:
- Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
- Joppa Flats Education Center
- Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary
- North River Wildlife Sanctuary
- Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Mudflat Mania - Hikes to Cape Cod Bay to explore the Brewster sand flats led by the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History through September 3.
Mystic River Watershed Association Calendar - Volunteer events, festivals, learning opportunities, public meetings, and more throughout the watershed.
Nantucket Conservation Foundation Events - Walks, workshops, and community events across Nantucket.
National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series - Webinars hosted by the sanctuary system. See Past Webinar Recordings for descriptions of and links to previous webinars.
National Tools for Coastal Challenges Showcase - Quarterly webinars from the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association on tools to address coastal challenges.
Native Plant Trust Classes & Field Studies - Events on plants and landscaping throughout the region.
Neponset River Watershed Association Events - Opportunities throughout the watershed.
New England Aquarium Events and Programs - Events, lectures, and programs at the aquarium in Boston. Recordings of past lectures are available on the Lowell Lecture Series page.
NOAA Digital Coast Training Calendar - A range of NOAA training opportunities, with links to on-demand resources available on the Training page.
NOAA Science Seminars - Webinars and seminars on science and climate issues from several NOAA partners. Past seminars are catalogued and available.
Nonpoint Source Pollution Technical Exchange Webinars - Periodic webinars from EPA on a variety of nonpoint source pollution topics, with links to previous webinars.
North and South Rivers Watershed Association Events - Event listings on the South Shore.
Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Webinars - Webinars on climate change, adaptation, and resilience from this center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with links to Archived Webinars.
Northeast Monthly Climate Updates - Free webinars from the Northeast Regional Climate Center to address timely weather and climate concerns. Recordings of previous webinars are also available, along with PDF copies of presentation materials.
Northeast Waste Management Officials Association Events - Upcoming webinars and events, with links to past presentations.
Ocean Encounters - Periodic educational webinars from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on various ocean-related topics, with links to previous webinars.
Open Communications for the Ocean Webinars - Periodic webinars on ocean topics, with links to past webinars.
Orleans Conservation Trust Events - Guided walks, programs, and talks in Orleans.
Rainwater Readiness Stormwater Workshop Series - Free public workshops on municipal stormwater management strategies and financing in Massachusetts presented by the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, with links to previous workshop resources.
Salem Sound Coastwatch Events - Activities and events posted in the Salem Sound region.
Soak Up the Rain New England Webinar Series - Periodic webinars from EPA that highlight innovative ways to address stormwater, with links to archived webcasts.
Sound in the Sea Webinars - Webinars on underwater sound hosted by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography. See the Webinar Archives for links to past presentations.
Stone Living Lab Events - Free climate-focused events around Boston Harbor from this lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Trustees Programs - Experiences and opportunities at The Trustees of Reservations properties across the Commonwealth.
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Events - Activities for all ages at the reserve.
Westport River Watershed Alliance Events - Events in the watershed.
Whale & Dolphin Conservation Events - Education and outreach opportunities in Massachusetts and beyond.
Other Items of Interest
Westport River Watershed Alliance Photo Contest - The Westport River Watershed Alliance is holding a Photo Contest for its 2027 Watershed Calendar. To enter, submit landscape and nature photos of the Westport River watershed and its wildlife and scenic views. Please email color images (limit of 10 per person) to Margaret Broughton at m.broughton@westportwatershed.org by July 1.