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CZ-Mail - March 2024

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, 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 join-env-czmail@listserv.state.ma.us. 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, email your request to CZ-Mail@mass.gov. For periodic updates from CZM between CZ-Mail editions, follow us on Twitter.

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

Highlights

Vineyard Wind, America’s First Large-Scale Offshore Wind Farm, Delivers Full Power from 5 Turbines - In February, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Massachusetts’ first offshore wind project, Vineyard Wind 1, delivered power to the New England electric grid—making it the first large-scale offshore wind farm in the nation to begin initial operations. Five of the 62 planned turbines are operating at full capacity and generating 68 megawatts (MW) of power, enough to power 30,000 homes in Massachusetts. Located 14 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Wind will be an 806-MW project generating electricity for more than 400,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts when complete. The project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 1.6 million metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking 325,000 cars off the road annually. Vineyard Wind 1 is a joint venture of Avangrid, Inc. and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, through its affiliate Vineyard Offshore. It began offshore construction in late 2022, and work on the project runs through the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, the first port facility in the nation specifically designed for offshore wind. The Executive Office of Energy of Environmental Affairs (EEA) has negotiated approximately $19 million from Vineyard Wind for a Compensatory Mitigation Fund to offset direct, indirect, and cumulative economic impacts to the Massachusetts fishing industry, along with $1,750,000 for a Fisheries Innovation Fund to facilitate coexistence of the fishing and offshore wind sectors by supporting programs for technology and innovation upgrades and/or fund fisheries studies. For more information, see the press release.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Releases First-Ever Environmental Justice Strategy for Massachusetts - In February, EEA released Environmental Justice Strategy: Secretariat and agency strategies for proactively promoting environmental justice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (PDF, 2 MB), a roadmap for integrating environmental justice (EJ) principles into the policies, programs, and practices of EEA and its agencies, including CZM. The EJ Strategy incorporates universal themes, such as meaningful community engagement, analysis of project benefits and burdens, language access plans, staff training, and metrics and tracking. It also includes each agency’s plan to embed environmental justice that is tailored to its mission. The strategy was developed through a public process with input from residents across the Commonwealth and will be revisited and updated every three years. See the press release for additional details.

CZM and BUAR Awarded Funding to Assess Coastal Cultural Resource Vulnerability - CZM and the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) have received funding under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Project of Special Merit grant program to conduct a statewide assessment of the vulnerability of coastal cultural resources to climate change-related sea level rise and coastal hazards. The 18-month project brings multiple partners together to aggregate existing coastal cultural resources, environmental, and ethnohistorical data to identify the most vulnerable areas along the Massachusetts coast. Results from the study will provide federal, state, tribal, and municipal resource managers with the first detailed information to support informed decision-making about the prioritization of adaptive management options for coastal areas as part of an overall coastal management strategy.

Upcoming Coastal Resilience Grants - Pre-Application Support Available from CZM - CZM anticipates the release of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Request for Responses (RFR) for the Coastal Resilience Grant Program in the spring. These grants provide funding and technical assistance to coastal communities, eligible nonprofit organizations, and eligible federally recognized and state acknowledged Massachusetts Tribes to reduce risks associated with coastal storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise through innovative and transferable local and regional projects. The following CZM support is available for this grant program:

  • Direct Support - Up until the RFR is released, CZM can discuss project ideas and eligibility for the grants with potential applicants. See the “Contact Information” at the bottom of the Coastal Resilience Grants page to connect with CZM.
  • Coastal Resilience Grant Program Webinar - On March 12 from 10:00-11:30 a.m., CZM will host an informational webinar on the next Coastal Resilience Grant opportunity. The webinar will highlight a variety of successful projects funded in previous grant rounds, along with grant program goals, requirements, timeline, and tips for developing competitive proposals. The webinar will also include time for questions and regional discussions of potential project ideas. Please email India MacKinson at india.j.mackinson@mass.gov to register and receive the Zoom meeting details. A recording of the presentation will be linked from the Coastal Resilience Grant Program web page following the webinar.

ResilientCoasts Public Meetings - The ResilientCoasts Initiative is a holistic strategy for addressing the impacts of climate change along the Massachusetts coastline led by CZM. Community engagement is central to this effort, and CZM hosted ResilientCoasts Public Meetings on January 29 and 31 to solicit feedback on how local and state action can support coastal community resilience to sea level rise, coastal erosion, extreme storms, and flooding. For topics covered during these meetings, see:

Please contact Julia Knisel at julia.knisel@mass.gov or Elizabeth Cooper at ecooper@cbi.org with any questions.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Coastal Resilience Grants - CZM anticipates the release of the FY 2025 RFR for the Coastal Resilience Grant Program in the spring. These grants provide funding and technical assistance to coastal communities and eligible nonprofit organizations to reduce risks associated with coastal storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise through innovative and transferable local and regional projects. CZM will host an informational webinar on March 12 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. See Upcoming Coastal Resilience Grants - Pre-Application Support Available from CZM at the beginning of this CZ-Mail for additional details.

Upcoming Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Action Grants Webinars and Office Hours - The EEA Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant program anticipates the release of the FY 2025 MVP Action Grant RFR later this month. Action Grants provide funding to designated MVP communities and political subdivisions to support municipal climate resilience work. Projects should align with the communities’ established climate resilience priorities and use best available climate data and projections. Projects that propose nature-based solutions, support environmental justice and other priority populations, and possess robust community engagement plans are preferred. In March, the MVP program will host the following informational webinars. All potential applicants are encouraged to attend one of these sessions, which will both provide the same information.

In addition, the MVP program, in collaboration with the Office of Climate Science, is holding virtual office hours to provide additional support and guidance on using climate change data and tools to develop MVP Action Grant project proposals. The following March office hours are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grants - The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) will soon be seeking proposals from Massachusetts municipalities for the Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program to replace undersized, perched, and/or degraded culverts in areas with high ecological value with new structures that meet environmental design and structural standards along with flood resiliency criteria. Only projects that intend to meet the goals of the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards (PDF, 2 MB) are eligible. See the DER website for the RFR (once released), technical resources on these grants, briefing materials from grant meetings, and other materials.

§319 Grants - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will soon release the 2024 RFR for the §319 Nonpoint Source Competitive Grants Program. These grants fund comprehensive projects that address nonpoint sources of pollution affecting water quality. For more information and resources, including a link to the RFR (once released), see the MassDEP website.

Water Quality Management Planning Grants - MassDEP will soon release the 2024 RFR for §604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grants. These grants fund assessment and planning projects to address nonpoint source pollution. For more information and resources, including a link to the RFR (once released), see the MassDEP website.

Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Watershed Implementation Grants - Restore America’s Estuaries is seeking Letters of Intent for the 2024 SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants for projects that restore clean water, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable communities and support the goals and priority actions of the SNEP Strategic Plan for the coastal watershed of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts (see map). Approximately $2.8 million is available to state, county, local, and tribal governments, regional planning organizations, nonprofits, and academic institutions for grants from $10,000 to $500,000. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend the virtual application workshop on March 6 at 10:00 a.m. For more information, including links to the Request for Proposals and application, see the grant web page. Letters of Intent are due by April 5 at 4:00 p.m., and full proposals will be by invitation only.

Coastal Resilience Program Competition - The National Sea Grant Law Center is accepting applications for the 2024 Coastal Resilience Program Competition to conduct research on the effectiveness of laws and policies related to a wide range of coastal resilience issues including sea level rise, flooding, amplified storm surge, increased frequency and intensity of storms, land use, or other environmental factors and whether those policies are achieving desired policy changes. Eligible applicants include Sea Grant programs, institutions of higher education, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The recommended funding level is $75,000 and the Law Center anticipates selecting up to two projects for funding. Letters of Intent are due by March 8, and full proposals are due by June 7, with an anticipated award start date of February 1, 2025.

Atlantic Salmon Habitat Restoration Partnership Grants - NOAA is seeking proposals for habitat restoration projects that directly benefit endangered Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine region. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend a public webinar on March 4. For more information, see the Atlantic Salmon Habitat Restoration Partnership Grants funding opportunity. Applications for the current federal fiscal year are due by April 1.

Innovation Islands Mini-Grants - The Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park and the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership are seeking applications for the Innovation Islands Mini-Grants Program to design, promote, and facilitate island programming for people to come together through music, the arts, sharing of cultural traditions, recreation, island exploration, and stewardship on and around Boston Harbor. Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded. For more information, see the 2024 Mini-Grant Rubric (PDF, 252 KB). Applications are due by March 8.

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

  • Drinking Water Supply Protection Grants - The EEA Division of Conservation Services (DCS) is seeking applications for the Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to public water systems and municipal water departments to purchase land or interests in land for the protection of MassDEP-approved public drinking water supplies, planned future public drinking water supplies, or groundwater recharge. Grants of up to $350,000 are available this grant round. See the application instructions for details. Applications are due by March 8 at 3:00 p.m.
  • Landscape Partnership Grants - DCS is seeking Landscape Partnership Grant Program applications for conservation projects that protect 100-500 acres of land through partnerships between local, state, and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations. Grants up to $1,250,000 will be available this grant round. Applications are due by April 18 at 3:00 p.m. See the application instructions for additional details.
  • Stormwater Centers of Excellence Grants - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications for the new Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Control Infrastructure Technologies Grant Program to establish Stormwater Centers that will conduct research to develop stormwater solutions. Up to $3 million is available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support three to five awards to establish and maintain these regional centers. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations. For additional information, see the EPA website. Applications are due by March 18.

Online Tools and Resources

Recorded Webinar on Marine Debris in the Gulf of Maine - This recording of a January 30 webinar from the Regional Collaboration to Address Marine Debris in the Gulf of Maine includes presenters from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Surfrider Foundation, Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, Center for Coastal Studies, Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston, and Huntsman Marine Science Centre and highlights accomplishments and shares innovative strategies to prevent and reduce marine debris.

New Resources and Data from NOAA Digital Coast - NOAA’s Digital Coast has posted these new resources:

Products/Publications

Field Guide to Marine Debris - The Center for Coastal Studies and partners in the Regional Collaboration to Address Marine Debris in the Gulf of Maine have released the Field Guide to Marine Debris in the Gulf of Maine (PDF, 11 MB) to help with identification of debris items that have washed up on the shoreline. The guide features photographs of types of debris and includes a section on “Most Valuable Trash,” which focuses on items that are the subject of ongoing tracking and research.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Coastal States Organization Newsletter - The latest newsletter of the Coastal States Organization (CSO) highlights why coastal access is an environmental justice issue, coastal celebrations of Black History Month in the U.S. states and territories, and other ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes news, events, announcements, and jobs.

NOAA HabitatNews - The February 2024 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes items on grants for salmon habitat restoration, new funding awarded for salt marsh restoration in Louisiana, a new story map on restoration efforts on the Duwamish River in Washington, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The February 2024 Newspaper (PDF, 13 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) includes articles on MLA work to clarify regulations on imports of American lobster, offshore wind updates for the Gulf of Maine, upcoming lobster regulation changes, MLA updates, and other lobster news.

Public Notice/Public Comment

Please note: All official CZM requests for public comment are published in the Public Notices section of the Environmental Monitor, the bi-weekly publication from the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office.

Draft Massachusetts TMDL Prioritization - MassDEP’s Watershed Planning Program (WPP) is seeking public comments on the Massachusetts Vision 2.0: Clean Water Act Section 303(d) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Development (PDF, 2 MB). WPP’s TMDL Section develops water quality-based controls to reduce pollutant loads from both point and nonpoint sources and develops TMDLs using available data and models with a goal to restore impaired waters or maintain high quality waters. This Vision 2.0 document outlines WPP’s approach to TMDL prioritization, based on impairments listed for the Final Massachusetts Integrated List of Waters for the Clean Water Act 2018/2020 Reporting Cycle with a large focus on nutrient and pathogen impairments. MassDEP invites feedback on the TMDL prioritization approach. Please email comments with “Vision 2.0” in the subject line to Timothy Fox at timothy.m.fox@mass.gov by March 21 at 5:00 p.m.

Proposed Wetlands and Waterways Regulations—Comment Period Extended - MassDEP is seeking public comment on two sets of proposed regulations: the Wetlands Resilience 1.0 Draft Regulations, which establish procedures for conservation commissions and MassDEP to follow in issuing permits for work in areas protected under the Wetlands Protection Act, and the Waterways (Chapter 91) Resilience 1.0 Draft Regulations, which protect the public’s right to access the state’s tidelands and waterways and regulate the kinds of activities that can take place on coastal and inland waterways. Written comments on both proposed regulations are now due by April 30 at 5:00 p.m.

Comment Opportunity: Draft Environmental Analysis for Proposed Wind Energy Project Offshore Massachusetts - The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is seeking public comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) for Additional Site Assessment Activities on Beacon Wind, LLC’s Renewable Energy Lease OCS-A 0520. The Draft EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts of proposed site assessment activities, which consist of deployments and removals of a single suction bucket foundation at locations within the lease area to gather information to support the engineering design of wind turbine and offshore substation foundations that would potentially be installed within the lease area for a future Beacon Wind project. For details, including a link to the Draft EA, see the Federal Register Notice. Comments are due by March 4.

Reminder - This Public Comment opportunity from the last CZ-Mail is still available:

  • Proposed 10thEdition of the State Building Code - The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) has published the Draft 10th Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code for public review and comment. The draft includes standards for Coastal A Zones delineated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Flood Insurance Rate Maps and increases in elevation requirements for new and substantially improved buildings in FEMA flood zones to reduce impacts from climate change, including sea level rise and increases in precipitation. The BBRS is accepting written comments received by March 6 at 5:00 p.m. Please see the Notices and Alerts at the top of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards website for the Notice of Hearings and related links, including a link to the draft code.

Jobs/Internship Postings

Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Climate Resilience Planner - DCR is seeking a Climate Resilience Planner to support climate change adaption and coastal resilience planning efforts and provide support for monitoring and research initiatives and projects. For more information, see the position posting.

UMass Dartmouth Research Technician - The UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology is seeking a Research Technician to assist with oceanographic and atmospheric research; prepare/calibrate/test research instrumentation in the lab, field, and at sea; coordinate vessels and other field equipment; and perform other related in-the-field tasks. The technician will also conduct data analysis, present results, and help with grant proposal preparation and administration. For more information, see the position posting.

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Positions - Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is seeking applicants for several full time and summer positions, including Policy and Advocacy Director, Program Coordinator, Senior Harbor Educator, Lead Harbor Explorer, and Junior Program Assistant. For details, including application instructions, see their Jobs & Internships page.

Land Stewardship Summer Intern - The Brewster Conservation Trust is seeking a Land Stewardship Summer Intern to assist with stewardship of trust properties through trail maintenance, plant and wildlife habitat restoration, invasive plant species management, outreach activities and events, and other office and field work. The internship posting (PDF, 194 KB) includes additional details. Applications are due by March 8.

Reminders - These job postings, listed previously in CZ-Mail, are still open:

EEA Agency Positions

Other Full-Time Positions

Other Part-Time or Seasonal Positions

Other Internships and Career-Advancement Positions

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Westport River Watershed Alliance Annual Meeting - March 3, annual meeting of the Alliance to be held in Westport.

Neponset River Annual Water Quality Presentation - March 5, event from the Neponset River Watershed Association to present the latest water quality data and trends for the river and its watershed to be held in Canton, with a virtual option.

Marine Archaeology and Sunset Hike - March 10, event sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations that includes a presentation and guided sunset hike from BUAR Director, David Robinson, to be held at the Crane Estate in Ipswich.

Exploring Flood Adaptation Strategies to Support Health Equity - March 13 and 18, two-day virtual workshop from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to explore health risks due to flooding events.

SNEP Grant Funding Workshop - March 14, virtual funding workshop from the Southern New England Program (SNEP) Network that will highlight key state, regional, and federal funding opportunities for water quality and climate resilience projects.

Whale Tales: Adventures on Jeffreys Ledge in the Gulf of Maine - March 14, virtual program on whales in the Gulf of Maine sponsored by the Blue Ocean Society.

Climate Adaptation at the Regional Scale: From Planning to Implementation - March 15, forum from the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) to be held in Boston, with a virtual option.

Climate Change and Human Migration: An Earth Systems Science Perspective - March 18-19, virtual workshop from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM).

Network & Learn: MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple - March 20, event sponsored by EBC to be held in Boston.

Facilitation Basics for Coastal Managers - March 25, free one-day course from the Massachusetts Coastal Training Program on designing and implementing productive meetings to be held in Falmouth.

BUAR Public Meeting - March 28, public meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources to be held in Boston.

Blue Ocean Symposium - March 29, event from the Blue Ocean Society on marine life and Gulf of Maine issues to be held in Kittery, Maine, with a virtual option.

NEERS Spring Meeting - April 18-20, sponsored by the New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) to be held in Freeport, Maine, with a virtual option.

Massachusetts Park Serve Day - April 20, annual statewide day of volunteer service sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Recreation to help get Massachusetts state parks and beaches ready for summer.

Ipswich River Watershed Association Annual Meeting - April 25, annual meeting to be held at the Crane Estate in Ipswich.

NALMS Symposium—Call for Abstracts - November 5-8, 44th International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) with a focus on “Managing Lakes under Changing Climates” to be held in South Lake Tahoe in California and Utah. Abstracts are due by May 3.

2024 Flood Management Conference—Call for Abstracts - September 3-6, 48th annual conference sponsored by the Flood Management Association to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Abstracts addressing the theme, “Flood Risk - Know Your Odds,” are due by May 15.

28th Annual Mystic Herring Run and Paddle - May 19, run and paddle event sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association.

24th AEES Meeting - May 29-31, annual meeting of the American Ecological Engineering Society (AEES) to be held in at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Climate Crossroads Summit 2024 - July 16-17, event sponsored by NASEM to engage attendees on equitable pathways to address climate change to be held in Washington, DC, and online.

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

  • MACC Annual Conference - March 2, conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) to be held in Worcester and will include a workshop by CZM and MassDEP, “Developed Coastal Dune and Barrier Beach Resource Delineations, Functions, and Performance Standards,” along with dozens of other offerings.
  • Environmental, Energy, and Engineering Career Fair - March 4, job fair sponsored by EBC to be held in Boston.
  • MEES Conference - March 6, annual conference of the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society (MEES) to be held in Worcester.
  • High School Marine Science Symposium - March 7, annual symposium sponsored by Massachusetts Marine Educators and Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center to be held at Northeastern University in Boston.
  • NMEA 2024 Annual Conference—Call for Presenters - July 28-August 1, conference of the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) to be held in Boston, hosted by Massachusetts Marine Educators with the theme “Wicked Good Marine Education.” Presentation proposals are due by March 8.
  • Cape Cod Natural History Conference - March 9, annual MassAudubon conference at Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable.
  • 2024 National Coastal and Estuarine Summit—Call for Proposals - October 6-10, annual conference sponsored by Restore America’s Estuaries to be held in Washington, DC. Proposals are due by March 15.
  • Boston Sea Rovers Ocean Expo - March 15-17, annual Boston Sea Rovers showcase of the marine environment with a focus on diving that includes seminars, workshops, displays of dive equipment and services, an art exhibit, kids’ activities, and a film festival to be held in Danvers.
  • Zosterapalooza XXXIV - March 27, virtual workshop from EPA Region 1 with a focus on current eelgrass research in coastal waters. For details and to be added to the attendee list, contact EPA’s Phil Colarusso at colarusso.phil@epa.gov.
  • CRWA Annual Meeting - March 27, annual meeting of the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) to be held in Cambridge.
  • Northeast Conference on the Science of PFAS - April 2-4, conference from the Northeast Waste Management Officials Association, NEIWPCC, Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, and the Northeast Recycling Council, to be held in Marlborough.
  • 2024 National Watershed and Stormwater Conference - April 8-11, annual conference sponsored by the Center for Watershed Protection to be held in Kansas City, Missouri.
  • 34th Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Conference - April 10-11, conference sponsored by NEIWPCC with theme, “Climate Resiliency through NPS Outreach and Implementation,” to be held in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
  • 2024 Earth Day Charles River Cleanup - April 20, river cleanup sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association. Registration is required.
  • Muddy River Cleanup - April 20, annual cleanup sponsored by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy as part of the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup.
  • Neponset River Spring Cleanup - April 20, waterfront and parkland cleanup sponsored by the Neponset River Watershed Association.
  • 79th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference - April 21-24, sponsored by the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies to be held on Cape Cod.
  • City Nature Challenge 2024 - April 26-May 5, a citizen-science opportunity organized by the Natural History Museum Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences held in cities around the world.
  • 40th Run of the Charles - April 27, canoe, kayak, and paddleboard race sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association. Registration is required.
  • River Rally 2024 - May 13-16, conference on equitable and sustainable water resources sponsored by the River Network to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  • National Adaptation Forum - May 14-16, annual event for climate adaptation professionals to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • Buzzards Bay Swim - June 22, fundraiser for all ages and abilities to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Registration is required.
  • National Floodplain Managers Conference - June 23-27, 48th annual conference sponsored by the Association of State Floodplain Managers to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah.
  • Stormwater Conference - August 27-29, annual conference sponsored by StormCon to be held in Reno, Nevada.
  • U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae - October 27-November 1, 12th symposium organized by NEIWPCC to be held in Portland, Maine.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

Accelerating Climate Resiliency Speaker Series - Monthly webinars from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council in partnership with the Barr Foundation on work to advance climate resilience.

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

Boat Safety Course - Free course from the Massachusetts Environmental Police held in coastal communities.

Boston Harbor Islands Events - 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 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 Maritime Museum Events - Upcoming events and lectures at the museum in Hyannis.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Programs - A calendar of events at the museum in Brewster.

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

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

Climate Adaptation Webinars - Webinars on climate change, adaptation, and resilience from the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Coastal Perspectives Lecture Series - Lectures offered both in-person and online through April sponsored by the University of Connecticut.

Conservation Commission Education - Workshops, webinars, and trainings scheduled across Massachusetts and posted by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. See the MACC Complete Education Catalog and Community Calendar.

Dam Busters 101 Webinars Series - Lunchtime webinars on dam removal in Massachusetts sponsored by the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, DER, and CRWA.

Ecological Landscaping Events - Webinars, classes, and events from the Ecological Landscape Alliance.

Evening with Experts Series - Free public lecture series on ecology and native plant landscaping, including recordings of past events, hosted by Grow Native Massachusetts.

Great Massachusetts Cleanup - Volunteer and coordinator opportunities from Keep Massachusetts Beautiful.

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

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.

Lloyd Center for the Environment Activities - Birding and nature walks and other activities for all ages at the Lloyd Center in Dartmouth.

Marion Natural History Museum Programs - Community and summer programs at the museum in Marion.

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

MBL Falmouth Forum Lecture Series - Free public lectures at the Marine Biological Lab (MBL) in Woods Hole.

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

Nantucket Conservation Foundation Events - Activities and events across Nantucket.

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 watershed.

New England Aquarium Events - Upcoming events, lectures, and programs at the New England Aquarium. Recordings of past lectures are available on the Aquarium Lecture Series page.

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, including the 2024 WaterWatch lectures series with talks through March.

Research at the Reserve Lectures - Virtual and hybrid talks presented by the Waquoit Bay National Estuary Research Reserve on Tuesday evenings in March.

Salem Sound Coastwatch Events - Activities and events posted in the Salem Sound region.

Trustees Activities - Programs and activities at The Trustees of Reservations properties across the Commonwealth.

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

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

Waquoit Bay Reserve Programs - Activities for kids and adults from the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

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

Other Items of Interest

Gulf of Maine Council Award Nominations - The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment is seeking nominations for the following 2024 Annual Recognition Awards for efforts in the Gulf of Maine watershed: Visionary Awards recognizing innovation, creativity, and commitment in marine protection; Sustainable Communities Award for a community or a community group embodying sustainable environment and economy; Industry Award for a business showing leadership in ecosystem improvement; Longard Award for outstanding volunteer work; and Susan Snow-Cotter Award for coastal management professionals exemplifying outstanding leadership or mentoring. Nominations are due by March 29.

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

Herring Counters in Barnstable - The Barnstable Clean Water Coalition and the Barnstable Natural Resources Department are seeking volunteers for the annual Marston Mills River Herring Count, which begins on April 1. If interested, attend the Herring Count Information and Training Session on March 5 at 4:00 p.m. at the Osterville Village Library. For more information and to sign up, contact Heather Rockwell at info@bcleanwater.org.

Herring Counters for North and South River - The North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA) is seeking volunteers to count river herring several times per week at one of six sites from late March through May. For more information and to sign up, see the NSRWA website.

Fix-A-Leak Week - The annual Fix-A-Leak Week campaign from EPA’s WaterSense Program is March 18-24. This campaign focuses on the importance of finding and repairing water leaks, which waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water in the United States each year. Join the Massachusetts effort and check out EPA’s Fix-A-Leak Week website to get helpful tips for identifying and repairing leaks inside and outside your home. For Massachusetts-specific information on water conservation and dealing with leaks, see the Massachusetts Water Conservation Toolkit. Also, CZM’s CZ-Tip - Save Water has additional details on water conservation in your home, yard, and business.

Black Girl Environmentalist Fellowship - In honor of the mother of the environmental justice movement, Hazel M. Johnson, Black Girl Environmentalist is seeking applications for a new fellowship program. The fellowship for early career Black women and gender-expansive persons in the United States will provide rising juniors and seniors and recent college graduates 10-week paid summer climate internships at partner organizations to gain the skills, resources, and connections necessary to enter and stay in the environmental and climate sector. Applications are due by March 22.

Joshua A. Nickerson Conservation Fellowship - The Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission, in partnership with the Atlantic Research & Learning Center and Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore, is soliciting proposals to support scientific research on the natural and cultural resources of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Proposals will be accepted for research in natural and social sciences, including terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, biotic and abiotic ecosystems, cultural and natural resource management, and the political and social implications of resource protection. For details, including application information, see the fellowship web page. The application deadline is March 24.

Ocean STEAM Powered Women Fellowship - Woods Hole Sea Grant and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, in collaboration with Sea Education Association, are seeking applications for the Ocean STEAM Powered Women Fellowship, which is open to female Massachusetts High School students (rising juniors and seniors) with an interest in the science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) fields. Fellows will participate in a week-long, fully funded research experience on marine mammal bioacoustics at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution from August 11-17, working with a predominantly female team of scientists/mentors to develop skills and build confidence for the pursuit of a STEAM education and/or career. For more details, join the March 5 Information Session. Applications are due by April 4.

Waquoit Bay Summer Science School - In July and August, the Friends of the Waquoit Bay Reserve hosts the Waquoit Bay Summer Science School, offering week-long, full-, and half-day educational sessions that introduce students entering grades 2-12 to coastal ecology. For details and registration information, see the Summer Science School web page.

Coastal Ocean Science Academy - The Northeastern University Marine Science Center in Nahant is accepting applications for the 2024 Coastal Ocean Science Academy, a one-week summer experience for middle school students from July 22-26 and for high school students from August 12-16. Participants gain firsthand experience with diverse New England coastal habitats and marine resources and engage in hands-on research activities.

KidSummer Nature and Science Programs - Each summer, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History offers KidSummer day programs for children and teens aged 3-15. The programs use a STEAM-based curriculum with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Registration is now open for weekly sessions from June 24-August 16.

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