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CZ-Mail - May 2025

The monthly email newsletter from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM).

Welcome to CZ-Mail, the monthly electronic newsletter from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Each issue provides information on major CZM initiatives, available tools and publications, upcoming workshops and events, grants, contracting opportunities, job openings, and other news of interest to people working on coastal issues. Additional information about CZM’s programs, publications, and other coastal topics can be found on the CZM website. To subscribe to CZ-Mail, send a blank email (please be sure that the email is completely blank, with no signature line) to join-env-czmail@listserv.state.ma.us. Also, feel free to share CZ-Mail with colleagues and friends—and if you have any suggestions for future editions or would like to make a change to your subscription, email your request to CZ-Mail@mass.gov. For periodic updates from CZM between CZ-Mail editions, follow us on Twitter/X.

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

Highlights

REMINDER: Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants - Pre-Application Support Available from CZM - CZM’s Coastal Habitat and Water Quality (CHWQ) Grants provide funding for projects that assess and treat stormwater pollution and support comprehensive habitat restoration planning. CZM anticipates the release of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Request for Responses (RFR) this spring. Municipalities within the Massachusetts coastal watershed are eligible to apply, along with Federally Recognized Tribes, certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, regional planning agencies, and stormwater collaboratives in partnership with eligible municipalities. Eligible project activities include:

  1. Efforts to assess, identify, and characterize nonpoint source (NPS) pollution impacts from stormwater runoff to coastal waterbodies.
  2. Design and construction of stormwater structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) (priority is given to practices that address contaminants of concern in coastal waterbodies).
  3. Capacity-building activities—including trainings for municipal staff, bylaw development, and case studies—that support future implementation of green stormwater infrastructure (methods that replicate natural processes to trap and filter stormwater prior to reaching local waterbodies).
  4. Development of habitat restoration plans, including data collection and synthesis, natural resource assessments, and restoration prioritization work.
  5. Advancement of priority land acquisition planning activities for the purposes of restoration, buffer protection, and/or future marsh migration.
  6. Pre-implementation data collection and engineering for infrastructure-focused habitat restoration activities.

New Grants Management System - All CZM grant programs will now be part of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) new Grants Management System (GMS). To access the GMS, grant applicants must create a username and password and have their profile validated, which could take several days to complete. CZM recommends that potential applicants create an account and become familiar with the system as soon as possible—and that ideally several people within each organization have validated accounts. See EEA’s Grants Management System web page for details.

Direct Support - Up until the RFR is released, CZM staff can discuss project ideas and grant eligibility with potential applicants. Email kathleen.mason@mass.gov with any questions.

Pre-RFR Webinar Video and Presentation - On March 18, CZM hosted an informational webinar to review grant goals and requirements, logistics, and timeline. Links to a recording of the webinar and the presentation slides are available below.

Please also see the CHWQ Grants page for additional information. To receive an email notification of the release of the RFR and updates about the grants, please complete this online form. The official RFR announcement will also be posted on the CZM Jobs and Grants page.

REMINDER: Coastal Resilience Grants - CZM anticipates the release of the FY 2026 RFR for the Coastal Resilience Grant Program in May. These grants provide funding and technical assistance to coastal communities, eligible nonprofit organizations, and tribes to reduce risks associated with coastal storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise through innovative and transferable local and regional projects.

New Grants Management System - All CZM grant programs will now be part of the new EEA Grants Management System. To access the GMS, grant applicants must create a username and password and have their profile validated, which could take several days to complete. CZM recommends that potential applicants create an account and become familiar with the system as soon as possible—and that ideally several people within each organization have validated accounts. See EEA’s Grants Management System web page for details.

Coastal Resilience Grants Pre-RFR Webinar - CZM hosted an informational webinar on February 27, which covered the goals and requirements for the Coastal Resilience Grants, eligibility and evaluation criteria, and successful projects from previous grant rounds. For details, see these links to the recording of the webinar and the PowerPoint presentation:

For additional information, please see the Coastal Resilience Grant Program page. To receive an email notification of the release of the RFR, please email india.j.mackinson@mass.gov. The RFR announcement will also be posted on the CZM Jobs and Grants page.

Massachusetts Commercial Fisheries Commission Holds Inaugural Meeting - On April 8, the Massachusetts Commercial Fisheries Commission (CFC) met for the first time to discuss its purpose, role, and direction. The CFC was established by the Massachusetts Legislature in August 2022 to strengthen coordination, communication, and support for the state’s nation-leading seafood industry by promoting responsible development of offshore energy projects, along with suitable mitigation and support strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of Commonwealth fisheries. Chaired by the Directors of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and CZM, the commission includes the EEA Secretary and appointed representatives from several public, nonprofit, education, commercial fishing, and seafood industry organizations. At the first meeting, the CFC discussed strategies to ensure the economic sustainability of the industry, including directly engaging with state government to influence public policy outcomes, promoting and advocating for the industry, and enhancing economic development opportunities and infrastructure. Strategies to proactively and cooperatively address emerging challenges—including how best to support active fishing in a region with several ocean development projects—were also discussed. The CFC prioritized three items: 1) assist DMF with an update to its 2021 Port Profile Project, a living document that describes commercial fishing activity and infrastructure at ports throughout the state; 2) develop a strategy for how the CFC should interact with the Fisheries Working Group on Offshore Wind; and 3) consider how to best address fishery science challenges. The CFC will meet quarterly. For more on the first meeting, see the recording and press release.

See the links below for news coverage. (Articles may only be available for a limited time.)

Grants Awarded to Protect Habitat and Water Quality in the Buzzards Bay Watershed - On April 4, the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) announced $138,000 in grant awards that will support fish migration and improve water quality in the Buzzards Bay watershed. The following two grants were awarded by the NEP through CZM:

  • Plymouth - $69,000 to design and construct stormwater treatment systems on Surrey Drive that will prevent contaminants and nutrients from entering Clear Pond. The pond has documented low levels of oxygen and elevated levels of chlorophyll, phosphorus, and nitrogen, which are leading to repeated seasonal outbreaks of cyanobacteria. The town’s goal is to eliminate the first flush of stormwater from being discharged directly into the pond, which is contributing to poor water quality.
  • Westport - $69,000 to complete preliminary engineering design plans to advance the replacement of three undersized and deteriorating culverts at Angeline Brook at Cornell Road and Snell Creek and Lyons Brook on Drift Road. The culverts impair the free flow of the streams, serve as barriers to native fish migration, and pose risks to public safety when roads are damaged during extreme flooding. Eventual replacement of these culverts will provide access to critical habitat for sea-run brook trout, river herring, American eel, and other fish species.

See the press release for more information and the link below for news coverage. (Article may only be available for a limited time.)

CZM Job Opportunity

Coastal Resilience Specialist - CZM is seeking a Coastal Resilience Specialist to support the Commonwealth’s ResilientCoasts initiative. The Coastal Resilience Specialist will provide administrative, programmatic, and technical support for CZM efforts to develop and implement strategies that protect coastal resources, properties, and public facilities from erosion, flooding, and sea level rise. This position serves under the direction of the Chief Coastal Resilience Officer on a multi-disciplinary team to assist with implementation of the ResilientCoasts initiative, including planning, management, data development, and outreach. For details, see the job posting.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

REMINDER: Coastal Resilience Grants - CZM anticipates a May release of the FY 2026 RFR for the Coastal Resilience Grants, which provide funding and technical assistance to coastal communities, eligible nonprofit organizations, and tribes to reduce risks associated with coastal storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise through innovative and transferable local and regional projects. See REMINDER: Coastal Resilience Grants at the beginning of this CZ-Mail for additional details.

REMINDER: Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants - This spring, CZM also anticipates the release of the FY 2026 RFR for the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants, which fund projects that assess and treat stormwater impacts and support comprehensive habitat restoration planning activities. For details, see REMINDER: Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants - Pre-Application Support Available from CZM at the beginning of this CZ-Mail.

Buzzards Bay Stormwater Testing - The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) is seeking a laboratory to test up to 500 stormwater samples per year primarily for bacteriological indicators. Eligible contractors must be certified in Massachusetts for bacteriological water testing, able to process and analyze up to 15 samples per day, and be within 35 miles driving distance from the Buzzards Bay NEP office in Mattapoisett. The initial contract duration is 12 months, which can be renewed for up to two additional 12-month periods. Up to $16,000 will be available per year for testing. For more information, including application details, see the COMMBUYS website. Proposals are due by June 4.

Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grants and Training Sites Initiatives Grants - The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is seeking proposals for two funding opportunities. The Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program provides grants to Massachusetts local and regional government units, municipalities, and tribal governments to replace undersized, perched, and/or degraded culverts or bridges in areas with high ecological value with new structures that meet environmental design and structural standards along with flood resiliency criteria. DER is also seeking to fund projects in FY 2026 that will continue culvert replacement work on previously designated Culvert Replacement Training Sites to serve as case studies and training opportunities for local road managers. Only projects that intend to meet the goals of the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards (PDF, 2 MB) are eligible for either grant. See the Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program web page and the Culvert Replacement Training Site Grant Funding page for details on how to apply to each opportunity, including links to the RFRs and technical resources. Applications for both grants are due by May 12 at 4:00 p.m.

Accelerating Climate Resilience Grants - The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is seeking proposals for the Accelerating Climate Resilience Grant program to help fund strategies that protect people, places, and communities from the impacts of climate change. The grants are open to the 101 cities and towns in the MAPC region and local 501(c)(3) community-based organizations, tribes, and Indigenous communities. Up to $50,000 is available for each 15-month project and up to $125,000 for each 21-month project. MAPC will host a grant writing workshop for non-municipal applicants on May 6. Proposals are due by May 30 at 5:00 p.m.

National Coastal Resilience Fund - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and partners are seeking pre-proposals for the 2025 National Coastal Resilience Fund for projects that will plan, design, and implement nature-based solutions to enhance the resilience of coastal communities to natural hazards and improve fish and wildlife habitat. Priority is given to projects that are community led or have direct community engagement. Pre-proposals are due by May 6, and full proposals will be by invitation only. For application details, see the 2025 Request for Proposals.

Products/Publications

Division of Ecological Restoration Annual Report - The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration has released its 2024 Annual Report: Celebrating 15 Years of River & Wetland Restoration, which highlights agency accomplishments over the last 15 years, including 160 completed projects in 165 cities and towns, with an additional 80 projects currently underway.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The April 2025 Newspaper (PDF, 9 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) covers comments to federal regulators on proposed trap vent and minimum lobster size rule changes, surveys for lost or discarded fishing gear or “ghost gear” during the annual fishing closure through May 1, MLA updates, and other lobster news.

MassBays Newsletter - The Spring 2025 issue of the MassBays Newsletter, the quarterly update from the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays), covers the four coastal habitat targets of MassBays work, the Gulf of Maine Monitoring & Research Symposium held in April, river herring counting in the MassBays regions, and other information and updates from MassBays.

NOAA HabitatNews - The April 2025 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes items on the positive economic benefits from oyster reef restoration in North Carolina, a cranberry bog restoration in Falmouth, a dam removal in New Jersey to improve fish passage, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Jobs/Internships

Coastal Resilience Specialist - CZM is seeking a Coastal Resilience Specialist to support the Commonwealth’s ResilientCoasts initiative. Find details in the CZM Job Posting section above, along with more in the full job posting.

Environmental Analyst IV - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Bureau of Water Resources is seeking an Environmental Analyst IV to coordinate stormwater-related activities within the Surface Water Discharge/National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program. For more information, see the job posting.

Waterfront Project Engineers - The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is seeking two Waterfront Project Engineers to assist with the preparation of plans, specifications, cost estimates, reports, and other documents associated with the maintenance, repair, and construction of new and existing marine and waterfront projects. For details, see the postings for position one and position two.

Environmental Justice Fellow - EEA’s Office of Environmental Justice & Equity is seeking an Environmental Justice Fellow to undertake research for diverse projects, draft presentations, conduct data analysis and research, assist with interagency collaboration, and support the office team as needed. For additional details, see the internship posting.

Estuary Education Leadership Internship - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is seeking two Estuary Education Leadership Interns to assist with public environmental education programs and group visits and a pilot program growing salt marsh grasses. The interns will partner with interpretive staff on piping plover and osprey education and participate in research opportunities. Students entering grades 11 and 12 are eligible to apply for this eight-week (July-August) paid program. For details, see their Employment page. Applications are due by May 9.

Nature Conservancy Massachusetts State Director - The Nature Conservancy is seeking a Massachusetts State Director to lead efforts in Massachusetts and work with partner organizations, government agencies, elected officials, and other key decision-makers to build alliances and shared agendas that accelerate conservation outcomes in the state and around the world. For more information and to apply, see the position posting.

Public Engagement Coordinator - The Westport River Watershed Alliance is seeking a Public Engagement Coordinator to help cultivate new members and community interest in the organization through creative marketing, writing, hands-on service opportunities, and more. This position reports to the Executive Director and works collaboratively with all staff. For more information, see their Jobs and Internships page.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Ipswich River Watershed Association Annual Meeting - May 8, annual meeting to be held in Boxford.

NROC Meeting - May 15, meeting of the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) with reports on committee and project work and updates from members and partners to be held at the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Greenland, New Hampshire.

Soil and Groundwater Management 201 - May 21, Site Remediation and Redevelopment webinar from the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC).

Protecting Our Communities: A Whole-Society Approach to Resilience - June 6, climate adaptation forum from EBC to be held in Boston, with a virtual option.

Run for the Beach 5K - June 8, annual run/walk event to support Salem Sound Coastwatch that will start at Dane Street Beach in Beverly.

Nantucket Coastal Conference - June 10, free conference hosted by CZM, Town of Nantucket, Barnstable County, and Woods Hole Sea Grant with a focus on local planning, coastal resilience, and retreat, featuring CZM Director, Alison Brizius, as keynote speaker, to be held at the Green Harbor Yacht Club.

Ipswich River Watershed Association RiverFest - June 15, free family event featuring fishing and paddling lessons, live music, food trucks, and children’s activities.

Dam Permitting 101: Permitting Dam-Related Projects in Massachusetts - June 17, webinar from EBC.

Race for Open Space - June 28, annual race to support the Nantucket Conservation Foundation’s efforts to preserve and protect open space on the island.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

APCC Events - Free virtual events on landscaping, gardening, and more from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. Recordings of previous webinars are available.

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

Boat Safety Course - Free, in-person course from the Massachusetts Environmental Police held in Commonwealth communities. This course will meet the mandatory boater education for all motorized vessel operators that will be required in Massachusetts beginning April 1, 2026.

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 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 - 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 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 with links to Archived Webinars.

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.

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 Events Calendar.

Dam Busters 201 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 the Charles River Watershed Association, with links to past webinars and related material.

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.

Friends of Herring River Events - Upcoming Herring River watershed events in Truro and Wellfleet.

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.

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. See the Great Massachusetts Cleanup page for community-wide litter cleanups and park maintenance opportunities.

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. Recordings of previous lectures are available.

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. See Past Webinar Recordings for descriptions of and links to previous webinars.

Native Plant Trust Events - Classes, field studies, and webinars across Massachusetts.

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

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.

NEWMOA Events - Upcoming webinars and events from the Northeast Waste Management Officials Association (NEWMOA). Past presentations are also available.

NOAA Coastal Training and Learning Resources - A range of training opportunities from NOAA’s Digital Coast. Also see the Training Catalog for links to on-demand resources.

NOAA Planet Stewards Events - Webinars, workshops, and book club sessions from the NOAA Planet Stewards Education Project. See the Webinar Archives for links to selected presentations.

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 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.

OCTO Webinars - Periodic webinars on ocean topics from Open Communications for the Ocean (OCTO), with links to past webinars.

Salem Sound Coastwatch Events - Activities and events posted in the Salem Sound region, including the monthly Underwater in Salem Sound 2025 Lecture Series.

Soak Up the Rain New England Webinar Series - Periodic webinars from EPA that highlight innovative ways to address stormwater, with links to Past 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 the Stone Living Lab at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Boston.

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

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

Walks & Events in Harwich - Birding and nature walks 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

Volunteer at the Waquoit Bay Reserve - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) is seeking summer volunteers to serve as visitor greeters, volunteer stewards, trail monitors, and school field trip and classroom volunteers. For more information, including details on upcoming training sessions, see the WBNERR website or contact Volunteer Coordinator Laurie Tompkins at laurie.tompkins@mass.gov.

Sea Lab Marine Science Education Center Summer Program - Registration is now open for the New Bedford Public Schools Sea Lab program, which offers a six-week summer session for students in grades 3 through 9 that are interested in marine and aquatic sciences. Accepted students will have the opportunity to participate in field studies and on-going professional scientific research with oceanographers and research scientists. Sea Lab applications are due by May 4. Student scholarships, which are supported in part by the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, are available to help fund students with financial needs. Scholarship applications are due by May 5. For additional details and to download forms, see the Sea Lab web page.

Hurricane Preparedness Week - May 4-10 is Hurricane Preparedness Week, the annual reminder from the National Weather Service with tips to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, which begins on June 1. See the Hurricane Preparedness website for information on hurricane safety, preparedness videos, current forecasts, social media ideas, and other resources.

Educator Innovation Award - Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs is accepting applications or nominations for the Educator Innovation Award for teachers that have introduced the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest into their classrooms. Winners will receive a $500 award. Also, teachers in Massachusetts will be considered for the Baystate Educator Award. One winner will receive $500, along with a $250 classroom grant. Nominations are due by July 1.

Coastal Management Photo Contest - NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management is seeking photos of “Coastal Management in Action” for the 2025 Coastal Management Photo Contest. Winning images will be featured in an Office for Coastal Management social media campaign later this month. Please submit photos (with the photo release form) that show natural infrastructure projects, beautiful beaches, recreational uses, and more by May 3 to ocm.nerrs.photocontest@noaa.gov (limit 10 images per entry).

Marine Art Contest - Massachusetts Marine Educators and Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary are seeking entries from students in grades K-12 for the 2025 Marine Art Contest. Entries should be based on the theme, “Exploring the Biological Diversity of the Gulf of Maine and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.” Winning submissions will receive cash prizes and be used on websites and social media. For details, see the contest brochure (PDF, 1 MB). Entries are due by May 15.

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