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
See How CZM Transformed a Lawn into a Meadow Buffer! - In May 2024, CZM and Goldthwait Reservation, Inc., transformed a lawn area along a salt marsh in Marblehead into a meadow buffer with native shrubs, grasses, and perennials. CZM documented the transformation over two growing seasons. For photographs and details on every step from installation to mature meadow, see the newly released blog post, Demonstration Project - Planting a Meadow Buffer Near a Salt Marsh. This project shows how a relatively low-maintenance meadow buffer can be both beautiful and highly functional by enhancing marsh water quality, providing storm protection for the property, and improving wildlife habitat. For additional guidance, including planting tips and a detailed landscape plan, illustration, and plant key, see Landscaping Near a Salt Marsh: Planting a Meadow Buffer and the accompanying Landscape Plan.
Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities
Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grants - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking proposals for Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grants to fund short-term (up to 1 year) waste reduction projects. From $3,000 to $10,000 is available to for-profit and nonprofit organizations, regional authorities, municipalities, and schools and colleges for projects that specifically promote source reduction, reuse, or repair in Massachusetts. Applications are due by May 15 at 5:00 p.m.
Grants for Community Water Quality, Watershed, and Habitat Protection - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and partners are seeking applications for the Five Star Grant Program to develop capacity in communities for sustainable natural resource use. Projects must focus on protecting water quality, watersheds, species, and habitats through restoration, community outreach, education, and stewardship. Awards from $30,000 to $150,000 will be granted for 12- to 18-month projects that start no earlier than January 2027. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, state agencies, local and municipal governments, Tribal governments and organizations, and schools. In Massachusetts, projects in the Boston area that focus on migratory birds will be prioritized. For details, see the 2026 Request for Proposals. Full proposals are due by May 14.
Large Marine Debris Removal Funding - Ocean Conservancy, with support from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program award, is seeking applications for their Large Marine Debris Removal Project. Efforts to remove large marine debris (such as derelict fishing gear, boat parts, and construction materials) from remote and hard-to-reach marine environments, including the Great Lakes, are eligible for $50,000-$200,000 grants for projects that start in late summer 2026. Applications are due on May 31 by 5:00 p.m.
Reminder - Buzzards Bay Municipal Mini-Grant Program - The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program is seeking proposals for the Buzzards Bay Watershed Municipal Mini-Grant Program. More than $165,000 in funding is available for grants up to $75,000 for projects that implement recommendations in the Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and are located within the Buzzards Bay watershed. Eligible projects include: stormwater remediation design and construction, land preservation, installation of conservation moorings, habitat restoration, construction of boat pumpout facilities, and alternative septic system assessment. A 33 percent match of requested funding is required. For details and required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. A question-and-answer period is open through May 5 at 5:00 p.m. Proposals are due by May 19 at 5:00 p.m.
Products/Publications
Nature Is the Solution - The Nature Is the Solution podcast series from The Nature Conservancy (TNC), in collaboration with WBUR, highlights innovative, nature-based approaches in Massachusetts. The Living Shorelines episode features CZM’s work in Collins Cove in Salem and the ResilientCoasts Plan. In April, the series won the Webby’s 2026 People’s Voice Award in the Sustainability & Environment category. The final episode of the series will be available on May 12.
PFAS Monitoring Report - MassDEP has released the results of a 2024 project to monitor PFAS concentrations in surface water, freshwater fish and invertebrates, and coastal fish and shellfish in Massachusetts. PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are persistent in the environment and can often be found in humans, animals, and food. The results showed that PFAS were detected in finfish filets from every sampled location, however, coastal sites had PFAS fish tissue concentrations that were significantly lower than at freshwater sites. Further, PFAS were detected less frequently and at lower levels in shellfish than in coastal finfish filets. For details, see PFAS in Surface Water, Freshwater Fish and Invertebrates, and Coastal Fish and Shellfish (2024).
Wetland Migration Guide - The National Estuarine Research Reserve Association has released a Wetland Migration Guide, The Pathways to Resilience: A Guide to Collaborative Tidal Wetland Migration Pathway Protection. Developed through a collaboration of six Atlantic coast states, this online guide provides tools, case studies, and strategies to identify inland migration pathways and work with partners to safeguard these ecosystems.
Newsletters and Other Periodicals
MassBays Newsletter - The Spring 2026 issue of the MassBays Newsletter, the quarterly update from the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays), covers the appointment of Prassede Vella as the new MassBays Executive Director, eelgrass restoration on the North and South Shores, upcoming monitoring of a pilot salt marsh nursery in East Boston, and other information and updates from MassBays.
Jobs/Internships
Vice President of Ecology and Climate - The Trustees of Reservations is seeking a Vice President of Ecology and Climate to lead statewide strategies that shape the organization’s land management and stewardship initiatives. For more information, see the job posting.
Boston Harbor Now Positions - Boston Harbor Now is seeking applicants for several seasonal positions and internships, including Community Engagement Intern, Summer Programs and Outdoor Recreation Intern, Summer Access Programs Intern, and Summer Climate Education and Program Intern. For details on each position, see the careers page.
Mystic River Ray Fellowship - The Mystic River Watershed Association is seeking applicants for the Ray Fellowship to support the Association’s climate and social resilience work. This is a paid, two-year fellowship for recent college graduates. See the job opportunities page for additional details.
Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Jobs - Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is seeking candidates for two paid, seasonal positions: Research Senior Harbor Educator and Junior Program Assistant. For more information, see the jobs and internships page.
Seasonal Camp Educator Counselors - The Trustees of Reservations is seeking full- and part-time seasonal educators for the SummerQuest day camp for youth ages 5-14 at the Crane Estate in Ipswich. For more information, see the job listing.
Whale and Dolphin Conservation Positions - Whale and Dolphin Conservation North America is seeking the following 10-month, full-time, paid Commonwealth Corps positions for the 2026-2027 service term: a Marine Mammal Stranding Outreach Specialist and an Education & Outreach Specialist. Applications are due by May 3.
Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements
Massachusetts Marine Educators Annual Meeting and Conference - May 2, meeting and conference to be held in Woods Hole.
New Bedford Science Cafe - May 5, monthly public engagement series in New Bedford that will feature a free presentation entitled “The Surprise Discovery of Revolutionary War Shipwrecks in New Bedford Harbor” by the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeology to be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Last Round Bar & Grille, 908 Purchase Street, New Bedford.
Three Rivers Report Card - May 6, event presented by the Neponset River, Charles River, and Mystic River Watershed Associations to unveil the annual Three Rivers Report Card grades and celebrate restoration progress for these three urban rivers to be held at the Museum of Science in Boston.
2026 Floodplain Management Association Conference—Call for Abstracts - 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. Abstracts are due by May 7.
Ipswich River Watershed Association Annual Meeting - May 7, annual meeting to be held in Danvers.
Herring Festival - May 17, celebration from the Charles River Watershed Association on the annual return of alewife, blueback herring, and American shad to the Charles River.
Northeast Regional Ocean Council Meeting - May 19, meeting of the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) with reports from NROC members and partners and sessions on coastal resilience and coastal habitats to be held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Insights from MassDEP Headquarters Leadership Team - May 20, Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) session on MassDEP’s 2026 program priorities and implementation strategies to be held in Boston.
2026 Annual Water Resources Conference—Call for Abstracts - November 9-11, conference sponsored by American Water Resources Association to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Abstract submissions are due by May 22.
National Coastal Conference 2026—Call for Abstracts - October 5-8, conference on coastal science, technology, and policy with the theme “Celebrating 100 Years of Shore and Beach Preservation” sponsored by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association to be held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Presentation abstracts are due by June 1 and posters abstracts are due by August 15. For details, see the Call for Abstracts (PDF, 282 KB).
New Narratives for Action: Addressing Climate Misinformation and Disinformation - June 5, forum from the EBC on the social science of climate change misinformation to be held in Boston, with a virtual option.
Ocean Research and Engineering Workshop for Educators - June 5, educator workshop entitled “Ocean Floor to Ice Core: Using Earth’s Archives to Unravel Ancient Ice Sheet Mysteries,” presented by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Why Water & Wastewater Project Costs Rise Over Time - and What to Do About It - June 9, webinar from EBC on upgrading aging infrastructure without federal financial support.
Spectacle on Boston Harbor - June 9, celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Boston Harbor Now to be held at the Tall Ship in East Boston.
Ipswich River Watershed Association RiverFest - June 14, free family event featuring fishing lessons, live music, food trucks, children’s activities, nature exploration, and a native plant sale.
Run for the Beach 5K - June 14, annual run/walk event to support Salem Sound Coastwatch in Beverly.
MassMarsh SOP Training - June 17 and 23, field training sessions on implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) developed through MassMarsh: Massachusetts Long-term Salt Marsh Resilient Research & Monitoring Program.
Buzzards Bay Swim - June 20, fundraiser for all ages and abilities to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Registration is required.
Race for Open Space - June 27, annual event to support the Nantucket Conservation Foundation’s efforts to preserve and protect open space on the island.
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
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
Sea Lab Marine Science Education Center Summer Program - The New Bedford Public Schools Sea Lab program offers a six-week summer session for students in grades 4-9 that are interested in marine and aquatic sciences. Accepted students will participate in field studies and ongoing professional scientific research with oceanographers and research scientists. Scholarships, which are supported in part by the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, are available to help fund students with financial needs. Applications for both the summer session and scholarships are due May 1.
Volunteer at the Waquoit Bay Reserve - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) is seeking summer volunteers to serve as visitor greeters, stewards and trail monitors, and school field trip and classroom volunteers. For more information, including details on upcoming training sessions, see WBNERR’s Volunteer Opportunities, or contact Volunteer Coordinator Laurie Tompkins at laurie.tompkins@mass.gov.
Cape Ann Shrink Wrap Disposal - Seaside Sustainably is offering free recycling of shrink wrap for marinas and boat owners on Cape Ann. In partnership with Dynamic Waste, Seaside Sustainability will provide dumpster bins in Gloucester through June where boaters can bring their shrink wrap to be recycled. The bins are available to the public during normal business hours, and disposal is free. Please make sure the plastic is free of foreign material, such as wooden supports or plastic vents. For details, see the Seaside Sustainability website.
Cape Cod Shrink Wrap Recycling Program - The Woods Hole Sea Grant, in collaboration with the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension of Barnstable County and the towns of Bourne, Chatham, Eastham, Falmouth, and Wellfleet, will offer a free shrink wrap recycling program for Cape Cod residents. Boat owners can bring clean (free of plastic strapping, ropes, doors, and vents) and bundled shrink wrap to one of five Cape Cod locations to be recycled. For details, including locations, times, and instructions, see the Sea Grant website.
Hurricane Preparedness Week - May 3-9 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 Bay State Educator Award of $500 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 2026 Coastal Management Photo Contest. Winning images will be featured in an Office for Coastal Management social media campaign in May. Photos should feature natural infrastructure projects, beautiful beaches, or recreational uses and be submitted by May 1 with the photo release form to ocm.nerrs.photocontest@noaa.gov (limit 10 images per entry).