CZ-Mail - November 2022

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

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

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

Highlights

Meet the New MORIS - CZM’s Online Mapping Tool and Data Portal - CZM is pleased to announce the release of the latest version of the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System (MORIS). As CZM’s official data portal, MORIS provides access to geospatial data, interactive maps, and tools pertaining to the Massachusetts coastal zone and is designed to allow users to find, share, and visualize data in an intuitive, web-based interface. The new MORIS allows users to create customized maps with a variety of data layers related to the Massachusetts coastal zone, including tide gauge stations, marine protected areas, coastal access points, eelgrass beds, Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan data, and much more. In addition to making maps, MORIS users can share and print maps, download GIS data, explore topic-specific online viewers, and find links to other mapping and coastal data resources. One major new MORIS upgrade is the ability to directly access data from other online web services. For example, MORIS now displays Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) data directly from FEMA—so any FEMA changes to those data are seen in MORIS in real time. With this upgrade, MORIS now provides access to many more data layers, greatly adding to its utility. Check out all these features by launching the new MORIS home page.

MassBays Moves to UMass Boston’s School of the Environment - On October 11, the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays) moved operations from within CZM to the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Boston School for the Environment. Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 28 National Estuary Programs (NEPs) across the country have a mandate under the Clean Water Act to improve water quality and protect habitats in Estuaries of National Significance. MassBays has been hosted by CZM since 1989 and notably partnered with CZM staff to establish coast-wide No Discharge Zones for Massachusetts, develop a first-ever inventory of tide gates from Salisbury to Falmouth, and provide critical funding and scientific support to the regional Rapid Assessment Survey of Invasive Species, as well as a current research collaboration to compare eelgrass mapping methods. Over the past several years, with funding through EPA's Exchange Network Grant Program, MassBays has developed tools to help community-based monitoring groups plan their investigations (AquaQAPP), conduct data quality assurance and quality control (MassWateR, now in beta testing), and visualize results once uploaded to EPA’s Water Quality Portal (Ecohealth Tracking Tool). For detailed updates on MassBays moving forward, subscribe to their online newsletters. CZM looks forward to continued collaboration with MassBays and wishes them the best at UMass.

Last Call to Volunteer for COASTSWEEP 2022! - Since late August, dedicated volunteers have collected trash along the Bay State shoreline for COASTSWEEP, the statewide volunteer beach cleanup organized by CZM. As part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, COASTSWEEP volunteers collect data on what they find to help inform national and international efforts to reduce marine debris. By the time COASTSWEEP wraps up later this month, more than 2,500 volunteers will have cleaned dozens of locations along Massachusetts rivers, marshes, and beaches—and there’s still time to organize a cleanup of your own or join one of the remaining scheduled cleanups. All the supplies (bags, gloves, data cards, pencils, etc.) are provided free of charge, and cleanups can be scheduled at your convenience through November. See the COASTSWEEP website for details.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

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

• FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is seeking applications for these FEMA grant opportunities: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Programs. These grants provide hundreds of millions in funding for the development of hazard mitigation plans and the implementation of hazard mitigation projects in Massachusetts to reduce or eliminate the loss of life and property due to natural hazards. The federal cost-share for the HMGP has been increased to up to 90%, and MEMA’s cap for projects is $15 million. Interested applicants are encouraged to view recordings of 2021 and 2022 grant webinars, which provide an overview of requirements. Full applications for all these grant programs are due to MEMA by December 5. Technical assistance is available from MEMA to assist potential applicants. Email questions regarding the 2022 funding opportunities to [e-mail].
• STREAM Grants - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sea Grant is seeking applications for the new Solutions Through Research, Education, and Art in Massachusetts (STREAM) grant program, which will provide up to $10,000 for one-year projects that focus on healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies, and environmental literacy and workforce development. Grants can be used for small research projects, seed funding for innovative efforts, college student research, classroom initiatives, and rapid response projects to tackle a current challenge. Preschool through grade 12 educators, Massachusetts university faculty and students, industry, nonprofit organizations, artists affiliated with these groups, and others are eligible. Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss potential projects with either Mary Newton Lima (Research Coordinator) or Lily Keyes (Communications Specialist) at [e-mail], particularly for projects over $5,000. Proposals are due by November 15.

Online Tools and Resources

CZMA at 50 Podcast Series - This five-part The Capitol Beach podcast series provides details on the history and importance of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) over the last 50 years and how it has shaped and will continue to shape coastal management in the United States.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Coastal & Estuarine Science News - The October 2022 issue of Coastal & Estuarine Science News, the newsletter of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation, includes articles on the quick increase of invasive Atlantic Blue Crab in Portugal with the help of coastal currents, using biodegradable coconut fibers in oyster reef restorations, and other coastal and estuarine research topics.

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The October 2022 Newspaper (PDF, 14 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association includes stories on efforts by the National Marine Fisheries Service to reduce risks to whales from the lobster fishery, work to implement a vessel tracking device program for the Atlantic lobster and crab fisheries, updates, and other lobster news.

Neponset River Watershed News - The October Watershed Update from the Neponset River Watershed Association includes details on the opening of Penzwick Park in Norwood after the completion of a dam removal project to restore Traphole Brook, Neponset River news, upcoming events, and watershed updates.

NOAA HabitatNews - The October 2022 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes articles on efforts to reconnect the Mississippi River with the Barataria Basin estuary in Louisiana, funding for environmental literacy in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Products/Publications

Blue Economy Report - The Coastal States Organization has released Enhancing the Blue Economy Through Coastal Zone Management, a report that highlights the work of state and territory CZM Programs to enhance the Blue Economy, which relies on sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth while preserving ecosystem health. The report highlights efforts of CZM Programs to support coastal communities in building coastal resilience, promoting tourism and recreation, managing living resources, supporting maritime transportation and commerce, and developing new economic opportunities.

Sea Level Rise on the South Coast Report - The Trustees of Reservations has released State of the Coast Report: Sea Level Rise on the South Coast, its third annual State of the Coast report. This edition examines the climate change-driven impacts of sea level rise and storm flooding projected for towns along Buzzards Bay and Narragansett-Bay, and includes projections and adaptation options for beaches, salt marshes, developed areas, working waterfronts, and habitats on the South Coast of Massachusetts.

Jobs/Internship Postings

Massachusetts DMF Positions - The Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is seeking applications for two open positions. The Information and Education Coordinator is located in DMF’s Gloucester office and will primarily coordinate all information and education activities of the Fisheries Biology Section, contributing to other DMF information and education activities as needed. The Fisheries Habitat Specialist will support DMF in environmental review of coastal alteration projects and conduct field and laboratory studies on the impacts of human activities on marine fisheries habitats.

Research Assistant - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking a full-time Research Assistant to work on water quality monitoring and salt marsh monitoring around Buzzards Bay, including desktop research and data management/statistical analysis, fieldwork, and equipment preparation and deployment. For details, see the job opportunities web page.

MVP Deputy Director - The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program is seeking a Deputy Director to assist with grant administration; oversee MVP staff, interns, and consultants; implement special MVP projects on program improvement; and coordinate communications. The position reports to the MVP Director and will work with the EEA Director of Climate Adaptation and Resilience to support statewide resiliency project management, coordinate MVP and statewide initiatives, and work to improve and expand the Resilient MA website. For details, see the position posting.

DER Positions - Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is seeking applications for four positions. The Cranberry Bog Restoration Program Manager will lead a partnership of DER, landowners, nonprofit organizations, communities, and agencies to secure funding and prioritize, plan, and carry out potential cranberry bog restoration projects. The Dam Removal Program Manager will lead a partnership of DER, landowners, nonprofit organizations, communities, and agencies to prioritize, plan, and carry out potential dam removal projects. The Procurement and Grants Specialist will support DER’s work to implement restoration projects and other initiatives by conducting fiscal administrative duties under the supervision of the DER Finance Manager. The Restoration Partnerships Program Manager will lead DER’s Regional Restoration Partnerships Program and develop, coordinate, and oversee DER partnerships with watershed groups and other regional organizations.

Waquoit Bay Positions - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) is seeking applications for two positions. The Coastal Training Program Coordinator will administer the Coastal Training Program, which provides training and technical assistance to coastal decision-makers—anyone who makes management or policy decisions that can impact coastal resources, including state and local government officials, resource managers, environmental organizations, community groups, and business persons. The School & Interpretive Program Coordinator will plan, develop, present, and evaluate school and interpretive programs and materials for the public with a goal to promote WBNERR and improve environmental literacy.

Program Manager - The Cape Cod Conservation District (CCCD) is seeking a Program Manager to primarily assist the Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) with the management and administration needs to implement the Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project (CCWRRP), as well as provide leadership to complete all activities and deliverables assigned to CCCD. For details, see the job posting.

National Estuarine Research Reserve Liaison for New England - Lykner Technologies is seeking a liaison to serve the Wells, Great Bay, and Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves. This position will support coordination of NOAA Office for Coastal Management work in New England to build community and coastal resilience and promote nature-based solutions. This contract position is fully remote, but candidates need to live in New England and have access to the coast for partner meetings and events. For more information, see the position posting.

MAPC Positions - The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is seeking applicants for four available full-time positions, including Civic Web Developer, Environmental Planner, Research Planning Data Analyst, and Revenue Accountant. For details, including application instructions, see the MAPC Employment Opportunities page.

Director of Finance & Administration - The Sea Education Association (SEA) in Woods Hole is seeking a full-time Director of Finance & Administration to provide direction and management of financial resources as well as provide fiscal expertise and leadership in all SEA planning efforts. For details, see the job posting.

Teacher Naturalist - Mass Audubon Cape Cod is seeking a full-time Teacher Naturalist to teach environmental science in classrooms from Provincetown to Sandwich and in the field at after school programs, camps, and other public programs. This two-year position is based primarily at Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable, with a couple of days a week at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. For more information, see the position posting.

Water Resilience Planner - The Neponset River Watershed Association is seeking a Watershed Resilience Planner to work closely with watershed municipalities, community-based organizations, and environmental justice communities to lead a new municipal climate change adaptation collaborative. This full-time, permanent position reports to the Advocacy Director and will collaborate closely with other NepRWA staff across multiple disciplines. For details, see the position posting.

Fundraising and Marketing Manager - Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) in Plymouth is seeking a full-time Fundraising and Marketing Manager to work to grow and manage annual revenue and oversee the development, delivery, and management of WDC’s fundraising campaigns, marketing, and communications efforts. For details, WDC Employment Opportunities page.

Outreach Coordinator & Office Manager - The Orleans Conservation Trust (OCT) is seeking a full-time Outreach Coordinator & Office Manager to manage OCT’s guided walks and educational lectures and assist with social media and email communications with members. The position will also manage core administrative operations including donation processing, donor database maintenance, mailing preparation, assisting with financial reporting, and responding to public inquiries. Candidates must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends. For more information, see the job opportunity.

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.

Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment - EEA is seeking public comment on the draft Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment, which evaluates risks of climate change to the Commonwealth, including public and private assets, natural resources, and human health and safety. The assessment will serve as a core component of the 2023 update to the State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (SHMCAP) that will be released in Fall 2023. The primary objective of the assessment is to identify high urgency climate risks statewide and rank risks based on magnitude of consequence, disproportionality of exposure, and the need for effective adaptation. Submit comments through the project webpage by 5:00 p.m. on November 16. The final report is anticipated to be completed in December 2022.

Draft North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy - The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service are seeking public comments on the Draft North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy, a joint effort to protect and promote the recovery of North Atlantic right whales while responsibly developing offshore wind energy. The draft strategy identifies the agencies’ goals and objectives to better understand the effects of offshore wind development on the whales and their habitat. Comments are due by December 4.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

EBC 16^th Annual Dredging Conference - November 3, virtual event from the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) on lessons learned from environmental dredging and capping projects.

Sylvina W. Beal “Necropsy” - November 5, public event at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum to discuss the findings from the dissection of the historic ship, Sylvina W. Beal. The Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) will participate in the necropsy to document details typically not preserved on most wooden shipwreck sites and then will join the panel of experts for a public discussion.

Sunset Shipwrecks Talk and Walk - November 6, interactive public education program hosted by The Trustees of Reservations at their Castle Hill/Crane Estate property in Ipswich that will feature BUAR staff who will give an indoor presentation on the underwater archaeology of the area followed by a guided hike on Steep Hill Beach to explore shipwreck sites of the nineteenth century "sand schooners" Ada K. Damon (1875) and Edward S. Eveleth (1883).

NROC Fall Meeting - November 9, meeting of the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) to be held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with a virtual option. The meeting will include updates regarding national ocean policy issues, working sessions with NROC committees, and updates from NROC members and partners.

RARGOM Annual Science Meeting—Call for Abstracts - December 2, virtual meeting sponsored by the Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine (RARGOM) with talks on “key” topics for the Gulf of Maine and a session on undergraduate and graduate Gulf of Maine student research. Abstracts are due by November 9.

We Are All Whalers: The Plight of Whales and Our Responsibility - November 12, lecture hosted by the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History.

Water Quality Technology Conference and Exposition - November 13-17, event sponsored by the American Water Works Association to be held in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The ONo Index: Detecting Novel Ocean Conditions for MPA Management - November 16, webinar from the National Marine Protected Area (MPA) Center and Open Communications for the Ocean (OCTO) on the Ocean Novelty (Ono) Index to help MPA managers identify priorities in a changing climate.

Why Climate Change Engagement Matters - Real Solutions Require Hearing Real Stories - November 17, webinar and discussion from EBC.

2022 Fall NEERS Meeting - November 17-19, meeting of the New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) to be held in Providence, Rhode Island, with a virtual option.

National Zero Waste Virtual Conference - November 30- Dec 1, virtual conference from Zero Waste USA and partners.

BUAR Public Meeting - December 1, virtual public Board meeting hosted by BUAR.

Understanding Disaster Finance: New Tools for a More Resilient Future - December 1, webinar from OCTO on new insurance tools to help create resilient coastal communities.

2022 National Coastal and Estuarine Summit - December 4-8, annual conference sponsored by Restore America’s Estuaries to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a virtual option. The 2022 summit will include a presentation on nature-based cobble nourishment used for shore protection in Winthrop and Duxbury by CZM’s Coastal Geologist, Rebecca Haney, as part of the dedicated session: Balancing Infrastructure Resilience and Natural Coastal Habitat Protection in the Face of Climate Change.

23^rd AEES Meeting—Call for Abstracts - June 6-9, 2023, annual meeting of the American Ecological Engineering Society (AEES) with the theme “Nature-based Solutions for Resilient Communities,” to be held in Tampa, Florida. Abstracts are due by January 31, 2023.

Coastal GeoTools - February 6-9, 2023, hosted by the Association of State Floodplain Managers to be held in Charleston, South Carolina.

National Floodplain Managers Conference - May 7-11, 2023, 47^th annual conference sponsored by the Association of State Floodplain Managers to be held in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a virtual option.

Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds - June 5-8, periodic federal interagency conference on watershed science to be held in Corvallis, Oregon.

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

• ClimateTech Summit - November 2-3, annual climate technology entrepreneurship conference hosted by Greentown Labs to be held in both Somerville and Houston, Texas, and online.
• MassTrails Conference - November 5-12, annual conference hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to be held in Fitchburg with limited virtual options.
• AWRA 2022 Annual Water Resources Conference - November 7-9, conference sponsored by the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) to be held in Renton, Washington.
• Coastal & Island Symposium - November 10-11, symposium from the Center for Watershed Protection with the theme “Mitigation and Adaptation to Environmental Changes in Coastal & Island Communities” to be held in Fulton, Maryland.
• NALMS Symposium - November 14-17, 42^nd International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS), entitled “Leveraging Experience to Manage Diverse Lakes, Landscapes, and People,” to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a virtual option.
• MICRO 2022, Atlas Edition: Plastic Pollution from Macro to Nano - November 14-18, virtual conference on plastic pollution sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
• 33^rd Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference—Call for Abstracts - April 12-13, 2023, conference sponsored by NEIWPCC with theme “Environmental Justice, Equity & Climate Change,” to be held in Saratoga Springs, New York. Abstracts are due by December 2.
• 2022 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit - December 9-10, conference for participants from upper elementary school through college, in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory, to be held in Sarasota, Florida, with a virtual option.
• Ecosystem Services Conference - December 12-15, conference sponsored by A Community on Ecosystem Services (ACES) at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences with a focus on the “Future of Ecosystem Services” to be held in Washington, DC.
• International Erosion Control Conference - February 5-8, 2023, conference and exposition sponsored by the International Erosion Control Association on erosion, sediment control, and stormwater to be held in Kansas City, Missouri.
• National Monitoring Conference - April 24-28, 2023, 13^th National Monitoring Conference sponsored by the National Water Quality Monitoring Council to be held in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with a limited virtual option.
• CERF 2023 Conference - November 12-16, 2023, biennial conference sponsored by the Coastal Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) to be held in Portland, Oregon.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

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

Aquarium Lecture Series - Upcoming lectures at the New England Aquarium by scientists, environmental writers, photographers, and others. Recordings of past lectures are available on their archive page.

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

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 Field Schools - Multi-day field courses offered by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

Cape Cod Maritime Museum Events - Upcoming events at the museum in Hyannis.

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

Climate Adaptation Science Fall Webinar Series - Webinars on climate change, adaptation, and resilience from the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center at UMass Amherst.

Climate Conversations: Pathways to Action - Monthly webinars from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on national policy action on climate change. Recording 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 (MACC). See the MACC Complete Education Catalog and Community Calendar.

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

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful Events - Talks and volunteer opportunities across the Commonwealth on litter prevention and cleanup, waste reduction and recycling, beautification and community greening, and environmental education.

Marine Educators Workshops - Half-day workshops in November and January for Massachusetts teachers sponsored by the Massachusetts Marine Educators, The Trustees, and the New England White Shark Conservancy.

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

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

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

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

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinars - Webinars hosted by the sanctuary system.

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

NOAA Coastal Training and Learning Resources - A range of training opportunities from NOAA’s Digital Coast.

NOAA Planet Stewards Events - Webinars, workshops, and book club sessions from the NOAA Planet Stewards Education Project.

NOAA Science Seminars - Webinars and seminars on science and climate issues from several NOAA partners.

North and South Rivers Watershed Association Events - Event listings on the South Shore.

Salem Sound Coastwatch Community Calendar - Events posted in the Salem Sound region.

Soak Up the Rain New England Webinar Series - Periodic webinars from EPA that highlight innovative ways to address stormwater in New England.

Sound in the Sea Webinars - Webinars through November hosted by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.

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

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

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

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

Other Items of Interest

NOAA College Scholarships - The NOAA Office of Education is accepting applications for two undergraduate scholarship opportunities. The Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship, which supports undergraduate education in oceanic and atmospheric science and trains students for careers in public service and education, awards up to $9,500 per year and includes a paid summer internship. The José E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program/Minority Serving Institutions Scholarship Program provides up to $45,000 in total support to students majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math and entering junior year, and includes paid NOAA research internships for two summers. Applications for both scholarships are due by January 31, 2023.

Marine Debris Art Contest - The NOAA Marine Debris Program is seeking entries for their Art Contest. Students in grades K-8 can submit original artwork that shows how marine debris impacts the oceans and what they are doing to help prevent marine debris. The winning artwork will be featured in the 2024 NOAA Marine Debris Calendar. The entry deadline is December 16.