Skip to main content

Log in links for this page

CZ-Mail - November 2023

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 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, please email your request to CZ-Mail@mass.gov. 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

$7.9 Million in Coastal Resilience Grants Awarded to Communities and Nonprofits - On October 2, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and CZM announced $7.9 million in grants for 19 local projects to help Massachusetts coastal communities prepare for coastal storms, storm surge, flooding, erosion, sea level rise, and other climate change impacts through proactive local planning and shoreline management efforts. The grants, provided through CZM’s Coastal Resilience Grant Program, support these ongoing and new resilience efforts across the coast:

  • Barnstable - $92,579 to finalize plans to enhance the primary dune and relocate the parking lot landward at Sandy Neck Beach Park to reduce the risk of storm damage to infrastructure and preserve access to recreation.
  • Beverly - $325,375 to assess the vulnerability of Lynch Park to flooding and erosion and develop resilience strategies. The project will evaluate potential impacts to the seawall and develop conceptual designs to mitigate flooding, address the drainage of floodwaters, and protect public access and amenities.
  • Braintree - $74,940 to implement a monitoring plan for a salt marsh restoration and shoreline stabilization project at Watson Park constructed in 2022. Monitoring information will be used to adapt project management and maintenance approaches to lengthen design life while reducing erosion and flooding. Braintree will also create an interactive map to document the resilience lessons learned from the project.
  • Chatham - $94,540 to continue public outreach and complete permitting for beach nourishment and temporary structures that redirect tidal currents to address shoreline erosion and shoaling near Stage Harbor and Morris Island. The project will help stabilize the channel and barrier beach system, improving navigability and storm damage protection.
  • Chatham, on behalf of the Pleasant Bay Alliance - $117,220 to complete permitting, monitoring, and construction documents to advance implementation of a living shoreline to protect Jackknife Beach. The project will restore the fringing salt marsh adjacent to the public access area to build resilience to erosion and sea level rise.
  • Cohasset - $227,770 to develop preliminary designs for protecting infrastructure from flooding in the James Brook watershed. Designs will include roadway elevation, streetscaping, seawall repairs, and other approaches to protect roads and buildings.
  • Cohasset - $220,000 to finalize design plans and permitting for wastewater system flood resilience. The project will seal sewer pipes and manholes to reduce flows during flooding and will elevate electrical equipment.
  • Duxbury - $2,000,000 to construct the first phase of the Bay Avenue and Gurnet Road beach and dune restoration project using approximately 75,000 cubic yards of sand, gravel, and cobble. The project will also conduct surveys of the site’s resources, facilitate contractor hiring in coordination with Marshfield, and continue public outreach.
  • Duxbury Beach Reservation, Inc. - $123,000 to construct a mixed cobble and sand berm to address erosion north and south of Powder Point Bridge, one of two access points to Duxbury Beach. Construction of the berm will maintain access to the shoreline and critical infrastructure.
  • Hingham - $268,771 to assess coastal flooding and develop preliminary designs for a shoreline resilience project for Hingham Harbor. The project will work in conjunction with planned Massachusetts Department of Transportation improvements along Route 3A to ensure flood protection.
  • Hull - $120,000 to evaluate plans to reduce the flooding risk for the Department of Public Works facility and the Municipal Light Plant. Through a comprehensive approach, including community engagement and best practices for nature-based solutions, Hull will select projects to reduce the long-term sea level rise and storm damage vulnerability of these facilities.
  • Manchester-by-the-Sea - $112,281 to complete near-term resilience actions to protect critical infrastructure from flooding in the downtown and inner harbor area, including elevating generators at municipal buildings and convening a community visioning workshop for a floodable park.
  • Marshfield - $1,200,000 to construct the first half of a beach nourishment project to address erosion and flooding south of Green Harbor. The project complements beach nourishment efforts in Duxbury and will ultimately result in approximately 3,000 feet of restored shoreline across the two communities.
  • Nahant - $147,295 to seek permits for cobble nourishment and vegetation planting at Forty Steps Beach to address erosion and damage to the existing seawall and revetment. The project will stabilize the eroded bluff and protect adjacent critical roadway and utility infrastructure.
  • Nantucket - $421,875 to create preliminary designs for installing flood barriers in the lowest-lying section of its downtown waterfront. Based on feasibility assessments and community engagement, Nantucket will evaluate various options including road elevations to ensure access to roads, ferry service, and businesses in the area.
  • Oak Bluffs - $169,150 to conduct a flooding and sea level rise vulnerability analysis of key transportation routes to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, the island’s only hospital.
  • Salem - $109,800 to begin to address coastal erosion at Winter Island Park through community engagement, pedestrian traffic management, and shoreline erosion and invasive plant species assessments. The project will help preserve a valuable recreational and historical resource in the city.
  • Scituate - $1,976,480 to place an additional 26,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel on North Scituate Beach to extend the nourishment area and the life of the project. The nourished beach will help protect vulnerable public infrastructure and homes from coastal storm impacts.
  • Yarmouth - $79,940 to create three conceptual designs for potential projects to increase the resilience of Packet Landing Marina from sea level rise and storm surge.

For more information, see the CZM Press Release, along with links below for news coverage. (Articles may only be available for a limited time. Not working? Try copying the web address directly into your browser, rather than clicking on it.)

Massachusetts Releases Statewide Climate Resilience Plan - On October 11, the Healey-Driscoll Administration released the 2023 Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan, known as the ResilientMass Plan. ResilientMass is based on the findings, science, and stakeholder engagement of the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment. The plan details 142 actions that address the most significant hazards to Massachusetts, including flooding from precipitation, coastal flooding and erosion due to sea level rise, and high heat. Over the next five years, designated lead agencies, in collaboration with other state and community partners, will advance these actions—and progress will be recorded with the ResilientMass Plan Action Tracker. CZM will lead 11 actions to address coastal flooding and erosion, degradation of coastal wetlands and the marine environment, and damages to buildings, infrastructure, and cultural resources. The development of a coastal resilience strategy in partnership with many agencies is a high-priority action that will consider climate-resilient development and standards in vulnerable areas and develop best practices for coastal adaptation. Implementation of ResilientMass will be supported by the inter-agency ResilientMass Action Team and the new Office of Climate Science. For more information on the ResilientMass Plan, see the EEA Press Release.

Over $500,000 in Grants Awarded to Protect Buzzards Bay Water Quality and Habitat - On October 12, EEA announced $558,531 in federally funded grant awards for projects that will improve water quality and habitat in the Buzzards Bay watershed. The grants were awarded by the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, through CZM, with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The grants also leverage $336,000 in local, state, and federal funds and in-kind services and help meet climate resilience and environmental equity goals of the Commonwealth. The following communities received funding:

  • Fairhaven - $125,000 to improve water quality in Outer New Bedford-Fairhaven Harbor by reducing pollution from stormwater runoff. The grant will fund stormwater retrofits including green infrastructure designs to treat road runoff from Jerusalem Road and leverage other state funding. The runoff currently discharges to a shellfish growing area, causing the area to be closed periodically to shellfishing after rainfall.
  • New Bedford - $93,531, in partnership with Groundwork Southcoast, to hire an engineering firm to conduct a feasibility study and develop design plans for creating salt marsh habitat in a manmade pond in Riverside Park. The pond is currently overgrown with invasive species and is often used as a dumping ground. The project will return the area to a natural state and create tidal exchange with the Acushnet River. Groundwork Southcoast and their Green Team, which employs area youth, will work with the city and residents to build environmental stewardship and help ensure that designs for the popular waterfront park meet community needs and environmental sustainability goals.
  • Wareham - $275,000, in partnership with the Marine Biological Laboratory, to scale up prior pilot studies that showed nitrogen levels can be lowered and effluent quality can be significantly improved at the Wareham Water Pollution Facility by passing effluent through biofilters composed of wood chip media. The proposed Phase 2 field trials will explore how earlier pilot experiments can be scaled to 40-foot-long reactors and will calculate flow rates and infrastructure needed to handle the municipal facility’s daily flows. The Wareham Water Pollution Facility currently has stringent nitrogen limits imposed on its discharge, and the new bioreactor technology, which is more cost effective than other approaches, would help the town further reduce its nitrogen loading to coastal waters. If successful, the new technology will allow for the increased capacity of the wastewater facility and much needed expansion of sewering in the town.
  • Wareham - $40,000, in partnership with the Buzzards Bay Coalition, to assess the feasibility of constructing a neighborhood-scale wastewater system, with the purpose of reducing nitrogen pollution from onsite septic systems near Little Harbor Beach on Great Neck. The study will identify potential nearby town-owned property outside the flood zone where the facility might be sited.
  • Westport - $25,000 to hire a consultant to assist the town with monitoring and investigating municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) discharges to comply with its federal stormwater permit. The proposed work will safeguard waterbodies and groundwater by assisting with control of polluted stormwater runoff, which is a major cause of water quality impairments in the town.

See the CZM Press Release for more information and the links below for news coverage. (Articles may only be available for a limited time. Not working? Try copying the web address directly into your browser, rather than clicking on it.)

Eelgrass Mapping Report Released and Story Map Updated - The Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays) and CZM have released Increasing agency confidence in eelgrass maps used for project review and ocean planning (PDF, 56 MB), the final technical report for the 18-month project that assessed different methods of mapping eelgrass, which was funded by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Project of Special Merit grant. In this study, drone, airplane, satellite, and side scan sonar missions were conducted alongside SCUBA diver and photo ground-truthing surveys at five Massachusetts eelgrass meadows. Results showed that all remote sensing methods under-mapped eelgrass, especially at the deep edge, and map accuracy generally decreased with decreasing imagery resolution. For detailed descriptions, maps, photographs, videos, and slideshow features of the eelgrass mapping project, including new results and management recommendations sections, check out the updated Comparison of Eelgrass Mapping Methods Story Map.

New CZM Blog on the Spaghetti Bryozoan - This summer, Avril Lynch served as a Marine Invasive Species Intern with CZM’s Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Team—working on the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC) program, 2023 Rapid Assessment Survey, and other initiatives. As part of her work, she did a literature review on the potentially invasive Amathia verticillata, also known as the Spaghetti Bryozoan. For details, check out Avril’s blog, Profile of a Marine Invasive Species - Meet the Spaghetti Bryozoan. And stay tuned to CZ-Mail for an announcement of the 2023 Rapid Assessment Report sometime next spring.

Last Call to Volunteer for COASTSWEEP 2023! - 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 3,000 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. And thank you to everyone who has turned out so far!

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

MVP Action Grants - EEA is accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the Fiscal Year 2025 Municipal Vulnerability Program (MVP) Action Grants, which provide eligible communities funding to implement priority climate adaptation actions. Potential applicants can submit basic information about project ideas, and MVP staff will give feedback prior to the release of the Request for Responses (RFR), expected in mid-March 2024. Submission of an EOI is not mandatory but is highly encouraged. For more information on the grants and to submit an EOI, see the MVP Action Grant web page. Submissions are due by December 15.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has announced the availability of funding through these Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs:

These federally funded grants provide billions of dollars in funding to reduce or eliminate the loss of life and property due to natural hazards. Interested applicants are encouraged to participate in MEMA’s informational webinar on November 7 (Microsoft Teams meeting; Click here to join the meeting; Meeting ID: 221 724 632 722; Passcode: fVoBbZ). Statements of Interest are due by November 20 and full applications for all these grant programs are due to MEMA through the FEMA GO web portal by January 8, 2024. Email mitigation@mass.gov with questions.

Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants - The EEA Division of Conservation Services (DCS) is seeking proposals for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants, which provide up to $1 million in matching funds to state agencies and local governments to acquire and develop public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of two grant information sessions: November 8 at 2:00 p.m. on Microsoft Teams or November 20 at 11:00 a.m. in person at MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough. Please RSVP to Melissa Cryan at melissa.cryan@mass.gov to attend either session. For application instructions, see the DCS website.

Marine Oil Spill Prevention and Response Grants - On November 1, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) anticipates the release of the RFR for the Oil Spill Prevention & Response Grant Program to fund preparedness training, spill prevention and detection equipment, identification and mitigation of oil spill risks, vessel navigational safety improvements, sensitive area data management and mapping, geographic response strategies, research and development projects, wildlife rehabilitation training, and research on and improvements to climate change resiliency in oil marine transportation and storage. For more information, including details on the upcoming information sessions and how to apply, see the MassDEP website.

Sea Level Rise Grants - NOAA is seeking proposals through the Effects of Sea Level Rise Program (ESLR) for efforts that improve adaptation and planning in response to sea level rise and coastal inundation (storm surge, nuisance flooding, and/or wave actions) through research on nature-based solutions, modeling of physical and biological processes, and testing mitigation strategies. Letters of intent are due by November 13 and full proposals will be due by January 24, 2024. For more information and application instructions, including a link to an October 6 informational webinar recording, see the ESLR Program website.

Marine Debris Funding for Underserved or Overburdened Communities - The NOAA Marine Debris Program and the National Sanctuary Foundation are seeking proposals for the Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility to fund one-year initiatives that investigate and prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris in communities that are underserved, underrepresented, or overburdened. Approximately $75,000 will be awarded for 10-15 grants ranging from $5,000-$7,500. For more information, including applications details, see the Funding Opportunity Overview (PDF, 270 KB). Full proposals are due on December 18.

New England Bay Watershed Education and Training Grants - The National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office is seeking proposals for the New England Bay Watershed Education and Training (New England B-WET) Program for K-12 experiential learning in New England states. Priorities for this opportunity are: 1) Two-year projects that combine watershed education and teacher professional development, and 2) Three-year projects that focus on build K-12 environmental literacy at the state and local level. For more information, including how to apply and details on upcoming informational webinars, see the New England B-WET web page. Applications due February 20, 2024.

Environmental Education Grants - EPA is seeking applications for Environmental Education Grants, which support local projects that improve understanding of local environmental issues and provide information to support informed decisions and effective action. Up to $3.6 million is available for the 2023 grants, and EPA expects to award three-five grants for the New England Region. For more information and to submit applications, see Grants.Gov. Proposals are due by November 8.

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

  • Marine Debris Grant Opportunities - NOAA’s Marine Debris Program is seeking proposals to fund Marine Debris Interception Technologies. Up to $4 million is available to support installation of proven marine debris interception technologies in the coastal United States, Great Lakes, and territories. Notices of Intent are due by November 15.
  • Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants - NOAA Fisheries is seeking proposals for habitat restoration and coastal resilience projects that will have “transformative impact for coastal communities and tribes across the country.” Up to $240 million is available for projects that will sustain fisheries, assist in recovery of endangered species, and help protect coastal ecosystems and communities from climate change impacts. For details, see the NOAA Fisheries website. Proposals are due by November 17.
  • Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities - NOAA Fisheries is seeking proposals to fund coastal habitat restoration and climate resilience priorities of tribes and underserved communities. Up to $45 million is available for projects that will advance these priorities and meaningfully engage in coastal habitat restoration activities, such as removing outdated dams and restoring coastal wetlands. For more information, see the NOAA Fisheries website. Applications are due by December 19.
  • Ocean Acidification Education Mini-Grants - The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program is seeking proposals to develop coastal and ocean acidification education tools and programs that address the goals of the NOAA Ocean Acidification Education Implementation Plan (PDF, 2 MB) and the 2021-2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan (PDF, 2 MB). The principal objective of this grant program is to provide financial assistance to develop these education tools and programs in underserved and/or Indigenous communities or Tribes. For more information and application details, see the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Full proposals are due by February 23, 2024.
  • Marine Debris Funding - The National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) is seeking proposals for the Marine Debris Challenge Competition and Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions Opportunity. The Marine Debris Challenge Competition (PDF, 113 KB) offers approximately $16 million to support innovative research on the prevention and removal of marine debris. Letters of Intent are due by January 31, 2024, and full proposals will be due on March 27, 2024. The Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions Opportunity (PDF, 123 KB) will provide approximately $3 million to fund the creation of coalitions and partnerships to tackle marine debris. Letters of Intent are due by December 14, and full proposals will be due on March 5, 2024. Applicants must submit proposals for both opportunities in partnership with a relevant Sea Grant program.

Online Tools and Resources

Climate Vulnerability Assessment Tool - NOAA Fisheries has launched the new Climate Vulnerability Assessment Tool, which provides access to consolidated data from NOAA Fisheries Climate Vulnerability Assessments on nearly 400 marine-related species and habitats, with data on fish stocks, protected species, habitats, fishing communities, and more.

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

  • Tree Equity Score - This tool measures the benefits of urban tree canopies and gives a score for the health, economic, and climate benefits provided by neighborhood tree cover. This score can guide investment in communities disproportionately affected by extreme heat, pollution, and other environmental hazards.
  • Distribution Mapping and Analysis Portal - This web-based tool allows users to track, understand, and respond to shifting distributions of marine species, which can be important for species conservation and management.
  • New and updated data sets (PDF, 59 KB)

Products/Publications

Coastal Resilience Guide - FEMA has released The Economic Case for Coastal Resilience (PDF, 4 MB). This guide includes an overview coastal natural disasters and economic impacts nationwide, discusses how to reduce risks, and provides case studies on community efforts.

Land Use and Green Infrastructure Scorecard - EPA has published the Land Use and Green Infrastructure Scorecard with updated information on local methods to protect water resources and ecosystem services using low impact development strategies. This publication updates the scorecard developed in 2009 to help local governments adopt codes, ordinances, and incentives for better water quality protection. It builds on the original tool with information on community engagement and equity, climate change, and the broad benefits of green infrastructure.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Coastal & Estuarine Science News - The latest issue of Coastal & Estuarine Science News, the newsletter of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation, includes articles on how releases of fresh water from dammed rivers help restore downstream estuaries, salt marsh responses to sea level rise, and other coastal and estuarine research topics.

NOAA HabitatNews - The October 2023 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes items on coastal habitat restoration and Florida’s recreational fisheries, wetlands restoration efforts to improve the sustainability of the New Orleans area, recent NOAA habitat and estuary restoration efforts after oil spills, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The October 2023 Newspaper (PDF, 14 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) covers an upcoming hearing on lobster pot buoy line marking rules, American Lobster Initiative research, a new partnership for environmental monitoring and data sharing, 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 Wind Energy Area in the Gulf of Maine - The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is seeking public comment on the Draft Wind Energy Area in the Gulf of Maine (Draft WEA), which covers more than 3 million acres approximately 23-120 miles offshore Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. For more information, including a siting analysis report from NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and details on upcoming public meetings, see the BOEM Gulf of Maine web page. Submit comments on the Draft WEA through regulations.gov by November 20.

Jobs/Internship Postings

Water Quality Post-Doctoral Fellow - The Buzzard’s Bay Coalition and the Woodwell Climate Research Center are seeking a Brenninkmeyer Postdoctoral Fellow to support a National Science Foundation project that explores how traditional water quality monitoring with grab samples compares to continuously recording sensors. For details on this 2.5-year position, see the Coalition’s Job Opportunities page.

Supervising Environmental Analyst - The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse is seeking a Supervising Environmental Analyst to oversee staff in the Technical Resources section of the Land & Water Resources Division. Responsibilities include managing multiple projects; coordinating with other DEEP units, agencies, and partners; representing DEEP on various local, state, and regional committees; maintaining technical, scientific, and policy expertise on water resource issues; and overseeing of data and mapping products. For more information on this hybrid position in Hartford, Connecticut, see the job posting.

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

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Northeast Residuals & Biosolids Conference - November 1-2, annual event sponsored by the New England Water Environment Association to be held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

2023 State of Wellfleet Harbor Conference - November 4, annual conference sponsored by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and partners to be held in Wellfleet with a virtual option.

Pond Oxygenation Workshop: Learning Through Case Studies - November 8, full-day workshop presented by the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Program to be held in Falmouth.

Summit on Climate & Environmental Justice, Racism, and the Law - November 16-17, summit hosted by Taproot Earth to be held in Durham, North Carolina, with a virtual option.

BUAR Meeting - November 30, Public Meeting of the Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) to be held in Boston with a virtual option.

NROC Fall Meeting - November 30, meeting of the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) to be held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The meeting will focus on projects funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, with an opportunity to provide input on NROC decisions and future priorities.

Exploring Ocean Mysteries: From Dynamic Shores to the Deep Sea - December 5 and December 6, free virtual educator workshop on ocean and climate literacy offered by the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference - February 14-16, 2024, annual conference sponsored by NEIWPCC to be held in Fairlee, Vermont.

National Floodplain Managers Conference - June 23-27, 2024, 48th annual conference sponsored by the Association of State Floodplain Managers to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

  • Boston Harbor Ecosystem Network Fall Meeting - November 1, meeting in Boston with a focus on invasive and range-expanding species that will include a presentation by CZM on the findings from CZM’s Rapid Assessment Surveys and the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC). Please RSVP.
  • ClimateTech Summit - November 1-2, annual climate technology entrepreneurship conference hosted by Greentown Labs to be held in both Somerville and Houston, Texas, or online.
  • Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative Research Conference - November 2-5, biennial research conference on biodiversity-related research projects conducted on Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, Long Island, or other similar habitats to be held in Nantucket.
  • AWRA 2023 Annual Water Resources Conference - November 6-8, conference sponsored by the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) to be held in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • National Nonpoint Source Training Workshop - November 6-9, workshop sponsored by NEIWPCC to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • Massachusetts Science Teachers Conference - November 8, annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers to be held in Marlborough.
  • CERF 2023 Conference - November 12-16, biennial conference sponsored by the Coastal Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) focusing on “Resilience and Recovery” to be held in Portland, Oregon.
  • EBC Leadership Program with EPA Regional Administrator - November 15, presentation sponsored by the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) featuring EPA Region One Administrator David Cash.
  • Ocean Literacy Summit - November 15-17, biennial conference sponsored by the New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative with the theme “Connecting Climate, Communities, and Coasts” to be held in Gloucester.
  • Social Coast Forum - February 12-15, 2024, seventh forum from the NOAA Office for Coastal Management and the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association with a focus on “Social Science for Equitable Coastal Resilience” to be held in Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Ocean Sciences Meeting - February 18-23, 2024, the biennial meeting co-sponsored by the American Geophysical Union, the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, and The Oceanography Society to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, with limited virtual presentations.
  • International Erosion Control Conference - February 25-28, 2024, conference and exposition sponsored by the International Erosion Control Association on erosion, sediment control, and stormwater to be held in Spokane, Washington.
  • Northeast Conference on the Science of PFAS - April 2-4, 2024, 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.
  • National Adaptation Forum - May 14-16, 2024, annual event for climate adaptation professionals to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • NMEA 2024 Annual Conference - July 28-August 1, 2024, 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.”

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

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

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

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 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.

Climate Change Webinar Series - Webinars on climate change, marine protected areas, offshore wind, marine heatwaves, and freshwater acidification from the National Marine Protected Areas Center.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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

Other Items of Interest

Marine Policy Fellowships - The NOAA Sea Grant College Program is accepting applications for the 2025 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program. This one-year paid fellowship matches graduate students studying ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and policy with hosts in the legislative and executive branches, or appropriate associations and institutions in and around Washington, DC. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact their state Sea Grant Program to notify them that they intend to apply and to receive assistance with the application process. Applications must be submitted to state Sea Grant programs by February 15, 2024.

NOAA College Scholarships - The NOAA Office of Education is accepting applications for two undergraduate scholarships. 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, 2024.

Foster Scholarship Program - NOAA is seeking applications for the 2024 Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, which provides support for master’s and doctoral degrees in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology, and ocean and coastal resource management. Women and minority students are encouraged to apply. The scholarship provides up to $47,000 per year for tuition and living expenses, with additional funds available to support collaboration at a NOAA office. Applications are due by December 20.

Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee - NOAA is seeking applications for membership on the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee, which provides advice on all aspects of the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System. This system promotes research on coastal and ocean observation technologies and modeling systems, addresses ocean information needs, and gathers and disseminates important coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes data. For more information, see the call for nominations, which are due via email by January 2, 2024.

Education Team Volunteers - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is seeking volunteers with science knowledge and experience with school-age kids to join their Education Team to help with hands-on, estuary-related school programs in the fall and spring. Training will be provided. If interested, please contact their K-12 Educator, jayne.dicandio@mass.gov, or Volunteer Coordinator, laurie.tompkins@mass.gov.

Marine Debris Art Contest - The NOAA Marine Debris Program is seeking Art Contest entries. 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 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Calendar. The entry deadline is December 15.

Related

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback