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CZ-Mail - October 2025

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

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

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

Highlights

New Environment & Climate One Stop (ECO One Stop) for CZM Grants - The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has launched the new Environment & Climate One Stop (ECO One Stop) to simplify the grant application process for climate resilience and environmental projects in Massachusetts. By consolidating multiple applications into one streamlined process, ECO One Stop allows applicants to apply to multiple grants through a single application. For Fiscal Year 2027, both CZM grant programs—Coastal Resilience and the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants—will be part of ECO One Stop.

A key component of ECO One Stop is the optional, but highly recommended, Expression of Interest (EOI). Submitting an EOI allows applicants to provide a summary of a project idea and receive feedback from relevant grant program staff before the formal application period begins in early 2026. An EOI can be submitted through this simple online form from now through October 28. Potential applicants can submit up to four EOIs (i.e., four project ideas).

Recordings of the informational webinars held by EEA on September 25 and October 1 will soon be available on the ECO One Stop website, which also includes an FAQ page that will be expanded to provide answers to questions from the Q&A portion of these webinars. An additional set of webinars will be scheduled in January 2026, just before ECO One Stop releases a Request for Responses (RFR) on COMMBUYS and opens for formal applications.

If you have any questions about the new ECO One Stop, please email:

Grants Management System - All CZM grant applications must be submitted through EEA’s Grants Management System (GMS). In FY 2027, ECO One Stop grant applications must also be submitted through the GMS.

CZM Joins Bluesky - On September 9, CZM has launched a Bluesky feed (@massczm.bsky.social) to help spread the word about CZM job and grant postings, comment opportunities, calendar items, and other time-sensitive notices, along with information on CZM projects, links to tools and information from the CZM website, and related items of interest. To get these updates, follow CZM on Bluesky.

COASTSWEEP—Still Plenty of Time to Get Involved! - The annual statewide COASTSWEEP beach cleanup organized by CZM continues all the way into November—so there’s plenty of time to join a cleanup or sign up to be a local cleanup coordinator for your favorite beach, marsh, dive site, and riverbank. As part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup—which draws hundreds of thousands of volunteers to coastal cleanups in 118 countries worldwide—COASTSWEEP volunteers remove trash and other marine debris and record data about what they find. This information is entered into Ocean Conservancy’s marine debris database to help improve understanding of sources and develop solutions for prevention. See the COASTSWEEP website for more on how to volunteer, and thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who have come out so far! To receive weekly reminders of new cleanup postings, please send a blank email (completely blank, with no signature line) to join-env-coastsweep-volunteers@listserv.state.ma.us. For additional details on COASTSWEEP 2025, see the press release, as well as 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.)

CZM Staff and People

ResilientCoasts Intern - At the end of September, CZM welcomed Daniela Schulman as an intern for the ResilientCoasts initiative. Through the fall, Daniela will work closely with the team on implementation of the ResilientCoasts Plan, which provides a comprehensive statewide framework for coastal resilience in Massachusetts over the next 50 years. Specifically, her project will focus on identifying what feedback and baseline data CZM can collect from coastal communities—and by what means—to inform and enable the equitable, efficient distribution of state resources to increase coastal resilience, particularly through enhanced district-scale coordination. Daniela is currently a Master of Public Policy candidate at Harvard Kennedy School focused on U.S. climate, ocean, and energy policy. She has also consulted on state and federal clean energy issues for the nonprofit Evergreen Action and worked as a lab manager for clean energy policy expert Dr. Leah Stokes at University of California Santa Barbara. In addition, Daniela has worked on coastal climate resilience at Urban Ocean Lab and volunteered as a diver in the New England Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Center. She holds a degree in Environmental Studies and Human Rights from Yale University. Welcome aboard Daniela!

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Area Grant Program - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking proposals for the Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Area Grant Program to fund activities for a Watershed Management Plan that are necessary to complete Watershed Permit or De Minimis Load applications, which address solutions to eutrophication from nitrogen pollution due to wastewater and other sources. Massachusetts municipalities or other government entities that are a “Local Government Unit” and are in a Cape Cod watershed designated as a “Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Area” are eligible for funding. Preference will be given to proposals that benefit Disadvantaged Communities. For more information, including a link to the RFR, see the MassDEP website. Applications are due October 14 at 5:00 p.m.

Inclusive and Accessible Outdoor Recreation Grants Program - The Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation is seeking applications for the Inclusive and Accessible Outdoor Recreation Grants Program, which provides up to $10,000 to help create new inclusive and accessible outdoor recreation events in Massachusetts or enhance existing events with new inclusive and accessible features. The grants are open to nonprofits, municipalities, state agencies, tribal governments, and partnerships between eligible grantees and private organizations. For details, see the RFR on the COMMBUYS website. Applications are due through the EEA Grant Management System by October 24 at 5:00 p.m.

Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Grants - The Massachusetts Federal Funds & Infrastructure Office (FFIO) is seeking applications for the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program from Massachusetts local governments, federally recognized Tribes, and certain regional organizations that are looking for technical assistance on infrastructure, climate, and economic development projects and have received or are seeking federal funding. Priority is given to rural communities, Gateway Cities, and areas with capacity and financial needs. Applications are reviewed by FFIO on a rolling basis.

Regional Planning Agency Technical Assistance Grants - FFIO is also seeking applications from Regional Planning Agencies to provide technical assistance to rural communities, Gateway Cities, and areas with financial and capacity needs for infrastructure, climate, and economic development projects that have regional scope and impact. Applicants must be seeking or have received federal funding to qualify, and funding is allocated on an opt-in basis. For details, see the FFIO website.

Online Tools and Resources

Ocean Learning Hub - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has launched the Ocean Learning Hub, a new online tool designed in collaboration with teachers and aligned with Next Generation Science and Ocean Literacy Education Standards. The hub includes videos, maps, illustrations, and interactive stories on a variety of ocean topics, including ecosystems, currents, marine life, climate, and more. The advanced search allows topics to be filtered by subject, media type, grade level, discipline, and science standards, bookmarked to best serve classroom needs, and integrated into Google Classrooms or exported in CSV or PDF formats.

Products/Publications

Ocean and Coastal Acidification Monitoring Priorities - The Northeast Coastal Acidification Network (NECAN) has released Ocean and Coastal Acidification Monitoring Priorities for the Northeast US and Eastern Canada, a report that identifies top monitoring needs to track ocean and coastal acidification in the region. Co-authored by Carolina Bastidas (Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant), Austin Pugh (Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems), and a team of other contributors, the report provides information from scientists, resource managers, and constituents throughout the region.

Plastics Policies Report - Ocean Conservancy has released Plastics Policy 101: An Introduction to Science-Based Solutions to the Plastic Pollution Crisis (PDF, 16 MB), a report on potential policy solutions at the federal and state level to address plastic pollution impacts in the United States.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The September-October 2025 Newspaper (PDF, 13 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) includes articles on the Division of Marine Fisheries large whale passive acoustic monitoring program, inventor of the wire mesh lobster trap, inaugural meeting of the Commercial Fisheries Commission, MLA updates, and other lobster news.

NOAA HabitatNews - The September 2025 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes items on National Estuaries Week, the economic benefits of habitat restoration projects in Florida, sediment restoration in Alabama’s Lower Perdido Islands, and other marine fisheries habitat 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.

Proposed MEPA Regulation Amendments - MEPA is seeking public comments on a proposal to amend the 301 CMR 11.00 regulations to streamline housing and ecological restoration projects and establish a Special Review Procedure to govern reviews of urban renewal plans. Public hearings are scheduled for October 14 and 15. For details, see the MEPA Regulations page. Public comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on October 31.

Jobs/Internships

Charles River Watershed Association Positions - The Charles River Watershed Association is seeking applicants for two positions: 1) Staff Attorney and 2) Stormwater Project Manager. For details and application instructions, see the Work with Us page.

Director of Development - The Merrimack River Watershed Council is seeking a Director of Development to produce and execute a long-term strategy to build its funding base and increase supporters. See the Employment page.

Executive Director - The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance is seeking an Executive Director to lead this nonprofit to protect and restore rivers across the Commonwealth. Find the posting on the Careers & Internships page.

Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District Positions - The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) is seeking applicants for two positions: 1) Senior Environmental Planner and 2) Environmental Planning Intern. For details, see the Work at SRPEDD page.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Boston Seaport Tour - October 4, guided walking tour of Boston’s Seaport District from the Friends of the Boston Harborwalk and Boston Harbor Now.

ResilientCoasts: Developing a Statewide Approach to Coastal Resilience in Massachusetts - October 7, webinar from the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) that will feature CZM’s Chief Coastal Resilience Officer to discuss the state’s recently released ResilientCoasts Draft Plan, which puts forward a comprehensive framework for coastal resilience in Massachusetts over the next 50 years and outlines guidance and strategies to address sea level rise, storm surge, erosion, and other coastal hazards.

Climate Resiliency Funding in 2025: Updates, Challenges, and Creative Strategies - October 8, webinar from the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC).

Net Zero 2025 - October 14, conference from the Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative on climate impacts and actionable solutions on Cape Cod with the theme “Building Resilient Communities Together” to be held in Hyannis.

Mystic River Watershed Association Annual Meeting - October 14, annual meeting of the Mystic River Watershed Association with the theme “The Mystic: In Color” to be held in Somerville.

Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination Webinar - October 22, EBC webinar on the Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination process, including case studies and a discussion of tools for challenging discharges.

MACC Fall Conference - October 25, conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions with the theme “At Home with Nature: Balancing the Needs of Housing, Energy, and Environmental Protection” to be held in Devens.

Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference—Call for Abstracts - February 4-6, 2026, annual conference sponsored by NEIWPCC to be held in Westbrook, Connecticut. Abstracts are due by October 26.

2025 massFM Fall Conference - October 28, annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Floodplain Management (massFM) to be held in Worcester with the presentation “ResilientCoasts: A Comprehensive Approach to Statewide Resilience” from CZM’s Chief Coastal Resilience Officer.

Dam Removal Timeline Case Studies - October 29, dam management webinar from EBC on timelines for the design, permitting, and construction of dam rehabilitation and removal projects.

Applying Environmental Forensics to Complex PFAS and Waste Site Investigations - October 30, webinar from EBC.

Implementation of Large-Scale Beach Nourishment - October 30, webinar from EBC and the Northeast Shore and Beach Preservation Association.

Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative Research Conference - October 31-November 1, biennial research conference on biodiversity-related research projects conducted on Nantucket and surrounding areas to be held in Nantucket. A keynote address on deep-sea biodiversity by Dr. Beth Orcutt will be held on October 31 at the Nantucket Atheneum.

EBC 5th Annual Summit of the US EPA and New England State Water and Wastewater Leaders - November 5, virtual conference from EBC that will feature the leadership of water programs for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New England states.

EBC 18th Annual Dredging Conference - November 13, virtual conference from EBC with a focus on confined aquatic disposal (CAD) cells as disposal options in New England.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

Association to Preserve Cape Cod Events - Free events and webinars on natural resources, gardening, and more. Links to free films, recordings of previous webinars, and information from past events are available.

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 will meet the mandatory boater education requirements for all motorized vessel operators that will begin April 1, 2026.

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 - A calendar of 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 MACC. See the MACC Complete Education Catalog and Events Calendar.

Dam Busters 201 Webinars Series - Lunchtime webinars on dam safety, dam removal financing, and community engagement in Massachusetts sponsored by the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, and Charles River Watershed Association, with links to past webinars and related material.

Duxbury Beach Events - 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.

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 & Events - Birding and nature activities.

Healthy and Resilient Communities Research Webinar Series - Periodic community resilience webinars from EPA for local decision makers, with links to Past Webinar Recordings.

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

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 Webinars - Webinars hosted by the sanctuary system. See Past Webinar Recordings for descriptions of and links to previous webinars.

Native Plant Trust Classes & Field Studies - Events on plants and landscaping throughout the region.

Neponset River Watershed Association Events - Calendar of opportunities throughout the watershed.

New England Aquarium Events and Programs - Upcoming events, lectures, and programs at the aquarium in Boston. Recordings of past lectures are available on the Aquarium 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 Planet Stewards Programs - Webinars, workshops, and book club sessions from the NOAA Planet Stewards Education Project. See the Webinar Archives for links to selected presentations.

NOAA Science Seminars - Webinars and seminars on science and climate issues from several NOAA partners. Past seminars are catalogued and available.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Technical Exchange Webinars - Periodic webinars from EPA on a variety of nonpoint source pollution topics, with links to previous webinars.

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

Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Webinars - Webinars on climate change, adaptation, and resilience from this center at the UMass 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.

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 Workshops - 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 the 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 - Upcoming opportunities in the watershed.

Other Items of Interest

School Field Trips - The Penikese Island School in Woods Hole offers field trips for local school groups to the 75-acre remote island of Penikese, located 13 miles south of Woods Hole. Penikese Island is a wildlife sanctuary, and these trips are designed to get students out of the classroom and into nature through immersive, place-based experiential learning. For more information, see the Student Day Trips to Penikese page, and email info@penikese.org to begin planning a field trip.

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