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CZ-Mail - September 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

CZM Completes Seventh Marine Species Rapid Assessment Survey - From August 7-11, CZM staff and a team of scientific experts visited marinas from Penobscot Bay, Maine to Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts to identify native and invasive marine species found on floating docks and piers. Since 2000, the Rapid Assessment Survey (RAS) has been a critical effort for detecting new species introductions, identifying range shifts or expansions of invasive species, and to understand native species distributions. During the RAS, the team documented the persistence of common invaders, such as the skeleton shrimp Caprella mutica, the red algae Grateloupia turuturu, the orange striped anemone Diadumene lineata, and other species that can negatively impact coastal ecosystems and economies. The survey also confirmed that certain invasive species have expanded their range. For example, the bryozoan Tricellaria inopinata was documented at Journey’s End Marina in Rockland, Maine for the first time in the survey’s history. Taxonomic experts who specialize in bryozoans, hydroids, and crustaceans suspect potential new species introductions were documented during the survey, however, several months of laboratory processing will be necessary to confirm these identifications. Native species of note include the nudibranch Scyllaea pelagica found among floating sargassum mounds, which are rare to see outside the pelagic, or open ocean, environment. To view photos of the team in action, see these articles from the Salem News, CapeCod.com, and Dartmouth Week. Funding for the 2023 RAS was provided by CZM, the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Massachusetts Bays and Buzzards Bay National Estuary Programs, and the Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel. For more information on the methods, sampling sites, and data from a similar survey performed in 2018, see the CZM Rapid Assessment Surveys of Marine Invasive Species page, which includes the final report from the 2018 RAS (PDF, 3 MB). See CZM’s Marine Invasive Species Program website for more on other CZM efforts.

New and Improved CZM Grant Viewer - The CZM Grant Viewer has been updated and redesigned to improve search capabilities, streamline information, and add data, links to reports, and more. This mapping tool allows users to explore grants awarded from 2014 to present for the following CZM grant programs: Coastal Resilience Grant Program, Coastal Pollutant Remediation Grant Program, and Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants. These grants are awarded throughout the Massachusetts coastal zone and coastal watersheds and represent a strong investment in clean estuaries, resilient coasts, and healthy habitats. Specific viewer updates include new search and filter options, summary information, project document attachments (e.g., final project reports), and the ability to view the data in table form and export this data. This viewer is designed as a resource for a range of audiences, including perspective grantees, grant program managers, and representatives from local and state government and tribes, nonprofits, and research entities. To explore these grant awards and the updates, launch the CZM Grant Viewer in ArcGIS.

BUAR Publishes Journal Article on Ada K. Damon Shipwreck Site - Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeology (BUAR) Director David Robinson in coordination with retired former BUAR Director, Victor Mastone, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) maritime archaeologist, Dr. Calvin Mires, published “Rising Waters and Coastal Maritime Heritage at Risk in Massachusetts: A Warning from the Ada K. DamonShipwreck Site” in Historical Archaeology, the scholarly journal of The Society for Historical Archaeology and the leading publication in the study of the archaeology of the modern era (circa 1500-present). The Ada K. Damon was a fishing- and sand-schooner built 145 years ago in Essex that was driven aground during the “Christmas Storm of 1909” onto Steep Hill Beach in what is now the Trustees of Reservations' Crane Estate property. For 110 years, the shipwreck site had been a stable, mostly buried, intertidal archaeological deposit and local landmark on the Ipswich shoreline. In September 2020, King Tides and Hurricane Teddy amplified the effects of coastal erosion to displace and scatter the formerly intact shipwreck site over a 9-acre area. Before and after images of the Ada K. Damon shipwreck site are available on CZM’s Flickr site. Also see the Ada K. Damon Shipwreck Site presentation by BUAR Director David Robinson as part of a 2020 speaker series hosted by the R.S. Peabody Institute and Massachusetts Archaeological Society.

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program Awards Over $31 Million in Grants - On August 30, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $31.5 million in grants to cities, towns, and tribes through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program. This program provides communities with funding and technical support to identify climate hazards, develop strategies to improve resilience, and implement priority actions to adapt to climate change. These Action Grant awards include 25 grants to 33 coastal communities for a total of more than $7 million invested in these efforts. Also, the MVP 2.0 pilot program awarded two-year grants of $95,000 to five coastal communities to support updating and implementing their climate change resiliency plans and projects. These municipalities will also receive innovative training on climate resilience best practices, equity, and environmental justice, and will revisit priorities in their current MVP plans. CZM continues to support EEA’s administration of the MVP Program and provide technical assistance to community planning and implementation projects. For more information, including descriptions of grants awarded to coastal communities, see the EEA Press Release.

Massachusetts Dredging Program Awards More than $5 Million in Grants - This summer, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $5 million in grant awards for seven public dredging projects through the Massachusetts Dredging Program. These construction grants will support removal and disposal of nearly 186,000 cubic yards of harbor material, preserving or expanding use of more than 2,000 moorings and dockage slips, as well as navigation for over 250 commercial vessels. Approximately 30 percent of all dredged material will be beneficially reused for public beach nourishment on Cape Cod. Applications for the 2023 grant round were evaluated by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) in collaboration with CZM and the Seaport Economic Council. This year’s dredging grantees include:

  • Barnstable - $300,000 for dredging of the entrance and embayment channels in Cotuit Bay.
  • Chatham - $500,000 for dredging of Stage Harbor’s channel and Bridge Street pier.
  • Harwich - $50,000 for dredging sand from the Allen Harbor entrance channel.
  • Marshfield - $400,000 to dredge material from Green Harbor’s fish piers.
  • Mattapoisett - $20,000 for dredging material from Holmes Wharf basin in Mattapoisett Harbor.
  • Orleans and Eastham - $1,300,000 to dredge material from Rock Harbor’s channel.
  • Wellfleet - $2,500,000 for dredging the South Anchorage in Wellfleet Harbor.

For more information, see the EOED Press Release.

New Predictions - 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Now Expected to Be Above Normal - On August 10, due to oceanic and atmospheric conditions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) increased its prediction for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season to “above normal” with 14-21 named storms (see the NOAA August 10 press release). These updated predictions include the 11 named storms that have formed already this season, with three becoming hurricanes. The NOAA National Hurricane Center website provides regularly updated hurricane information, including a 7-day graphical tropical weather outlook and peak storm surge maps in tropical cyclone advisories. (See the National Weather Service Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches, Warnings, Advisories and Outlooks web page for information on the difference between watches and warnings for hurricanes and tropical storms.) Now that hurricane season is reaching its height—and with the increase in predicted storms—it is especially important to be prepared. CZM’s Hurricane Preparedness Kit provides information on protecting yourself and your home, boat, and more, and CZ-Tip - The Complete Guide to Online Hurricane Tracking for Massachusetts covers how to monitor storms heading this way. The Hurricane Safety Tips page from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) also includes excellent Massachusetts-specific resources, including links to Be Informed and Receive Emergency Alerts with details on how to access multiple methods of emergency alerts, and Hurricane Evacuation Zones with maps and other information to help determine if you live or work in an evacuation zone and what to do when evacuating.

Volunteer for COASTSWEEP 2023! - COASTSWEEP, the annual statewide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM, officially kicks off this month. Volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out in large numbers each year for this event, which is part of an international campaign organized by the Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Participants all over the world collect trash and other marine debris and record what they find. This information is then used to help reduce future marine debris problems. There is still time to sign up to be a local cleanup coordinator for your favorite beach, marsh, dive site, and riverbank—cleanups can be scheduled through early November. Volunteers can also join a scheduled public cleanup. To get involved, see the COASTSWEEP website, which includes a cleanup list that is updated every week. To receive reminders of when new cleanups are posted, please send a blank email (completely blank, with no signature line) to join-env-coastsweep-volunteers@listserv.state.ma.us.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Marine Debris Grant Opportunities - NOAA’s Marine Debris Program is seeking proposals to fund both Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies. Up to $28 million is available from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support large scale marine debris removal projects and installation of proven marine debris interception technologies in the coastal United States, Great Lakes, and territories. Notices of Intent (NOIs) for Marine Debris Removal Grants are due by October 27, and an applicant webinar will be presented on September 12. NOIs for Marine Debris Interception Technologies are due by November 15, and an applicant webinar will be presented on September 13.

Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants - NOAA Fisheries is seeking proposals for locally led fish passage projects that will remove in-stream barriers, such as dams. Up to $175 million in funding is available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to reopen migratory routes and restore access to better fish habitats. For more information, see the NOAA Fisheries website. Proposals are due by October 16.

Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants - NOAA Fisheries is also 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 from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for projects that will advance these priorities and meaningfully engage in coastal habitat restoration activities, such as removing outdated dams and restoring coastal wetlands. Projects selected will include activities such as capacity building, actionable science support, and restoration. For more information, including details on upcoming applicant webinars, see the NOAA Fisheries website. Applications are due by December 19.

Accelerating Climate Resilience Grants - The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is seeking applications for Accelerating Climate Resilience Grants to help fund strategies that protect people, places, and communities from the impacts of climate change. For FY 24, MAPC is offering one-year grants to cities and towns in the MAPC region for technical assistance, programs, capacity building, and capital improvement and construction projects. For details, see the MAPC website. Proposals are due by September 15.

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

  • Technical Assistance Grants - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is seeking proposals from eligible community or municipal applicant groups for Fiscal Year 2024-25 Technical Assistance Grants to support public involvement during oil and hazardous material disposal site assessment and cleanup under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan. Up to $200,000 is available for this grant round, with up to $20,000 per group application. For more information, including informational meeting materials, eligibility requirements, and application instructions, see the grants web page. Applications are due October 13.
  • Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council Grants - EOED is seeking proposals for the 2023 Seaport Economic Council Grant Program, which offers five categories of flexible funding for communities to implement projects that cultivate and stimulate the maritime economy and job growth. The program is open to all Massachusetts coastal communities and other qualified public entities. For details, see the application page. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For consideration at the December meeting of the Seaport Economic Council, applications must be received by October 1.
  • 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. NOAA strongly encourages applicants to submit Letters of Intent to receive feedback and application assistance. Letters are due by September 15 and full proposals are due by February 23, 2024.
  • Including Indigenous Knowledge in Ocean and Coastal Decision Making - The Lenfest Ocean Program is seeking proposals for projects that “elevate Indigenous Peoples in sharing their traditions, culture, knowledge, and wisdom to improve evidence-based decision-making for the management, conservation, and restoration of coastal marine species, habitats, and ecosystems.” Proposals should support “identification, analysis, and/or communication of Indigenous Knowledge and wisdom (where it is culturally appropriate) and approaches that allow this knowledge to inform ocean and coastal management decisions.” For details, see the Lenfest website. Proposals are due by October 16.

Online Tools and Resources

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

Products/Publications

Stellwagen Bank Management Plan - NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has published the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, which provides a guide for sanctuary management into the future. This final management plan, developed with significant public input, replaces the previous 2010 plan and presents 15 Action Plans to increase support for the sanctuary, expand understanding of sanctuary resources, and ensure coordinated support for sanctuary infrastructure, staff, and operations.

Cape-friendly Landscapes Booklet - The Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) has released Guidelines for Cape-friendly Landscapes (PDF, 5 MB), a 40-page booklet with tips on creating landscapes on Cape Cod that better support the natural environment, advice on purchasing native plants and hiring a landscape contractor, and references to learn more. Hard copies of the booklet are also available for purchase on the APCC website.

Toolkit to Protect Drinking Water Sources  - NEIWPCC has published an updated Source Water Protection Toolkit, which provides information and resources for municipal and regulatory officials on how to better protect drinking water sources throughout the seven NEIWPCC member states.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The September 2023 Newspaper (PDF, 16 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) includes articles on the successful testing of a new rope to mark lobster gear, the 2023 right whale season, MLA updates, and other lobster news.

NOAA HabitatNews - The August 2023 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes items on new funding from NOAA, recommend funding for Chesapeake Bay Fisheries research, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Neponset River Watershed News - The August Watershed Update from the Neponset River Watershed Association includes details on the 2022 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Quality Report Card for the watershed, the 2023 Neponset Day celebration, river cleanup dates, and other Neponset River news, upcoming events, and watershed updates.

The Sandbar - The July 2023 issue of The Sandbar, a quarterly publication from the National Sea Grant College Program on U.S. ocean and coastal legal issues, covers a court ruling on requirements for herring fishers to host and pay for fishery observers, a new court case being considered on transfer of development rights in the Florida Keys, and other ocean- and coastal-related legal issues.

Jobs/Internship Postings

Senior Scientist - The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) in Provincetown is seeking a Senior Biologist/Ecologist to lead its Right Whale Ecology Program’s (RWEP) long-term population and ecology studies and to develop new research initiatives. Key responsibilities include serving as Principal Investigator for RWEP research, communicating research through peer-reviewed publications, acting as RWEP spokesperson, supervising and training of RWEP staff, and managing RWEP fiscal affairs and research authorizations. For more details, see the CCS Employment page.

WHOI Project Manager - The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) Marine Operations and Facilities Department is seeking a full-time Project Manager to manage daily activities and coordinate a variety of complex WHOI projects under the direction and supervision of the Senior Program Manager/Director of Special Projects. This job requires three days per week on-site in Woods Hole. For position details, see the job posting.

Director of Land Stewardship - The Orleans Conservation Trust (OCT) is seeking a Director of Land Stewardship to oversee stewardship and monitoring of OCT property and conservation land managed by OCT, including habitat management efforts and public access. Other duties include management of the OCT Volunteer Land Steward Program to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers. For additional details, see the job listing.

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

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Nantucket Climate Change Summit - September 6, inaugural summit to be held in Nantucket from the Linda Loring Nature Foundation and the Nantucket Conservation Foundation on the impacts of climate change on the island and resilience projects underway.

Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative Research Conference—Call for Presentations - November 3, 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. Presentation proposals are due by September 15.

Northeast Conference on the Science of PFAS—Call for Presentations - 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. Presentation proposals are due by September 15.

2023 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit - September 16, annual conference for students and youth leaders in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory to be held in Sarasota, Florida with a virtual option.

New England Water Works Conference - September 17-20, annual conference for drinking water professionals to be held in Burlington, Vermont.

Nature-Based Approaches Field Trip: Falmouth - September 20, the final of four free field trips highlighting various nature-based approaches that can be used to protect coastlines from storm surge and sea level rise. This informational trip to Falmouth is sponsored by the Stone Living Lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston and Woods Hole Group, with funding from CZM’s Coastal Resilience Grant Program. Local officials in coastal communities or those working to advance natural protection along the shoreline are strongly encouraged to attend. For details, see the Stone Living Lab website.

Leadership Briefing from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England Leadership - September 20, in-person event from the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) to be held in Boston.

MAPC 60th Anniversary Celebration - September 21, anniversary celebration of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to be held in Cambridge.

Developing Offshore Wind in U.S. Waters: Offshore Wind Development and the Structure and Function of Marine Ecosystems - September 21, part two of an offshore wind development webinar series from Open Communications for the Ocean (OCTO) and NOAA’s National Marine Protected Areas Center.

National Adaptation Forum—Call for Proposals - May 14-16, 2024, annual event for climate adaptation professionals to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Presentation proposals are due by September 22.

It’s a Hard Dock Life: Finding and Identifying Marine Invasive Species - September 23, hands on marine invasive species event for all ages sponsored by MassBays, Maritime Gloucester, and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission to be held in Gloucester as part of the Essex National Heritage 2023 Trails and Sails. To participate, please reserve a time slot.

New England Climate Change and Resiliency Summit - September 26, fifth annual summit from EBC to be held in Boston with a virtual option.

BUAR Meeting - September 28, Public Meeting of the Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) to be held in Boston with a virtual option.

Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Virtual Open House - October 4, interactive, one-hour event to learn about Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (NE CASC) projects with NE CASC researchers.

Dams and Fish Movement - An Update on the State of Fish Passage in New England - October 5, webinar from EBC on efforts to improve the passage of migratory fish at dams in New England.

Research Symposium and Environmental Education Conference - Annual Conference and Research Symposium from the North American Association of Environmental Education held virtually from October 9-20: research symposium (October 12), virtual conference (October 17-20), and pre-conference workshops and meetings (October 9-16).

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.

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.

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

  • National Floodplain Managers Conference - September 5-8, 47th annual conference sponsored by the Association of State Floodplain Managers to be held in Los Angeles, California.
  • Collaborative Approaches to Establishing Stormwater Utilities - September 12, virtual workshop on stormwater financing from the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance.
  • 2023 National Coastal Conference - October 10-13, conference on coastal science, technology, and policy with the theme, “Anchors Aweigh: Revolutionary Times for Coastal Habitats,” sponsored by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association to be held in Providence, Rhode Island.
  • NALMS Symposium - October 22-26, 43rd International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) to be held in Erie, Pennsylvania.
  • 2023 massFM Conference - October 23, fourth annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Floodplain Management to be held in Worcester.
  • Living Shorelines Tech Transfer Workshop - October 24-25, biennial workshop from Restore America’s Estuaries to be held in Galveston, Texas.
  • 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.
  • 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 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) with the theme, “Resilience and Recovery,” to be held in Portland, Oregon.
  • EBC Leadership Program with EPA Regional Administrator - November 15, presentation sponsored by EBC featuring EPA Region One Administrator David Cash.
  • 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.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

Accelerating Climate Resiliency Speaker Series - Monthly webinars from MAPC in partnership with the Barr Foundation on work to advance climate resilience.

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

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.

Building Blocks for Sharing Science - Webinar series through October from the Lake Superior Reserve and Ohio Coastal Training Programs on challenges in environmental and science communications.

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 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.

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.

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.

Great Massachusetts Cleanup - Volunteer and coordinator opportunities through the summer from Keep Massachusetts Beautiful.

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:

MVP Fall Field Trip Series - Three-part series to showcase climate adaptation projects and watershed-scale collaboration from the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program. The first trip is to Ipswich on September 7 with a focus on the Ipswich Mill Dam removal. Please RSVP.

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.

Sound in the Sea Webinars - Webinars on underwater sound 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, Talks, & Events in Harwich - Birding and nature walks and talks 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

Charles River Cyanobacteria Monitoring Volunteers - The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is seeking volunteers to help with quick detection of cyanobacteria blooms in the Charles River. Volunteers can include walkers, bikers, rowers, or others using the Charles River and its banks. Volunteers are asked to observe the water, take photos, and submit them to CRWA. For more information and to sign up, see the CRWA website.

National Estuaries Week - September 16-23 is National Estuaries Week, an annual celebration of the importance of coastal and estuarine regions to the national economy and local communities. Learn about special events taking place around the country, plan and register your own event, and enter the National Estuaries Week Photo Contest through the Restore America’s Estuaries National Estuaries Week web page.

September Is National Preparedness Month - Each September is National Preparedness Month, which promotes disaster and emergency planning. This year’s theme, “Preparing for Older Adults,” focuses on preparing these citizens for disasters, particularly those in communities that are disproportionally impacted by hazard events. Web pages are available in English, Spanish, and nine other languages for emergency managers and those who support older communities. Also, you can make a plan with your family and friends for how you will stay safe and communicate during an emergency or disaster. See the publications page for suggested emergency plans, supply lists and the get involved page for details on volunteering, donating, trainings, and more.

Massachusetts Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellowship - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant (WHOISG) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant (MITSG) are seeking applications for the Massachusetts Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellowship, which supports exceptional prospective graduate students engaged in coastal and marine research that furthers the goals of WHOISG and MITSG. It is anticipated that two, two-year Graduate Student Fellowships will be awarded up to $42,000/year (stipend, tuition, and professional development costs) for a total of $84,000 over the two-year period (2024-2026). Fellowships will require a match of $1 of non-federal funds for every $2 of federal Sea Grant funds requested. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend a September 7 Informational Webinar on the program. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on October 4.

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