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CZ-Mail - April 2021

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 daily updates from CZM, please follow us on Twitter.

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

Highlights

Governor Baker Signs Climate Legislation to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Protect Environmental Justice Communities - On March 26, Governor Charlie Baker signed comprehensive climate change legislation that codifies into law the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to achieve Net Zero emissions in 2050 and furthers the Commonwealth’s nation leading efforts to combat climate change and protect vulnerable communities. The new law, Senate Bill 9 - An Act Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, establishes new interim goals for emissions reductions, significantly increases protections for Environmental Justice communities across Massachusetts, authorizes the Administration to implement a new, voluntary energy efficient building code for municipalities, and allows the Commonwealth to procure an additional 2,400 Megawatts (MW) of clean, reliable offshore wind energy by 2027. Building upon the framework established in the Administration’s 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap and Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2030, the bipartisan bill allows the Commonwealth to pursue ambitious emissions reduction goals in a cost-effective and equitable manner while creating jobs and opportunities for economic development throughout Massachusetts. For details, see the Press Release issued by EEA.

Pre-RFR Support for CZM Grant Programs - CZM anticipates the release of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Requests for Responses (RFR) for the Coastal Resilience Grant Program and the Coastal Pollutant Remediation (CPR) Grant Program later this spring. Coastal Resilience Grants provide funding and technical assistance to coastal communities and eligible nonprofit organizations to reduce risks associated with coastal storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise through innovative and transferable local projects. The CPR Grant Program provides funds to municipalities within the Massachusetts Coastal Watershed to identify and improve water quality impaired by nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. The following CZM support is available for these grants:

  • Direct Support from CZM - CZM is available to provide support with these grant programs—and up until the RFRs are released, CZM can discuss project ideas and eligibility for these grants with potential applicants. See the contact information at the bottom of the Coastal Resilience Grant page and the CPR Grant page to connect with CZM.
  • Coastal Resilience Grants Pre-RFR Webinar - CZM hosted an informational webinar on the Coastal Resilience Grant Program on March 30, which reviewed the goals and requirements of the grants, covered anticipated funding levels and timelines, highlighted recent projects, and allowed time for questions and discussion of potential project ideas. Links to recordings of the webinars and the PowerPoint presentation given are available below.
    • Coastal Resilience Grants Webinar Video
    • Coastal Resilience Grants Webinar Presentation
  • CPR Grants Pre-RFR Webinar - CZM will host an informational webinar on the CPR Grant Program on April 6. The webinar will review the goals and requirements of the grants, cover anticipated funding levels and timelines, highlight recent projects, and allow time for questions and discussion of potential project ideas. RSVP not required, see below for options to join the webinar.

    Date and Time: April 6, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

    This webinar will be recorded and posted on the CPR website after April 6.

  • Announcements of RFR Postings - To receive an email announcement that the RFRs are posted, please email Patricia Bowie at patricia.bowie@mass.gov for Coastal Resilience Grants and Adrienne Pappal at adrienne.pappal@mass.gov for CPR Grants. Links to the RFRs will also be posted on the CZM Jobs and Grants page and on the grant program web pages when the grant rounds officially open.

CZ-Tip - Sign Up for Coastal Citizen Science - April 22 is Earth Day, and what better way to celebrate than to contribute your efforts to citizen science programs that help protect the coasts of the Commonwealth? Add your two cents to the collective knowledge by documenting animals, plants, and their habitats, monitoring invasive species, researching salt marshes and water quality, photographing shoreline changes, and cleaning up and tallying marine debris—much of which can be conveniently performed with your smart phone. Spring is a great time to get started, since plants are emerging, herring are running, horseshoe crabs are spawning, and many marine animals are on the move. To learn more about unique opportunities around the coast, see CZ-Tip - Sign Up for Coastal Citizen Science.

Routine Review of the Massachusetts Coastal Program Underway - As required by Section 312 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management is in the process of conducting a routine review of the Massachusetts coastal program for the period of June 2014 through April 2021. NOAA is evaluating the performance, operation, and management of the federally approved Massachusetts Coastal Management Program and assessing how CZM is addressing the coastal management goals of the CZMA, as well as adhering to the terms of federal funding awards. The review includes a three-day, virtual site visit, a public meeting, consideration of written public comments, and consultations with interested federal, state, and local agencies, stakeholders, and members of the public. The public meeting will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27. Register at: https://forms.gle/8KUpFF3wBe3mWJQN6. The meeting will be held via a virtual meeting platform—participation is online or by phone. Spanish interpretation of the public meeting will be available. The purpose of the meeting is to receive public comments regarding the operation and implementation of the Massachusetts Coastal Management Program. Written comments are encouraged, and participation at the public meeting is not required for submission. Written comments should be emailed to Ralph Cantral at Ralph.Cantral@noaa.gov no later than May 7.

CZM Offices Remain Closed - Due to COVID-19, all CZM offices remain closed for in-person services. During this time, CZM staff are working remotely and available to assist with coastal management issues. See Contact CZM for details.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Coastal Resilience Grants - CZM anticipates the release of the FY 2022 RFR for the Coastal Resilience Grant Program later this spring. Coastal Resilience Grants provide funding and technical assistance to coastal communities and eligible nonprofit organizations to reduce risks associated with coastal storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise through innovative and transferable local projects. CZM hosted an informational webinar on the Coastal Resilience Grant Program on March 30. View a recording of the webinar. See Pre-RFR Support for CZM Grant Programs at the beginning of this CZ-Mail for additional details.

Coastal Pollutant Remediation (CPR) Grants - CZM anticipates the release of the FY 2022 RFR for the CPR Grant Program later this spring. The CPR grant program provides funds to municipalities within the Massachusetts Coastal Watershed to identify and improve water quality impaired by nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. CZM will host an informational webinar on the CPR grant program on Tuesday, April 6, at 10 a.m. See Pre-RFR Support for CZM Grant Programs at the beginning of this CZ-Mail for additional details.

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program Planning Grants - The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is seeking proposals for Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Planning Grants, which provide support for Massachusetts cities and towns to complete vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented climate resiliency plans. The program helps communities define extreme weather and natural and climate related hazards; understand how their community may be impacted by climate change; identify existing and future vulnerabilities and strengths; and develop, prioritize, and implement key actions. State-trained MVP providers offer technical assistance to communities in completing the assessment and resiliency plans. Communities that complete the MVP planning grant program become certified as an MVP community and are eligible for MVP Action Grant funding. For details, see the new MVP website. To view the RFR and download required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on June 4 for MVP planning processes that must be complete by June 30, 2022.

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program Action Grants - EEA is also seeking one- or two-year project proposals for MVP Action Grants, which provide designated MVP Communities funding to implement priority adaptation actions identified through the MVP planning process or similar climate change vulnerability assessment and action planning that has led to MVP designation after EEA review. Projects are required to use best available climate data and projections. Projects that propose nature-based solutions or strategies that rely on green infrastructure or conservation and enhancement of natural systems and that have robust community engagement plans are preferred. Applicants can request up to $2 million in funding (regional proposals may request up to $5 million), and a 25 percent match of the total project cost is required. For more information, see the new MVP website. EEA recommends reading the Action Grants RFR in full as there have been several updates since the last grant round. Significant changes are outlined on page one. To view the RFR and download required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. Proposals are due by 2:00 p.m. on May 7 for projects that must be completed by June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023.

Hazard Mitigation Grants Application Assistance - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is offering assistance with developing applications for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and/or Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) project, scoping, and planning grants. This assistance will help prospective applicants with project formulation, benefit-cost analysis development, limited project scoping, and programmatic guidance. To request this assistance, prospective applicants must submit an online statement of interest (SOI) for Construction Projects or Capability & Capacity Building/Planning Activities. Statements of interest will be accepted for the 2021 grant round on a rolling cycle and assistance will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Once an SOI is submitted, a member of the MEMA Hazard Mitigation Unit will be in contact to provide additional technical assistance. If an SOI was submitted for the 2020 grants, please submit an updated form for 2021. For questions, contact the Hazard Mitigation Unit at mitigation@mass.gov.

Parks and Conservation Grants - EEA’s Division of Conservation Services (DCS) is seeking applications for the FY 2022 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC), Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND), and Conservation Partnership grants. PARC grants help communities acquire parkland, develop new parks, and renovate existing parks. LAND grants provide funds to municipal conservation commissions to purchase conservation land and conservation restrictions. Conservation Partnership grants provide funds to non-profit organizations for land acquisitions. DCS has scheduled two Zoom grant workshops on the PARC and LAND grants—on May 4 at 11:00 a.m. and on May 13 at 2:00 p.m. If interested in the LAND program, please RSVP to Nathaniel Thomas at nathaniel.thomas1@mass.gov for workshop login information. If interested in the PARC program, please RSVP to Melissa Cryan at melissa.cryan@mass.gov for the login details. PARC and LAND grant applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on July 14. Conservation Partnership applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on July 19.

Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Revitalization Priority Projects Pre-RFR Notice - On April 20, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) anticipates the release of the RFR for the next round of aquatic habitat restoration and revitalization priority projects, specifically cranberry bog wetland restoration, dam removal and river restoration, and coastal wetland restoration projects. Selected Priority Projects are eligible to receive technical assistance from DER staff, technical services from consultants, and/or grant funding throughout the life of the project. During this pre-RFR period, potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact DER to discuss their project. Once the RFR is published, DER staff cannot discuss specific projects. For more information, see the Become a DER Priority Project web page.

§319 Grants - On April 14, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) anticipates the release of the RFR for the next round of §319 Nonpoint Source Competitive Grants to fund comprehensive projects that address nonpoint sources of pollution affecting water quality. For more information, including a link to the RFR (once released), see the MassDEP website. Proposals are expected to be due on or around June 30.

Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grants - MassDEP is seeking proposals for Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grants to fund short-term waste reduction projects. Up to $5,000 is available to for-profit and non-profit organizations, regional authorities, and eligible municipalities to implement projects that specifically promote source reduction, reuse, or repair in Massachusetts. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Environmental Justice Funding - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking proposals for up to $6 million in grant funding under the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program and the Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) Program. The EJCPS Program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations for projects that address local environmental and/or public health issues, with an emphasis on projects that address COVID-19 impacts, climate and disaster resiliency, and proposals from new applicants and grantees. The EJSG Program anticipates funding five projects of up to $50,000 per EPA region to support community-driven projects to better understand local environmental and public health issues and develop strategies to address those issues. This program also includes the EPA’s Ports Initiative, which will fund projects that address diesel pollution at coastal and inland ports or rail yards. For more information, including details on pre-application assistance calls and webinars, see each program’s website. Proposals for both programs are due by May 7 for projects that begin on October 1.

Offshore Renewable Energy Research - The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Water Power Technologies Office and NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, is seeking research proposals to better understand how offshore renewable energy projects interact with fishing and coastal communities. More than $1 million is available to support one- or two-year projects up to $200,000 ($100,000 maximum per year). For more information, see the funding opportunity web page. Pre-proposals are due by May 14.

National Coastal Resilience Fund - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is seeking applications for the National Coastal Resilience Fund for projects that will restore, increase, and strengthen natural infrastructure to protect coastal communities and enhance fish, wildlife, and other natural habitats. For details, see the Request for Proposals. Pre-proposals are due by April 7.

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

  • Water Quality Management Planning Grants - MassDEP is seeking proposals for §604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grants to fund assessment and planning projects to address nonpoint source pollution. For more information, see the §604b RFR. Project proposals are due by April 14.
  • Aquatic Animal Conservation Grants - The Massachusetts Environmental Trust is seeking proposals for the Aquatic Animal Conservation Grants Program to provide reimbursement funding for projects that proactively support aquatic animal species and ecosystems, with emphasis on endangered marine animals including North Atlantic right whales, sea turtles and seabirds, and coldwater fish species. For more information, to view the RFR, and download required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. A question-and-answer period closes April 9, and full proposals are due on May 21. Funded projects will begin in January 2022.
  • Small Communities Grants - DCS is seeking applications for the Small Communities Grant Program, which provides funding to municipalities with 6,000 or fewer residents to produce Open Space and Recreation Plans, complete other plans to facilitate land conservation, and/or prepare appraisals as required to apply for the other DCS grant programs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The final deadline is May 7. See the application instructions for details.
  • Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council Grants - The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development is seeking proposals for the 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 grant program is open to all Massachusetts coastal communities and other qualified public entities. For more information, see the application page. Applications are due by May 1.
  • American Lobster Research Funding - The National Sea Grant College Program is seeking proposals for the 2021 National Sea Grant American Lobster Research Program to fund research on how the American lobster fishery in the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and southern New England is impacted by environmental changes. For details, including a link to the RFR, see the Grants.gov website. Proposals are due by April 20.

Online Tools and Resources

EEA beta Climate Grant Viewer - EEA has published a new mapping tool featured on its Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Portal on ResilientMA.org. This mapping tool allows users to explore grants awarded by several EEA grant programs that address climate change preparedness, adaptation and/or resilience to increasing temperatures, changing precipitation, extreme weather events, and sea level rise. The beta Climate Grant Viewer currently features the MVP Program, CZM's Coastal Resilience and CPR Grant Programs, and the DCS PARC grants. Additional programs will be added over time.

NOAA Marine Debris Blog - Recent posts in the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s Marine Debris Blog include efforts to address plastics in the Great Lakes and a fourth-grade project to analyze lunchroom trash and develop ways to reduce food and plastic waste. All blog topics can be searched by category and date. To receive notifications of new posts, sign up for email updates.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

DOI Newswave - The Winter 2021 issue of NEWSWAVE, the quarterly newsletter on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes activities from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), features articles on wave energy research in waters off the Pacific coast, an assessment of salt marsh vulnerability using high-resolution satellite imagery, and other ocean and coastal news.

Marine Protected Area Newsletter - The January-March 2021 issue of MPA News covers the future of financing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), promotion of MPAs to potential donors and investors, along with other MPA news and notes.

USGS Sound Waves - This special issue of Sound Waves, a newsletter from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), focuses on coastal change hazards with articles on the 2020 hurricane season, data and tools to assist coastal communities, improved resilience to the 2020 hurricanes due to science investments, and a coastal change hazards research photo album.

Jobs/Internship Postings

Seasonal Positions at Waquoit Bay Reserve - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) in Falmouth and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) are seeking applications for several seasonal positions at WBNERR and DCR’s South Cape Beach State Park. For details and application instructions, see the WBNERR website.

Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is seeking a Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer to design a comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy and implementation plan. This full-time position reports directly to the President and Director of WHOI. For details, see the job posting.

Land Stewardship Assistant - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking a full-time Land Stewardship Assistant to help manage the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s protected lands and conservation restrictions/easements on private lands. The ideal candidate will have 1-2 years of conservation land management experience. For more information, see the position description.

Oyster Pond Environmental Trust Administrator - The Oyster Pond Environmental Trust (OPET), a nonprofit environmental organization in Falmouth, is seeking an administrator to assist the OPET Board of Directors with management of the organization including communications, property stewardship, membership outreach, coordination of summer water sampling, and implementing all Board-related activities. This part-time, work from home position requires flexible hours. For details, see the position posting. Applications are due by April 9.

North and South Rivers Watershed Internships - The North and South Rivers Watershed Association is seeking applicants for several internships. The Research and Monitoring Internship is a paid position for upper-level college students studying biology, chemistry, or environmental science who will assist with field work, data entry and analysis, and occasional event staffing and public outreach assistance. The Eelgrass Monitoring Internship is a paid position for college seniors or graduate students studying biology, chemistry, or environmental science who will organize, coordinate, and train August eelgrass survey volunteers, maintain survey equipment, and assist with survey data entry and organization. The Marketing Internship(s) is an unpaid position for candidates who will assist with promotion of events and programs through press releases, web content, newsletters, and social media to increase awareness and engagement and boost event attendance. For more information, see the Internships page.

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.

Chelsea Municipal Harbor Plan/Plan del Puerto Municipal de Chelsea - The City of Chelsea has submitted a Municipal Harbor Plan and Designated Port Area Master Plan for approval by the EEA Secretary. For more information, see the CZM Public Notice included in the March 24, 2021, edition of the Environmental Monitor. On April 15, CZM will conduct a virtual public hearing through Zoom to solicit comments on these proposed plans. Spanish interpretation of the public hearing will be available. Submit written comments by 5:00 p.m. on April 30 to Erikk Hokenson at erikk.hokenson@mass.gov or mail to the Office of Coastal Zone Management, Attention: Erikk Hokenson, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02114. (Una traducción al español está disponible en la segunda página del Aviso Público)

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Please note: Due to COVID-19, social distancing protocols are in place. Consequently, many events are conducted virtually. For this edition of CZ-Mail, events are listed in date order with a link to more information.

Hidden Gems: Revival of the Muddy River within the Emerald Necklace - April 1, webinar sponsored by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy on conservation efforts along the Muddy River in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston.

EBC Water Resources Webinar: Into the Mystic - Data Driven Response to Regional Stormwater Management Challenges - April 7, webinar presented by the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) that uses the Mystic River Watershed to explore water quality and stormwater management.

Reflection on Climate Action during Biden's First 100 Days in Office - April 8, webinar hosted by the Student Climate Change Conference at Harvard University.

Detecting the Next Harmful Algal Bloom - April 8, webinar sponsored by Rhode Island Sea Grant as part of the Coastal State Discussion Series.

Underwater Archaeology Presentation - April 8, webinar sponsored by the Angari Foundation that will feature Dr. Fritz Hanselmann from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

Annual Environmental Consultation Meeting - April 8, virtual meeting of the Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization to discuss regional transportation planning with a focus on culverts and the Regional Culvert Program.

Cape Community Water Forum - April 8, 15, 22, and 29, online forum sponsored by the nonprofit, Sustainable Practices, which will focus on Cape Cod surface and drinking water.

Native Plants and the Future of Public Spaces - April 9, online symposium sponsored by the Native Plant Trust.

EBC Climate Change Webinar Series: Part 2 - Investing in a Boston Harbor Coastal Resiliency Layered Defense System - Funding Options - April 13, webinar presented by EBC.

Saving the Rain: Green Stormwater Solutions for Congregations - April 13, webinar sponsored by EPA, which will provide conservation landscaping techniques and tips to build support for these projects.

Understanding the Impact of Invasive Species in the Neponset River Watershed - April 14, webinar presented by the Neponset River Watershed Association.

EBC Climate Change Webinar: Laws of the Land - Local Bylaws, Ordinances, and Regulations for Climate Resilience - April 15, webinar sponsored by EBC.

2021 MassRecycle Conference & Trade Show - April 15-16, virtual conference and trade show on waste management and recycling presented by MassRecycle.

18th International Ocean Film Festival - April 15-May 2, virtual film festival featuring more than 80 films from 17 countries.

NMEA 2021 Virtual Conference—Call for Presentations - July 14-17, conference sponsored by the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA), which will focus on the theme “Your Connection to Water.” Presentation proposals are due by April 15.

Neponset River Spring Cleanup - April 17, waterfront and parkland cleanup sponsored by the Neponset River Watershed Association.

Environmental. Careers: Discussion with Professionals in the Field - April 21, virtual discussion sponsored by EBC and UMass Boston.

Run of the Charles - April 25-May 23, virtual canoe, kayak, paddleboard, and running race sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association.

EBC Dam Management Webinar: There’s a Permit for That – An Overview of Regulatory Reviews for Dam-Related Projects in Massachusetts - April 27, webinar presented by EBC.

Spring NEERS/AERS Joint Meeting - April 27-30, virtual meeting of the New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) and the Atlantic Estuarine Research Society (AERS).

Eco-Restorative Garden Design - April 27 and May 4, two-session virtual class offered by the Ecological Landscape Alliance on transforming small plots of land with native plants.

EBC 3rd Annual Coastal Construction Conference: Scratching the Surface - Collaboration, Implementation, and Lessons Learned - April 30, online conference from EBC, which will present case studies of completed coastal construction projects.

City Nature Challenge 2021 - From April 30-May 9, a citizen-science opportunity organized by the Natural History Museum Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences and held virtually. See the City Nature Challenge Boston Area website for local activities from Salisbury to Cape Cod cohosted by the MassBays National Estuary Partnership.

Massachusetts Marine Educators Annual Meeting - May 1, online conference with the theme Climate Change on Our Ocean Planet.

NRWA Annual Meeting - May 2, virtual meeting sponsored by the Neponset River Watershed Association (NRWA) that will feature guest speaker Lawrence O’Donnell from MSNBC.

EBC New England State Water Resources Leadership Conference—New Date - May 5, webinar sponsored by EBC with speakers from leadership of EPA and New England state water programs.

CERF 2021—Call for Abstracts - November 1-4 and 8-11, virtual conference conducted by the Coastal and Estuarine Research Foundation (CERF). Abstracts are due by May 5.

EBC Professional Development Webinar: MA Wetland and Stormwater Regulatory Update and Best Practices for Construction Sites - May 11, webinar sponsored by EBC.

EBC Emerging Contaminants Webinar: PFAS Legal Issues - What Do We Need to Be Aware Of? - May 12, webinar from EBC on legal considerations for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

EBC Energy Resources Webinar: Update from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Leadership - May 14, webinar from EBC.

EBC Emerging Contaminants Webinar: Beyond PFAS - What Other Emerging Contaminants Should We Be Concerned With? - May 18, webinar presented by EBC.

2021 Science Showcase - June 7-13, a week of events sponsored by the Nantucket Biodiversity Committee, including field trips, research data collection, and invasive species work that showcases biodiversity research on Nantucket.

Managed Retreat Conference - June 22-25, virtual conference sponsored by the Earth Institute at Columbia University on planned home relocation due to environmental conditions.

Buzzards Bay Swim - June 26, fundraiser for all ages and abilities to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Registration is required.

Community Resilience to Climate Change - July 5-29, virtual professional development workshop on climate change impacts and building resilience for all educators from NOAA Planet Stewards.

AWRA Summer Conference: Connecting Land & Water for Healthy Communities - July 19-21, virtual conference from the American Water Resources Association (AWRA), which will focus on programs to better connect land and water planning and policy.

Stormwater Conference - September 13-15, annual conference sponsored by StormCon and held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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

  • MACC Annual Conference - April 6-17, virtual conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC), which will include a workshop by CZM and MassDEP on Applying the Massachusetts Coastal Wetlands Regulations, along with dozens of other offerings.
  • EBC Eighth Annual New England “Talking Trash” Conference - April 9, online conference sponsored by EBC on solid waste management in New England.
  • National Watershed & Stormwater Conference - April 13-16, virtual conference sponsored by the Center for Watershed Protection.
  • 2021 Water Symposium - April 15-16, virtual conference sponsored by the American Water Resources Association.
  • 2021 Shifting Seasons Summit - Sharing Adaptation and Resilience Knowledge across Indigenous Communities - April 19-22, virtual conference on climate resilience planning and implementation presented by the Northeast Indigenous Climate Resilience Network.
  • National Monitoring Conference - April 19-23, sponsored by the North American Lake Management Society and held online.
  • Charles River Watershed Cleanup - April 19-24, annual riverfront cleanup sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association.
  • The Marine Social Science Network: Promoting Understanding of People’s Relationship with the Sea - April 20, webinar sponsored by Open Communications for the Ocean (OCTO).
  • Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference - From April 26-28, annual conference sponsored by the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and held online.
  • Planning for 30×30 in the US: Assessing Protection in US Waters - May 6, webinar sponsored by the National Marine Protected Areas Center and OCTO on the goal to protect 30 percent of the world’s oceans by 2030 and how this goal is being addressed in the United States.
  • 45th Annual National Flood Conference - May 10-14, virtual conference sponsored by the Association of State Floodplain Managers.
  • River Rally 2021 - May 17-20, virtual conference on equitable and sustainable water resources sponsored by the River Network.
  • 31st Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference - May 20, 25, and 27, virtual conference sponsored by NEIWPCC.
  • Capitol Hill Ocean Week - June 8, online conference hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation that will bring together policymakers, scientists, managers, business leaders, conservationists, students, and educators to discuss issues that impact the oceans and the Great Lakes.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

Please note: Due to COVID-19, social distancing protocols are in place. Consequently, many events are being conducted virtually. For this edition of CZ-Mail, listings are presented alphabetically with a link to more information.

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

Boston Harbor Now Events - Events throughout the Boston Harbor area.

Buzzards Bay Events - Events in the Buzzards Bay area compiled by the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

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

Climate Webinar Series - Locally focused webinars on climate-related topics from the City of Somerville’s Climate Forward Ambassador program.

Coastal Perspectives Lecture Series - Webinars through April from Connecticut Sea Grant and the University of Connecticut.

Congressional Climate Camp Briefing Series - Webinars from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute that focus on addressing climate change issues through the congressional legislative process.

Conservation Commission Education - Workshops, webinars, and trainings scheduled across Massachusetts and posted by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. See the MACC Complete Education Catalog and Community Calendar.

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

Environmental History Seminar Series - Monthly webinars from the Massachusetts Historical Society.

Great Massachusetts Cleanup - Volunteer and coordinator opportunities through the spring 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.

Mass Audubon Cape Cod Walks, Lectures, and Events - Programs for children and adults hosted by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary.

Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Programs and Activities - Programs for children and adults in and around Ipswich.

Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center Programs and Events - Programs for children and adults in and around Newburyport.

Mass Audubon North River Wildlife Sanctuary Activities and Events - Programs for children and adults in and around Marshfield.

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

National 303(d)/TMDL Webinar Series - Webinars from NEIWPCC on the §303(d) and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) requirements of the Clean Water Act.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sea Story Time: Marine Science through Storybooks - Webinars for young children presented by Delaware Sea Grant.

Spring 2021 Climate Adaptation Webinars - Monthly webinars presented by the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center.

Underwater Acoustics Webinars - Webinars on underwater sound hosted by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.

Watershed Wednesday - Lunchtime webinars presented by the Neponset River Watershed Association.

Winter Walks on Nantucket - Free community winter walking tours from the Nantucket Conservation Foundation.

Other Items of Interest

Environmental Education Awards - EEA is now accepting applications for the 2020/2021 Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education. All K-12 Massachusetts schools and organizations that offer energy and environmental education programs are eligible to apply. Winners will be notified in May and invited to attend a virtual award ceremony where they will be recognized by the EEA Secretary.

Gulf of Maine Council Award Nominations - The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment is seeking nominations for the following 2021 Annual Recognition Awards: Visionary Awards recognizing “innovation, creativity, and commitment to protecting the marine environment,” Sustainable Communities Award for a community or a community group that embodies a sustainable environment and economy, Industry Award for a business that has been a leader in improving the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, Longard Award for an outstanding volunteer within the Gulf watershed, and Susan Snow-Cotter Award for coastal management professionals who “exemplify outstanding leadership or exceptional mentoring in the Gulf of Maine watershed.” Nominations are due by April 30.

Shrink Wrap Recycling Program - From April 16-June 30, Woods Hole Sea Grant, in collaboration with the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, will offer a free shrink wrap recycling program for Cape Cod residents. Boat owners can bring their bundled shrink wrap to one of six Cape Cod locations to be recycled. For details, including locations, times, and instructions, see Sea Grant website.

Student Environmental Research Funding - The Marjot Foundation in Falmouth is seeking applications from high school students, or teams of students in grades 9-11, to fund one-year, independent field and/or laboratory research projects on environmental issues. Projects may focus on any area of environmental research and must be designed by the student or team applicant. Grants are $5,000, with $1,000 going to the student(s), $1,000 to the mentor, $500 to the school department, and $2,500 for project costs. For more information, see the Foundation website. Applications are due by April 20.

Summer Coastal Ecology Program for Kids - Registration is now open for Westport River Watershed Alliance Summer Programs for kids aged 7-16 to learn about coastal ecology and explore coastal habitats in week-long programs. Also, hour-long daily sessions are available for children ages 3-6 accompanied by an adult.

KidSummer - Each summer, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History offers KidSummer programs for 3-12 year olds that use a science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM)-based curriculum with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Registration is available for weekly sessions (June 21-August 13) through the museum’s FamilyID website.

Onset Bay Center Summer Programs - Registration is now open for youth programs at the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Onset Bay Center, a facility that offers on-the-water programs for children and teens. Activities include sailing, kayaking and paddling, swimming, and coastal exploration. Programs begin on June 28 and will run through August 20. For details, see the Youth Programs website.

Hurricane Island Summer Programs - The Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership off the coast of Rockport, Maine, offers Summer Programs led by trained field scientists and educators in science, sustainability, and leadership for middle and high school students. Hands-on, one-week programs in marine biology and women of water are offered from July 11-August 13.

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