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.
CZM Staff and People
Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Specialist - In January, CZM’s Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Specialist, Cristina Kennedy, left CZM to become a Coastal Wetlands Restoration Specialist for the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER). Hired in 2015, Cristina was a key member of the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality team, supporting marine invasive species monitoring and research, the Coastal Pollutant Remediation Grant Program, and salt marsh monitoring and assessment among other efforts. She was instrumental in developing a marine invasive species data viewer, creating an iNaturalist project page, and updating identification cards for the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC), and was a lead author for the 2018 Rapid Assessment Survey. She gained technical expertise in nonpoint source remediation during her tenure at CZM and helped transition the Coastal Remediation Grant Program toward a focus of green infrastructure and capacity building for municipalities. She also supported the establishment of the CZM Sentinel Site long-term salt marsh monitoring program, including the Quality Assurance Project Plan, field data collection, and development of a systematic analysis approach. We will miss her exceptional skills, utmost professionalism, and steadfast sense of humor whether in the heat and mud of the marsh, hanging over the side of a dock, or inspecting a stormwater best management practice in a downpour. Best of luck to you Cristina in all your future endeavors!
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.
Project Review Highlights from CZM
Former Aerovox Facility Cleanup, New Bedford - An Environmental Notification Form (ENF) was submitted to MEPA for a cleanup project at this site that will excavate and remove contaminated soils, backfill with clean soil, monitor impacts, construct barriers to prevent movement of contaminants into New Bedford Harbor, treat groundwater to remove contaminants, and repair/replace onsite storm sewers. The proposed project will temporarily alter coastal wetland resource areas, require restoration of these areas, and create additional wetland and salt marsh areas on the Aerovox shoreline portion of the site. CZM comments addressed issues surrounding resource area delineation, coastal resiliency, salt marsh restoration and creation, coordination with similar work connected with the Superfund cleanup, and long-term sustainability.
McConnell Park Improvements, Boston - With this ENF, the City of Boston, through its Parks and Recreation Department, proposes to reconstruct an existing active recreation park adjacent to I-93 and Savin Hill Beach in Dorchester to include fully lit natural turf fields, an accessible synthetic turf field, an inclusive playground, an improved and expanded parking area with a designated emergency drive, a pedestrian plaza, a portable restroom shelter, and improved on-site stormwater management. The nearly seven-acre project site includes filled tidelands and is subject to coastal flooding. Portions of the site, including the parking lot and emergency drive, will be elevated by up to four feet with fill to reduce the adjacent neighborhood’s vulnerability to coastal flooding and protect the highly used parking lot and emergency drive while allowing the less critical park areas to flood. As a result of the project, impervious area will increase by almost one quarter of an acre and 8,355 gallons of water per day will be used. The project is partly funded by a $1 million Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior. CZM comments centered on climate change, sea level rise, and stormwater issues.
Federal Consistency Review - In addition to state-level project review, CZM performs federal consistency review—the review of federal projects (including those requiring federal permits or receiving federal money) to ensure that they meet state standards. In January, CZM reviewed a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposed Rulemaking to create a uniform national framework that streamlines the federal, state, and local requirements for commercial vessels. The purpose of the new rule is to establish national performance standards for marine pollution control devices for certain vessels (primarily non-military and non-recreational vessels 79 or more feet). CZM evaluated the proposed rule, coordinated with the coastal programs of the New England states, and issued a concurrence that the project meets state standards.
Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities
Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grants - DER will soon seek proposals from Massachusetts municipalities for the Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program to replace undersized, perched, and/or degraded culverts in areas with high ecological value with new structures that meet environmental design and structural standards along with climate resiliency criteria. Only projects that will meet the goals of the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards are eligible (see DER’s River Restoration: Culvert Replacements page for information on the standards). Total funding of $750,000 to $1.5 million is anticipated for the upcoming grant round. This Pre-Request for Responses (RFR) period provides an opportunity to preview the upcoming RFR and discuss possible projects with DER staff prior to the RFR release on February 18. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact DER’s Bernadette DeBlander at (617) 921-0661 or DERCulverts@mass.gov and listen to the recorded grant briefing for details on the program, to ask questions, and to discuss projects ideas.
Massachusetts Dredging Program Grants - The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (HED) anticipates the release of the RFR for the 2021 grant round of the Massachusetts Dredging Program later this month. This program provides construction-phase funding, on a competitive basis, for saltwater dredging with a focus on “shovel-ready projects that contribute to the economic significance, recreational value, public safety, and/or coastal resilience of Massachusetts’ coastal harbors.” Stay tuned to the How to Apply page for details. Applications are anticipated to be due in mid-March.
Water Quality Management Planning Grants Pre-RFR Conference Call - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) anticipates the release of the RFR for the 2021 §604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grants on February 18. This program funds nonpoint source assessment and planning projects. On February 10, MassDEP will hold a virtual pre-RFR conference call to discuss ideas for potential projects. Pre-registration is required. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to join this call or contact MassDEP before the RFR issue date to refine project ideas and obtain feedback. Please contact Patricia Arp at patricia.arp@mass.gov with any questions or to discuss potential projects.
Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council Grants - HED is also seeking proposals for the 2021 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.
Woods Hole Sea Grant Research Funding - Woods Hole Sea Grant is seeking proposals from Massachusetts academic, research, and educational institutions for one- to two-year research projects that address one of these focus areas: healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and resilient communities and economies. Approximately $1 million will be available to fund projects for the 2022-2024 grant round. A 33% non-federal match is required. Pre-proposals are due by February 19. For more information, see the Woods Hole Sea Grant website.
Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative Small Research Grants - The Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative is seeking proposals for the Small Research Grants Program to conduct research on understudied taxonomic groups and the biodiversity of Nantucket, Tuckernuck, and/or Muskeget Islands. Grants up to $1,500 will be awarded. Proposals are due by March 1.
Reminders - These opportunities, listed previously in CZ-Mail, are still available:
- Small Communities Grants - The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Division of Conservation Services (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.
- Marine Debris Research Funding - The NOAA Marine Debris Program is seeking proposals to support marine debris research through field, laboratory, and modeling experiments that explore the ecological risk, exposure levels, and fate and transport of debris in coastal environments, and/or habitat impacts of marine debris. For more information, see the federal funding opportunity. Proposals are due by February 8.
Online Tools and Resources
CZ-Tip: Cast Away with Coastal Podcasts! - With quarantine and travel restrictions narrowing our horizons, take comfort that you can still easily explore the world’s coasts and oceans…through podcasts. CZ-Tip: Cast Away with Coastal Podcasts! provides a curated list of some of our favorite podcasts in categories such as adventure, activism, science, policy, and exploration. Tune in to learn about decoding the language of sperm whales, the bizarre lives of deep-dwelling microbes, how ballast helped build cities, ways containerization and ports shaped global trade, current research on microplastic pollution, environmental justice in flood-prone areas, aquaculture and sustainable seafood practices, pirate history, tall tales from Navy sailors, solutions for helping to save the planet, and so much more. Through engaging stories and conversations that span the globe from the Arctic to the Caribbean, listeners can expand their knowledge and be “transported” to destinations beyond their living rooms.
CoastSnap - Woods Hole Sea Grant has launched CoastSnap—a network of simple camera mounts for the public to take photos and upload them to social media—with sites at Town Neck Beach in Sandwich and at the State Beach in Oak Bluffs. Crowdsourcing through CoastSnap can record short- and long-term shoreline change in each picture, with a goal to understand why some beaches are more dynamic or resilient than others. Photos that are uploaded with the hashtags #CoastSnapTownNeck or #CoastSnapStateBeachMV will be posted on the CoastSnap Facebook page, reviewed by researchers from Woods Hole Sea Grant and the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, and then compiled into time-lapse videos that capture shoreline position and beach width.
BOEM Ocean Alert App - The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released Ocean Alert, a new mobile data collection application for reporting large marine animal sitings such as sea turtles, sharks, and whales. Collected data will help BOEM plan offshore energy and mineral development in ways that lessen the potential impacts to these species and habitats. To download the app, search for “Ocean Alert” in the Apple App Store or Google Play.
EPA Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance - EPA has launched the Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance(Clearinghouse), an online database that provides a catalog of more than 1,800 available funding, financing, and instructional resources to aid community efforts to improve the environment.
New Resource and Data from NOAA Digital Coast - NOAA’s Digital Coast has posted these new resources:
- Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Hazards - This virtual training for coastal managers and planners focuses on how to design and implement natural infrastructure projects.
- Coastal Ecosystem Services Management Guide - This self-guided resource discusses incorporating ecosystem services into project designs.
- New and updated data sets (PDF, 157 KB)
Products/Publications
Economic Value of Cape Cod Harbors - The Cape Cod Commission has released Economic Impact of Cape Cod Harbors, a study on the economic benefits of the Cape’s harbors using these six harbors as examples: Provincetown Harbor, Fish Pier and Stage Harbor in Chatham, Sesuit Harbor in Dennis, and Inner Harbor and Great Harbor in Falmouth. The Commission collaborated with the Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston to interview business owners on or around these harbors and used the data to determine the effects of harbor-related employment on the regional economy. The report provides details for other towns to implement similar studies as they consider harbor investments in a changing climate.
Tidal Restrictions Analysis - EPA has released Tidal Restrictions Synthesis Review: An Analysis of U.S. Tidal Restrictions and Opportunities for their Avoidance and Removal (PDF, 2 MB), which provides the current state of knowledge regarding dikes, dams, levees, and undersized culverts/road crossings in the United States, along with recommendations to avoid or remove tidal restrictions when practicable.
Whale Watching in Stellwagen Bank Report - NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has released Whale Watching in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary: Understanding Passengers and Their Economic Contributions (PDF, 2 MB), a report that details the significant expenditures of whale watching passengers in Sanctuary, which reinforces the conservation and management goals of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
U.S. Marine Economy Report - NOAA has released the NOAA Report on the U.S. Marine Economy: Regional and State Profiles (PDF, 3 MB), which presents economic data for six marine sectors in 30 U.S. States. These data provide metrics, indicators, and impacts of the oceans and Great Lakes resources on the U.S. economy.
Dune Stabilization with Christmas Trees - Woods Hole Sea Grant and Cape Cod Cooperative Extension have released To Tree or Not to Tree: The use of discarded Christmas trees for dune stabilization in Massachusetts (PDF, 9 MB), which examines this practice through history, discusses the mechanics of dune erosion and accretion, and provides best management practices to consider.
Newsletters and Other Periodicals
Ebb & Flow - The Late Fall 2020 issue of Ebb & Flow, the DER eNewsletter, reports on the continued impacts of drought conditions in the Commonwealth, a new culvert and small bridges working group report, and other restoration project updates and resource links.
Marine Protected Area Newsletter - The November-December 2020 issue of MPA News covers management and funding of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) after the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other MPA news and notes.
NOAA HabitatNews - The December 2020 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Restoration, includes articles on the NOAA Veterans Corps training program, restoration work on the Duwamish River in Washington state, and other marine fisheries habitat news.
The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management - The December 2020-January 2021 edition of The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management, the monthly newsletter on ocean planning and ecosystem-based management from the University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, explores the potential ocean policies of the upcoming Biden-Harris administration, as well as other ocean resources and news.
Urban Harbors Institute E-News - The December 2020 issue of Urban Harbors Institute E-News, the newsletter of the Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston, reports on the launch of the new Stone Living Lab—a collaborative that will work to develop nature-based coastal resilience solutions, a new report on the economic impact of Cape Cod harbors, and other news and updates from UHI.
Jobs/Internship Postings
Barnstable Clean Water Coalition Seasonal Jobs and Internships - The Barnstable Clean Water Coalition (BCWC) is seeking a range of seasonal staff and interns, including Aquaculture/Water Quality Interns, Water Quality Monitoring Assistant, Seasonal Island Manager, Seasonal Island Monitors, and Seasonal Island Rangers. For details and application instructions, see the BCWC Seasonal Job Opportunities page.
Summer Science Internship - The Great Pond Foundation in Edgartown is seeking two summer interns to assist with their Ecological Monitoring Program and help monitor eelgrass beds and conduct surveys for invertebrates. Candidates should have an interest in marine biology, environmental science, and science communication. For details, see the Great Pond jobs page. Applications are due by March 1.
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Internships - The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, Maine, is seeking qualified candidates for three summer 2021 internships: Avian Monitoring Internship, Habitat Management Internship, and Salt Marsh Internship. For more information, see the internships posting. Applications are due by February 20.
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 by announced date with a link to more information.
Sea Turtle Rescue: Sea Turtle Cold-Stunning Research - February 2, webinar from Mass Audubon.
Living with White Sharks - February 3, webinar presentation by Dr. Gregory Skomal, sponsored by the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Let’s Talk about PFAS in Cape Cod Drinking Water - February 3, webinar presented by the Sources, Transport, Exposure, & Effects of PFASs (STEEP) program at the University of Rhode Island.
EPA Transportation Stormwater Permit (MS4) Compendium - February 3, webinar presented by EPA.
MVP Winter Webinar: Building Resilience through Partnerships - February 4, webinar sponsored by EEA’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program.
ECOTOX Knowledgebase - February 4, science training webinar from EPA on the ECOTOXicology Knowledgebase, which provides data on environmental toxicity of chemicals.
Coastal GeoTools 2021 - February 8-11, biennial conference sponsored by the Association of State Floodplain Managers and held virtually.
Building a State Plan to Monitor and Assess Marine Litter: Lessons Learned - February 9, webinar sponsored by Open Communications for the Ocean.
Nature's Best Hope - February 10, webinar sponsored the Association to Preserve Cape Cod presenting a talk by professor and author Douglas W. Tallamy.
Remember...You Are Wild! - February 10, webinar presented by Mission Blue featuring Dr. Sylvia Earle and Craig Foster, co-creator of Sea Change Foundation, who will discuss the Sea Change Project that protects the South African kelp forest.
Living Shorelines, Breakwaters, and Dunes - February 11, webinar sponsored by Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids (OPAK).
Net Zero Pathways and Opportunities under the Biden-Harris Administration: Prospects for Community Climate Action- February 16, webinar presented by the Massachusetts Climate Action Network.
Marine Plastics: From Local to Global - February 16, webinar presented by Dr. John Hardy, Senior Lecturer in Materials Chemistry at Lancaster University in England.
Blue Lobster Bowl—Volunteers Needed - March 6-7, virtual competition sponsored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant. Volunteer applications are due by February 17.
EBC Ocean and Coastal Resources Webinar: Protecting Coastal Structures - Part Two - February 24, virtual meeting presented by the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC).
Something about Sharks - Featuring Dr. Greg Skomal - February 25, webinar from the Westport River Watershed Alliance.
World Ocean Summit Virtual Week - March 1-5, virtual summit sponsored by the Economist Group.
Ecological Landscaping Conference - March 3-4, sponsored by the Ecological Landscaping Alliance and held online.
Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference - March 3, 5, 9, and 11, virtual conference sponsored by NEIWPCC.
The Mapping Inequality Project - March 4, webinar sponsored by the EPA Office of Environmental Justice.
2021 Annual Environmental Conference - March 10-13, sponsored by the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society and held online.
2021 High School Marine Science Symposium - March 15-19, virtual symposium sponsored by Massachusetts Marine Educators and Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center.
Environmental Justice in Southeastern Massachusetts - March 17, 24, and 31, virtual conference sponsored by the Watershed Action Alliance of Southeastern Massachusetts.
Ceres 2021 - March 22-25, virtual conference sponsored by Ceres, a sustainability nonprofit organization.
MACC Conference - April 6-17, annual conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) and held online.
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.
National Monitoring Conference - April 19-23, sponsored by the North American Lake Management Society and held online.
Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference - From April 26-28, sponsored by the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and held online.
City Nature Challenge 2021 - From April 30-May 3, a citizen-science opportunity organized by the Natural History Museum Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences and held virtually.
Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference - May 20, 25, and 27, virtual conference sponsored by NEIWPCC.
Reminders - The following calendar item posted previously in CZ-Mail is still to come:
- IECA Annual Conference - February 22-25, virtual conference sponsored by the International Erosion Control Association (IECA).
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, announced events are listed alphabetically with a link to more information.
Boston Environmental History Seminar Series - Monthly webinars from the Massachusetts Historical Society.
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.
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.
Ipswich River Watershed Events - Events throughout the watershed compiled by the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
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 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.
Offshore Wind Transmission Webinar Series - Webinars in February sponsored by the Northeast Regional Ocean Council.
OneNOAA Science Seminars - Webinars and seminars on science and climate issues from several NOAA partners.
Research at the Reserve Lectures - Webinars presented by the Waquoit Bay National Estuary Research Reserve.
Salem Sound COASTWATCH Community Calendar - Events posted in the Salem Sound region.
Sea Change Film Shorts - Three short films available for streaming through February 14 sponsored by the Center for Coastal Studies.
Sea Story Time: Marine Science through Storybooks - Webinars for young children presented by Delaware Sea Grant.
Spring 2021 Webinar Series - Monthly webinars presented by the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center.
Watershed Wednesdays - Lunchtime webinars presented by the Neponset River Watershed Association.
Winter Talks in Harwich - Weekly webinars into February from the Harwich Conservation Trust.
Winter Walks on Nantucket - Free community winter walking tours from the Nantucket Conservation Foundation.
Other Items of Interest
Lewis E. Kimball Scholarship - The Friends of Chatham Waterways (FCW) is seeking applications for the Lewis E. Kimball Environmental Scholarship. Up to $3,000 is available for upper-level undergraduate or graduate students from Cape Cod or the Islands that are majoring in environmental studies, marine ecology, or a related field. For more information, see the FCW Scholarships & Awards page. The application deadline is March 31.
New England Fishery Management Council - Massachusetts is seeking a qualified individual for an upcoming, open seat on the New England Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils that manage fisheries in U.S. federal waters. Qualified individuals interested in being considered for nomination by Governor Baker should contact Julia Kaplan at Julia.kaplan@mass.gov to receive a nomination kit. Nominations are due by February 5.
National Environmental Justice Advisory Council - EPA is seeking nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to fill seven vacancies on the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC), a federal advisory committee that “provides advice and recommendations on broad, cross-cutting issues related to environmental justice.” Individuals are encouraged to self-nominate. For details, see the Nominations to the NEJAC web page. Nominations are due by March 24.
Youth Preparedness Council - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking applicants for its Youth Preparedness Council, which allows young leaders in grades 8-11 to serve on a national council and meet peers from across the country to work together on disaster preparedness projects. Council members are selected based on their desire for public service, community service efforts, and potential to be national advocates for youth preparedness. For applications instructions, see the FEMA website. Applications are due by March 7.
Recast & Recycle Contest - The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, along with Berkley and other partners, is seeking new ideas to increase recycling of fishing line and soft bait (molded soft plastic, rubber, or silicone items used as fishing bait). The first-place winner will be awarded $15,000. For details see the Recycle & Recast Contest website. Submissions are due by May 14.
Science without Borders Art Challenge - The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation has launched the 2021 Science without Borders Challenge—a contest for students and teachers involved and interested in ocean conservation through art. This year’s theme is The Magic of Mangroves, and students are encouraged to create a piece of art that illustrates the importance of mangroves. The challenge is open to primary and secondary school students 11-19 years old, with prizes of up to $500 awarded to winning entries. See the contest rules for more details. The deadline for entry is March 1.
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest - Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs is now accepting submissions for the 2021 Ocean Awareness Contest. The 2021 theme is Water Rising and students ages 11-18 are invited to learn about the role of water and the need to protect this important resource. Students can work as individuals, a group, class, or club. Participants can earn cash awards and scholarships up to $1,500. Also, students in Massachusetts can win $250 cash scholarships. Submissions are due by June 14.
Sea Education Association High School Programs - The Sea Education Association (SEA) in Woods Hole is seeking applications for the 2021 High School Summer Programs. SEASCape: SEA Science on the Cape allows students to study the marine environment while living in Woods Hole. SEA Expedition is a two-week offshore sailing and oceanographic research voyage where high school students and recent graduates get a hands-on science and sailing experience.
Waquoit Bay Summer Science School - In July and August, the Friends of the Waquoit Bay Reserve hosts the Waquoit Bay Summer Science School, offering week-long, full-, and half-day educational sessions that introduce students entering grades 2-12 to coastal ecology. For details, program brochures, and registration information, see the Summer Science School web page.