CZ-Mail - July 2019

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 [e-mail]. 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 [e-mail]. 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

Coastal Resilience Grants in Action - CZM’s Coastal Resilience Grants help advance local efforts to address coastal flooding, erosion, and sea level rise. This spring, several local projects funded through these grants have been completed. We congratulate the forward-thinking coastal communities that are preparing for climate change impacts by developing and implementing nature-based and innovative solutions. Here are a few highlights of completed projects from across the coast:

• Salem - In June, Salem restored 0.75 acres of fringing salt marsh along an 800-linear-foot section of the Collins Cove shoreline. The project site was identified as a priority in 2015 given its history of erosion and flooding from coastal storms, the presence of a sewer manhole, heavy recreational use of the adjacent bike and walking path, and proximity to Webb Street, which provides access to Salem Willows, Winter Island, South Essex Sewerage District, and Footprint Salem Power Station. The project demonstrates a living shoreline technique that utilizes an existing rock sill for wave protection and biodegradable coir rolls and blankets for erosion control while approximately 15,000 native salt marsh plants get established. Over time, the salt marsh will help dissipate flooding and erosion, enhance habitat, and provide storm damage protection to upland development. CZM provided the city with technical assistance and funding for the feasibility assessment, design, permitting, and construction. Salem Sound Coastwatch partnered with the city and CZM throughout the project and led the volunteer planting effort in June. See the story map created by Salem Sound Coastwatch and this June 10 Salem News article for more.
• Duxbury - In March, the Duxbury Beach Reservation finished the construction of a 3,600-foot-long dune restoration and enhancement project on Duxbury Beach. More than 76,000 tons of sand, 80,000 culms of American beachgrass, and 100 woody shrubs were used to build and stabilize the dune—improving the resilience of the barrier beach system and protecting the Duxbury Beach access road and the communities of Duxbury and Kingston from storm surge and waves, while preserving and enhancing endangered bird habitat. Over two years, CZM provided technical assistance and grant funding for the feasibility assessment and preliminary design, environmental and permitting review, final design, and construction. See this June 4 DredgeWire article for details.
• Wareham - In May, Wareham completed the installation of emergency bypass connections at two of the town’s most critical sewer pumping stations, the Hynes Field and Cohasset Narrows stations. These pumping stations—which were identified as a priority in 2015—are vulnerable to flooding and water-borne debris impacts from coastal storms and serve police and fire stations, community centers, as well as other pumping stations in the collection system for Wareham and Bourne. In the event of major damage or failure of the pumping stations during a coastal storm, the emergency bypass piping (which connects to temporary, stand-by pumps and the existing underground sewer infrastructure) is immediately usable to restore service to the town’s critical facilities and infrastructure after floodwaters recede. Without these bypass connections in place, it could take months to restore flow while the damaged pump stations are fixed. CZM provided technical assistance and grant funding for the vulnerability assessment in 2015, and design, permitting, and construction assistance over the last two years.

CZM staff are available to help coastal communities and nonprofit organizations develop project ideas for CZM and other grant programs that promote climate change adaptation and natural shoreline protection. See the Coastal Resilience Grants Contact Information.

Grants Awarded to Buzzards Bay Communities to Protect Habitat and Water Quality - On June 5, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) announced $95,419 in federal funds for habitat restoration and water quality protection projects in Buzzards Bay. The Municipal Mini-Grants were awarded by the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (BBNEP) through CZM with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The grant funding will be matched by $79,540 in municipal and private contributions and will support BBNEP’s goals to protect critical habitat and drinking water supplies and to continue important water quality monitoring in Buzzards Bay. These three grants were awarded:

• Rochester - $45,000 to purchase and permanently protect 20.9 acres of undeveloped land in the Mattapoisett River aquifer, which provides drinking water to four communities in the Buzzards Bay watershed.
• Mattapoisett - $30,000 to continue the Baywatchers monitoring program, which has measured nutrient pollution in Buzzards Bay for the last 27 years from 200 locations around Buzzard’s Bay each summer.
• Gosnold - $20,419 to permanently protect more than 300 acres of undeveloped land on the island of Cuttyhunk and help to protect 79 acres of privately owned, undeveloped land and secure a permanent conservation restriction on an additional 230 donated acres. This project will also protect over five miles of coastal shoreline and the island’s only drinking water supply.

For more information, see the EEA Press Release.

Seeking Local Cleanup Coordinators for COASTSWEEP 2019 - COASTSWEEP, the annual statewide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM, kicks off in September—and now is the time to sign up to be a local cleanup coordinator for your favorite beach, marsh, dive site, and riverbank. 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. Cleanups can be scheduled throughout September and October. To get involved, see the COASTSWEEP website.

CZM Staff and People

Marine Invasive Species Program Intern - In June, CZM welcomed Samantha Plante as a summer intern with the Marine Invasive Species Program. Sam, a biology major at Vassar College, will assist with various tasks including invasive monitoring field work, volunteer trainings, data management, and reporting. Sam just finished a semester abroad program in Panama focused on tropical ecology and is on the Vassar field hockey team. Welcome Sam!

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Grants and Loans for Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal - EEA is seeking applications for grants or loans for the repair or removal of dams, levees, seawalls, and other forms of inland and coastal flood control. The Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Program offers qualified applicants grants for final design and permitting, along with grant and loan funds for repair, reconstruction, and removal projects. EEA encourages applicants to maximize restoration of natural systems. Projects that minimize or eliminate the use of hard infrastructure are eligible for a zero-percent interest rate. To view the three Requests for Responses, see the COMMBUYS bid solicitations for design and permitting, construction grants, and construction loans. Proposals for both grant opportunities are due by July 12 and construction loan proposals are accepted on a rolling basis until May 1, 2020.

Hazard Mitigation Grants—Application Deadline Extended Again - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has again extended the application deadline for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program resulting from the federal disaster declarations (FEMA-4372-DR & FEMA-4379-DR). These grants fund projects that can reduce natural hazard damage, including stormwater drainage and culvert improvements, floodplain and stream restoration, flood control, property acquisition, slope stabilization, infrastructure protection, and structure elevation. For complete grant details, see the updated Grants Availability Memo (PDF, 362 KB). The application deadline is now 11:59 p.m. on July 12.

Grants to Reduce Ocean Plastics Pollution - The National Geographic Society is seeking proposals for projects that reduce plastic pollution at the source, including reducing plastic consumption, to help prevent plastics from reaching the ocean. Applicants can request up to $60,000. See Reducing Ocean Plastics Pollution for project eligibility and other details. Proposals are due by July 10.

Climate Change Grant - The NextGen Committee of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation is seeking proposals from 501(c)(3) charities for the NextGen 2019 Grant, which will provide $100,000 for one project to reduce global warming through carbon reduction, climate communication and education, or corporate engagement to mitigate environmental impacts. Applications are due by July 12.

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

• Parks and Conservation Grants - EEA’s Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications for the FY 2020 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. PARC and LAND grant applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on July 11. Conservation Partnership applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on July 15.
• Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Financing - EPA is seeking applications for long-term, low-cost loans for eligible water and wastewater projects through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Program, with works with State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs to subsidize financing for eligible borrowers and projects. The minimum project size is $5 million for communities with less than 25,000 residents and $20 million for larger communities. See Program Overview for more on eligibility. Letters of interest from applicants are due by July 5.

Products/Publications

Water Quality Certification Guidance - EPA has released Clean Water Act Section 401 Guidance for Federal Agencies, States, and Authorized Tribes, which provides updated guidance and recommendations on how states and tribes can apply Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. States and tribes issue Section 401 Certifications for Federal activities that may affect water quality (e.g., permits for dredging, discharges, and pipelines) to verify compliance with state water quality requirements.

Fisheries Benefits of Marine Protected Areas - The Center for American Progress has released How Marine Protected Areas Help Fisheries and Ocean Ecosystems, a report that highlights the benefits of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to fisheries, provides an overview of U.S. waters that are currently protected, and offers guidelines for establishing additional protected areas. The report recommends that the United States establish highly and fully protected MPAs in 30% of the waters of each major U.S. geographic region.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

DOI Newswave - The spring 2019 issue of NEWSWAVE (PDF, 4 MB), the quarterly newsletter on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes activities from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), features articles on a record-breaking offshore wind auction for 390,000 acres off of Massachusetts, new U.S. Geological Survey tools to help coastal managers visualize and understand sea level rise scenarios, and other ocean and coastal news.

National Water Monitoring News - The spring 2019 edition of National Water Monitoring News (PDF, 3 MB), an electronic newsletter from the National Water Quality Monitoring Council, covers the March 2019 National Monitoring Conference, water quality improvements in Chesapeake Bay, and other water monitoring news and updates.

NOAA HabitatNews - The June 2019 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Restoration, includes articles on the Biennial Report to Congress from NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office that outlines their efforts to protect the health of the bay, NOAA’s work to improve water quality and migratory fish passage in North Carolina, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management - The June 2019 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, discusses strategies to reduce plastics in the marine environment, ecological connections between coastal and offshore waters, and other resources and news.

Urban Harbors Institute E-News - The June 2019 issue of Urban Harbors Institute E-News, the newsletter of the Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston, includes articles on UHI’s work with the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program (MassBays) to identify and document historical data to establish restoration and conservation goals in the MassBays region, a survey to inform the update of the 2016 Boston Research Advisory Group Report on climate change and sea level rise scenarios for Boston, new Harbor Management Plans in Dartmouth, Eastham, and Provincetown, and other news and updates from UHI.

WHOI Ocean Insights - The latest issue of Ocean Insights, a newsletter from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), discusses a study that found no direct link between North Atlantic ocean currents and sea level rise in New England, the use of thermal infrared cameras to detect whales and possibly prevent ship strikes, research on how organic carbon hides in sediments where it can’t decompose, and other news and updates from WHOI.

Web-Based and Mobile-User Resources

Rip Current Survival Guide - NOAA has updated its Rip Current Survival Guide, a four-part series of downloadable videos that provides details on how to spot rip currents, beach conditions that create rips, and details on what to do if you get caught in these dangerous currents.

Preparedness Talks for Emergency Managers - FEMA has released a new episode of its PrepTalks presentations by experts on emergency preparedness: Forging Resilient Community Through Imperfect Relentless Progress by James Gore, Sonoma County District Four Supervisor, California State Association of Counties Executive Committee member, Chair of the Resilient Advisory Board, and Chair of the National Association of Counties Resilient Counties Initiative. Gore describes his efforts to support Sonoma County, California, after the 2017 Tubb’s Fire. He promotes building resiliency into communities. Each PrepTalks web page includes videos of the presentation and question-and-answer session, a discussion guide, and related resources.

Sunscreen Chemicals and Marine Life - NOAA’s National Ocean Service has posted Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs, a web page that features an infographic and details on the harmful effects that chemicals used in many sunscreens and other skincare products can have on corals and other marine life.

NOAA Marine Debris Blog - Recent posts in the NOAA Marine Debris Program Marine Debris Blog include work to identify, document, and remove derelict fishing gear from Cape Cod Bay and the Cape Cod National Seashore, other efforts in New England to develop solutions to marine debris issues, including research to understand microplastics ingestion by scallops and oysters, and marine debris removal in the Lake Erie watershed. All blog topics can be searched by category and date. To receive notifications of new posts, sign up for email updates.

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

• Building Risk Communication Skills: Questions to Ask and What to Listen For, a short reference on getting people to discuss their concerns about hazards and risk.
• Measuring the Value of Ecosystem Services, which provides tips and best practices on how to measure ecosystem services for use in coastal management.
• New and updated data sets (PDF, 72 KB).

Job/Internship Postings

Stormwater and Water Conservation Professional - The Neponset River Watershed Association is seeking a full-time Stormwater and Water Conservation Professional to provide training, outreach, and technical assistance to watershed residents, businesses, and communities on stormwater and water conservation issues. Preferred candidates should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field along with work experience in stormwater management, water supply, and/or wastewater management. For details, see the job posting. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

EPA Research Fellowships - EPA is seeking two research fellows for one-year positions at EPA in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Candidates should have received a master’s degree in a relevant field within the last five years. The first research fellow will investigate coastal restoration efforts in southern New England. For details, see the fellowship posting. Applications are due by August 1. The second fellow will investigate methods to control nitrogen pollution on Cape Cod. For more information, see the fellowship posting. Applications are due by August 7.

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.

MEPA Public Comment Portal - The MEPA Office has launched a Public Comment Portal that allows users to search for projects that are under MEPA review, submit comments, and upload attachments. MEPA is encouraging use of the portal as the primary way to submit comments.

Reminder - This public comment opportunity, listed in the last CZ-Mail, is still open:

• FEMA Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Grants - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking public comments on the new Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program, which will focus on reducing risk by funding public infrastructure projects that increase community resilience before a disaster. Comments can be submitted by July 15 on FEMA's IdeaScale page or by email at [e-mail].

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Boston Harborfest - Boston Harborfest 2019, the annual Independence Day festival in Boston, will be held from July 1-7. Many family-friendly events are scheduled, including historical reenactments, the annual Chowderfest, Freedom Trail walks, boat tours, live music, and fireworks. For additional details and schedule information, visit the Harborfest website.

Creating Volunteer Projects to Promote Clean Beaches - On July 6 in Revere, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), in coordination with New England Aquarium, will hold Design for Better Parks, Better Beaches—Create Volunteer Service Projects, a workshop to develop meaningful volunteer opportunities to address the negative impacts of plastic litter at DCR properties in East Boston, Revere, and Winthrop. Attendees will work in teams, participating in active discussions, brainstorming sessions, and conversations with beachgoers. Pre-registration is required.

Presentation on Climate Change and Cape Cod - On July 11 at the Chatham Community Center, the Association to Preserve Cape Cod will present Climate Change and Cape Cod: What Do We Know? What Do We Expect? What Should We Do? with Dr. John P. Holdren, former science advisor to President Obama and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Registration is requested.

Great River Race - On July 13, the North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA) will hold the 2019 Great River Race, a 7.5-mile race along the South Shore’s North River. NSRWA invites all to participate on a canoe, kayak, paddleboard, row boat, or other non-motorized vessel. Also, new for this year’s race, swimmers are invited to join the Swim for Clean Water Team to swim the full 7.5-mile course or a shorter 2.75-mile course. Proceeds from the event support NSRWA's work to protect and restore local streams, salt marshes, and the watershed.

Neponset RiverFest - On July 20, the Neponset River Watershed Association will hold the Neponset RiverFest at Neponset Park in Dorchester. Join this family-friendly celebration of the river and its natural salt marshes and wetlands, which includes food, children’s activities, exhibits, music, rock wall climbing, fishing lessons, and free use of canoes and kayaks.

Building Resilience Conference - From July 23-24, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation will host the eighth annual Building Resilience through Private-Public Partnerships Conference in Washington, DC. The 2019 conference will focus on improving the disaster resilience of individuals, businesses, and communities through private, public, and nonprofit sector collaboration.

Sand Sculpting Festival - From July 26-28, the 2019 International Sand Sculpting Festival will be held at Revere Beach with giant sand sculptures, live music, amusement rides, and fireworks on Saturday night.

Whale Week - July 28-August 3 is Whale Week 2019 in Provincetown, with a full-week of educational events and activities from the Center for Coastal Studies on ocean and coastal issues, marine mammals, and marine debris. Events include a trail run, Provincetown’s version of “The Amazing Race,” a homemade boat race, book signing, lectures, a guided seal walk, and kids activities. For details, see the Whale Week 2019 web page.

Living Shoreline Project Tour - On August 9 in Stratford, Connecticut, the Southern New England Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society will hold a Summer Meeting and Living Shoreline & Restoration Field Tour for members and the public. The meeting will feature presentations, lunch, and a field tour of several restoration sites, including Connecticut's first living shoreline project.

Annual Swim & Fin - On August 11, Salem Sound Coastwatch will host the 14^th annual Swim & Fin Race for Salem Sound at Forest River Park in Salem. Swimmers of any age or skill level may join the event for open-water swimming races of three different distances: 500 meters, 1 mile, and 5K. Proceeds from this event support Salem Sound Coastwatch's work to protect local beaches, streams, salt marshes, and coastal waters. Registration is required.

Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival - From August 24-25, Hawthorne Cove Marina in Salem will host the 37^th annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival with vessels of all sizes and shapes on display, including antique motor yachts, mahogany speedboats, various sailboats, and a 19^th century gold-leaf canoe. This celebration of maritime heritage also includes a craft fair, artists, music, children’s activities, and a Blessing of the Fleet.

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

• Natural Hazards Research Workshop - From July 14-17, the Natural Hazards Center will host the 44^th annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop, Convergence: Coming Together to Improve Hazards and Disaster Research, Practice, and Policy, in Broomfield, Colorado. The workshop will focus on collaborative efforts to reduce risk, save lives, and build sustainable communities.
• Preventing Toxic Spills after Storms - On July 16 in Boston, the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) will present the EBC Climate Change Program: Preventing Toxic Exposures During Climate Events, which will introduce planning tools and resources for containment of chemicals and wastes during and after major storm events.
• National Marine Education Conference - From July 21-25 in Durham, New Hampshire, the National Marine Educators Association will hold its 2019 Conference, Turning the Tide: Learning from Yesterday, Adapting for Tomorrow, bringing together marine educators from around the world to discuss the latest trends and research in marine education.
• Gulf of Maine Climate Resilience Conference—Call for Abstracts - From November 4-8, the Gulf of Maine 2050 International Symposium, Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Resilience, will be held in Portland, Maine. The conference will focus on the changes expected in the Gulf of Maine over the next 30 years to help develop ideas, next steps, and collaborations for climate resiliency throughout the region. Early registration discounts are available through July 15. Abstracts for posters, oral presentations, and panel presentations can also be submitted by August 5.
• Stormwater Conference - From August 18-22, StormCon, the North American Surface Water Quality Conference and Exposition, will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. This annual conference will feature presentations on stormwater infrastructure and best management practices, green infrastructure, stormwater program management, permitting, stormwater research, monitoring, and industrial stormwater management.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

Aquarium Lecture Series - On July 18, the New England Aquarium will present How to Be a Good Creature by naturalist and author Sy Montgomery, who will share stories of 13 animals that changed her life and inspired her latest book. Part of the Aquarium Lecture Series, this free presentation starts at 7 p.m. in the Aquarium’s IMAX Theatre. Sign up for email notifications of future lectures. Recordings of past lectures are available on their archive page.

Boat Safety - This summer, the Massachusetts Environmental Police will offer free, state- and nationally approved Boat Safety Courses for boaters age 12 and older. Courses cover responsible equipment and operating guidelines, and all graduates ages 12-15 receive a safety certificate that allows operation of a motorboat without adult supervision, as required by state law. All graduates ages 16-17 will also be allowed to operate a personal watercraft (jet ski, wave runner, etc.).

Boston Harbor Events - Boston Harbor Now hosts events throughout the Boston Harbor area. July events include fitness classes, sailing, camping, bird watching, and a July 6 Forest Bathing Retreat on Peddocks Island. For additional events, see the Boston Harbor Now Events page.

Buzzards Bay Walks and Events - The Buzzards Bay Coalition Events page includes outdoor and environmental offerings hosted by numerous organizations and land trusts in the region. July events include a sunset kayak tour, sailing classes, bird walks, yoga, and other opportunities for all ages. Events can be filtered by town, month, host, or select topics, such as kid-friendly and volunteering.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Programs - In July, the museum will host a variety of lectures, bird walks and talks, carving demonstrations, and other events including Ospreys 2019: The Revival of a Global Raptor on July 18. Check out their calendar for additional events.

Center for Coastal Studies Events - The center will present public events on Cape Cod throughout July, including lectures, walks, activities for kids, and the Run the Trails for Whales 5K on July 28. For additional upcoming activities, see their events page.

Conservation Commission Education - The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions provides specialized training programs. See their Complete Education Catalog for an overview of upcoming wetland delineation and other workshops and the Community Calendar for a schedule of other programs, including Grasses of the Northeast from July 26-27 in Framingham.

Ecological Landscaping Talks - This summer, the Association to Preserve Cape Cod will present the Eco-Landscape Lecture Series. The PRFCT Yard: An Eco-Landscape on July 13 will be held at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth. Pre-registration is requested.

Inflatable Humpback Whale - On several dates this summer, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will allow visitors to walk inside a 44-foot inflatable humpback whale to learn about humpback whale behavior and habits from the inside out. The next session is on July 9. Registration is recommended.

Ipswich River Programs and Activities - In July, Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary will host numerous nature walks, talks, and adventures. See their programs, classes, & activities page and search the program catalog for event and schedule information on sailing, family art classes, canoeing, educational programs, nature walks, and day camp for kids ages 4-16.

Joppa Flats Programs and Events - The Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center hosts a variety of programs for children and adults. See their program catalog for July events and education opportunities, including family touch tank experiences, a science cruise, nature walks, and summer camp for children ages 6-11.

Mass Audubon Cape Cod Walks, Lectures, and Events - The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in South Wellfleet and Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable offer educational programs for children, adults, and families including July kayak trips, hikes and nature walks, tidal flat explorations, and day camps for ages 4-17. Search the calendar of programs, classes, and activities for Wellfleet Bay and Long Pasture for all events.

Mudflat Mania - Through August 26, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will hold Mudflat Mania!, twice weekly hikes to Cape Cod Bay to explore the life on and below the Brewster sand flats.

Mystic River Watershed Events - See the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) Calendar for links to lectures, bike rides, and other July events by date, including the Water Chestnut Removal - Community Day on July 13.

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinars - The NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series provides educators with resources and training to support ocean and climate literacy in the classroom. The next webinar, Catch and Release: Large Whale Entanglements and Response Efforts to Mitigate the Threat, is on July 10.

NOAA Coastal Training and Learning Resources - NOAA’s Digital Coast offers a wide range of training opportunities, from in-person instructor-led courses, online instructor-led sessions, and numerous self-guided resources, case-studies, videos and webinars, and publications. On July 16, the online course Using Flood Exposure Maps will present best practices for using local flood exposure maps to discuss local hazards and risks with citizens and local officials. For the full schedule of opportunities, see the Training Calendar.

NOAA Science and Climate Seminars - The OneNOAA Science Seminar web page provides details on NOAA science and climate seminars and webinars that are available across the nation, including Ecosystems, Agriculture, and Rural Communities in a Changing Climate: Findings from the Fourth National Climate Assessment on July 9.

Northeastern University Marine Science Center Tours - Each month through November, the center will host guided public tours in Nahant for visitors to learn about their research. The free tours run from 2:30-4:00 p.m. on July 18, August 22, September 19, October 24, and November 21. Registration is required.

Thornton Burgess Nature Program - The Thornton Burgess Society at the Green Briar Nature Center in East Sandwich is hosting their Nature Program 2019, a series of in-depth naturalist classes. The next session is Salt Marsh with Nancy Wigley on July 6.

Waquoit Bay Summer Programs and Activities - This summer, discover the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. For a full list of activities and programs for kids and adults, including a Nature After Dark Beach Walk on July 12, see the Discover Waquoit Bay Reserve 2019 Summer Schedule (PDF, 581 KB).

Other Items of Interest

Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship - NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management is seeking applications from graduate students for the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship, a new program offering a two-year research fellowship at each of the 29 National Estuarine Research Reserves. Applications for fellowships that begin in the summer of 2020 are due by December 20.

NOAA Habitat Photo Contest - As part of Habitat Month in July, NOAA Fisheries is seeking pictures of coastal and ocean habitat for the 2019 NOAA Habitat Photo Contest. Winners will be featured on the NOAA Fisheries website during the week of July 29. Submit photos of scenery, wildlife, or hands-on activities in coastal or marine habitats in one of the following categories: coastal wetlands, estuaries, rivers, or underwater habitats by July 22.

Marine Sanctuary Photo Contest - NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is seeking photos within the National Marine Sanctuary System that show the “beauty and importance of these special places” for the 2019 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest. Submit photos of scenic views, ocean life, or recreation activities within a sanctuary by September 2.

Mass Audubon Photo Contest - For its Picture This: Your Great Outdoors Photo Contest 2019, Mass Audubon seeks digital images that “highlight people in nature and the beauty of Massachusetts wildlife and landscapes.” Entries are due by September 30.