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
CZ-Tip - Volunteer to Help Protect the Coast - The temperatures are steadily rising and now more than ever, people are looking to get outside and connect with nature. But instead of a walk in the park, how about immersing yourself in a hands-on volunteer opportunity along the Massachusetts coast? Head to your local land trust to help maintain managed lands, share your knowledge as a docent for park visitor services, join a stream team, clean up marine debris along the shore, or even create and complete a meaningful service project to protect a watershed. To get started, check out CZ-Tip - Volunteer to Help Protect the Coast for a list of volunteer programs and organizations that welcome your help.
Take a Science Walk! - The Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays) and partners have produced family-friendly posters for some fresh-air learning. Stops along the Boston Harborwalk describe coastal habitat restoration, monitoring, and research projects supported by MassBays from Salisbury to Provincetown—in Ipswich Bay, Massachusetts Bay, and Cape Cod Bay. Posters will be viewable at Martin's Park near the Boston Children's Museum through July 28 and online on the MassBays website.
CZM Offices Remain Closed - All CZM offices are currently closed for in-person services. During this time, CZM staff are working remotely and are available to assist with coastal management issues. See Contact CZM for details.
Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities
DER Partnerships Program - The Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is seeking proposals for the new Regional Restoration Partnerships Program, which will support efforts that build team capacity to develop, fund, and manage initiatives to restore degraded aquatic ecosystems and increase climate change resiliency. Eligible applicants include Massachusetts-registered nonprofit organizations and Massachusetts Regional Planning Agencies. For details, see DER’s Partnerships Program website. Proposals are due by July 23 at 4:00 p.m.
Reminders - This opportunity, listed previously in CZ-Mail, is still available:
- 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 nonprofit organizations for land acquisitions. 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.
Online Tools and Resources
NERACOOS Mariners’ Dashboard - The Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS) has released the Mariners’ Dashboard, a web-based tool that provides real-time, regional ocean data from a network of buoys and sensors in the northeast United States and Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland). Users can view ocean conditions, observations, and forecasts from the last seven days before they head out to sea.
Stone Living Lab Website - The Stone Living Lab—a partnership of the School for the Environment at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston Harbor Now, National Park Service, and City of Boston that is working to develop nature-based coastal resilience solutions—has launched its new website, which provides details on key initiatives, information on how to get involved in Lab activities, and access to real-time scientific data.
NOAA Marine Debris Blog - Recent posts to the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s Marine Debris Blog include entries on abandoned vessel removals in North Carolina, marine debris prevention and collection efforts in the southeast United States, and the damaging effects of marine debris on indigenous communities. All blog topics can be searched by category and date. To receive notifications of new posts, sign up for email updates.
New Resource and Data from NOAA Digital Coast - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Digital Coast has posted these new resources:
- Coastal Adaptation Planning Essentials - An interactive course designed for coastal managers that introduces a five-step adaptation-planning process.
- New and Updated Data (PDF, 109 KB)
Products/Publications
BOEM Research Priorities - The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released the Studies Development Plan for FY 2022-2023, which outlines their research priorities for the next two years. The plan is developed as part of BOEM’s efforts to meet national research needs for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) environmental assessments.
Recreational Vessel Sewage Guidance - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published A Recreational Boater’s Guide to Vessel Sewage, which provides information on the federal requirements for handling sewage onboard recreational vessels. The nine-page guide includes details on marine sanitation devices (MSD), No Discharge Zones (NDZ), and how to use pumpout facilities.
Wildlife Viewing Guidelines - The NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries Program has released Wildlife Viewing Guidelines to help educate the public about reducing human/wildlife conflicts while enjoying the water. Readers are encouraged to “Take the Pledge for Wildlife” to show support for wildlife and encourage others to do the same.
National Litter Study - Keep American Beautiful has released the 2020 National Litter Study, which provides details on the quantity, composition, and sources of litter across the United States. The study shows that roadside litter is down 54% since 2009, but an estimated 50 billion pieces of litter (or 152 per U.S. resident) remain along the country’s roadways and waterways. These data will be used to develop solutions to littering and litter issues.
Newsletters and Other Periodicals
Coastal & Estuarine Science News - The May 2021 issue of Coastal & Estuarine News, the newsletter of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation, includes articles on a review of 13 coastal restoration projects in Texas and how all methods resulted in some level of “success,” lessons learned from oyster restoration projects along the west coast of North America, and other coastal and estuarine research topics.
DOI Newswave - The Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 Photo issues of NEWSWAVE, the quarterly newsletter on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes activities from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), features articles on the new Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, funding awarded for coastal wetland restoration, other ocean and coastal news, and DOI’s “Blue Portfolio” photos from across the country.
NOAA HabitatNews - The June 2021 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes articles on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, engaging the recreational fishing community in habitat conservation, environmental conditions after dam removals, and other marine fisheries habitat news.
The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management - The April-June 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 effects of artificial light on marine ecosystems, as well as other ocean resources and news.
Jobs/Internship Postings
Salem Sound Coastwatch Educator - Salem Sound Coastwatch (SSCW) is seeking a Spanish speaking educator to work with a diverse student population that participate in SSCW education programs. Duties include development and delivery of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) education programming to youth in grades K-12, as well as activity development and program planning for both remote and hands-on learning. The position will be part-time in the summer and possibly full-time in the school year. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For details, see the job posting.
TerraCorps Positions - In 2021, the TerraCorps program is seeking to fill 80 full-time AmeriCorps positions in one of five roles: Community Engagement Coordinator, Youth Education Coordinator, Land Stewardship Coordinator, Regional Collaboration Coordinator, and Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator. Members will serve in full-time, 11-month positions (August 30, 2021-July 29, 2022), and will receive a living allowance, education award, and additional AmeriCorps benefits. For more information, including application details, see the TerraCorps website.
Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements
Climate Conversations: Climate Security - July 15, webinar from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the climate change is increasing security risks.
NMEA Virtual Student Conference - July 15, conference for students sponsored by the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) that will feature a career panel, student presentations, and networking opportunities.
EBC Third Annual New England Energy Leadership Conference - July 16, virtual conference from the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) featuring leaders in energy policy and programs from New England states.
Third Annual New England Climate Change and Resiliency Summit - July 23, a two-session summit sponsored by EBC. Register separately for the morning and afternoon sessions.
Great River Race - Virtually from July 24-August 6 or live on August 7, river paddling race to support the North and South Rivers Watershed Association.
Phytotechnology: A Nature-Based Approach to Containing Contamination - July 28, webinar presented by EPA on remediation or control of environmental contamination using plants.
Climate Justice: Exploring the Science of Climate Change in Your Classroom - August 17-19, workshop for educators from NOAA Planet Stewards.
Estuaries and Coastal Seas in the Anthropocene - September 6-9, virtual international conference presented by Elsevier.
Global OCEANS 2021 - September 20-23, hybrid oceans conference and exhibition for maritime professionals to be held in San Diego, California, and online.
Great Boston Cleanup - September 24, litter cleanup effort across Boston sponsored by Keep Massachusetts Beautiful.
Sustainable Watersheds and Agriculture Symposium - October 26-27, conference for watershed and resource conservation professionals to be held in Fulton, Maryland.
Reminders - The following calendar items posted previously in CZ-Mail are still to come:
- Community Resilience to Climate Change - July 5-29, virtual professional development workshop for educators on climate change impacts and building resilience from NOAA Planet Stewards.
- How to Use Diverse Incentives to Promote Effective and Equitable MPA Governance: New Case Studies and Practical Guidance - July 7, webinar presented by Open Communications for the Ocean (OCTO) on incentives for Marine Protected Area (MPA) governance.
- Virtual Race for Open Space - July 9-11, virtual race to support the Nantucket Conservation Foundation’s efforts to preserve and protect open space on the island.
- NMEA 2021 Virtual Conference - July 14-17, conference sponsored by the National Marine Educators Association, which will focus on the theme “Your Connection to Water.”
- EBC Site Remediation & Redevelopment Webinar: MassDEP Regional Deputy Directors - Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup - July 15, webinar from EBC.
- AWRA Summer Conference: Connecting Land & Water for Healthy Communities - July 19-21, virtual conference from the American Water Resources Association, which will focus on programs to better connect land and water planning and policy.
- 2021 Flood Management Conference - September 7-10, sponsored by the Flood Management Association and held online.
- Stormwater Conference - September 13-15, annual conference sponsored by StormCon and held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events
Aquarium Lecture Series - Periodic webinars presented by the New England Aquarium.
Barnstable Land Trust Events - Programs for children and adults across Barnstable.
Boston Harbor Now Events - Events throughout the Boston Harbor area.
Buzzards Bay Events - Regional events compiled by the Buzzards Bay Coalition.
Cape Cod Field Schools - Multi-day field courses offered by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Programs - A calendar of events at the museum.
Center for Coastal Studies Events - Events across the Cape Cod region.
Conservation Commission Education - Workshops, webinars, and trainings scheduled across Massachusetts and posted by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC). See the MACC Complete Education Catalog and Community Calendar.
Ecological Landscaping Events - Webinars, walks, and classes from the Ecological Landscape Alliance.
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 Program Catalog - Programs for children and adults hosted at the following Mass Audubon coastal locations:
- Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
- Joppa Flats Education Center
- Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary
- North River Wildlife Sanctuary
- Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
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 Live! - Webinars sponsored by NOAA’s Regional Collaboration Network, Woods Hole Sea Grant, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
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.
Salvaging Solutions to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Webinar Series - Monthly webinars through October from the NOAA Marine Debris Program.
The Science of Pollution Avoidance Webinars - A three-part webinar series in July on protecting soil and water resources from the International Erosion Control Association.
Summer Professional Development Courses for K-12 Educators - Unique courses on STEM topics through July from the Wade Institute for Science Education.
Other Items of Interest
Ocean Acidification Infographic Survey - The Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine (RARGOM) and Northeast Coastal Acidification Network (NECAN) are seeking input on the development of an infographic about ocean acidification impacts to key resources in the Gulf of Maine. A survey is available to provide input on which economically and ecologically important species are most important to include in this publication. Please complete the OA Alliance Infographic Stakeholder Poll by July 4.
Invasive Plant Removal Volunteers Needed - The Charles River Watershed Association is seeking volunteers on Friday mornings through October 15 for the 2021 Invasive Plant Removal season. Registration, which is first come first serve, is now open. Contact Amy Walker at awalker@crwa.org to register your group.
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 two-year research fellowship at each of the 29 National Estuarine Research Reserves. Fellows will conduct research on a key reserve management priority to improve understanding of coastal challenges and potentially impact policy and management strategies. Applications for fellowships that begin in the summer of 2022 are due by December 10.