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CZ-Mail - June 2018

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

Offshore Wind Project Selected - On May 23, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that the Commonwealth’s Electric Distribution Companies selected the Vineyard Wind 800 megawatt (MW) project under the first offshore wind energy procurement authorized by An Act Relative to Energy Diversity. The final acceptance of the bid and award of contract is conditional upon successful contract negotiations between the parties and the regulatory approval at the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. Also announced was the State of Rhode Island’s decision to enter into contract negotiations with Deepwater Wind for a 400 MW offshore wind energy project. CZM continues to support stakeholder engagement, coordinate with federal and state agencies, and conduct environmental reviews of the proposed offshore wind projects. For more information on offshore wind, see the Massachusetts Offshore Wind website and for more information on the procurement process, see the Massachusetts Clean Energy website.

MassBays Awards Healthy Estuaries Grants - On May 4, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton announced $110,000 in federal funds to help towns and organizations improve ecosystem health in Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay. The Healthy Estuary Grants were awarded by the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program (MassBays) through CZM with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The grant funding will be matched by $86,210 in municipal and private contributions and focus on supporting MassBays mission to protect, restore, and enhance the estuarine resources of the region. The following five grants were awarded:

  • Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA) - $18,000 to advance restoration efforts in the Ipswich watershed, with a goal to prioritize projects that will improve streamflow and tidal exchange.
  • Massachusetts Oyster Project (MOP) - $15,545 to support MOP’s aquaculture and education efforts in Gloucester and at the Front Street Boatyard in Marblehead.
  • Salem State University - $27,715 to continue research to improve understanding of the connections between high phytoplankton levels, deteriorating water quality, and decreasing eelgrass habitat.
  • Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) - $33,000 to work with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, bordering cities, and local nonprofits to advance plans to re-establish salt marsh communities and improve tidal flow along Mill Creek in Chelsea and establish a marsh on an eroded beach at Draw Seven State Park in Somerville.
  • The Trustees of Reservations - $15,740 to demonstrate a new technique to reduce the negative impacts of past “ditching” on marsh habitat in the Parker River Estuary.

For more information, see the EEA Press Release.

Seeking Local Cleanup Coordinators for COASTSWEEP 2018 - 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 will be scheduled throughout September and October. To get involved, see the COASTSWEEP website.

Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins - June 1 marks the start of hurricane season—with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Colorado State University both predicting average to slightly above average hurricane activity this year. (An average Atlantic season produces 12 named storms of which six become hurricanes, including two major hurricanes and a 52% chance of a U.S. landfall.) For regularly updated hurricane information, see the NOAA National Hurricane Center website, and for the definitions of watches and warnings for hurricanes and tropical storms, see the National Weather Service (NWS) Hurricane Preparedness - Watches & Warnings web page. CZM’s Hurricane Preparedness Kit and 2002 Coastlines magazine can help you reduce your risk and prepare your property and family for these dangerous storms. And for tracking information on storms heading toward Massachusetts, along with information on potential flooding and disaster recovery, see CZ-Tip - The Complete Guide to Online Hurricane Tracking for Massachusetts.

CZM Job Posting

Boston Harbor Regional Coordinator - CZM is seeking applicants for a Boston Harbor Regional Coordinator to serve the communities in the Metro-Boston area from Winthrop to Weymouth. The position is responsible for providing technical assistance to communities, coordinating local and regional initiatives, and performing project review, with a specific focus on waterfront and port planning and management as well as climate resilience and shoreline/floodplain management efforts. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but first consideration will be given to applications received by June 13.

CZM Staff and People

GIS Interns - In May, CZM welcomed Erin Hasselgren and Ryan Rezendes as GIS interns. Erin, a Geo-Information Science graduate student at Salem State University, will develop mobile applications for CZM’s Coast Guide Online web mapper. In addition to her studies and full-time work at Harvard, she is a dedicated volunteer in the New England Aquarium’s Marine Animal Rescue Department. Ryan, a marine affairs graduate student at the University of Rhode Island, will work to develop an online web map showing the locations and extent of all seafloor mapping activities in Massachusetts state waters. The map will serve as a spatial bibliography for the high-resolution bathymetry, sidescan sonar, and surficial and subbottom sediment data that have been collected over the past decade as part of the CZM-USGS Seafloor Mapping Cooperative. Ryan brings a broad academic and professional background in marine biology, including three years as a consultant evaluating the potential effects of wind farm construction and operation to fish populations off Block Island. Welcome aboard!

BUAR ALIVE Intern - The Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeology (BUAR) is pleased to welcome Victor Cabrera as the 2018 ALIVE intern. ALIVE (Active Learning through Internship or Volunteer Experience) is a high school senior capstone project of the Match Charter Public High School in Boston. He will be assisting BUAR with various administrative and research tasks during this month-long program. Victor will be attending the University of Maine at Orono in the fall, where he plans to major in marine biology.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Program - EEA is seeking applications for funding 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 two Requests for Responses (RFR) and submit questions, see the COMMBUYS bid solicitations for design and permitting and construction financing. Proposals for both opportunities are due by June 22.

Restoration and Revitalization Priority Projects - The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is seeking applications for aquatic habitat restoration, streamflow restoration, and urban stream revitalization projects. Selected priority projects will be eligible to receive technical assistance from DER staff, technical services by pre-approved contractors, and/or direct funding. To view the RFR, see the COMMBUYS website. Proposals are due by June 28.

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Funding - EPA is seeking applications for long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant water infrastructure projects. Funding is provided through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act and can supplement loans received through the Sate Revolving Fund. Up to 49% of the project cost is eligible for funding. The minimum project size is $20 million for large communities and $5 million for communities with less than 25,000 residents. Letters of interest from applicants are due by July 31.

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking proposals for the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program to fund the protection and restoration of coastal wetlands. Projects can include acquisition of coastal lands or waters for restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetland ecosystems. For details, see the Grant Opportunity. Applications are due by June 29.

Reminders - This opportunity, listed in the last CZ-Mail, is still available:

  • Parks and Conservation Grants - EEA’s Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications for the FY 2019 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 July 12. Conservation Partnership applications are due by July 16.

Products/Publications

Harbor-Wide Barrier Study for Boston Harbor - The Sustainable Solutions Lab at UMass Boston has released Feasibility of Harbor-wide Barriers: Preliminary Analysis for Boston Harbor, a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of engineered barriers to shield Boston Harbor from sea level rise and storm surge and their potential costs and benefits. The report determined that such a barrier would be technically impractical and less cost-effective than shore-based coastal protection solutions, like those identified through the Climate Ready Boston initiative. CZM staff participated on the Steering Committee and reviewed the draft report. See the Sustainable Solutions Lab website for further information and to download the report.

2018 Boaters’ Guide to Tides and Pumpout Facilities - This wallet-sized pamphlet from Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries’ Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Program contains information on the locations of pumpout facilities along the Massachusetts coastline and a June-September tide chart. Download a free copy from the CVA website. Limited hardcopies are also available. Email your request and mailing address to Cecil French at cecil.french@state.ma.us.

Green Infrastructure at Schools - EPA has published Storm Smart Schools: A Guide to Integrate Green Stormwater Infrastructure to Meet Regulatory Compliance and Promote Environmental Literacy. This a guide for cities and school districts interested in using green infrastructure on school grounds to manage stormwater, as well as provide lessons about environmental protection, outlines benefits of school-based green infrastructure and recommends steps to implement these techniques.

MassBays Newsletter - The Spring 2018 issue of the MassBays Newsletter, the quarterly update from the MassBays National Estuary Program, features news and events around the Bays and announcement of a strategic communications initiative. Consider subscribing to receive updates directly.

Educational Sand Dune Signs - Woods Hole Sea Grant and the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension are again offering These Dunes Aren’t Made for Walking (PDF, 2 MB), an educational sign aimed at preserving coastal resources. These water-resistant paper signs are free and can be ordered by emailing seagrant@whoi.edu.

MPA Connections - The May 2018 edition of Marine Protected Areas Connections, the newsletter of the NOAA National Marine Protected Areas Center, features articles on a new Marine Protected Areas (MPA) StoryMap with answers to frequently asked questions, a new “virtual dive” at Palmyra Atoll, and other MPA news.

Marine Protected Area Newsletter - The May 2018 issue of MPA News features articles on the continuing debate over the value of large versus small MPAs, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, MPAs in Central America, and other MPA news and notes.

Marine Ecosystems and Management Information Service - The May 2018 edition of Marine Ecosystems and Management (MEAM), the bimonthly information service on marine ecosystem-based management (EBM) from the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs, features articles on mining social media for data, along with other resources and news.

APCC Newsletter - The spring 2018 issue of Shorelines, the newsletter of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC), includes articles on the effects of climate change, landscaping practices that can help mitigate climate impacts, a trust fund to provide revenue for water quality projects, and other Cape Cod news and updates from APCC.

Beneath the Surface - The May 2018 issue of Beneath the Surface, a newsletter from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), includes articles on how marine mammals avoid the bends, bacteria at beaches, how sunlight effects oil spill dispersants, and other news and updates from WHOI.

HabitatNews - The May 2018 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Restoration, includes articles on reopening rivers for migratory fish, developing state-of-the-art fish passages, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Web-Based and Mobile-User Resources

Updates to Northeast Ocean Data Portal - The Northeast Ocean Data Portal— developed to be a centralized source of data and maps for New England’s ocean areas—has been updated with the latest offshore wind energy planning maps, including the Massachusetts Proposed Sale Notice Area and the New York Bight Call for Information and Nominations Areas. Other updates include: data and maps depicting fishing vessel activity for select federal fisheries in 2015 and 2016 from the Vessel Monitoring System and maps and data depicting vessel traffic patterns in 2015 and 2016 from the Automatic Identification System.

Grants.gov Mobile App - The new Grants.gov mobile application allow users to search for federal grant opportunities, review eligibility requirements, create notifications for new announcements, and more. The app is available for download for both Apple and Android phones. For additional details, see the Grants.gov Community Blog.

Decisions

South Boston Designated Port Area Boundary Review Decision - On May 10, CZM issued the Designation Decision for the South Boston Designated Port Area Boston, MA (PDF, 3 MB), concluding the comprehensive Designated Port Area (DPA) boundary review process initiated in June 2017. The decision affirms the findings and proposed DPA boundary modifications in CZM’s February 7, 2018, designation report, Boundary Review of the South Boston Designated Port Area, Boston, MA (PDF, 2 MB). The boundary modification was made in accordance with criteria governing the suitability of contiguous lands to accommodate water-dependent industrial use pursuant to 301 CMR 25.00 (PDF, 87 KB). The Commonwealth’s DPA policy seeks to promote water-dependent industries as an important sector of the state’s economy and prevent the loss of areas that have certain key characteristics that make them particularly well suited to water-dependent industrial uses. CZM is responsible for mapping, interpreting, and periodic review of DPA boundaries. For more on the South Boston decision, see the updated DPA map (PDF, 3 MB) and DPA description (PDF, 135 KB). For more information on DPAs, see CZM’s Designated Port Area website.

Job/Internship Postings

Narragansett Bay Estuary Program Director - The Narragansett Bay Estuary Program (NBEP) is seeking applicants for Program Director. Hosted by the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) in Lowell, NBEP is one of EPA’s 28 national estuary programs. The program works to protect and preserve Narragansett Bay and its watershed through partnerships that conserve and restore natural resources, promote the use of sound science, enhance water quality, and promote community involvement and stewardship. The Program Director oversees and manages operations at the program’s Providence office, including supervision of two or more staff members, and provides overall program leadership, coordination, administration, and planning in cooperation with the EPA Project Officer and NBEP committees. For more information, including the full position description, see the NEIWPCC website. Applications are due by June 6.

Marine Animal Rehabilitation and Environmental Education Internship - The National Marine Life Center (NMLC) is seeking applicants for a Marine Animal Rehabilitation and Environmental Education Internship to assist with the care of the NMLC rehabilitation patients, including seals, sea turtles, and freshwater turtles, and assist with environmental education programs, such as on- and off-site programs, fairs, and festivals. The internship is unpaid and is open to students who are currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, an accredited college or university. For more information, see the NMLC website. Applications for fall semester are due by July 1.

Marine Wildlife Internships - The New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) is accepting applicants for the Marine Wildlife Internship Program. NECWA accepts upper level high school, college, and graduate students who have an interest in the field of marine biology. NECWA interns work alongside staff members to conduct a variety of educational programs, research projects, and conservation activities. Internship positions are non-paid and can be coordinated privately or through a school or university program. Internships are available throughout the year.

Calendar

WBNERR Greeter Training - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) is looking for outgoing volunteers to serve as Visitor Greeters at the Waquoit Bay Reserve Visitor Center. Greeters staff the Visitor Center for a 3-hour shift per week during the summer season. Trainings will be held on June 5 and 12, with a field trip to Washburn Island on June 19. Lunch is provided at the two trainings. Please bring a picnic lunch for the field trip. For more information or to sign up, contact Laurie Tompkins at laurie.tompkins@state.ma.us or call (508) 457-0495 x108.

Martha’s Vineyard Coastal Conference - On June 6, Woods Hole Sea Grant, in coordination with the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and CZM, will hold the Martha’s Vineyard Coastal Conference in Edgartown. Topics to be discussed include coastal resilience, alternative energy (water and wind), sea level rise, ocean acidification, storm flooding, water quality, and erosion. For more information, contact Greg Berman at gberman@whoi.edu or Steve McKenna at stephen.mckenna@state.ma.us.

Dolphin Webinar - On June 6, the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries’ Webinar Series will present Dolphin Tales: Studying the Who, When, and Where of Habitat Use by Dr. Tammy Silva. This presentation will focus on dolphin biology and ecology, current threats to these species, and the technology used to evaluate their distribution.

Aquarium Lecture Series - The New England Aquarium Lecture Series features free lectures and films by scientists, environmental writers, photographers, and others. The next session, on June 7, is Marine Mammals in the Anthropocene: Keeping Endangered from Becoming Extinct by Scott Kraus, Ph.D., Vice President and Senior Science Advisor, Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium.

Plankton Counting – WBNERR is seeking volunteers to help count phytoplankton in Waquoit Bay. Volunteers commit to 3-hour shifts several times per month to identify and count phytoplankton samples. On June 7, WBNERR will hold a Training and Information Session at the Reserve in Falmouth. For more information, contact Nicole Millette at nmillette@whoi.edu.

Salem Sound Run/Walk for the Beach - On June 10, Salem Sound Coastwatch will hold the 9th annual Run/Walk for the Beach in Beverly, a 5K event to support their efforts to protect local beaches and marine life.

World Oceans Day Festival - On June 10, the New England Aquarium will host the World Oceans Day Festival at the Aquarium. Join the festivities, including outdoor activities, cooking demonstrations and tastings, opportunities to meet scientists and local conservation groups, and information about how to protect the oceans.

Ocean Literacy Summit—Call for Presenters Deadline Extended - From November 15-16, the New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative will hold the 2018 Ocean Literacy Summit in Boston. The focus will be Ocean Literacy Principle 2: The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth. This biennial conference brings together educators and scientists from New England and surrounding states to share developments in marine science and oceanographic and approaches to teaching ocean science in school and informal educational settings. See the Call for Presenters; proposals are now due by June 11.

Chelsea Creek Field Trip - On June 12, the Boston Harbor Environmental Network will host Environmental Justice and Chelsea Creek, a field trip that will discuss community-led efforts on issues affecting human and ecological health in and around Chelsea Creek. The trip will be presented by GreenRoots, a local nonprofit that works to improve the environment along the Chelsea waterfront. Registration is requested.

Ipswich River Paddle-a-thon - On June 16, the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA) will hold the Ipswich River Paddle-a-thon with a variety of events to choose from, including a 4-mile group paddle, a 2-mail race for all types of watercraft, or other options. All proceeds support IRWA and its efforts to keep the Ipswich River clean and healthy. Registration is required.

Northeast Regional Planning Body Meeting - On June 21, the Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) will meet in Warwick, Rhode Island. The meeting will include a discussion of the uses of the Northeast Ocean Plan and the Northeast Ocean Data Portal to inform decision making, updates from the RPB subcommittees and work groups, and a presentation on submerged paleocultural landscape research by the University of Rhode Island. On June 20, attendees can participate in an optional ferry tour of the Block Island Wind Farm. Registration is requested.

Estuarine and Coastal Modeling Conference - From June 25-27, the 15th Estuarine and Coastal Modeling Conference will be held in Seattle, Washington. The conference will feature commercial, academic, and government scientists and engineers from around, who will focus on recent results and techniques in applied estuarine and coastal modeling.

EBC Annual Awards - On June 27, the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) will hold its 25th Annual Awards Celebration in Boston to recognize companies, organizations, and individuals for outstanding environmental/energy accomplishments in the promotion of a sustainable, clean environment.

Natural Hazards Research Workshop - From July 8-11, the Natural Hazards Center will host the 43rd annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop, Twenty Questions: Looking for Answers to Reduce Disaster Risk, in Broomfield, Colorado. The three-day workshop is divided into plenary sessions, concurrent sessions, poster sessions, and extracurricular activities.

Neponset RiverFest - On July 14, the Neponset River Watershed Association will hold the Neponset RiverFest in Dorchester. Join this family-friendly celebration of the river and its natural salt marshes and wetlands, which includes food, children’s activities, music, and free use of canoes and kayaks.

National Marine Educators Conference - From July 15-20, the National Marine Educators Association 2018 Conference, Charting the Course for Conservation, will be held in Long Beach, California. This conference brings together marine educators from around the world to promote awareness and education of the global marine environment.

Regional Restoration Conference—Call for Abstracts - From October 11-13, the Society for Ecological Restoration New England Chapter will hold its 2018 Regional Conference, Connecting Communities and Ecosystems in Restoration Practice, in New Haven, Connecticut. This conference will highlight innovative projects and ideas in ecological restoration. Abstracts are now being accepted for talks and posters. See the Call for Abstracts, which are due by July 27.

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. Learn all about the magnificent whale’s behaviors and habits from the inside out. Registration is recommended.

Boat Safety Course - Through the summer, the Massachusetts Environmental Police will offer free, state and nationally approved Boat Safety Courses for boaters age 12 and older. Courses focus on responsible equipment and operating guidelines. 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.).

Science Seminars - The OneNOAA Science Seminar web page provides listings and details on NOAA science and climate seminars and webinars that are available across the nation.

MACC Education - The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) offers a variety of specialized education programs. Visit the MACC workshops page for an overview of upcoming wetland delineation and soil science courses and shrub identification workshops. The MACC online calendar provides a schedule of programs.

Buzzards Bay Walks and Events - The Buzzards Bay Coalition maintains an Events page with walks and other nature-based events hosted by numerous organizations and land trusts in the region. June events include bird walks, bike rides, lectures, hikes, and more. Events can be filtered by town, month, host, or select topics, such as kid-friendly and volunteering.

Tuesday Tweets - The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History’s Tuesday Tweets are bird watching walks with Gretchen Moran Towers for people with all levels of experience to watch, study, and enjoy birds in their natural habitats. The next session is on June 5.

Barnstable Land Trust Walks and Talks - This spring, the Barnstable Land Trust has scheduled several events as part of its Walks & Talks nature series. The first walk in June, a Sandy Neck Plover Walk in West Barnstable on June 6, is an educational hike led by Sandy Neck Park Manager Nina Coleman, who will discuss the ecology of the area.

Cape Cod Bird Club Walks - The Cape Cod Bird Club holds free bird watching walks throughout Cape Cod. The next walk will beat Scusset Beach on June 9.

Birdwatching for Beginners - The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History’s Birdwatching for Beginners with Gretchen Moran Towers presents basic skills for identifying birds by sight and sound. Each session is followed by a walk to view birds in their natural habitat. The next session is on June 21.

Cape Cod Field Schools - Through December, Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is offering a variety of 2-, 3-, and 4-day field courses for adults that focus on the coastal environment and wildlife of Cape Cod. Cape Cod Field Schools are “in-the-field” experiences taught by professional naturalists and scientists. The next course is Turtles of the Outer Cape from June 22-24.

Plum Island Morning Birding and Other Events - This spring, the Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center will host a Wednesday and Saturday morning birding series to explore some of Plum Island’s birding hotspots. The center also hosts numerous other events, classes, and education activities listed in the Joppa Flats program catalog.

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Programs and Activities - Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary provides numerous nature walks, talks, and adventures. See the programs, classes, & activities page and search the program catalog for event and schedule information on topics such as sharing nature with children, birds in the sanctuary, and evening paddling.

Cape Cod Walks, Lectures, and Events - Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable offer a variety of educational programs for children and adults. For more information, search the calendar of programs, classes, and activities for Wellfleet Bay and Long Pasture.

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

  • World Oceans Day - World Oceans Day is June 8 and activities celebrating oceans and coasts are held across the world throughout June. The 2018 focus is Prevent Plastic Pollution and Encourage Solutions for a Healthy Ocean. See the World Oceans Day website.
  • One Ocean, One Cape Cod: A Marine Celebration! - On June 9, to celebrate World Oceans Day, Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids, Inc., will hold a free screening of Sylvia Earle's documentary Mission Blue at the Chatham Orpheum Theater, followed by a panel discussion on ocean advocacy moderated by Monomoy Regional High School’s STEMinist Club. For information, see the event web page.
  • Hurricane Preparedness Webinar - On June 9, the Hurricanes: Science and Society team at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, in partnership with the NOAA National Hurricane Center and the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center, will present a hurricane preparedness webinar for 4th-6th grade classes. The webinar will cover hurricane hazards, forecasting, observing hurricanes with airplanes, and hurricane preparedness. Schools and classes must register in advance.
  • Spectacle Island 5K - On June 16, Boston Harbor Now will hold the 8th annual Spectacle 5K and Fun Race. Festivities feature a 5K Race, half-mile Kids Fun Run, picnic lunch for participants, music, yoga, and kids’ activities.
  • Boston Short Course on Coastal Resiliency - From June 17-23, Sustainable Adaptive Gradients in the Coastal Environment is offering a Boston Short Course on Coastal Resiliency for graduate and Ph.D. students to understand the fundamentals and complexities of coastal adaptation in the Boston area.
  • Buzzards Bay Swim - On June 30, the Buzzards Bay Coalition will host the 2018 Buzzards Bay Swim. Join hundreds of swimmers of all ages and ability levels for a 1.2-mile open-water swim across outer New Bedford Harbor. Funds raised as a swimmer, supporter, or volunteer support the work to protect and restore Buzzards Bay.

Other Items of Interest

National Marine Life Center Programs - Through the summer, the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay offers daily educations programs on marine animals, strandings, rehabilitation, and conservation. For more information, see the National Marine Life Center website.

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