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CZ-Mail - November 2017

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

CZM Spotlight: Long-Term Monitoring of Salt Marshes a Critical Tool for Management - Coastal wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on earth, providing important habitat for fish, shellfish, and other wildlife. The plants and marsh soils (or peat) accumulated in salt marshes and the winding creeks within the system act together to absorb flood waters, protect water quality, and reduce coastal storm damage. Impacts of climate change, particularly sea level rise, can interrupt the delicate balance between the tides, soils, and plant community necessary to sustain the marsh through time–potentially leading to losses if the system is unable to compensate by gaining elevation or moving landward. CZM recently completed a project with Woods Hole Group that applied sea level rise and marsh accretion models to investigate potential changes in the distribution and extent of coastal wetlands, including salt marshes, under multiple sea level rise scenarios. Building on this work, CZM—in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and with funding through a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wetland Program Development Grant—established long-term monitoring stations, or sentinel sites, this summer. The sentinel sites were placed in three salt marshes representing a diversity of microhabitat types. Within each focus salt marsh, a series of permanent transects extending across the marsh into the adjacent upland were laid out and baseline information on plant community structure, marsh features, elevation, water levels, and other physical factors were collected. Since marsh plants have specific environmental tolerances of water levels and salinity, tracking the movement of plant species through time can indicate whether the marsh is responding to sea level rise by migrating landward. Similar projects have been implemented by the National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR) and other groups nationwide, including the monitoring projects at the Waquoit Bay NERR in Falmouth. The data CZM collects will expand on these efforts to better characterize and track marsh condition over time at a variety of locations and settings in Massachusetts. By revisiting the sentinel sites every three to five years, investigators will create a long-term dataset to analyze trends. In addition to the on-the-ground data collection, CZM has initiated a mapping program that will use remote sensing to characterize marsh features and track changes across the wider marsh landscape. As part of this effort, CZM partnered with a new unmanned aerial systems program at UMass Amherst to collect high resolution drone imagery at several locations this past summer. CZM recently was awarded new funding through an EPA Wetland Program Development Grant, partnering with MassDEP and UMass Amherst, to continue work to assess salt marsh condition and trends for the next two years. These projects are part of other long-term efforts that CZM and partners have focused on to collect critical data to improve understanding of the threats facing tidal marshes, inform effective policy and management, and ultimately protect this important habitat into the future. For more information, contact CZM’s Habitat and Water Quality Program Manager, Adrienne Pappal, at email adrienne.pappal@mass.gov.

CZM and MassDEP Launch the Coastal Manual - CZM and MassDEP have released Applying the Massachusetts Coastal Wetlands Regulations: A Practical Manual for Conservation Commissions to Protect the Storm Damage Prevention and Flood Control Functions of Coastal Resource Areas, otherwise known as the Coastal Manual. The Coastal Manual provides direction to Conservation Commissions and applicants to address the impacts that proposed projects may have on the storm damage prevention and flood control functions of coastal resource areas. The guidance helps interpret the existing Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) Regulations, clarifies how coastal resource areas are delineated, expands on the description of their functions, and guides applicants and Conservation Commissions on how to apply and meet performance standards. In addition, the manual explains in detail how Commissions should use the best available tools, data, and information for a complete and accurate project review. This guidance is the end product of a collaborative effort of experts from CZM and MassDEP, with additional input from a Technical Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from federal and local government, a consulting firm, a nonprofit group, and a law firm. Supplements to the manual include the Data Checklists for the Delineation of Resource Areas (PDF, 147 KB) to be used out in the field to help identify the boundaries of each resource area, and a List of Adjudicatory and Court Decisions that are referenced in the Coastal Manual and help guide current MassDEP policies. The manual and the accompanying materials provide the most up-to-date state practices and consistent and reliable technical information to improve decision-making at the local level.

CZM and MassDEP are holding training sessions to provide an overview of the Coastal Manual and explore details on many of the topics covered. Training workshops for interested parties, including Conservation Commissions, consultants, and design professionals, are scheduled as follows:

  • North Shore Region - November 29, 9 a.m.-noon at the Danvers Town Hall, Toomey Room, 1 Sylvan Street, Danvers.
  • South Shore Region - December 13, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Kingston Town Hall, Selectmen Room, 26 Evergreen Street, Kingston.
  • Cape Cod and Islands Region - December 20, 9 a.m.-noon at the Harborview Conference Room, Old Jailhouse Building, 3195 Main Street, Barnstable.

For more information about these workshops, contact CZM’s Coastal Geologist, Rebecca Haney at rebecca.haney@mass.gov.

COASTSWEEP 2017 Update - Since September, volunteers have been out combing the coast for trash during the 2017 COASTSWEEP—the state’s volunteer beach cleanup organized by CZM as part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. Dedicated volunteers collect marine debris and record what they find on dozens of shoreline sites. By the time COASTSWEEP wraps up in mid-November, over 900 volunteers will have cleaned 77 locations along the Commonwealth’s coast. And there’s still time to volunteer at a scheduled cleanup or to organize one of your own at a local beach or coastal site. All the supplies (bags, gloves, data cards, pencils, etc.) are provided free of charge, and cleanups can be scheduled at your convenience into mid-November. To find out more, see the Get Involved page and the 2017 Cleanup List on the COASTSWEEP website. To learn more about marine debris, the COASTSWEEP effort, and ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle items, see the CZ-Tip - Help Clean Up Massachusetts Shores at COASTSWEEP and CZ-Tip - Repurposing with a Purpose.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Foster Scholarship Program - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking applications for the 2018 Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, which encourages independent graduate level research, particularly by female and minority students, in NOAA mission-related sciences of oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology, and ocean and coastal resource management. The scholarship covers tuition, a living stipend, and travel funds to support collaboration at a national marine sanctuary field office or NOAA office. See the Frequently Asked Questions page for details. Completed applications must be received by December 8.

Massachusetts Environmental Trust—Drive for a Better Environment Grants Program - The Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) is now seeking proposals for the 2019 Drive for a Better Environment Grants Program for projects that protect endangered marine animals and activities that restore and improve critical aquatic ecosystems in Massachusetts. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and municipalities and funding amounts typically range from $10,000 to $75,000. For more information, to view the Request for Response (RFR), and download required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. A question and answer period closes December 14 and full proposals are due December 15 for projects that will begin in July 2018.

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

  • Marine Debris Prevention Funding - The NOAA Marine Debris Program is seeking proposals for Marine Debris Prevention Grants for projects supporting public educational activities that improve living marine resource habitats. Projects should create measurable behavior change by encouraging students, teachers, industries, or the public to actively participate in addressing a particular marine debris issue. Typical awards will range from $50,000 to $150,000. For more information, see Grants.gov. Applications are due by December 16.

Products/Publications

Gulf of Maine Climate Report - The September 2017 issue of the Gulf of Maine Region Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook (PDF, 1 MB), a Gulf of Maine Council’s Climate Network publication, highlights several notable weather events, describes the summer drought's impact on agriculture, maps temperature and precipitation fluctuations, and forecasts the Fall outlook.

Natural Hazards - The October 5,2017, issue of Disaster Research - News You Can Use, an e-newsletter from the Natural Hazards Center in Boulder, Colorado, offers information on a new Research Counts series, the quick response grant program to help collect perishable disaster data, the next natural hazards workshop, and other educational opportunities, jobs, and updates.

Science Matters - The October 10, 2017, issue of Science Matters, a newsletter of the EPA Office of Research and Development, highlights new research on small business innovation research programs, satellites that track harmful algal blooms, the public health and economic cost of air pollution from wildfires, and other news and upcoming events.

Ecological Landscaping Association Newsletter - The October 2017 issue of the Ecological Landscaping Association’s (ELA) ELA Newsletter features articles on pollinator plants, the Audubon Society’s Plants for Birds Program, a controlled burn to rejuvenate a meadow and woodland habitat, native thistles, and other gleanings, news, and upcoming events.

Marine Ecosystems and Management Information Service - The October 2017 edition of Marine Ecosystems and Management, the monthly information service on marine ecosystem-based management (EBM) from the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs, includes articles on the impact of social sciences on ocean conservation and management, types of science needed for effective ecosystem-based management, and the latest news, analysis, tools, and tips.

Beneath the Surface - The October 2017 issue of Beneath the Surface, a newsletter from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), includes articles on a drone that collects samples for whale health monitoring, the discovery of a new source of radioactivity from the Fukushima disaster, and a grant to advance seaweed energy production, along with other news and updates from WHOI.

Web-Based and Mobile-User Resources

SeaBoss Videos - The U.S. Geological Survey has produced two outreach video clips from SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SeaBOSS) operations that took place in Massachusetts waters in 2017. One video, SeaBOSS off Nantucket, captures a survey conducted in cooperation with CZM to characterize the seafloor and shallow substrate inside the 3-mile limit of state waters using high-resolution geophysical techniques, sediment sampling, and seafloor photography and videography. The second video, SeaBOSS operations in Massachusetts Bay, a project in cooperation with NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, captures a diverse array of life on the seafloor near Stellwagen Bank.

NOAA Marine Debris Blog - The NOAA Marine Debris Program continues to update their Marine Debris Blog on a weekly basis with topics that can be searched by category and date. Recent articles include: the opening of the annual marine debris program art contest, debris-free football, how the marine debris program responds to hurricane debris, and more. Subscribe to the blog to receive notifications of new posts by email.

Climate Network Presentation Video - The Gulf of Maine Council's Climate Network has posted a video of the presentation, Extreme Precipitation in the Gulf of Maine Region Challenges and Responses, to help people throughout the region plan for more extreme precipitation. The hour-long session that took place in June includes an overview of resources that have recently been developed, such as the Extreme Precipitation in Atlantic Canada website, which was launched this year.

Job/Internship Postings

Director of Marine Conservation Policy and Leadership - The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at New England Aquarium is seeking a Director of Marine Conservation Policy and Leadership to oversee the Marine Conservation Policy Program and the Marine Conservation Leadership Program for the Anderson Cabot Center, a new research and conservation organization. The position will work closely with Aquarium and Center leadership, staff, and other departments to lead, define, and implement frameworks, priorities, external relationships, and short-term goals, including devising proactive ocean conservation policy strategies, formulating action plans for major policy initiatives, and developing international fellowship programs and student internship opportunities. See the job posting for more information, qualification requirements, and to apply online.

Marketing Director - The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at New England Aquarium is seeking a Marketing Director responsible for developing, implementing, and executing a strategic and innovative marketing and communications plan for the Anderson Cabot Center, a new research and conservation organization. Responsibilities include working closely and collaboratively with Center staff and other Aquarium departments to create development and fundraising materials, marketing initiatives, and educational and promotional opportunities, including social media and media relations. See the job posting for more information, qualification requirements, and to apply online.

Science Communication Fellow - The Ocean Exploration Trust is seeking applications from teachers and informal educators of all levels and experience for its Science Communication Fellowship, a professional development experience aboard Exploration Vessel Nautilus. Fellows will spend 1-2 weeks at sea between June-November 2018 in the Pacific Ocean with a team of professionals gaining experience in the applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the field of ocean exploration. Fellows will collaborate with a cohort from across North America, explore side-by-side with scientists and engineers, and act as science interpreters to share the adventure with their students, community, and the world through a live broadcast on www.NautilusLive.org. Applications are due January 15, 2018.

Science Communications Intern - The Ocean Exploration Trust is also offering Student Internships for undergraduate, graduate, and recent graduates in the fields of ocean science, seafloor mapping, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) engineering, and video engineering. Intern positions include 2-5 week sessions working aboard the Nautilus as data loggers, ROV pilots, or video engineers. Interns will learn how to make scientific observations, process digital data and physical samples, and participate in educational outreach activities. Applications are due January 26, 2018.

Reminders - The following job postings are still open:

  • Ocean and Coastal Acidification Web Manager and Collaboration Facilitator - The Northeastern Regional Association for Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS) is seeking a Web Manager and Collaboration Facilitator to maintain and develop a collaboration website that highlights activities and issues related to ocean and coastal acidification, shares resources with a range of stakeholders, and provides interaction across disciplines and regions. In addition, this position will serve as the coordinator for the Northeast Coastal Acidification Network (NECAN). Examples of tasks include maintaining the website, maintaining meeting schedules, identifying success stories and translating them to the website, using social media and newsletters, responding to information requests, and providing support for and/or initiating outreach activities. This new full-time position, which will be located at the NERACOOS office in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, will be offered for one year and may be extended depending on funding availability. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
  • Research Scientist for Social Science Research - The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant is seeking a part-time research scientist to perform socioeconomic research, serve as a liaison to government, industry, and community leaders, coordinate workshops and symposiums, and perform traditional advisory responsibilities. The position will focus on healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies, and environmental literacy and workforce development. See the job details page for more information, including application requirements.

Calendar

Aquarium Lecture Series - This November, the New England Aquarium will continue to host a free Lecture Series by scientists, environmental writers, photographers, and others. Upcoming lectures include Conservation of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks in Costa Rica on November 2; Changing Distributions of Large Whales: How Climate, Oceanography, and Biology Influence Movement of the Largest Animals on Earth on November 8; Science Priorities for the North Atlantic Region—A NOAA Fisheries Perspective on November 14; and Protecting Stellwagen Bank: A History of the Sanctuary—25 Years and Moving Forward on November 30. All lectures start at 7 p.m. in the Aquarium’s IMAX Theatre and registration is requested. Sign up to be notified of future presentations by email.

Annual Cape Cod Maritime History Symposium - On November 4, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will hold the 21st Annual Cape Cod Maritime Symposium in Brewster to celebrate maritime history of the Cape. Topics include changing uses of harbors on Cape Cod from 1700-2010, the Coast Guard’s role in the 1999 search and recovery mission of JFK, Jr.’s plane off Martha’s Vineyard, Captain John Kendrick and America’s first voyage to Japan in 1791, and the opening of Japan by Commodore Matthew C. Perry in 1854. Tickets for the event include a luncheon and an opportunity to explore Museum exhibits, gardens, and trails.

Sea Squirts Program at the Aquarium - Through early December, the New England Aquarium will continue to hold Register your option of day and time. The next session date available is November 7.

An Inconvenient Sequel—Special Benefit Screening - On November 7, join the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) at Cape Cinema in Dennis to view the film An Inconvenient Sequel - Truth to Power, a follow-up to An Inconvenient Truth with Former Vice President Al Gore. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with a cash bar, the film will begin at 7 p.m., and a panel discussion will follow. Ticket sales will benefit APCC.

Green Infrastructure Stormwater Management Workshop - On November 8 from 9 a.m. to noon, APCC and partners in the Three Bays Stormwater Project will present Cleaning Up Stormwater - In Tune with Nature: An Overview of Green Infrastructure and Maintenance at the Osterville Village Library. Town staff, members of planning boards and conservation commissions, landscape contractors and designers, consultants, engineers, and interested citizens are encouraged to attend this free workshop to learn about green infrastructure stormwater best management practices, including a hands-on maintenance exercise at the library’s rain garden. For more information, contact April Wobst or Kristin Andres at (508) 619-3185.

Growing New Jobs With Green Infrastructure - On November 8, as part of the EPA Green Infrastructure Webcast Series, join the webcast Growing New Jobs with Green Infrastructure to hear speakers from Jobs for the Future and the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program examine the current state of the green infrastructure workforce, exploring where the jobs are, what compensation they offer, and what level of education they require. Registration is required.

Greenbuild International Conference - From November 8-10, the U.S. Green Building Council will host Greenbuild International Conference and Expo at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Join industry leaders, advocates and practitioners, students and teachers, and designers and builders for three days of educational sessions, speakers and special seminars, green building tours and workshops, and an expo hall featuring over 600 exhibiting companies with products and services for the sustainable building industry. Register early for discounted pricing.

Great Marsh Coalition Sea Level Rise Symposium—Registration Now Open - On November 9, the Great Marsh Coalition will hold the 5th Annual Great Marsh Sea Level Rise Symposium, Great Marsh Resiliency: Putting the Plan into Action!, at Woodman’s of Essex. This year’s workshop includes a keynote address by Kathleen Theoharides, Assistant Secretary of Climate Change at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the public unveiling of the Great Marsh Coastal Adaptation and Resiliency Plan, and panel discussions on how communities can make the critical transition from planning to implementation. Join the facilitated panel discussion, How to Advance Climate Adaptation at the Local Level, with CZM Regional Coordinator, Kathryn Glenn. The cost for the symposium is $15 and registration is available online.

America Recycles Day - On November 15, join communities across the country to celebrate America Recycles Day, a national initiative of Keep America Beautiful dedicated to the promotion of recycling programs in the United States. Attend a local event or organize and register one of your own. To learn how to get involved, see the toolkits page, which includes go-to guides and activity ideas with step-by-step instructions for hosting an event.

Northeast Regional Planning Body Workshop and Meeting - On November 15-16, the Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) is holding a fall meeting to discuss the Northeast Ocean Plan. On November 15, the workshop, which will be held at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH, will include reviewing and obtaining feedback on the latest draft data products related to commercial fishing, marine transportation, recreation, marine life, ecological importance, and other ocean planning topics. This workshop will help inform how the Northeast Ocean Data Portal is updated and potential next steps in 2018. On November 16, the RPB meeting, located at Exeter Town Hall in Exeter, NH, will include important updates from RPB members about plan implementation, progress to date, and priorities for 2018. Registration is required for the workshop and meeting.

Sustainable Ocean Summit—Updated Schedule - From November 29-December 1, the World Ocean Council (WOC) will hold the Sustainable Ocean Summit in Halifax, Canada. This summit provides a global platform for companies and organizations to advance the development and implementation of industry-driven solutions to ocean sustainability challenges. See the updated schedule and speaker lineup, which includes 99 confirmed speakers from the ocean business community, international organizations, and research institutions.

BUAR Public Meeting - On November 30 at 1:30 p.m., the Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) will hold its bi-monthly public meeting in the CZM Large Conference Room in the Boston office. Action items included approval of 2018 meeting schedule, election of officers, meeting minutes, the renewal of permits, approval of new permits, and status update on projects. For more information, contact BUAR Director, Victor Mastone, at victor.mastone@state.ma.us.

Professional Development Courses at New England Aquarium - This fall through early winter, the New England Aquarium continues to offer a Professional Development Course, Full STEAM Ahead: Ocean Adventures for educators from pre-k to first grade. Educators can still sign up for the last session, Deep Ocean on December 9. The session takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Aquarium. The deadline for registration is December 1.

Cape Coastal Conference—Save the Date - From December 5-6, the 5th Annual Cape Coastal Conference, Resilient Cape? Prepare, Adapt, Restore, will be held at the Hyannis Resort and Conference Center. This two-day conference will feature plenary sessions and mini-workshops on a variety of coastal topics. Registration details will be coming soon.

International Marine Debris Conference—Registration Now Open - From March 12-16, 2018, the NOAA Marine Debris Program will hold the 6th International Marine Debris Conference (6IMDC) in San Diego, California. This five-day event, promoting international coordination efforts within the marine debris community, includes plenary sessions, keynote speakers, technical session breakouts, refreshments, and networking opportunities. 6IMDC will build upon the partnerships and successes of the Honolulu Strategy, which was developed at the last conference in 2011. Register by December 15 for discounted pricing and to secure a spot—total registration will be limited to 600 participants.

ICEA Annual Conference—Registration Now Open - From February 12-14, 2018, the International Erosion Control Association (ICEA) will hold the 2018 ICEA Annual Conference in Long Beach, California. The conference brings together professionals from around the world to discuss the latest products, services, and technology for erosion and sediment control; stormwater management; wetland, stream bank, and shoreline restoration; MS4 management; and industry trends. Register before January 15, 2018, for a discounted rate.

Science Seminars - The NOAA seminar series website provides listings and details on NOAA science and climate seminars and webinars that are available across the nation.

Buzzards Bay Walks and Events - The Buzzards Bay Coalition website provides a listing of walks and other nature-based events hosted by numerous organizations and land trusts in the region. November events include Wednesday Walkabouts, Sunday Strolls, a Nasketucket Bay bird walk, mindfulness walks, nature discoveries, local trail races, and more. You can filter the events by town, month, or host and select topics, such as kid-friendly, volunteering, and more.

Harwich Walks - Through November, the Harwich Conservation Trust will continue to hold naturalist-led walks that are free and open to the public. See the Trust's website for details. The next scheduled walk will take place in Hawksnest State Park on November 21.

Cape Cod Field Schools - Through November, 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 unique coastal environment and wildlife of Cape Cod. Cape Cod Field Schools emphasize active, outdoor, "in-the-field" experiences and are taught by professional naturalists and scientists. The next and final course is Sea Turtle and Marine Animal Strandings from November 11-13. Advance registration is required.

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.

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, such as full moon hikes, nature photography, and bird walks.

Plum Island Morning Birding and Other Events - Throughout the fall, the Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center will host a Wednesday and Saturday morning birding series to explore some of Plum Island’s most productive birding hotspots. The center also hosts numerous other fall events, classes, and education activities, such as training to be an education volunteer or learning how to band birds for research. For event and schedule information, search the Joppa Flats program catalog.

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

  • CERF 2017 Biennial Conference - From November 5-9, the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation (CERF) will hold the biennial conference CERF 2017, Coastal Science at the Inflection Point: Celebrating Successes & Learning from Challenges, in Providence, Rhode Island. The conference will include presentations on new findings within traditional science, education, and management disciplines and special sessions and workshops to encourage interaction among scientists and managers. CZM’s Coastal Geologist will present the StormSmart Properties Fact Sheet series, and MassBays will present on building the capacity of volunteer efforts to produce quality estuarine data and provide a poster about applying diverse data to track estuarine conditions and trends.
  • AWRA Annual Water Resources Conference - On November 5-9, the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) is hosting their Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon. The conference—which will address emerging issues related to technology, flowing waters, future risk, and public policy—provides nearly 300 oral presentations, 40 posters, a career fair, lunch and learn events, an offsite networking event, and pre-conference trips, including a drone workshop on the banks of the Columbia River, and field trips to the Tualatin River Watershed and historic Willamette Falls in Oregon City.
  • Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference—Call for Abstracts - From April 25-26, 2018, the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC), in partnership with member states and EPA, will hold the 29thAnnual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference in Glens Falls, New York. Join representatives from New England and New York, including the public and private sectors, academia, and watershed organizations, to share information about nonpoint source pollution issues and projects in the regions. NEIWPCC is currently seeking abstracts for conference presentations related to the theme “NPS Innovation.” See the call for abstracts page for details. Abstracts are due by November 6.
  • Stormwater Management/Groundwater Quality Workshop - On November 14, the National Groundwater Association will sponsor a one-day workshop, Stormwater Management Influences on Groundwater Quality, in Kansas City, Missouri. The workshop, which will focus on risks to groundwater from stormwater infiltration practices, will consist of presentations, discussion group breakouts, a reporting session on specific strategies, and a keynote address by Tom Ballestero, Ph.D. and Director of the University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center.
  • Climate Adaptation Forums - The Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) and the Sustainable Solutions Lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston have collaborated to establish a quarterly series of half-day Climate Adaptation Forums to provide leadership on adaptation to climate change. These forums designed for environmental and energy professionals, policy makers, municipal officials, NGOs, and practitioners will address topics ranging from infrastructure and design solutions to communication challenges to policy solutions. See details and registration information for the first Climate Adaptation Forum, which will be held November 17.
  • Social Coast Forum—Save the Date - On February 5-8, 2018, the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association will hold the fourth biennial Social Coast Forum, Social Science for Coastal Decision-Making, in Charleston, South Carolina. The forum will explore how social science tools and methods are being used to address the nation’s coastal issues. Join a diverse group of academia, state agencies, federal offices, nonprofits, and the private sector for interdisciplinary presentations, stories, roundtable discussions, and training sessions. Registration for the event will begin in early November.
  • Hazard Mitigation Stakeholder Workshop - From March 12 to 16, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will host the 2018 Hazard Mitigation Stakeholder Workshop in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to provide a forum for information exchange and discussion of current policies, programs, procedures, best practices, and challenges associated with the delivery of hazard mitigation assistance programs and floodplain management. Registration runs from November 27 through January 10, 2018, and accepted registrations will be notified by February 1. The workshop registration process will be posted on the website in November.

Other Items of Interest

Youth Making Ripples Film Festival and Competition - On January 25, 2018, the Youth Making Ripples Film Festival and Competition, an ocean conservation-inspired event, will take place at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. Youth Making Ripples is seeking submission for the Film Competition, which challenges K-12 students to produce short ocean documentaries about problems that face the ocean, and possible solutions to these issues. A portion of the festival will focus specifically on plastic pollution and feature a new exhibit called "Sea Debris: Awareness through Art." See the filmmaker resources page for tips and examples of submissions. Students can win small scholarships and participate on an annual shark tagging expedition, and finalists will become part of the traveling film festival debuting to audiences around the country. The deadline for submission is December 5.

Campus RainWorks Challenge - The EPA Office of Water has announced the 6th annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a green infrastructure design competition for undergraduate and graduate students. Student teams, working with a faculty advisor, will submit design boards, a project narrative, and a letter of support for a proposed green infrastructure project for their campus. This year, student teams are encouraged to incorporate climate resiliency and consider community engagement in the stormwater management designs. Winning teams will be awarded cash prizes. Entries must be submitted by December 15.

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