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 and USGS Release New Seafloor Mapping Data - In October, CZM and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a compilation of sampling data collected in inshore waters of Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay during a research survey in August 2012. Data collected included sediment samples, still photography, and video of the seafloor. Geographic Information System (GIS) data and associated metadata are available for the sediment samples, bottom photos, and videos. The research cruise was conducted aboard the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Ocean Survey Vessel Bold in coordination with CZM, USGS, and other state and federal partners. The data collected are an important component of CZM/USGS efforts to accurately map the seafloor to better inform marine resource protection. For details and links to the data, see the USGS Sampling data collected in Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts, in 2012, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity web page.
COASTSWEEP 2018 Update—Last Chance to Volunteer - Since September, volunteers have been out collecting trash along the Commonwealth’s coast during 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 at shoreline sites. By the time COASTSWEEP wraps up in mid-November, more than 3,000 volunteers will have cleaned over 100 locations along Massachusetts rivers, marshes, and beaches. So there’s still time to volunteer, especially to organize a cleanup 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 organize a cleanup or volunteer at a scheduled event, see the COASTSWEEP website. Also see the COASTSWEEP Press Release for more on the 2018 cleanups. To learn more about marine debris, the COASTSWEEP effort, and ways to reuse items, see the CZ-Tip - Help Clean Up Massachusetts Shores at COASTSWEEP and CZ-Tip - Repurposing with a Purpose.
CZM Staff and People
Boston Harbor Regional Coordinator - CZM is pleased to announce that Erikk Hokenson has been selected as the new Boston Harbor Regional Coordinator, covering the communities in the Metro-Boston area from Winthrop to Weymouth. As Regional Coordinator, Erikk will provide technical assistance to communities, coordinate local and regional initiatives, and perform project review, with a specific focus on waterfront and port planning and management as well as climate resilience and shoreline/floodplain management. Erikk will hit the ground running in this new position, bringing a range and depth of experience and skills in coastal planning. For the last three years, he was a waterfront planner for the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), where he worked on various planning initiatives balancing public access, resilience to impacts of climate change, and economic development. Erikk also managed grant programs that sought to improve waterfront transportation and draw the public to waterfront destinations. Prior to the BPDA, Erikk spent two years working for Mass Development as an assistant project manager where he provided technical assistance to municipalities on urban planning and development. He grew up on the South Shore and is eager to apply his experience to his new position at CZM. Congratulations and welcome aboard Erikk!
Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities
Climate Resiliency Mini Grants - The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), with funding support from the Barr Foundation, is seeking proposals for the Accelerating Climate Resiliency Mini-Grant Program for projects that protect people, places, and communities from climate change impacts. Grants from $15,000 to $50,000 are available for cities and towns in the MAPC region, and project partnerships with other municipalities are preferred. On November 13, MAPC will present a grant webinar (potential applicants are strongly encouraged to participate). Proposals are due by November 30.
Reminders - This opportunity, listed in the last CZ-Mail, is still available:
- Marine Debris Research Funding - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is seeking proposals to support marine debris research on the ecological risk, exposure levels, fate and transport in coastal environments, and/or habitat impacts of marine debris. For more information, see the federal funding opportunity. Proposals are due by December 14.
Products/Publications
A Review of “Natural Infrastructure” Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation - A Review of Coastal Management Approaches to Support the Integration of Ecological and Human Community Planning for Climate Change, published in the Journal of Coastal Conservation, investigates climate change adaptation strategies. This new study examines projects along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United Sates that use coastal habitats to address climate change impacts of sea level rise, storms, and flooding. The paper focuses on four coastal habitats (tidal marshes, beaches and barrier islands, mangroves, and biogenic reefs), comparing the effectiveness of using of habitats as “natural infrastructure” to manmade infrastructure or hybrid approaches for adapting to climate change.
The Impact of Trees on Stormwater Runoff - The Center for Watershed Protection has released Accounting for Trees in Stormwater Models, a paper developed to assist stormwater professionals in including the pollutant and water uptake by trees in stormwater runoff calculations.
Beneath the Surface - The October 2018 issue of Beneath the Surface, a newsletter from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), includes articles on forecasting monsoon rains, the Ocean Observatories Initiative, and other news and updates from WHOI.
Buzzards Bay Coalition Newsletter - The September 2018 issue of The Bay Buzz from the Buzzards Bay Coalition reports on a grant to fund pollution reduction in upper Buzzards Bay waterways, the Coalition’s acquisition of Fall River Land Conservancy lands, and other Buzzards Bay news and events.
Coastal Impacts - The September 2018 issue of Coastal Impacts, the newsletter of Woods Hole Sea Grant, includes articles on technology for better harmful algal bloom monitoring and mapping, using sound to teach visually impaired students about marine mammals, wetlands delineation training leads to better resource protection, and other Woods Hole Sea Grant news and updates.
Gulf of Maine Research Institute Newsletter - The Fall 2018 issue of Tidings, the newsletter of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, features articles on two new species added to the Gulf of Maine Responsibly Harvested list, warming in Gulf of Maine waters, electronic monitoring of commercial fishing efforts, and other Gulf of Maine research news.
HabitatNews - The October 2018 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Restoration, examines a restoration project in Oregon that benefits both fish and farmers, a dam removal project to enhance fish habitat in Maryland, and other marine fisheries habitat news.
Internet Water Report - The October 2018 issue of Internet Water Report, the email newsletter of the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, features articles on Estuary Day 2018, an underground storage tank conference, a plastic trash reduction campaign for Long Island Sound, and other New England water pollution news.
Marine Ecosystems and Management Information Service - The October 2018 edition of Marine Ecosystems and Management, the bimonthly information service on marine ecosystem-based management from the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs, covers how to restore marine ecosystems, training opportunities, and other resources and news.
Marine Protected Area Newsletter - The September and October 2018 issues of MPA News are now available. The September edition includes articles on a new study of partially protected marine protected areas (MPAs), resources and trainings for MPA design and management, and other topics. The October issue discusses managing an MPA in a changing climate, a comprehensive study of a large MPA in the British Indian Ocean Territory, and more.
Web-Based and Mobile-User Resources
Using Green Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands - EPA’s Heat Island Reduction Program has updated the Using Green Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands web page to include new research, cost and benefit considerations, a comparison of green roofs and traditional options, and a project photo gallery. Heat islands are urban areas that are covered with asphalt and other surfaces that hold more heat than rural areas. The absorbed heat and increased stormwater runoff of heat islands impacts energy demand, air pollution, and water quality. Green roof systems use soil and vegetation on a rooftop to absorb heat and water. Environmental and health benefits of this approach are presented in the new case study, Estimating the Environmental Effects of Green Roofs: A Case Study in Kansas City, Missouri.
Preparedness Talks for Emergency Managers - The Federal Emergency Management Agency and partners have released two new PrepTalks—videos of presentations by experts on emergency preparedness. The new talks are from the September 2018 PrepTalk Symposium. In We Succeed or Fail Together, Vance Taylor from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services discusses how emergency planners need to include all populations—especially those with disabilities—when developing emergency plans. In Understanding the Value of Insurance, Sean Kevelighan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Information Institute, describes the important role of insurance before and after disasters. Each web page includes videos of the presentations and question-and-answer sessions, a discussion guide, and related resources.
NOAA Marine Debris Blog - The NOAA Marine Debris Program continues to update its Marine Debris Blog on a weekly basis, and recent articles cover the 2018 Marine Debris Program Accomplishments Report, plastic hiding in leaves, the newest video in the Trash Talk series, and addressing marine debris at the U.S.-Mexico Border. All blog topics can be searched by category and date. To receive notifications of new posts by email, sign up for email updates.
Ocean Frontiers Films and Educator Resources - Ocean Frontiers is an award-winning film series featuring how government, industry, and citizens can work together to protect the oceans. Find links to the films as well as educator resources to engage students (primarily in grades 7-12), including lessons and discussion guides for each film in the series.
Kids Can Save the Planet Documentaries - The Kids Can Save the Planet Documentary series, which presents environmental issues from the viewpoint of a kid, is now available to screen at schools, libraries, and businesses. The series includes: Plastic Is Forever, an award-winning film that discusses the issues with plastics in the world; Tipping Point, which takes a wide-ranging look at climate change; and Everything Connects, which tackles sustainability—exploring how local communities can create workable zero-waste strategies.
North and South Rivers Watershed Podcasts - The North and South Rivers Water Association (NSRWA) Watershed Ecologist and MassBays South Shore Coordinator, Sara Grady, has started a monthly podcast entitled The Estuarine Gradient. The podcast will cover a variety of topics related to estuaries on the South Shore. The first episode—which discusses basic vocabulary related to estuaries, the water cycle, streamflow, drought, and stormwater pollution—is now available on the NSRWA website.
Ocean Literacy Principles - The World Ocean Observatory’s World Ocean Radio has released an audio series on the Ocean Literacy Principles focusing on the basic principles of ocean science and ocean literacy, as well as the range of environmental challenges facing the world’s oceans.
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.
Cohasset Municipal Harbor Plan - The town of Cohasset and CZM are seeking public comments on Cohasset’s effort to initiate the development of a Municipal Harbor Plan for the Cohasset Harbor waterfront. For more information, see the CZM Public Notice. Submit comments by November 9 to the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 800, Boston MA 02114, Attn: Jason Burtner.
Calendar
State of Wellfleet Harbor Conference - On November 3, the 16th annual State of Wellfleet Harbor Conference will be held at Wellfleet Elementary School. Each year, this free conference provides information about current and ongoing research, monitoring projects, and issues related to Wellfleet Harbor and its watershed. This year’s topics include the diets of Cape Cod seals, sand movement and sediment budgets, wastewater management, sea turtle strandings, and more.
Cape Cod Maritime History Symposium - On November 3, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will host the 22nd annual Cape Cod Maritime Symposium in Brewster. The symposium will feature lectures on the history of sailing in Barnstable’s bays, maritime trade, horseshoe crabs and diamond back terrapins, and wind power. Lunch will be provided, therefore pre-registration is suggested.
Massachusetts Litter Summit - On November 3, Keep Massachusetts Beautiful will hold the second annual Massachusetts Litter Summit in North Easton with presentations on proven practices for the control and removal of litter, including how to organize a cleanup and encourage volunteer participation. Strategies to effectively communicate about litter prevention will also be discussed. Pre-registration is required.
Massachusetts Floodplain Management Training and Kickoff Meeting - On November 8, the Massachusetts Association for Floodplain Management (massFM) will provide a free training program and hold an inaugural meeting of the organization. The following trainings will be held: 1) No Adverse Impact presented by CZM (introducing this forward-thinking and legally defensible approach to land management in floodplains); 2) Mitigation and Floodproofing of Historic Properties presented by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR); and 3) Post-Disaster Responsibilities of Local Officials presented by DCR. The massFM meeting will follow with details on the new organization and its mission, bylaws, communications, membership details, Interim Board, and next steps. For more information and to register, see the massFM website.
Boston Harbor Ecosystem Network Meeting - On November 8, the Boston Harbor Ecosystem Network will meet at the New England Aquarium in Boston. Presentations will be given on the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program’s comprehensive 10-year plan for Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays, biodiversity on the Boston Harbor Islands, and the New England Aquarium’s Blueway Vision. For more information, see the meeting agenda. Registration is requested.
Working with Vulnerable Communities to Build Resilience - On November 8, EPA’s Watershed Academy will present Building Resilience in Partnership with Vulnerable Communities, a webcast training on how EPA and partners work with the most vulnerable communities to recover from natural disasters, with a focus on environmental justice issues. Registration is required on the EPA website.
Massachusetts Bay Sewage Outfall Monitoring Workshop - On November 13, the Massachusetts Bay Outfall Monitoring Science Advisory Panel will hold a workshop called 2300 Days at Sea: Monitoring the Impacts of the Massachusetts Bay Outfall at Atlantic Wharf in Boston. This workshop will focus on the monitoring program for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s marine outfall, which discharges treated wastewater from the Deer Island Sewage Treatment Plant 9.5 miles into Massachusetts Bay. The workshop will also include breakout discussions on specific topics and a 90-minute harbor cruise. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. For more information, contact Andrea Patton at patton@savetheharbor.org or Dr. Judith Pederson at jpederso@mit.edu.
Northeast Ocean Planning Meeting - On November 14, the Northeast Regional Ocean Council will hold an Ocean Planning Meeting in Portland, Maine to solicit input on regional data and ocean planning priorities. Registration is requested.
America Recycles Day - November 15 is America Recycles Day, a national initiative from Keep America Beautiful to encourage recycling in the United States. Thousands of events are held across the country to provide information about recycling. To get involved, see the event map or the Event Organizer Toolkits.
Legal Strategies for Climate Adaptation in Coastal New England Symposium - On November 16, the Roger Williams University School of Law will present Legal Strategies for Climate Adaptation in Coastal New England in Bristol, Rhode Island. This symposium will provide information on how governments can tackle legal obstacles to climate change adaptation. Speakers will discuss updating laws, regulations, and policies, as well as any potential conflicts and liability considerations.
Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference—Call for Abstracts - From April 18-19, 2019, the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, state partners, and EPA, will hold the 30th annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Participants from public and private sectors, academia, and watershed organizations from New England and New York will share information about nonpoint source pollution issues and projects in the region. NEIWPCC is seeking abstracts for conference presentations related to the theme, “Thirty years down the drain… at least more of it gets treated now.” See the Call for Abstracts, which are due by November 16.
Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources Public Meeting - On November 29 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. The preliminary agenda includes approval of the 2019 meeting schedule, election of officers, meeting minutes, permit renewals, and updates on projects. For more information, contact BUAR Director, Victor Mastone, at victor.mastone@state.ma.us.
Marine Archaeology Talk - On November 30, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will present Above and Below the Waves with Calvin Mires, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor at Bridgewater State University. Dr. Mires has worked on more than 30 archaeology projects across the globe. He also co-directs the only marine archaeology field school in Massachusetts, along with BUAR. The talk, which is part of the museum’s Digging into the Past lecture series, will focus on the 20-year career of Dr. Mires, along with marine archaeology trainings that are available in New England.
Climate Adaptation Forum—Utility Resilience in Puerto Rico - On November 30, the next Climate Adaptation Forum from the Environmental Business Council of New England and the University of Massachusetts Boston Sustainable Solutions Lab will be held in Boston. The forum, Utility Resilience: Lessons from Puerto Rico and Local Preparation, will feature Keynote Speaker, Malu Blázquez Arsuaga, the Executive Director of the Resilient Puerto Rico Advisory Commission. Discussion will focus on the impacts and lessons learned from Hurricane Maria in 2017 and Puerto Rico’s plans to rebuild a more robust power grid, along with the challenges faced by local utilities and community representatives due to a changing climate in New England.
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit - On December 1, the 2018 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit will be held at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida. With a goal to “empower the next generation of ocean conservationists,” this event will provide students from upper elementary school through college the opportunity to learn from marine scientists and conservationists about the current threats facing the marine environment. The registration deadline is November 18.
Cape Coastal Conference - From December 4-5, the sixth annual Cape Coastal Conference 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 available soon on the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve website.
Global Resilience Summit - From December 4-6, the 2018 ResCon International—The Global Resilience Summit—will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana. This conference will focus on disaster management and resiliency around the world. Session topics include economic resilience, emergency management, coastal restoration and water management, first response, homeland security, business continuity, and more.
Coastal and Estuarine Restoration Summit - From December 8-13, Restore America’s Estuaries and the Coastal States Organization will hold the ninth National Summit on Coastal and Estuarine Restoration and Management, Investing in Our Coasts: Environment, Economy, Culture, in Long Beach, California. The summit will focus on current issues in coastal restoration, including living shorelines, environmental justice and coastal land use planning, successful measures for climate change adaptation, and much more through field sessions, plenary sessions, expert presentations, facilitated discussions, workshops, posters, and a community restoration event.
Adult Nature Club - On the first Saturday of each month, the Thornton Burgess Society at the Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen in East Sandwich will present the Adult Nature Club, a series of in-depth natural history courses for adults. Join the club for a session on Insects in Winter on November 3 and Migrant Winter Birds on December 1.
Aquarium Lecture Series - On November 8, the New England Aquarium will present Diplomacy and Intrigue in the Arctic, the final session of the 2018 Lecture Series. The lecture is free and starts at 7 p.m. in the Aquarium’s IMAX Theatre. Registration is requested. Sign up to be notified of future presentations by email.
Birdwatching for Beginners - The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History’s Birdwatching for Beginners with Gretchen Moran Towers presents basic skills for identifying birds. Each session is followed by a walk to view birds in their natural habitat. The final 2018 sessions are on November 8 and December 6.
Boston Environmental History Seminar Series - The Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) will host the 2018-2019 Boston Seminar on Environmental History, which includes seven sessions that examine how the environment has shaped American societies. The next session, Ditched: Digging Up Black History in the South Carolina Lowcountry, will be held on November 13 at the MHS in Boston. The programs include a light buffet supper and are free and open to the public, but subscribers receive advance online access to the topic papers.
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. November events include the fourth annual Trail Race, a short documentary film festival, nature activities, birding walks, a turkey trot, hikes, and more. Events can be filtered by town, month, host, or select topics, such as kid-friendly and volunteering.
Cape Cod Bird Club Walks - The Cape Cod Bird Club holds free birding walks throughout Cape Cod (and sometimes beyond!). Join the club for a walk at Crane Wildlife Management Area in Falmouth on November 11, Cumberland Farms in Halifax on November 17, and Scusset State Beach on November 28.
Cape Cod Field Schools - 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 environment and wildlife of Cape Cod. Cape Cod Field Schools are hand-on experiences taught by professional naturalists and scientists. The next course is Sea Turtle and Marine Animal Strandings from November 28-29.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Programs - The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History hosts a wide variety of events including bird watching walks, lectures, educational programs, and more. Check out their events calendar for details.
Climate Adaption Lunchtime Webinars - This fall, the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center will host monthly lunchtime webinars on the center’s activities. Each 30-minute talk is followed by a discussion open to online attendees. Upcoming webinars include, Novel Approaches for Estimating and Visualizing Climate Vulnerability for Aquatic Systems on November 14 and Wildlife Adaptation Synthesis on December 12. All webinars begin at noon.
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 educational programs, family hikes, art classes, bird walks, and workshops.
Joppa Flats Education Center Programs and Events - This fall, the Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center will host a number of educational opportunities for children and adults. See their program catalog for events, classes, and education activities, including lectures, workshops, morning birding, homeschooler activities, and music for preschoolers.
Mass Audubon 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 including guided family walks, birding programs, seabird cruises, film screenings, and more. For more information, search the calendar of programs, classes, and activities for Wellfleet Bay and Long Pasture.
Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions Education - The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions offers a variety of specialized education programs. See their Complete Education Catalog for an overview of upcoming wetland delineation and other workshops and Community Calendar for a schedule of other programs.
New England Aquarium Youth Programs - The New England Aquarium provides a variety of programs for kids (from 12 months to 12th grade), including ocean education classes, summer camps, marine biology training, service learning opportunities, and teen internships. See the aquarium website for more information.
NOAA Science and Climate 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.
Planet Stewards Educator Events - The NOAA Planet Stewards Education Project hosts a book club, webinars, and workshops for educators from elementary school through college on understanding and protecting the environment. Upcoming events include the November 13 webinar, The Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change: Helping You Teach Climate Change AND Stay Sane, and a November 26 Book Club session, Tales from an Uncertain World: What Other Assorted Disasters Can Teach Us about Climate Change by L.S. Gardiner. To receive notice about future events, sign up for email updates.
Salem Sound Workshops, Trainings, and Lectures - In November, Salem Sound Coastwatch will host several educational events, including professional development workshops for teachers, training on winter ocean birds, and a lecture on marine life and climate change impacts in Antarctica. For details, see their November calendar.
Reminders - The following calendar items posted previously in CZ-Mail are still to come:
- 2019 Annual Environmental Conference—Call for Workshops - On March 6, 2019, the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society (MEES) will hold its 2019 Conference in Worcester for environmental educators from across Massachusetts. Organizers are now accepting workshop proposals, which are due by November 3. See the 2019 MEES Call for Workshops.
- Water Resources Conference - On November 4-8, the American Water Resources Association is hosting their 2018 Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference—which will address issues related to water supply, water quality, stormwater, technology, and public policy—provides presentations, poster sessions, an offsite networking event, and more.
- National Science Foundation Grants Conference - From November 8-9, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will hold the Fall 2018 Grants Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. This event is designed to provide new faculty, researchers, and administrators information on the issues funded by NSF, funding opportunities, proposal preparation, and merit review.
- Ocean Literacy Summit - From November 15-16, the New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative will hold the 2018 Ocean Literacy Summit in Boston. The focus of the summit will be on how the ocean and ocean life shape earth’s features. The summit will include workshops, field trips, networking opportunities, and a keynote address by Jeff Donnelly, Senior Scientist and Director of the Seafloor Samples Laboratory at WHOI.
- National Watershed and Stormwater Conference—Call for Abstracts - From April 29-May 2, 2019, the Center for Watershed Protection will hold the 2019 National Watershed and Stormwater Conference, Building Resiliency in Our Watersheds in an Era of Uncertainty, in Charleston, South Carolina. This forum for watershed and stormwater professionals focuses on issues and trends in watershed management and includes technical presentations, case studies, panel discussions, workshops, and field trips. Presentation abstracts are due by November 19. See the Submit Your Abstract page for details.
Other Items of Interest
Mystic River Volunteers Needed - The Mystic River Watershed Association (MRWA) is seeking volunteers to help plant trees in Somerville to improve air and water quality and provide cooler summer temperatures, assist with monthly water quality sampling for a baseline monitoring program, and serve on volunteer committees for outreach and policy. For more information on getting involved, see the MRWA website.
Foster Scholarship Program - NOAA is seeking applications for the 2019 Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, which provides support for master’s and doctoral degrees in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology, and ocean and coastal resource management. Women and minority students in particular are encouraged to apply. The scholarship provides up to $42,000 per year for tuition and living expenses, with additional funds available to support collaboration at a NOAA office. Applications are due by December 17.
NOAA College Scholarships - The NOAA Office of Education is accepting applications for two undergraduate scholarship opportunities. The Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship, which supports undergraduate education in oceanic and atmospheric science and trains students for careers in public service and education, awards up to $9,500 per year (junior and senior years) and a paid summer internship. The Educational Partnership Program/Minority Serving Institutions Scholarship Program provides up to $45,000 in total support to students majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math and entering junior year, and includes paid NOAA research internships for two summers. Applications for both scholarships are due by January 31, 2019.
Marine Debris Art Contest - The NOAA Marine Debris Program is seeking entries for their Art Contest. Students in grades K-8 can submit original artwork that shows how marine debris impacts the oceans and what they are doing help prevent marine debris. The winning artwork will be featured in the 2020 NOAA Marine Debris Calendar. The entry deadline is November 30.
North American Right Whale Art Scholarship Program - The Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, in coordination with the Conservation Law Foundation, is seeking entries for the Heathy Whale, Healthy Ocean Challenge. Students or groups in grades K-12 from New England or the Gulf of Maine Region are invited to submit visual art, poetry, or short films (grades 4-12 only) that celebrate the North American Right Whale. Scholarships from $50 to $750 will be awarded to winners. Entries are due by December 17.
Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee - The U.S. Department of Commerce is seeking nominations for the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee, which advises the Secretaries of Commerce and Interior on matters related to the design, management, and monitoring of MPAs in waters of the United States. For details, see the Federal Register Notice. Submit nominations to nicole.capps@noaa.gov by December 1.