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
Grants Awarded for Coastal Conservation and Restoration in Southeast New England - On October 11, the Restore America’s Estuaries and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $1.2 million in funding to six local partnerships in Massachusetts through the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Watershed Grants. SNEP supports partnerships to address water quality and coastal habitat issues in the region. The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program is an advising partner and is providing GIS technical support to the Buzzards Bay Coalition salt marsh study and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy stormwater collaborative work. CZM participates on the SNEP grant review committee along with other state and federal agencies. The 2019 SNEP Massachusetts awardees are:
- Association to Preserve Cape Cod - $245,000 for the Three Bays Stormwater Project to continue support for the design and installation of stormwater management practices to restore clean water to three estuaries in Barnstable.
- Buzzards Bay Coalition - $223,533 for the Promoting Salt Marsh Resilience Project to support research to better understand causes and trends of marsh loss on Buzzards Bay and to pilot restoration activities to preserve threatened marshes.
- Falmouth Rod & Gun Club - $245,000 for the Upper Childs River and Bog Restoration Project to continue to restore natural wetlands and trout habitat in three abandoned cranberry bogs in Falmouth.
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy - $176,581 for the Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative, a partnership between Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) and eight Buzzards Bay municipalities. Students will support communities in stormwater compliance, integrated with a new MMA curriculum.
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution - $298,598 for research and testing of permeable reactive barriers, an innovative technology to reduce nitrogen pollution by intercepting groundwater as it flows into coastal waters.
- Buzzards Bay Coalition - $27,695 for the Prevent Nutrient Pollution from Composting Project to assist communities in reducing nutrient pollution to coastal waters from new composting facilities required by Massachusetts law.
For more information, see the SNEP grant announcement.
Last Call to Volunteer for COASTSWEEP 2019! - Since late August, thousands of volunteers have collected trash along the Bay State shoreline for COASTSWEEP, the statewide volunteer beach cleanup organized by CZM. As part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, COASTSWEEP volunteers collect data on what they find to help inform national and international efforts to reduce marine debris. By the time COASTSWEEP wraps up in mid-November, more than 4,000 volunteers will have cleaned over 135 locations along Massachusetts rivers, marshes, and beaches—and there’s still time to organize a cleanup of your own or join one of the remaining scheduled cleanups. 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.
CZM Staff and People
BUAR Director Receives Eva Butler Scholar Award - On October 18, David S. Robinson, Director of the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR), accepted the Eva Butler Scholar Award from the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, Rhode Island. At the ceremony, he was also recognized by Rhode Island Governor Raimondo and United States Congressmen Langevin, Reed, and Whitehouse “for his commitment to Native American-led research in marine archaeology to share the history of the Indigenous communities of Southern New England.” For the past 18 years, David has worked with Tribes of the region as an advocate for the recognition, identification, and protection of submerged paleocultural landscapes at risk of damage or destruction from impacts related to offshore activities. He has engaged Tribal communities and built relationships and capacity between Tribes, federal and state agencies, and the scientific community to better enable these diverse groups to work together in these efforts. The Tomaquag Museum is Rhode Island’s only Indigenous museum dedicated to sharing Native culture, arts, and history from a first-person perspective. The Museum was co-founded in 1958 by Eva Butler, a non-Native anthropologist, and Narragansett/Pokanoket-Wampanoag Tribal member, Mary “Princess Red Wing” Glasko. For more information, see the museum website. Congratulations David!
MassBays Circuit Rider - In October, the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program (MassBays) welcomed Jill Carr as the new MassBays Circuit Rider to provide technical assistance and support coastal monitoring efforts by community-based organizations. This part-time position is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Exchange Network Program. Jill has nine years of experience as a Fisheries Habitat Specialist for the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, where she worked on habitat mapping, research, and protection, developing habitat monitoring guidelines for both professional and citizen scientists. This year, she received two awards for her work in eelgrass restoration and is currently working on her Master’s in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing at Salem State University. Welcome, Jill!
Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities
Massachusetts Environmental Trust Grants - The Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) is seeking proposals for the 2020 Drive for a Better Environment Grants Program, which funds projects focusing on endangered marine animals and critical aquatic ecosystems in Massachusetts. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and municipalities, with typical awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. For more information and to view the Request for Responses (RFR) and download required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. A question and answer period closes December 20 and full proposals are due at 1:00 p.m. on January 10, 2020. Funded projects will begin in July 2020.
NERRS Science Collaborative Research Grants - The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Science Collaborative is seeking proposals for two grant opportunities. Catalyst Grants support collaborative science by promoting new ideas, enhancing existing collaborative research, or synthesizing NERRS System-wide Monitoring Program data for regional or national use. Letters of intent for one-year grants of $75,000-$200,000 are due by December 16, with full proposals by February 17, 2020. Collaborative Research Grants fund collaborative applied science projects that build research, data, tools, or other products to support decision making to address needs identified by NERRS. Pre-proposals for one- to three-year grants of up to $200,000 per year are due by December 11. Full proposals, by invitation only, will be due by April 6, 2020.
Reminder - These opportunities, listed in the last CZ-Mail, are still available:
- Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program - The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is seeking proposals for both the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program Planning Grants and Action Grants. The MVP Program provides support for Massachusetts cities and towns to plan for climate change and implement key adaptation actions for resiliency. Through MVP Planning Grants, the state awards communities funding to complete vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented resiliency plans, with technical assistance from state-certified MVP providers. Communities who complete the MVP program become certified as an MVP Community and are eligible for MVP Action Grant funding. MVP Action Grants provide designated MVP Communities funding to implement priority adaptation actions identified through the MVP planning process or similar climate change vulnerability assessment and action planning that has led to MVP designation. Projects that propose nature-based solutions or strategies that rely on green infrastructure or conservation and enhancement of natural systems are preferred. Applicants can request up to $2 million in funding (regional proposals may request up to $5 million), and a 25 percent match of the total project cost is required. For the RFRs and proposal due dates, see the MVP Planning Grant and MVP Action Grant pages on COMMBUYS.
- Marine Debris Prevention Grants - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is seeking proposals for Marine Debris Prevention Grants for projects that reduce marine debris in the coastal and marine environment by engaging and informing target audiences (such as students, teachers, and industries) with hands-on programs that raise awareness and work to change behaviors. Typical awards will range from $50,000 to $150,000. For details, see Grants.gov. Required Letters of Intent are due by November 5. Full proposals, by invitation only, will be due on February 7, 2020.
Products/Publications
Cape Cod State of the Waters Report - The Association to Preserve Cape Cod has released State of the Waters: Cape Cod 2019, an online report that provides a comprehensive look at the water quality of Cape Cod’s estuaries, ponds, and drinking water, with detailed results (PDF, 9 MB) and a Water Action Plan with recommendations for towns, homeowners, business, and state and regional government. The report assigns water quality grades for coastal embayments and estuaries, freshwater lakes and ponds, and public drinking water supplies. These grades can help determine which waters need immediate action to improve water quality or preventative measures to protect current conditions. Results indicate that more than two-thirds of the Cape’s estuaries and more than one-third of ponds have unacceptable water quality, primarily from excess nutrients due to wastewater treatment limitations.
Outer Cape Shark Report - The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in partnership with the towns of Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown has released Outer Cape Shark Mitigation Alternatives Analysis: Evaluating Strategies to Support Regional Decision Making and Public Safety Efforts, a report by the Woods Hole Group for public officials that provides an analysis of various mitigation strategies to address public safety risks due to the increased white shark presence along the outer Cape Cod shoreline.
New Greenscapes Guide - The Greenscapes North Shore Coalition has released an updated Greenscapes Guide, a 24-page magazine that provides information on how to use attractive, nature-friendly landscaping practices to reduce pollution, conserve water, support wildlife, and protect against climate change.
Newsletters and Other Periodicals
Buzzards Bay Coalition Newsletter - The latest edition of The Bay Buzz from the Buzzards Bay Coalition covers the cleanup of a former junkyard along the Acushnet River to create a public park and nature reserve, nitrogen reducing septic systems protecting clean water in Westport, a guide to Buzzard’s Bay nature photography, and other regional news, volunteer opportunities, and events.
Coastal Impacts - The September 2019 issue of Coastal Impacts, the newsletter of Woods Hole Sea Grant, includes articles on the June Coastal Conference in Nantucket organized by Woods Hole Sea Grant and CZM, a study of how sharks respond to internal ocean waves in an effort to understand the threatened dogfish species of shark, the new Girls in Science fellowship program at Woods Hole, and other news and updates.
EPA Trash Free Waters Newsletter - The October 2019 edition of The Flow of Trash Free Waters, the newsletter of EPA’s Trash Free Waters program, includes pieces on two new Trash Free Waters grant programs, new trash collection devices installed in Georgia creek, plastics source reduction and cigarette butt recycling efforts in Maryland, and other initiatives, news, events, and grant opportunities.
Internet Water Report - The October 2019 issue of Internet Water Report (iWR), the email newsletter of the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, features articles on using a biotic index to provide insights to water quality in freshwater streams, outreach events at New York estuary programs during National Estuaries Week, and other New England water pollution news and updates.
Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The October 2019 Newspaper (PDF, 14 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association features a farewell to departing Division of Marine Fisheries Director David Pierce and stories on the Marshfield LobsterFest, the impacts of climate change on the oceans, and public hearing notices, offshore wind notices, and other updates and lobster news.
Stormwater News - The September 2019 edition of Massachusetts Stormwater News (PDF, 530 KB), a periodic newsletter from EPA and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on the Massachusetts Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, provides profiles of efforts in Massachusetts communities to finance stormwater management programs, conduct stormwater outfall mapping, improve water quality, and reduce nutrient pollution. To sign up to receive Massachusetts Stormwater News, send your request to StormwaterNewsMA@epa.gov.
The SandBar - The October 2019 issue of The SandBar, a quarterly publication from the National Sea Grant College Program on U.S. ocean and coastal legal issues, covers recent amendments to the Endangered Species Act, updates on impacts of oil and gas activities on listed endangered species in the Gulf of Mexico, and other ocean- and coastal-related legal issues.
The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management - The October 2019 edition of The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management, the monthly newsletter on ocean planning and ecosystem-based management from the University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, discusses impacts of invertebrate fisheries on marine ecosystems, a call for 2020 webinar ideas, and other resources and news.
USGS Sound Waves - The August-September 2019 issue of Sound Waves, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) newsletter, includes articles on work to collect and analyze pressure core samples from gas hydrate reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico, efforts to document coastal change due to Hurricane Dorian from Florida to North Carolina, recent USGS fieldwork, and other coastal and marine research news.
Web-Based and Mobile-User Resources
Preparedness Talks for Emergency Managers - FEMA and partners have released a new episode of PrepTalks, presentations by experts on emergency preparedness. Our Changing World: The Challenge for Emergency Managers by David Kaufman, Vice President and Director for Safety and Security at CNA (a nonprofit public policy, safety, and security consulting firm) explains changing worldwide trends and how they will impact emergency management into the future. Each PrepTalks web page includes a video of the presentation and question-and-answer session, a discussion guide, and related resources.
NOAA Marine Debris Blog - Recent posts in the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s Marine Debris Blog include the launch of a redeveloped Marine Debris Clearinghouse, a derelict fishing gear removal project in Puget Sound, the relationship between marine debris and the coastal tourism economy, and fishing gear removal and research grant awards. All blog topics can be searched by category and date. To receive notifications of new posts, sign up for email updates.
New Resource and Data from NOAA Digital Coast - NOAA’s Digital Coast has posted these new resources:
- BEACON 2.0 - The Beach Advisory and Closing Online Notification (BEACON) system provides state-reported beach monitoring and notification data, maps of more than 6,000 beaches covered by the BEACH Act, and related water quality monitoring stations.
- New map services and data sets (PDF, 80 KB).
Job/Internship Postings
Outreach Program Coordinator - The Northeastern University Marine Science Center (MSC) in Nahant is seeking an Outreach Program Coordinator to oversee MSC outreach activities, including development and implementation of educational programs that promote science literacy and interest in marine science and related careers. The position will support and develop MSC’s K-12 academic programs that provide exposure to research being conducted at MSC faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students and promote the research accomplishments of MSC through public events, MSC website, promotional brochures, and newsletters. For more information, see the job posting.
Mendenhall Research Fellow - USGS in Woods Hole is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to conduct basic and applied research that investigates the consequences of sea level rise in diked and other managed wetlands. Candidates should have a broad set of skills, ranging from hydrology to carbon cycle processes. For more information, see the fellowship posting. Applications are due by January 6, 2020, but candidates are encouraged to contact the research contacts early in the application process.
Communications Director - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking a Communications Director to carry out its strategic communication goals. Candidates should be energetic and responsible with the ability to lead youth exploration programs in New Bedford and throughout the Buzzards Bay watershed. For more details, see the Coalition’s Job Opportunities page.
Sea Rovers Summer Internship - The Boston Sea Rovers are accepting applications for the 2020 Sea Rovers Annual Summer Internship, which is open to graduating high school seniors and college freshman and sophomores interested in underwater careers. The intern will receive dive training and opportunities to dive and train with professionals in a variety of diving fields, including photography and filmmaking, education, marine engineering and science, and others. Applications are due by November 15.
Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements
Modeling Plastics in the Oceans Workshop - From November 6-8 in Cambridge, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Plastics and the Environment Program will host Modelling Plastics in the Oceans: What is happening? What can we do about it?, a workshop on the latest research to measure plastic pollution in the world’s oceans and waterways. The workshop will feature Keynote Speaker Kara Lavender Law from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to discuss the transport of plastic debris in the oceans. Registration is required.
Landscaping for Resilience Workshops - In November, the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve will host two free workshops on Landscaping for Resilience: Are You Ready for the Next Big Storm? On November 7, All About the Trees by Russell Norton, Agriculture and Horticulture Extension Educator at the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, will cover the importance of trees on Cape Cod, tree health assessments, and trees in a changing climate. On November 14, Wrangling Rainwater on the Homestead and Other Landscape Choices for a Changing Climate by Kristin Andres, Director of Education and Outreach at the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, will focus on landscape designs to better manage and capture rain, avoid property damage, protect water quality, and conserve water. Registration is recommended.
Climate Adaptation Toolkit Webinar - On November 7, Open Communications for the Ocean will present Making Marine and Coastal Protected Areas Climate Savvy by Eric Mielbrecht of EcoAdapt and Sara Hutto of the Greater Farallones Association. This webinar will focus on strategies for simple and achievable climate change adaptation planning in marine protected areas with the use of the Climate Adaptation Toolkit for Marine and Coastal Protected Areas.
Dredging Conference - On November 8 in Norwell, the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) will hold the EBC 13th Annual Dredging Conference: Technology in Dredging—Old School Meets High Tech, featuring presentations on advancements in hydrographic survey methods, sample collection, grade control, and dredging machinery.
Cape Cod Maritime History Symposium - On November 9, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will host the 23rd annual Cape Cod Maritime Symposium in Brewster, which will feature lectures on the Elizabeth Islands, U.S. Coast Guard’s Flying Santa Program, the U.S.S Constitution, and Champlain’s 1605 exploration of Cape Cod. Lunch will be provided, therefore pre-registration is suggested.
EBC Leadership Program with MWRA Executive Director - On November 13 in Boston, EBC will present Infrastructure and Environmental Developments at the MWRA with Keynote Speaker Fred Laskey, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), who will discuss upcoming drinking water and wastewater improvements, climate resiliency for MWRA infrastructure, water conservation efforts, and the future of the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. The evening session will conclude with a moderated discussion and an opportunity to ask questions.
Shoreline Management and Living Shorelines Webinar - On November 15, the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve as part of its Sustainable Shoreline Designs Webinar Series will present Understanding Shoreline Management Decisions and Incentivizing Living Shorelines Among Private Landowners with Dr. Steven Scyphers from Northeastern University. This webinar will cover the history and ecological impacts of armoring shorelines, perceptions and priorities of residents, and incentives to encourage more nature-based solutions. Registration is required.
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.
Climate Change and Higher Education Conference - From November 18-20 in Albany, New York, the National Council for Science and the Environment will host the Resilience In Sustainable rEconstruction (RISE) 2019 Conference, Transforming University Engagement in Pre- and Post-Disaster Environments: Lessons from Puerto Rico. Using lessons from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, this three-day conference will feature workshops to brainstorm how colleges and universities can help to enhance preparedness, response, and recovery efforts in a changing climate.
Risk Management Leadership Forum - On November 20, the RenaissanceRe Risk Sciences Foundation and the Earth Institute at Columbia University will host the Climate Change: Response and Resilience Leadership Forum in New York City. This 14th Risk Mitigation Leadership Forum will feature five panel discussions on flood risk and rising sea levels, wildfire risk, coastal impacts of severe storms, higher temperatures and global population risks, and the role of government in disaster preparation. Registration is required by November 13.
Workshop on Addressing Failing Culverts, Bridges, and Dams - On November 21, the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IWRA) will hold a Barrier Mitigation Workshop in Essex as part of a 2018-2019 MassBays Healthy Estuaries Grant to identify and prioritize culverts, bridges, and dams that are in need of repair in the Plum Island and Essex Bay regions. This workshop will present the mitigation tools developed along with case studies, lessons learned, and sources of funding to improve infrastructure and stream connectivity. To RSVP, email Kaitlyn Shaw at IRWA.
Climate Adaptation Forum - On November 22 in Boston, EBC, in coordination with the Sustainable Solutions Lab at University of Massachusetts Boston, will present the Climate Adaptation Forum, Building Climate Resilience into Infrastructure. The forum will feature Keynote Speaker Jesse Keenan from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University to discuss integrating resiliency and adaptation into public and private infrastructure investments. Additional speakers include Mia Mansfield, EEA’s Director of Climate Adaptation and Resiliency, and John Sullivan, Chief Engineer at the Boston Water and Sewer Commission.
2020 Annual Environmental Conference—Call for Workshops - On March 4, 2020, the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society (MEES) will hold its 2020 Annual Conference in Worcester. Organizers are now accepting workshop proposals on advocacy efforts in Massachusetts and beyond, climate change, diversity and inclusion in environmental education, environmental justice, and urban environmental education. For details, see the 2020 MEES Call for Workshop Proposals, which are due by December 4.
Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference—Call for Abstracts - From April 23-24, 2020, the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, state partners, and EPA, will hold the 31st annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference in Woodstock, Vermont. 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, “The Watershed Approach,” with a focus on state and federal collaboration to address nonpoint pollution. See the Call for Abstracts, which are due by December 6.
Ocean Sciences Meeting - From February 16-21, 2020, the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2020 will be held in San Diego, California. Sessions will center around the 2020 theme, For a Resilient Planet, with a focus on healthy resilient oceans, safe and sustainable food, and climate change mitigation.
International Erosion Control Conference - From February 23-26, 2020, the International Erosion Control Association will hold the 2020 ICEA Annual Conference and Expo in Raleigh, North Carolina, focusing on the latest products, services, and technology for erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, and shoreline restoration.
Reminders - The following calendar items posted previously in CZ-Mail are still to come:
- Gulf of Maine Climate Resilience Conference - From November 4-8, the Gulf of Maine 2050 International Symposium, Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Resilience, will be held in Portland, Maine. The conference will focus on the changes expected in the Gulf of Maine over the next 30 years to help develop ideas, next steps, and collaborations for climate resiliency throughout the region.
- Professional Development Courses at New England Aquarium - This fall, the New England Aquarium will offer the Professional Development Course, Full STEAM Ahead: Ocean Adventures, for educators from pre-k to first grade. Two remaining sessions are available: Ocean Sights and Sounds on November 23; and The Ocean and Us on December 14.
- Youth Ocean Conservation Summit - On December 7, the 2019 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit will be held at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, providing students from upper elementary school through college the opportunity to learn from marine scientists and conservationists about the current threats facing the marine environment.
Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events
Aquarium Lecture Series - In November, the New England Aquarium will continue to the free Aquarium Lecture Series by scientists, environmental writers, photographers, and others. Upcoming lectures include The Outlaw Ocean: Journeys Across the Last Untamed Frontier—a Conversation with Living on Earth on November 5, An Evening Discussing Oceans and Climate with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on November 7, Deep Sea Corals and Their Climate Secrets on November 14, and The Snow Leopard Project: And Other Adventures in Warzone Conservation on November 20. These free presentations start at 7 p.m. in the Aquarium’s IMAX Theatre. Sign up for email notifications of future lectures. Recordings of past lectures are available on their archive page.
Boston Environmental History Seminar Series - The Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) will host the 2019-2020 Boston Seminar on Environmental History, which includes monthly sessions on how the environment has shaped American societies. From livestock and animal industries in Brighton to early weather almanacs, each session focuses on the discussion of a pre-circulated paper. The next session, Engineering, Politics, and Dams: John R. Freeman and San Francisco’s Hetch Hetchy Water Supply will be held on November 12 at the MHS headquarters at 1154 Boylston Street in Boston. The programs include a light buffet supper and are free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required. Subscribers to the session will receive advance online access to the topic papers.
Buzzards Bay Walks and Events - The Buzzards Bay Coalition Events page includes outdoor and environmental offerings hosted by numerous organizations and land trusts in the region. November events include a film screening, birding walk, sea glass and pebble art workshop, evening owl walk, hikes, and other opportunities for all ages. Events can be filtered by town, month, host, or select topics, such as kid-friendly and volunteering.
Cape Cod Bird Walks - The Cape Cod Bird Club holds free bird watching field trips, including a walk along the Cape Cod Canal on November 8. See the full schedule on their field trips page.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Programs - In November, the museum will host a variety of lectures, birding walks, a cranberry bog tour, and other events, including a Walk through the Incredible, Inflatable Gray Whale! on November 29. Check out their calendar for additional events.
Climate Adaption Lunchtime Webinars - This fall, the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center will host monthly lunchtime webinars. Each 30-minute talk is followed by a discussion open to online attendees. Upcoming webinars include Stakeholder Guidance Helps to Identify Major Misconception Regarding Dam Removals on November 13 and Scenario Planning and Protected Species: NOAA Fisheries Case Studies to Inform Recovery in a Changing Environment on December 4.
Conservation Commission Education - The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions provides specialized training programs. See their Complete Education Catalog for an overview of upcoming wetland delineation and other workshops and the Community Calendar for a schedule of additional programs in November, including the webinar, Ecology of Riverfront Areas and the WPA Regulations, on November 12.
Fall Walks in Harwich - The Harwich Conservation Trust has posted its schedule of fall walks including a Beech Forest Walk on November 9 in Provincetown and a Coy’s Brook Woodlands Walk on November 18. All walks are open to the public. See the Trust's website for details.
Great Marsh Field Trip and Events - This fall, the Great Marsh Coalition will present Resiliency in Action: Explore Your Great Marsh, a series of field trips and events to “learn about and celebrate efforts to protect and restore the Great Marsh.” The final field trip is the Site Visit to Collins Cove Living Shorelines Project on November 14. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Field Trip and Event list.
Ipswich River Programs and Activities - In November, Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary will host walks, talks, and adventures. See their programs, classes, & activities page and search the program catalog for event and schedule information on lectures, coastal birding walks, and a Wintering Hawks outing on November 23.
Joppa Flats Programs and Events - The Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center hosts a variety of programs for children and adults. See their program catalog for November events and education opportunities, including lectures, Saturday morning birding, activities for homeschoolers, and a Family Open House: Bird Migration Celebration on November 17.
Mass Audubon Cape Cod Walks, Lectures, and Events - The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in South Wellfleet and Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable offer educational programs for children, adults, and families, including November nature/birding walks, hikes, lectures, and Seabird Cruise in Cape Cod Bay on November 9. Search the calendar of programs, classes, and activities for Wellfleet Bay and Long Pasture for all events.
National Marine Sanctuaries Webinars - The NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series provides educators with resources and training to support ocean and climate literacy in the classroom. The next webinar, Sinkholes to Stars: Exploring Microbial Ecosystems in Lake Huron’s Sinkholes, is on December 5.
New England Aquarium Youth Programs - The New England Aquarium has ocean education classes, marine biology training, service-learning opportunities, teen internships, and other programs for kids from 12 months to 12th grade. See the aquarium website for more information.
NOAA Coastal Training and Learning Resources - NOAA’s Digital Coast offers a range of training opportunities, with self-guided resources, case-studies, videos, webinars, publications, and online instructor-led sessions and classroom instructor-led courses—including an OpenNSPECT webinar on November 27 for GIS professionals. For the full schedule of opportunities, see the Training Calendar.
NOAA Science and Climate Seminars - The OneNOAA Science Seminar web page provides details on NOAA science and climate seminars and webinars that are available across the nation, including Community Collaboration: A Locally Driven Approach to Estuarine Management on November 4.
North River Activities and Events - The Mass Audubon North River Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield hosts programs for children and adults. See their program, classes, and activities page for November events and education opportunities, including Friday morning bird walks, lectures, Saturday Safaris for young children, and Climate Cafe: Living Along the Coast, a presentation on climate change, sea level rise, and coastal resiliency by CZM’s South Shore Coordinator, Jason Burtner, on November 6.
Planet Stewards Educator Events - The NOAA Planet Stewards Education Project provides resources for educators of elementary through college-aged students to promote scientific understanding of environmental challenges. Upcoming events include a November 18 Book Club session on Ocean Outbreak: Confronting the Rising Tide of Marine Disease by Drew Harvell. Sign up to receive emails about future events.
Salem Sound Workshops, Trainings, and Events - Salem Sound Coastwatch (SSCW) will host educational events in November, including the presentation Our Ocean Resources by SSCW Director Barbara Warren on November 7 in Manchester and two COASTSWEEP Cleanups. For details on these and other events, see their November calendar.
Winter Walks on Nantucket - The Nantucket Conservation Foundation has announced its schedule of free, public Winter Walking Tours on Nantucket, including a Ram Pasture Walk on November 16. Reservations are required.
Other Items of Interest
Marine Policy Fellowships - The NOAA Sea Grant College Program is accepting applications for the 2021 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program. This one-year paid fellowship matches highly qualified graduate students studying ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and policy with hosts in the legislative and executive branches, or appropriate associations/institutions in and around Washington, DC. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact their state Sea Grant Program to notify them that they intend to apply and to receive assistance with the application. For details, see the grant opportunity on Grants.gov. Applications are due by February 21, 2020.
Foster Scholarship Program - NOAA is seeking applications for the 2020 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 6.
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest - Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs is now accepting submissions for the 2020 Ocean Awareness Contest. The 2020 theme is Climate Hope: Transforming Crisis. Students ages 11-18 are invited to learn about the impacts of climate change on the oceans and submit visual art, film, music, poetry, prose, and interactive/multimedia that presents solutions to these impacts on a local, national, or global scale. Students can work as individuals, a group, class, or club. Participants can earn cash awards and scholarships up to $1,500. Also, students in Boston can win $250 cash scholarships. Submissions are due by June 15, 2020.
Science Without Borders Art Challenge - The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is sponsoring the Science without Borders Challenge—a contest for students and teachers involved and interested in ocean conservation through art. This year’s theme is Take Action: Conserve Coral Reefs, and students are encouraged to use their artistic talents to create a piece of art that illustrates actions that can be taken to preserve and conserve coral reefs. The challenge is open to primary and secondary school students 11-19 years old, with prizes of up to $500 awarded to winning entries. See the contest rules or more details. The deadline for entry is April 20, 2020.