CZ-Mail - October 2018

The monthly electronic newsletter from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM).

Welcome to CZ-Mail, the monthly electronic newsletter from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Each issue provides information on major CZM initiatives, available tools and publications, upcoming workshops and events, grants, contracting opportunities, job openings, coastal legislation, and other news of interest to people working on coastal issues. Additional information about CZM's programs, publications, and other coastal topics can be found on the CZM website. To subscribe, send a blank email (please be sure that the email is completely blank, with no signature line) to [e-mail]. 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 [e-mail]. 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

Commonwealth Adopts Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan - In September, the State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan for the Commonwealth was signed by Governor Baker and approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This plan fulfills Executive Order 569 calling for a statewide climate adaptation plan while maintaining the Commonwealth’s eligibility for federal disaster recovery and hazard mitigation funding. It is a first of its kind plan to comprehensively address climate change and natural hazards and to assess risk and vulnerability within state agencies, communities, and across the Commonwealth. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency led the planning process. The plan identifies over 100 initial actions state agencies and executive offices have identified to increase resiliency and respond to natural hazards and climate change. CZM served on the Project Management Team for the 2017-2018 planning process, completed an agency vulnerability assessment, and has committed to assisting with continued stakeholder engagement and strategy implementation over the next five years. More information on the Commonwealth’s climate initiatives can be found on EEA’s Climate Action website.

CZM and USGS Launch New Cooperative Studies - In September, CZM and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Woods Hole Science Center agreed to renew and expand their cooperative efforts by continuing high resolution seafloor mapping in unmapped areas of state waters, piloting a coupled ocean atmosphere wave sediment transport model, and advancing shoreline change and erosion forecasting. This work will collect geophysical data, bottom samples, and photos and video in southern Cape Cod Bay beginning in summer 2019. Also through this cooperative agreement, the team will perform accuracy assessments of a tool used to calculate future shoreline positions using observed data and process modeling. This task will also include developing a new present-day shoreline (2018-2019) to include in CZM’s Shoreline Change Project. Finally, the agreement covers work to develop and run a coastal processes model to determine the fate of sand during select storm events, such as the 2018 winter northeasters. This investigation will provide coastal managers with better information on how, where, and when sand is transported. The initial model will focus on western Cape Cod Bay. For more information on this project, see the USGS Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Sea Floor website and the CZM Seafloor and Habitat Mapping Program.

Still Time to Join COASTSWEEP 2018 - September kicked off COASTSWEEP 2018, the state’s volunteer beach cleanup sponsored by CZM as part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. Volunteers have already turned out throughout Massachusetts to collect and record data on marine debris, such as trash, fishing line, cigarette butts, and other human-made items. But COASTSWEEP isn’t over yet! There is still plenty of time to volunteer at a scheduled cleanup or to organize one of your own at a local beach, coastal site, or even an underwater site. All the supplies (bags, gloves, data cards, pencils, etc.) are provided free of charge, and cleanups can be scheduled at your convenience into early 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 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

Marine Debris Research Funding - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is seeking proposals to support marine debris research through field, laboratory, and modeling experiments that explore the ecological risk, exposure levels, fate and transport in nearshore coastal environments, and/or habitat impacts of marine debris. For more information, see the federal funding opportunity. Proposals are due by December 14.

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

• Marine Debris Removal Grants - The NOAA Marine Debris Program is seeking proposals for Marine Debris Removal Grants for local, grassroots activities that improve living marine resource habitats through the removal of marine debris. Projects should implement on-the-ground marine debris removal activities, prioritizing medium to large-scale debris, including derelict fishing gear. Typical awards will range from $50,000 to $150,000. For more information, see the federal funding opportunity. Applications are due by October 29.

Products/Publications

Marine Ecosystem Assessment of Pleasant Bay - The Center for Coastal Studies has released Marine Ecosystem Assessment of Pleasant Bay, which examines the status of natural resources in Pleasant Bay between 2014 and 2017. Funded by the Friends of Pleasant Bay, the goal is to produce a dataset of baseline information for a long-term habitat monitoring program.

Disaster Recovery White Paper - The Southeast Disaster Recovery Partnership has released For the Long Haul: Public-Private Partnerships for Long-Term Disaster Recovery (PDF, 2 MB), which profiles six partnerships in the Southeastern United States to assess their strategies for success. This paper was funded through the NOAA Coastal Resilience Grant Program.

Beneath the Surface - The September 2018 issue of Beneath the Surface, a newsletter from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), includes articles on an expedition to a deep-water coral reef off the coast of South Carolina, toxic algal blooms, an acoustic aquatic telescope, and other news and updates from WHOI.

Sound Waves - The August 2018 issue of Sound Waves, a USGS newsletter, features articles on whether invasive plants are trapping nutrients needed by salt marshes, classroom efforts to raise awareness of natural hazards to coastal communities, recent fieldwork, and other coastal and marine research news.

Marine Protected Area Newsletter - The September 2018 issue of MPA News features articles on a study of partially protected Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), a compilation of resources and trainings on MPAs, and other MPA news and notes.

HabitatNews - The September 2018 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Restoration, includes articles on a complicated dam removal project in Maryland, newly discovered deep-sea coral reefs, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Marine Ecosystems and Management Information Service - The September 2018 edition of Marine Ecosystems and Management, the bimonthly information service on marine ecosystem-based management (EBM) from the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs, features articles on the impact of bacteria and viruses on ocean health and the implications for managers, training opportunities, and other resources and news.

Web-Based and Mobile-User Resources

Marine Science Lesson Plans - Sailors for the Sea, in collaboration with marine research and education institutions, has developed Kids Environmental Lesson Plans (KELP). These free, downloadable, marine science lesson plans cover ocean health issues such as plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change.

Northeast Ocean Data Portal Updates - The Northeast Ocean Data Portal has been updated with new data and maps. In July, new vessel traffic data and maps were released for 2015 and 2016 (with 2017 coming soon). New marine life data and maps were released in August that incorporate recent wildlife observations and updated modeling techniques.

What Can Be Recycled? There’s a New App (and Website) for That - As part of the Recycle Smart Initiative, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection developed Recyclopedia—an easy-to-use website and app on what can be recycled and how. Just enter the particular item or material into the search box to find out whether it should be put in the trash or the recycling bin (along with instructions on how to properly recycle it).

New Case Studies and Data from NOAA Digital Coast - NOAA’s Digital Coast now includes: Investing in Flood Mitigation Pays Off Immensely, a case study from Folly Beach, South Carolina, that describes how zoning laws can conserve natural areas to help reduce flood impacts; Implementing Green Infrastructure at Multiple Scales to Enhance Resilience, a case study from Alachua County, Florida, on how green infrastructure reduced flooding; and 50 new and updated data sets (PDF, 84 KB).

American Shoreline Podcast Network - Coastal News Today has launched the American Shoreline Podcast Network, which will feature experts on coastal business issues. For articles and editorials on these issues, subscribe to Coastal News Today.

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.

Woods Hole Sea Grant - From November 6-8, a team from the National Sea Grant College Program will review the Woods Hole Sea Grant at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth. NOAA is seeking public comments prior to the review, which can be submitted by October 30 to [e-mail]. Please include “Woods Hole Sea Grant site review” in the email subject line. See the Woods Hole Sea Grant website for more information.

Job/Internship Postings

MassBays Regional Coordinator and Associate Research Scientist - The Northeastern University Marine Science Center is seeking applicants to serve as the Metro Boston Regional Coordinator for the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program (MassBays) and an Associate Research Scientist at the Marine Science Center. For details, see the job posting. Applications are due by October 10.

Water Resources Specialist - The town of Nantucket’s Natural Resources Department is seeking a Water Resource Specialist to study and monitor the town’s water resources. For details, see the job posting. Applications are due by October 8.

Sea Rovers Summer Internship - The Boston Sea Rovers are accepting applications for the 2019 Sea Rovers Annual Summer Internship. The internship—open to graduating high school seniors and college freshman and sophomores interested in underwater careers—will provide dive training and chances to dive and train with professionals in a variety of diving fields, including photography and filmmaking, education, marine engineering and science, and more. Applications are due by November 15.

Calendar

Marblehead Sustainability Fair - On October 6, Sustainable Marblehead will hold a Community-Wide Sustainability Fair, Greening Our Lives, Our Community, Our World, at the Marblehead Community Charter School. Visitors can test drive an electric vehicle, learn about solar power and heat pumps, plays games, attend workshops, and more.

Living Shorelines Conference - On October 11, the Environmental Business Council of New England will hold the 3^rd Annual Living Shorelines Conference in Norwell. Conference speakers will discuss soft solutions to coastal erosion, including project design, regulation and permit hurdles, and lessons learned in Massachusetts.

Regional Restoration Conference - From October 11-13, the Society for Ecological Restoration New England Chapter will hold its 2018 Regional Conference, Connecting Communities and Ecosystems in Restoration Practice, in New Haven, Connecticut. This conference will highlight innovative projects and ideas in ecological restoration.

Coastal Resiliency Symposium - On October 16, the University of Rhode Island (URI) will host a Coastal Resilience Symposium in Narragansett, Rhode Island, to examine storm surge, flooding, and other extreme weather problems affecting military installations and the Rhode Island coastline. URI faculty will share expertise in modeling, mapping, and flood prevention and control efforts. The event is free and open to the public. Please register by October 10.

River Herring Network Annual Meeting - On October 18, the River Herring Network will hold its 2018 Annual Meeting in Falmouth. The meeting will feature the Coonamessett River Restoration Project, including a field trip to the project site in Falmouth. The meeting is free and open to the public. To RSVP, please email Abigail Archer at [e-mail].

Seahorse Talk - On October 19, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History as part of its Lunch ‘n Learn series, will present Conservation of the Lined Seahorse with New England Aquarium Aquarist, David Wedge. Come have lunch and listen to a talk about the natural history and current conservation efforts of the lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus.

MACC Fall Conference - On October 20, the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) will hold the 2018 Fall Conference in Leominster. The conference will include training for Conservation Commissioners through six “fundamentals units” (from Wetlands Protection Act basics to managing conservation lands), along with workshops and other presentations on trails, forests, riverfront areas, and more.

Mystic River Watershed Association Annual Meeting - On October 23, the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) will hold its Annual Meeting, Mystic StoryCorps, in Medford. Attendees will share and hear stories about the Mystic River, including a talk from MyRWA Executive Director Patrick Herron that will highlight progress and future plans for the Mystic River.

Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources Public Meeting - On October 25 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 permit renewals, a new permit application, and review of Board activities. For more information, contact BUAR Director, Victor Mastone, at [e-mail].

Northeastern University Marine Science Center Tours - On October 25, the Northeastern University Marine Science Center in Nahant will host the final guided public tour for the season. The free tour to learn about the center’s research runs from 2:30-4:00 p.m. Space is limited, so please register.

Fall 2018 NEERS Meeting - From October 26-27, the New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) will hold the Fall 2018 NEERS Meeting in New Bedford. The meeting will highlight emerging perspectives in estuarine and coastal marine science and include sediment transport, fisheries biology, and other disciplines. On October 26, CZM will facilitate a special symposium entitled Citizen Science—Linking Science, Management, and Stewardship and present on the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC), a CZM-led effort to train volunteers to monitor and track marine invasive species. For more information on CZM’s marine invasive species efforts, see the CZM website.

2018 National Coastal Conference - From October 30-November 2, the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) will hold the 2018 National Coastal Conference, Resilient Shorelines for Rising Tides, in Galveston, Texas. This annual conference on preserving, protecting, and enhancing the coasts will feature short courses, plenary and concurrent sessions, a field trip, and other activities.

Environmental Education Conference - From November 1-3, the New England Environmental Education Alliance Conference will be held in Fairlee, Vermont. Environmental educators from throughout New England will gather to share information on fostering public participation in scientific research, promoting sustainability, teaching scientific literacy, and more.

2019 Annual Environmental Conference—Call for Workshops - On March 6, 2019, the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society will hold its 2019 Conference in Worcester to bring together environmental educators from throughout Massachusetts and from a variety of industries including K-12 schools, nature centers, urban environmental programs, museums, and more. Organizers are now accepting workshop proposals, which are due by November 3. See the 2019 MEES Call for Workshops.

Great Marsh Coalition Symposium—Save the Date - On November 8, the Great Marsh Coalition will hold the seventh Great Marsh Symposium at Woodman’s of Essex. This half-day event, Celebrating the Great Marsh: Fostering the Future. The program will feature presentations on the historical/cultural, recreational, environmental, and economic benefits provided by the marsh, and a round table discussion facilitated by students from the region.

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.

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 emerging trends in watershed management and includes technical presentations, case studies, panel discussions, workshops, and field trips. Abstracts to present at the conference are due by November 19. See the Submit Your Abstract page to for details.

Cape Coastal Conference—Save the Date - 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.

Massachusetts Archaeology Month - October is Massachusetts Archaeology Month, a month-long celebration of archaeology in Massachusetts and around the world. Museums, libraries, archaeologists, and others around the Commonwealth are hosting exhibits, lectures, walks, and events for adults, children, and teachers. On October 16, the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) Director Vic Mastone will present Hidden History: Underwater Archaeology in Massachusetts to the Manchester Historical Museum in Manchester-by-the-Sea. For a statewide listing of archaeology events in October, see the 2018 Archaeology Month Calendar.

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 wild food on October 6 and insects in winter on November 3.

Aquarium Lecture Series - Into November, the New England Aquarium will host a free Lecture Series. Upcoming lectures include Searching for Ancient Life on Mars on October 11, and Diplomacy and Intrigue in the Arctic on November 8. 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.

Archaeology Events on Cape Cod - In October, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History (CCMNH) will host several Archaeology Month programs. On October 6, The Underwater Archaeology of the Whydah will be presented by archaeologist Marie Zahn from the Whydah Pirate Museum in Provincetown. This presentation will explore pirates on Cape Cod and give children the opportunity to excavate like an underwater archaeologist. On October 13, archaeologist Dan Zoto will conduct a Wing Island Guided Walk of the Wing Island Archaeology Project, focusing on past uses of the island and new discoveries. Finally, CCMNH Artifact I.D. Day will be held on October 21. Dan Zoto and others from the museum archaeology team will show artifacts from local excavations including Wing Island.

Barnstable Land Trust Walks and Talks - The Barnstable Land Trust has scheduled several events as part of its Walks & Talks nature series. Join the Trust for a hike through Barnstable on October 7.

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. From Native American environmental history to environmental justice and racism in Boston, each session focuses on the discussion of a pre-circulated paper. The first session, Native American Environmental History, will be held on October 9 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. October events include a beach art workshop, pre-school classes, haunted hikes, walks, cycling, stargazing, and more. Events can be filtered by town, month, host, or select topics, such as kid-friendly and volunteering.

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 coastal environment and wildlife of Cape Cod. Cape Cod Field Schools are “in-the-field” experiences taught by professional naturalists and scientists. The next course is Hiking Backwoods & Beaches from October 27-28.

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 Tribal Climate Science and Adaptation in the Midwest and Northeast on October 24, 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.

Green Infrastructure Webcasts - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Infrastructure Program Webcast Series features bimonthly webcasts geared toward public officials and practitioners just beginning to implement green infrastructure, as well as those looking to enhance established programs. The November webcast is Coloring Superfund Green: Select Case Studies on Revitalization of Contaminated Sites with Green Infrastructure.

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Programs and Activities - Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary provides numerous nature walks, talks, and adventures. See the programs, classes, & activities page and search the program catalog for event and schedule information on topics such as art classes, a full moon paddle, 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, bike trips, morning birding, homeschooler activities, whale watches, and science 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, kayak and boat trips, 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 - MACC 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.

National Marine Life Center Programs - The National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay offers a variety educational, after school, and scout programs on marine animals, strandings, rehabilitation, and ocean conservation. See their Education page for links to drop-in and scheduled programs.

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 is Understanding Ocean Acidification - Using NOAA’s New Educational Tools on October 17.

Naturescape Gallery: Bluff, Beach, Hollow and Sea - Through October 31, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will host in their Naturescape Gallery, Bluff, Beach, Hollow and Sea, photographs by author and poet Jonathan Wright. For information about museum hours and other Naturescape Gallery exhibits, see the museum website.

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.

North and South Rivers Watershed Events - The NSRWA hosts numerous events on the South Shore, including pontoon tours, walks, and more. See the NSRWA Events page for details.

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

• RARGOM Annual Science Meeting—Call for Abstracts - On October 26, the Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine (RARGOM) will host the 2018 Annual Science Meeting, Drivers of Change in Gulf of Maine Ecosystems, in Portland, Maine. To present a talk or poster, please submit an abstract to Joel Llopiz at [e-mail] by October 5.
• Professional Development Courses at New England Aquarium - This fall through early winter, the New England Aquarium will offer a three-part Professional Development Course, Full STEAM Ahead: Ocean Adventures for educators from pre-k to first grade. Educators can sign up for one, two, or three of the following courses: Polar Oceans on October 20; Freshwater on November 3; and Ocean Nurseries on December 8. All sessions take place from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the aquarium. The deadline to register for the first session is October 19.
• AWRA Annual 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 emerging issues related to technology, flowing waters, future risk, and public policy—provides presentations, poster sessions, an offsite networking event, and more.
• 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 shape earth features. The summit will include two days of workshops, field trips, network building opportunities, and a keynote by Jeff Donnelly, Senior Scientist and Director of the Seafloor Samples Laboratory at WHOI.

Other Items of Interest

2019 Marine Debris Calendar - The NOAA Marine Debris Program has released the 2019 Marine Debris Calendar, featuring the winning artwork from the 2018 “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest. This year, 450 entries from kindergarten through 8^th-grade students were submitted and each depicted a unique visual message to help raise awareness about marine debris and encourage everyone to be the solution to ocean pollution. The 13 winning entries that are displayed in the 2019 calendar were selected based on creativity, artistic presentation, and relevance to the theme. The calendar can be downloaded and limited hard copies are also available. Email [e-mail].

OPAK Marine Education Workshops - Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids (OPAK) is offering two new in-school workshops for students in grades 9-12 in southeastern Massachusetts. Flounderville: Create a Marine Protected Area demonstrates to students how local groups can protect oceans by creating a mock marine protected area for a fictional city. Plankton & Plastics: What's Drifting in Our Oceans? explores the ecology of plankton, impacts of plastic in the marine environment, and potential solutions. Both workshops follow Massachusetts curriculum frameworks. For more information, including additional middle school workshops, see the OPAK website.

Seeking Plankton Counters - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is seeking volunteers who can commit 3 hours on Wednesday evenings several times a month to help identify and count phytoplankton samples. For more information or if interested in helping, contact Nicole Millette at [e-mail].