CZ-Mail - October 2019

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

COASTSWEEP 2019 Kicks Off - Join a Cleanup While There’s Still Time! - On September 21, CZM Director Lisa Berry Engler officially kicked off COASTSWEEP 2019, the state’s volunteer beach cleanup sponsored by CZM as part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. The kickoff was held at the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Salisbury Beach State Reservation, where CZM staff joined hundreds of local volunteers, along with local and state officials and DCR staff—including Beach Supervisor Mike Magnifico, who has been organizing this impressive cleanup since the start of COASTSWEEP in 1987! In the last 33 years, thousands of COASTSWEEP volunteers have removed hundreds of tons of marine debris and other trash from Massachusetts beaches, lakes, rivers, and even underwater sites. In addition to cleaning the beaches, volunteers collect and record data on what they find (trash, fishing line, cigarette butts, and other human-made items) to help develop solutions to the marine debris problem. With cleanups through mid-November, there is still plenty of time to volunteer or to schedule a cleanup of your own. All supplies (bags, gloves, data cards, pencils, etc.) are provided free of charge, and cleanups can be scheduled at your convenience. See the COASTSWEEP website for details on volunteering, and the COASTSWEEP Press Release for more on the kickoff. For reminders of when new cleanup lists are posted, please send a blank email (completely blank, with no signature line) to [e-mail].

CZM Staff and People

CZM Assistant Director - On September 16, CZM welcomed Tyler Soleau as the new CZM Assistant Director. Tyler brings strong management skills, experience working in the Massachusetts Legislature, and an environmental law background to CZM. His experience includes four years with the Massachusetts House Committee on Climate Change as counsel, staff director, and legislative director. Most recently, Tyler worked for Sungage Financial, where he managed and led a team of 15 project managers. He has a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College and received his law degree from the Vermont Law School. Welcome aboard Tyler!

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

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. The program helps communities define extreme weather and natural and climate-related hazards; understand how their community may be impacted by climate change; identify existing and future vulnerabilities and strengths; and develop, prioritize, and implement key actions. State-certified MVP providers offer technical assistance to communities in completing the assessment and resiliency plans. 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 are required to use best available climate data and projections. 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 Requests for Responses (RFRs) and proposal due dates, see the MVP Planning Grant and MVP Action Grant pages on COMMBUYS.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and DCR are inviting communities, state agencies, and tribal governments and territories to submit applications for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program and the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program. These grants provide funding for the development of hazard mitigation plans and the implementation of hazard mitigation projects to reduce or eliminate the loss of life and property due to natural hazards. For complete grant details, see the 2019 grant memo (PDF, 190 KB), the 2019 Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF, 359 KB), and the MEMA website. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a Grant Briefing, which will provide detailed program requirements. The final briefing will be held at MEMA Headquarters at 400 Worcester Road in Framingham on October 8 from 10:00 a.m.-noon. A webinar of this session will also be available. To attend the briefing or get webinar login details, email [e-mail]. The deadline for the required Statements of Interest for PDM and FMA grants is October 11.

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

Using DNA Analysis to Identify Non-Native Species During Rapid Assessment Surveys - A new report by researchers from Clarkson University, DNA Barcoding of Polychaetes Collected during the 2018 Rapid Assessment Survey of Floating Dock Communities from New England, describes how DNA barcoding, or use of a single gene to identify species, can be effective, cheaper, and less time consuming that traditional identification methods. The study was conducted on polychaetes collected from docks in New England during the 2018 Rapid Assessment Survey of Marine Invasive Species organized by CZM.

International Coastal Cleanup Report - In September, Ocean Conservancy released its most recent Cleanup Report, The Beach and Beyond, which provides data and details on the 2018 International Coastal Cleanup. Last year, more than 1 million volunteers collected nearly 97.5 million pieces of debris weighing over 23 million pounds from the world’s beaches and waterways. Along the Massachusetts coast, 3,247 COASTSWEEP volunteers collected more than 133,000 items.

Flood Risk Communication Toolkit - FEMA has released a new Flood Risk Communication Toolkit for community officials, which features templates and guides on: creating a communications plan, designing successful public meetings, and using social media to discuss flood risk.

Report on Climate Change, Oceans, and Cryosphere - The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, a special report that provides an assessment of the latest scientific data on the impacts of climate change on the ocean, coastal, polar, and mountain ecosystems, including the human populations that inhabit these areas. The report shows that the cryosphere (which includes ice sheets, glaciers, and permafrost) is melting, ocean temperatures are rising, and sea levels are rising—all of which negatively impact marine, coastal, high-mountain, and polar ecosystems. This changing climate is affecting humans through impacts on food security, drinking water availability and quality, health, and much more. The report also provides options to adapt to these changes, manage risks, and increase resilience.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Buzzards Bay Coalition Newsletter - The latest edition of The Bay Buzz from the Buzzards Bay Coalition has articles on a new long-term salt marsh monitoring initiative in partnership with the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, a grant to support the Coalition’s elementary school education efforts, activities this past summer at the restored Horseneck Point Life-Saving Station, and other Buzzards Bay news and events.

Ebb & Flow - The Summer 2019 issue of Ebb & Flow, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) eNewsletter, reports on DER’s new Ecological Restoration Engineering Group, urban river restoration reflections on DER’s 10^th Anniversary, grant awards for 16 culvert replacement projects, and other restoration project updates, grant opportunities, and resource links.

NOAA HabitatNews - The September 2019 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Habitat Restoration, includes articles on restoration of Michigan’s Manistique River, reopening tidal channels to enhance salmon recovery in Washington State, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Right Whale News - The September 2019 issue of Right Whale News, a quarterly e-newsletter distributed by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, includes a report on vessel speed limits to reduce whale strikes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada, U.S. efforts to reduce Right Whale takings, and other right whale news.

The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management - The September 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 on how noise in the ocean can harm marine ecosystems, new research and tools for dynamic ocean management, and other resources and 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. Using Codes and Standards to Build Resilient Communities by Stuart Tom, Board of the International Code Council member and former fire marshal of Glendale, California, discusses building codes, how they work, and how they can increase a community’s disaster resilience and safety. Each PrepTalks web page includes a video of the presentation and question-and-answer session, a discussion guide, and related resources.

New Data from NOAA Digital Coast - NOAA’s Digital Coast has posted this new resource:

• New and updated data sets (PDF, 74 KB).

Job/Internship Postings

Onset Bay Center Director - The Buzzards Bay Coalition seeks a Director of the Onset Bay Center, the Coalition’s year-round recreation program facility under development on Onset Bay in Wareham. The Director will manage the boating and public engagement facilities, over 100 acres of conservation lands, and staff (including a full-time Program Assistant and seasonal staff of up to 20 sailing, boating, and coastal ecology educators). The candidate should be a motivated self-starter that will take responsibility to launch this new facility in the summer of 2020 and develop and implement year-round programs that will connect people to Buzzards Bay. For details, see the Job Opportunities page.

Marine Resource Specialist - Barnstable County’s Cape Cod Cooperative Extension is seeking a Marine Resource Specialist to assist with shellfish, finfish, aquaculture, and water quality research and monitoring projects, including data collection, entry, and analysis. The Marine Resource Specialist also provides information and technical assistance to the general public, private industry, and public officials on this work. Candidates should have strong verbal and written communication skills, simple construction and boat operation/trailering skills, and experience with water quality monitoring equipment. For details, see the job posting. Applications are due by October 10.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Celebrating the Great Marsh Open House - On October 5 in Newbury, scientists from the Plum Island Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research Program, Marine Biological Laboratory Ecosystems Center, and Greenbelt will host Celebrating the Great Marsh and its Watersheds, a family event to showcase research in the Great Marsh and the surrounding watershed. The afternoon will feature hands-on kids activities, short research talks, and lab displays. The celebration is free and open to the public.

Choate Island Day - On October 5, The Trustees of Reservations will host Choate Island Day, a celebration of the island, which is part of the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich. Visitors can hike the trails, listen to talks on the island’s history, or take self-guided tours of the Proctor Barn and Choate House. The day will also feature a kid’s treasure hunt and light refreshments. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch.

North Shore Floodplain Management Conference - On October 10, Massachusetts Association for Floodplain Management (massFM) and the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments will hold the North Shore/Merrimack Valley Floodplain Management Workshop in Tewksbury. This workshop for municipal officials and staff will include presentations on the National Flood Insurance Program and maps, the role of flood insurance, state regulations (floodplain, wetland, Title V, and building code), flood and hazard mitigation, and the MVP Program.

Colloquium on Microplastics in the Ocean - On October 15, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) will present the Morss Colloquium Microplastics in the Ocean: Emergency or Exaggeration? in Woods Hole. Keynote Speaker Dr. Kara Lavender Law of the Sea Education Association will present The Science of Ocean Plastic Pollution: Laying the Foundation for Solutions, which will be followed by a question and answer period and panel discussion with several international marine microplastics researchers. This evening colloquium is a free public event.

Mystic River Watershed Association Annual Meeting - On October 22, the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) will hold its Annual Meeting, Mystic Spotlights, in Medford. Attendees will hear from staff and volunteers about programs to improve the Mystic River. The keynote address by MyRWA Executive Director, Patrick Herron will highlight the impact of these programs on Mystic River Watershed communities.

EBC Leadership Series - On October 23, the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) will present EBC Leadership Series: MassDEP Commissioner Suuberg, the Northeast Region Leadership Team, and the EOEEA Regional Climate Program, one of five meetings with the leadership teams from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) Regional Offices. This meeting will focus on the issues and priorities of northeastern Massachusetts with presentations from MassDEP regional staff, a discussion of the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program planning and action grants from the EEA Northeast Regional Climate Coordinator, and a panel discussion.

Carbon Cycling in Coastal Wetlands Workshop - On October 29, the Woods Hole Sea Grant Program, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Information Office, and WHOI Academic Programs Office will offer The Impacts of Restoration of Coastal Wetland Carbon Cycling at the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Falmouth. This professional development workshop for high school and middle school teachers will present research from two WHOI scientists on salt marshes, climate change, nitrogen pollution, and the economics of salt marshes as carbon sinks.

Ocean Management Tool to Support Sustainable Fisheries Webinar - On October 31, Open Communications for the Ocean will present EcoCast: A Dynamic Ocean Management Tool to Reduce Bycatch and Support Sustainable Fisheries by Elliott Hazen of NOAA and Heather Welch of NOAA and the University of California Santa Cruz. This webinar will provide an overview of strategies that use real-time environmental data to design fisheries management borders that adjust to changes in the ocean and its biodiversity.

MassTrails Conference - From October 31-November 2, DCR, in partnership with the Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory Board, will hold the 2019 MassTrails Conference, Trails as Connections, in Leominster. This conference on construction, maintenance, and use of the trail networks that provide access to the natural environment in Massachusetts will feature hands-on workshops and field trips over the first two days and an all-day conference with concurrent sessions and a Keynote Address by Charles Thomas Jr. from Outward Bound Adventures on November 2.

National Watershed and Stormwater Conference—Call for Abstracts - From April 14-17, 2020, the Center for Watershed Protection will hold the 2020 National Watershed and Stormwater Conference in Austin, Texas. This forum for watershed and stormwater professionals will focus on increasing community resiliency in response to water resource threats and includes technical presentations, case studies, panel discussions, workshops, and field trips. Abstracts to present at the conference are due by October 31. See the Submit Your Abstract page for details.

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. 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.

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

• Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride - On October 6, the Buzzards Bay Coalition will hold the 13^th annual Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride to support the Coalition’s efforts to restore and protect clean water. The bike ride features 100-, 75-, and 35-mile route options, which wind through farmland, villages, cityscapes, cranberry bogs, and coastal country back roads. Registration is required.
• Living Shorelines Workshop - From October 8-9 in Beaufort, North Carolina, Restore Americas Estuaries and the North Carolina Coastal Federation will hold the 2019 Living Shorelines Tech Transfer Workshop, which will include field sessions and presentations on construction techniques, regulations and permitting, community engagement, costs of living shorelines versus other approaches, and effectiveness in high energy shorelines.
• MACC Conference—Call for Abstracts - On February 29, 2020, the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) will hold its Annual Environmental Conference 2020 in Worcester. Abstracts are being accepted for workshop presentations related to Conservation Commissions and climate change and resilience planning, science and technology, wetlands and open space management, regulations and permitting, and case studies. For more information see the Call for Abstracts, which are due by October 10.
• Professional Development Courses at New England Aquarium - This fall, 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: Ocean Movements on October 19; Ocean Sights and Sounds on November 23; and The Ocean and Us on December 14. A discount is available when signing up for all three workshops. Please register by October 11.
• Environmental Education Research Symposium and Conference - From October 15-19 in Lexington, Kentucky, the North American Association for Environmental Education will hold its 16^th Research Symposium and 48^th Annual Conference, Educating for a Just and Sustainable Future. The Research Symposium, from October 15-16, will bring together worldwide researchers to present the current status and future of environmental education research. The Annual Conference, from October 16-19, will focus on how education can “build hope, motivate action, and help achieve the Global Sustainable Development Goals.”
• MACC Fall Conference - On October 19, MACC will hold its 2019 Fall Conference in Devens, which will feature seven units of fundamentals for Conservation Commissioners, three workshops, and other presentations. See the MACC website for registration details.
• Coastal Conference - From October 22-25 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association will hold its 2019 National Coastal Conference, which will feature three days of short courses, networking opportunities, and sessions on varied coastal science topics, regulations and policy, technology, and more.
• 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.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

Barnstable Walks, Talks, and Events - The Barnstable Land Trust has scheduled several upcoming events, including a Fall Crocker Neck Walk on October 5 and a presentation called Seaweed Wonders of Cape Cod on October 12. For a full schedule, see their 2019 events 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 first session, Brighton Fair: The Animal Suburb and the Making of Modern Boston, will be held on October 8 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.

Boston Harbor Events - Boston Harbor Now hosts events throughout the Boston Harbor area. October events will focus on the 35^th Anniversary of the Boston Harborwalk with harbor walks on October 5, 12, 19, and 26 and the lecture Talk the Walk: The Legacy and Future of the Boston Harborwalk on October 24. For details, see the Boston Harbor Now Events page.

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. October events include a nature photography class, archaeology walk, sea glass and pebble art class, evening owl walk, golf tournament, 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 at Fort Hill in Eastham on October 6. See the full schedule on their field trips page.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Programs - In October, the museum will host a variety of lectures, birding walks, movie screenings, and other events, including a Wing Island Archaeology Walk on October 5. 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 Assessing Climate Change Threats and Actions in Northeast State Wildlife Action Plans on October 16, 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 October, including An Autumn Walk through Meadow and Forest in Winchester on October 18.

Great Marsh Field Trip and Events - This fall, join the Great Marsh Coalition for 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.” All events are free and open to the public and some require advance registration as space is limited. For more information, including registration details, see the Field Trip and Event list (PDF, 2 MB).

Ipswich River Events - The Ipswich River Watershed Association hosts events on the North Shore. October events include garden volunteer days, paddling trips, and the Head of Tide Dams of the Great Marsh Tour on October 17. See their events page for details.

Ipswich River Programs and Activities - In October, 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 fall birdwatching, yoga, art classes, paddling, and a Beeswax Candle Making Workshop on October 16.

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 October events and education opportunities, including bird banding, art workshop, morning birding field trips, lectures, and The Changing Great Marsh lecture on October 23.

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. For a statewide listing of archaeology events in October, see the 2019 Archaeology Month Calendar.

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 October kayak trips, nature/birding walks, hikes, a boat tour, and Bird Research in Action! program on October 26. Search the calendar of programs, classes, and activities for Wellfleet Bay and Long Pasture for all events.

MBL Falmouth Forum Lecture Series - The Marine Biological Lab’s (MBL) Falmouth Forum Lecture Series presents free public lectures. The next lecture is Living with White Sharks on October 4 by Gregory Skomal of the Massachusetts Shark Research Program at the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Dr. Skomal will highlight his research on shark movements to develop strategies to avoid shark and human conflicts.

Mystic River Watershed Events - See the Mystic River Watershed Association Calendar for links to October events by date, including a COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup on October 5.

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, Ocean Reports: The First Intelligent Web Application for Marine Spatial Analysis of the Entire U.S. EEZ, is on October 8.

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 12^th 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 Planning and Facilitating Collaborative Meetings from October 24-25 in Woods Hole. 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 Improving Microplastics Research on October 29.

North and South Rivers Events - The North and South Rivers Watershed Association hosts events on the South Shore. October events include paddling activities, nature and history pontoon tours, and a Landscape and Wildlife Photography Workshop on October 14. See their events page for details.

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 October events and education opportunities, including Friday morning bird walks, kayak trips, Saturday Safaris for young children, and a Birding by Van birding tour on October 7.

Sound in the Sea Webinars - On October 10, the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography will present Echosounders and Sonar, the final session of the four-part Discovery of Sound in the Sea webinar series on man-made underwater sound sources. These webinars provide an update on current research, a review of noise mitigation measures, and a facilitated discussion. Advanced registration is required.

Thornton Burgess Nature Program - The Thornton Burgess Society at the Green Briar Nature Center in East Sandwich is hosting their Nature Program 2019, a series of in-depth naturalist classes. The next session is Insects’ Winter Preparations with Hannah Nadel on October 5.

Other Items of Interest

2020 Marine Debris Calendar - The NOAA Marine Debris Program has released the 2019 Marine Debris Calendar, featuring the winning artwork from the 2019 Marine Debris Program Art Contest. Hundreds of entries from kindergarten through 8^th grade students were submitted with a visual message to help raise awareness about marine debris and encourage people to help combat ocean pollution. The 13 winning entries displayed in the 2020 calendar were selected based on creativity, artistic presentation, and relevance to the theme. The new calendar can be downloaded and limited hard copies are also available. Email [e-mail].

Youth Making Ripples Film Competition - The Youth Making Ripples Film Competition is seeking short ocean documentary film submissions from K-12 students that engage the public about the importance of marine conservation. Students can win small scholarships. Finalist films will be featured on the Youth Making Ripples website and shown at international film festivals throughout the year. Entries are due by January 5, 2020.