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CZ-Mail - September 2021

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

Welcome to CZ-Mail, the monthly electronic newsletter from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Each issue provides information on major CZM initiatives, available tools and publications, upcoming workshops and events, grants, contracting opportunities, job openings, coastal legislation, and other news of interest to people working on coastal issues. Additional information about CZM's programs, publications, and other coastal topics can be found on the CZM website. To subscribe, send a blank email (please be sure that the email is completely blank, with no signature line) to join-env-czmail@listserv.state.ma.us. Also, please feel free to share CZ-Mail with colleagues and friends—and if you have any suggestions for future editions, or would like make a change to your CZ-Mail subscription, please email your request to CZ-Mail@mass.gov. For daily updates from CZM, please follow us on Twitter.

All links on this web page were current and working on the date of publication.

Highlights

$4 Million in Coastal Resilience Grants Awarded to Communities and Nonprofits - On August 13, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) announced $4 million in grants to assist 19 local projects to reduce the impacts from flooding, erosion, and sea level rise. CZM is pleased to support ongoing and new resilience efforts across the coast. The grants, provided through CZM’s Coastal Resilience Grant Program, were awarded to Braintree, Chatham, Chatham (on behalf of the Pleasant Bay Alliance), Dartmouth, Edgartown, Falmouth, Gosnold, Hingham, Hull, Ipswich, Marblehead, Marion, Mattapoisett (2), Orleans, Salem, Tisbury, Wareham, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The following communities and organizations are partners on these resilience projects: Trustees of Reservations, Mattapoisett Land Trust, Salem Sound Coastwatch, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Marine Biological Laboratory. Projects funded include relocation of municipal infrastructure and facilities away from vulnerable areas, stabilization and restoration of coastal buffers to protect against storms and sea level rise, redesign of critical infrastructure, flood mitigation projects, proactive resiliency planning, and public outreach on coastal storm and climate change impacts. The funding continues the commitment of the Baker-Polito Administration to safeguard residents, municipalities, and businesses from the impacts of climate change and build a more resilient Commonwealth. For more information, see the EEA Press Release. Also see the links below for news coverage on the event and grant awards. (Articles may only be available for a limited time. Not working? Try copying the web address directly into your browser, rather than clicking on it.)

Coastal Pollutant Remediation Grant Awards Announced - On August 25, EEA announced $287,640 in funding through CZM’s Coastal Pollutant Remediation (CPR) Grant Program for projects to protect coastal water quality in Massachusetts. These local water quality improvement projects are focused on implementation and design of green stormwater infrastructure, systems that replicate natural processes to reduce nutrients, bacteria, and other pollutants in the coastal watershed. By intercepting and treating stormwater runoff before it reaches coastal waterbodies, these systems help keep beaches and shellfish harvesting areas open while also protecting fish and wildlife habitat. The grants are being matched by $99,898 from municipal sources, demonstrating a strong local commitment to coastal water quality. Four CPR grants were awarded:

  • Barnstable - $126,915 in partnership with the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, will construct stormwater green infrastructure along River Road. This project builds on a multi-year effort to reduce pollution in the Three Bays watershed, improving conditions for shellfishing and recreation while protecting coastal habitat.
  • Milton - $33,200 to design green stormwater infrastructure at a priority location to treat nutrient and bacteria in runoff that currently flows to Unquity Brook, an important habitat for rainbow smelt. This project advances assessment and design work previously funded by a CPR grant.
  • New Bedford - $89,705 to complete designs to retrofit municipal parking lots with stormwater green infrastructure. The new parking lot designs, once implemented, will treat runoff prior to reaching outer New Bedford Harbor, improving water quality and opportunities for recreation.
  • Provincetown - $37,820 to design stormwater green infrastructure to treat stormwater runoff before reaching Provincetown Harbor. This project builds on a multi-year effort to implement green stormwater infrastructure, improve water quality, and support open beaches and shellfish beds.

For more information, see the Press Release issued by EEA.

Massachusetts Dredging Program Awards Over $5 million in Grants - In July, the Baker-Polito Administration announced more than $5 million in grant awards for nine public dredging projects through the Massachusetts Dredging Program. These one-year construction grants will support removal and disposal of nearly 420,000 cubic yards of harbor material, preserving or expanding use of over 3,500 moorings and dockage slips, as well as navigation for more than 200 commercial vessels. Approximately 66% of all dredged material will be beneficially reused for public beach nourishment. Applications for the 2021 grant round were evaluated by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) in collaboration with CZM and staff at the Seaport Economic Council. This year’s dredging grants include:

  • Barnstable - $55,000 for dredging of entrance channel and Blish Point Boat Ramp in Barnstable Harbor.
  • Bourne - $250,000 for dredging of Pocasset River.
  • Chatham - $550,000 for dredging of entrance channel in Stage Harbor.
  • Dennis - $75,000 for dredging of entrance channel in Sesuit Harbor.
  • Harwich - $36,000 for dredging of entrance channel in Allen Harbor.
  • Mattapoisett - $14,200 for dredging of Holmes Wharf in Mattapoisett Harbor.
  • Newburyport - $262,500 for beach nourishment at Plum Island's North Point in Newburyport Harbor.
  • Plymouth - $1,300,000 for dredging of Town Wharf in Plymouth Harbor.
  • Wellfleet - $2,500,000 for dredging of Town Pier in Wellfleet Harbor.

CZM and MassBays Awarded Funding to Compare Eelgrass Mapping Methods - CZM and the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays) have received funding under NOAA’s Project of Special Merit grant program to conduct a comparison among mapping methods for eelgrass beds. The 18-month project brings multiple partners together to assess differences in results of mapping by in-person diving, drone footage, satellite data, side-scan sonar, and fixed-wing airplane photography. The results will allow cross-referencing among maps developed by different methods, and support analysis of trends in eelgrass extent over time.

Storm Team Activated for Tropical Storm Henri - On August 22, 16 members of the Massachusetts Coastal Storm Damage Assessment Team were activated to assess the impacts of Tropical Storm Henri on the Commonwealth’s coast. A total of 55 reports were submitted by Storm Team members and other volunteers, documenting minor splashover, coastal road flooding, and erosion in the following communities: Barnstable, Dennis, Edgartown, Falmouth, Hull, Marion, Mashpee, Nantucket, New Bedford, Newburyport, Salem, Sandwich, Scituate, Wareham, Westport, and Yarmouth. Reports were submitted and can be viewed through the StormReporter tool.

Seeking Local Cleanup Coordinators for COASTSWEEP 2021 - COASTSWEEP is back! The annual statewide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM kicked off in August—and now is the time to sign up to be a local cleanup coordinator for your favorite beach, marsh, dive site, and riverbank. Volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out in large numbers each year for this event, which is part of an international campaign organized by the Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Participants all over the world collect trash and other marine debris and record what they find. This information is then used to help reduce future marine debris problems. Cleanups can be scheduled into November. To get involved as a cleanup coordinator or to volunteer at a cleanup, see the COASTSWEEP website. The list of available cleanups is updated every week. To receive reminders of when new cleanup lists are posted, please send a blank email (completely blank, with no signature line) to join-env-coastsweep-volunteers@listserv.state.ma.us.

CZM Offices Remain Closed - All CZM offices are currently closed for in-person services. During this time, CZM staff are working remotely and are available to assist with coastal management issues. See Contact CZM for details.

Project Review Highlights from CZM

South Fork Wind Federal Consistency Review - On July 15, CZM completed its federal consistency review and issued its concurrence for the proposed South Fork Wind (SFW) project to build, operate, and decommission 12 wind turbine generators (WTGs, turbines) with a nameplate capacity of 6 to 12 megawatts per turbine, submarine cables between the WTGs (inter-array cables), and an offshore substation. The project will be located within federal waters on the Outer Continental Shelf, specifically in BOEM Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0517, approximately 19 miles southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island, and 35 miles east of Montauk Point, New York. SFW also includes an Operation and Maintenance facility that will be located onshore at either Montauk in East Hampton, New York or Quonset Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. SFW has committed to a provide $2,600,000 in compensatory mitigation as part of overall project modifications and mitigations to achieve consistency with the enforceable policies of the Massachusetts Coastal Program. This total is comprised of an upfront payment of $2,100,000 for direct compensation for potential economic loss to Massachusetts commercial and for-hire (charter) fishermen through a claims process; upfront payment of $200,000 to establish a Coastal Community Fund to support the coexistence of fishing and offshore wind sectors through a grant program; and up to $300,000 to fund a Navigational Enhancement and Training Program for professional training, certification, and navigational equipment upgrades.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Buzzards Bay Municipal Mini-Grant Program - The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program is seeking proposals for the Buzzards Bay Watershed Municipal Mini-Grant Program, with $110,640 in funding available. Eligible projects must implement recommendations in the Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and can include stormwater remediation project design and construction for discharges affecting marine waters, wetland/open space/habitat acquisition, migratory fish passage restoration, monitoring of innovative and alternative septic systems, and construction of boat pumpout facilities. A 33 percent match of requested funding is required and only municipalities within the Buzzards Bay watershed are eligible. For details and required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. Proposals are due by September 21 at 4:00 p.m.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is seeking applications for three 2021 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistance programs: the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program, the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program, and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). 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 MEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs Overview web page and the web page for the BRIC and FMA programs. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to view recordings or attend live grant webinar briefings, which will provide detailed program requirements, including instructions for submitting the required Statement of Interest. For more information, including application information, see the MEMA website or email questions to mitigation@mass.gov.

Marine Debris Removal Grants - The NOAA Marine Debris Program is seeking proposals for marine debris prevention, assessment, and removal projects that improve habitat and waterways. Projects should implement on-the-ground marine debris removal activities, prioritizing medium to large-scale debris, especially derelict fishing gear. Typical awards will range from $150,000 to $350,000. For more information, see the federal funding opportunity. Letters of intent are due by September 24. Full proposals, by invitation only, will be due on January 14, 2022.

Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grants - NOAA Fisheries is seeking applications for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program for grants or cooperative agreements to support marine mammal stranding networks for recovery and treatment; data collection; and facility upgrades, operation costs, and staffing that address these needs. For more information, see the federal funding opportunity. Applications are due by October 13.

BoatUS Grassroots Grants - The BoatUS Foundation is seeking applications for its Grassroots Grants program to promote boater education. Up to $10,000 is available to local volunteer organizations, student groups, yacht clubs, and chapters of national organizations for creative and innovative projects that promote safe and clean boating. Applications are accepted year-round.

Science Communication and Outreach Grants - The American Geophysical Union is seeking applications from scientists for grants up to $1,000 to develop outreach and engagement activities to effectively communicate and share science to journalists, policymakers, and the public. For details, see the grant application page. Applications are due by October 11 for activities that will begin before December 31, 2021.

Online Tools and Resources

Cyanobacteria Assessment Tool - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released CyANWeb, a customizable web and Android app developed to help local and state managers monitor water quality and make faster informed decisions on cyanobacteria blooms. The app provides satellite data on these algal blooms for more that 2,000 of the largest lakes and reservoirs in the United States.

Climate Resilient Land Use - The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) has launched the Climate Resilient Land Use Strategies website, which provides tools for communities to combat the growing impact of rain, sea level rise, heat, drought, and overall climate risk. The new website features regulatory language and policy examples from Boston area municipalities and beyond, including floodplain overlay districts, other zoning districts, wetlands regulations, tree protection and water conservation regulations, and design standards and guidelines. This website, which also includes resilience checklists and trainings/videos, will be updated with new information as needed.

Managing Urban Litter - The Urban Waters Learning Network has published the interactive storymap Managing Urban Litter, which provides viewers with case studies of successful litter management projects from across the nation.

New Resource and Data from NOAA Digital Coast - NOAA’s Digital Coast has posted these new resources:

Products/Publications

Water Quality Report on Beaches - Environment Massachusetts, a Boston environmental research and advocacy organization, has released Safe for Swimming 2021 Edition: Pollution at our beaches and how to prevent it, a report on fecal bacteria levels at beaches across the United States in 2020. The report found that more than 1 in 10 beaches surveyed had potentially unsafe bacteria levels on at least 25% of the days that samples were collected. The report recommends greater investment in water infrastructure to better control stormwater and sewage overflows, the primary sources of bacterial contamination at U.S. beaches.

Cape Cod Climate Action Plan - The Cape Cod Commission has released the 2021 Cape Cod Climate Action Plan (PDF, 29 MB), a report that presents the causes and effects of climate change on Cape Cod as a basis to develop policies, strategies, and actions to improve the Cape’s resiliency and to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Change Report - The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released the first part of its Sixth Assessment Report entitled, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. This report, from Working Group I of the IPCC, provides the current physical understanding of the earth’s changing climate using the most recent advances in climate science and concludes without a doubt “that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land.”

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The August 2021 Newspaper (PDF, 14 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association includes stories on a second round of federal funding for fisheries assistance to address losses due to COVID-19; the 2019 NOAA Fisheries report on U.S. fisheries that lists New Bedford as the highest valued U.S. port for seafood landings; and other public notices, updates, and lobster news.

NOAA HabitatNews - The August 2021 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes articles on $8.3 million in funding recommended for coastal and marine habitat restoration projects through the Community-Based Restoration Program, $900,000 in recommended funding for Atlantic salmon habitat restoration in the Gulf of Maine, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Jobs/Internship Postings

Communications Director - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking a full-time Communications Director to carry out its strategic communication goals. Candidates should be energetic and dependable with excellent written and verbal communications skills and an ability to manage multiple tasks. For more details, see the Coalition’s Job Opportunities page.

Hydrographer/Marine Technician - The Coastal Processes and Ecosystems Laboratory (CaPE Lab), a joint research effort between the School for the Environment at the University of Massachusetts Boston and the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) in Provincetown, is seeking a skilled Hydrographer/Marine Technician to lead daily operations of nearshore, shallow water acoustic surveys, process bathymetric data, and work on the lab’s ongoing scientific studies. The position is located at the CCS Hiebert Marine Lab in Provincetown. For more information, see the CCS Employment page. Applications are due by September 10.

Climate Adaptation Scientist - The Massachusetts Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is seeking a Climate Adaptation Scientist to work with communities and other interested parties to develop and implement nature-based solutions that protect and restore ecological resources, reduce climate change risks, and promote human welfare. Duties include preparation of grant applications, fieldwork, project management, project assessment and monitoring, and communication of project results. For details and application instructions, see the job posting. Applications are due by September 9.

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.

Notice of Procurement for Whale Analysis - CZM will be entering into a contract with Dr. Robert Kenney to fund the analysis of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium database to produce effort-corrected humpback, fin, sei, minke, and North Atlantic right whale sightings data in and adjacent to the Gulf of Maine from 2015-2019. For details, see the COMMBUYS website. Please email comments on this grant by September 28 to CZM Coastal and Marine Scientist, Todd Callaghan at todd.callaghan@mass.gov.

MEPA Regulatory Review Update - MEPA is continuing its work to update the MEPA regulations (301 CMR 11.00) and associated policies and guidance. This review coincides with statewide initiatives led by EEA under Governor Baker’s Executive Order 569 to prepare for the impacts of climate change. The MEPA Office has developed interim protocols related to environmental justice outreach and climate adaptation and resiliency. These include transition rules (PDF, 113 KB) for environmental justice outreach on projects filed on or after June 24, 2021. Based on comments received, the effective date for the MEPA Public Involvement Protocol for Environmental Justice Populations has been deferred to later this month. The Interim Protocol on Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency is still expected to go into effect on October 1. Public comments and questions above the regulatory review can be sent to MEPA-regs@mass.gov. For the latest information on this regulatory review effort, including the revised interim protocols, see the MEPA website. To subscribe and receive updates regarding the MEPA regulatory review effort, send a blank email (please be sure that the email is completely blank, with no signature line) to subscribe-mepa_reg_review@listserv.state.ma.us.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

New England Water Works Conference - September 7-10, annual conference for drinking water professionals to be held in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.

Keeping History Above Water: Salem - September 13-14, virtual workshop from Salem Preservation Partners and the Newport Restoration Foundation on the impacts of climate change on historic buildings, landscapes, and neighborhoods.

Using an Incremental Approach for “Wicked Problems” in Fisheries Management and Marine EBM - September 16, webinar on ecosystem-based management (EBM) and fisheries management presented by Open Communications for the Ocean (OCTO).

Water Quality Modeling Workshop - September 20-22, virtual workshop from the Association of Clean Water Administrators on data visualization tools and using open-source scripting for modeling tasks.

Building Greener Boston: Creating and Connecting the Green Infrastructure Workforce - September 22, webinar from EPA on training workers to design, build, and maintain green infrastructure—such as street trees, rain gardens, parks, greenways, and other nature-based solutions.

Big Battles in the World of Recycling - September 23, webinar from the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) on solid waste management and the economic, social, and technical issues of worldwide recycling.

Aquatic Sciences Meeting—Call for Proposals - May 14-20, 2022, meeting of the Consortium of Aquatic Sciences Societies to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan and online. Organizers are inviting proposals for symposia, pre-conference workshops/professional development courses, and integrated events that support the conference theme, Rapid Changes—Collaborative Solutions. Submissions are due by September 24.

2021 National Coastal Conference - September 28-October 1, conference on coastal science, policy, technology, and politics sponsored by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

CSO Wet Weather Issues Conference - September 29-30, conference on national and regional wet weather issues associated with combined sewer overflow (CSO) systems to be held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and online.

Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative Research Conference—Call for Abstracts - November 4-6, biennial research conference on biodiversity-related research projects conducted on Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, Long Island, or other similar habitats. The 2021 conference will be held in Nantucket and online. See the Call for Abstracts, which are due by October 1.

Spectacle Island 5K & Fun Run - October 2, 10th annual fundraising run to support Boston Harbor Now.

Introduction to Environmental Justice—Theory, Practice, and Real-World Consequences - October 5, EBC Environmental Justice Webinar.

Federal Agency Roundtable and Partnerships - October 13, webinar on the importance of partnerships for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's grant programs.

massFM Conference - October 21, virtual annual conference of the Massachusetts Association for Floodplain Management (massFM).

NARWC Annual Meeting - October 26-27, virtual meeting of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium (NARWC).

Net Zero 2021 - October 29, virtual clean energy conference from the Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative.

ClimateTech Summit - November 4, annual climate technology entrepreneurship conference hosted by Greentown Labs. The 2021 Summit will be held in both Somerville and Houston, Texas, and online.

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

  • Estuaries and Coastal Seas in the Anthropocene - September 6-9, virtual international conference presented by Elsevier.
  • 2021 Flood Management Conference - September 7-10, sponsored by the Flood Management Association and held online.
  • Understanding Algal Blooms: State of the Science - September 8, virtual conference sponsored by Ohio Sea Grant.
  • Stormwater Conference - September 13-15, annual conference sponsored by StormCon and held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
  • Run for the Beach 5K - September 19, annual run/walk event to support Salem Sound Coastwatch that will start at Dane Street Beach in Beverly.
  • Global OCEANS 2021 - September 20-23, hybrid oceans conference and exhibition for maritime professionals to be held in San Diego, California, and online.
  • Great Boston Cleanup - September 24, litter cleanup effort across Boston sponsored by Keep Massachusetts Beautiful.
  • Estuarine Sentinel Sites: From Environmental Measurements to Climate Change Management - September 30, webinar presented by the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on research to better understand the effects of climate change on coastal environments.
  • Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride - October 3, fundraising ride to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Registration is required.
  • Martha's Vineyard Coastal Conference - October 4-5, conference hosted by CZM, The Trustees, Barnstable County, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), Martha’s Vineyard Commission, and Woods Hole Sea Grant with presentations on shoreline dynamics, coastal flooding and management, coastal resilience and adaptation, and saltmarsh migration. The 2021 conference will be held in Edgartown with a virtual option.
  • Increasing the Resilience and Resistance of Climate-Vulnerable Species and Ecosystems - October 13, webinar sponsored Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (NE CASC).
  • 2021 Living Shorelines Tech Transfer Workshop - October 19-20, workshop hosted by Restore America's Estuaries, American Littoral Society, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the Chesapeake Bay and New Jersey field offices of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on nature-based shoreline stabilization techniques. This workshop will be held in Cape May, New Jersey.
  • NE CASC Regional Science Symposium - October 26-27, virtual symposium on climate adaptation resources and tools.
  • Sustainable Watersheds and Agriculture Symposium - October 26-27, conference for watershed and resource conservation professionals sponsored by the Center for Watershed Protection to be held in Fulton, Maryland.
  • Conservation Marketing and Engagement Conference - October 27-30, virtual conference presented by ConsMark with the theme “Changing Behavior in a Changing Climate” that will feature presentations on climate and changing oceans, marine pollution and plastics, marine and coastal pollution, and other environmental topics.
  • CERF 2021 Conference - November 1-4 and 8-11, virtual conference sponsored by the Coastal Estuarine Research Federation (CERF).
  • IECA Northeast Regional Conference - November 2-4, conference in Plymouth on erosion and sediment control and environmental compliance, sponsored by the International Erosion Control Association (IECA).
  • AWRA 2021 Annual Water Resources Conference - November 8-10, conference sponsored by the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) to be held in Kissimmee, Florida.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

2021 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Webinar Series - Webinar series from EPA on these grant programs.

Aquarium Lecture Series - Periodic webinars presented by the New England Aquarium.

Barnstable Land Trust Events - Programs for children and adults across Barnstable.

Boston Harbor Now Events - Events throughout the Boston Harbor area.

Buzzards Bay Events - Regional events compiled by the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

Cape Cod Field Schools - Multi-day field courses offered by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

Cape Cod Maritime Museum Summer Lecture Series - Periodic lectures, webinars, and field trips through summer.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Programs - A calendar of events at the museum.

Center for Coastal Studies Events - Events across the Cape Cod region.

Climate Adaptation Science Fall Webinar Series - Monthly webinars on climate change, adaptation, and resilience from the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center at UMass Amherst.

Conservation Commission Education - Workshops, webinars, and trainings scheduled across Massachusetts and posted by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC). See the MACC Complete Education Catalog and Community Calendar.

Ecological Landscaping Events - Webinars, walks, and classes from the Ecological Landscape Alliance.

Guided Paddles on the Neponset River - Staff-guided paddling tours from the Neponset River Watershed Association.

Ipswich River Watershed Events - Events throughout the watershed compiled by the Ipswich River Watershed Association.

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful Events - Talks and volunteer opportunities across the Commonwealth on litter prevention and cleanup, waste reduction and recycling, beautification and community greening, and environmental education.

Mass Audubon Program Catalog - Programs for children and adults hosted at the following Mass Audubon coastal locations:

  • Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Joppa Flats Education Center
  • Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary
  • North River Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Mystic River Watershed Events - Events throughout the watershed compiled by the Mystic River Watershed Association.

National 303(d)/TMDL Webinar Series - Webinars from NEIWPCC on the §303(d) and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) requirements of the Clean Water Act.

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinars - Periodic webinars hosted by the sanctuary system.

NOAA Coastal Training and Learning Resources - A range of training opportunities from NOAA’s Digital Coast.

NOAA Planet Stewards Educator Events - Webinars, workshops, and book club sessions from the NOAA Planet Stewards Education Project.

NOAA Science Seminars - Webinars and seminars on science and climate issues from several NOAA partners.

North and South Rivers Watershed Association Events - Events listings on the South Shore.

Salem Sound Coastwatch Community Calendar - Events posted in the Salem Sound region.

Salvaging Solutions to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Webinar Series - Monthly webinars through October from the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

Summer Walks in Harwich - Periodic walks from the Harwich Conservation Trust.

Underwater Acoustics Webinars - Webinars on underwater sound hosted by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.

Waquoit Bay Summer Programs - Activities for kids and adults from the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Other Items of Interest

OTA Site Visits Available for Fall - The Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA) is offering in-person site visits to manufacturers, businesses, and institutions in the Commonwealth. OTA is a non-regulatory agency that provides free and confidential technical assistance on toxics use reduction, resource conservation, regulatory compliance, and other environmental health and safety concerns. To request services, see the OTA website.

Crane Coastal Volunteer Training Program - The Trustees’ Crane Estate is seeking volunteers to become Coastal Education Volunteers at the Coastal Education Center at Crane Beach. Volunteers will learn about local coastal habitats, environmental education methods and techniques, and how the Trustees work to balance protection and public use of the Commonwealth’s coast. Upon completion of the course, trained volunteers are asked to commit to at least 5 hours of volunteer service every month for 1 year. The first training program will be held from September-December 2021. For details, see the Trustees website.

Climate Preparedness Week - September 24-30 is Climate Preparedness Week 2021, which will feature virtual and in-person events in the Boston area on extreme weather adaptation and community preparedness. Apply to host an event or see the 2021 events calendar.

National Estuaries Week - September 18-25 is National Estuaries Week, an annual celebration of the importance of coastal and estuarine regions to the national economy and local communities. Learn about special events taking place around the country, plan and register your own event, and get social media resources through Restore America’s Estuaries’ National Estuaries Week web page.

Massachusetts Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellowship - Woods Hole Sea Grant (WHSG) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant (MITSG) are seeking applications for the new Massachusetts Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellowship, which will support exceptional prospective graduate students engaged in coastal and marine research that furthers the goals of WHSG and MITSG. It is anticipated that two, two-year Graduate Student Fellowships will be awarded up to $40,000/year for a total of $80,000 over the two-year period. Fellowships will require a match of $1 of non-federal funds for every $2 of federal Sea Grant funds requested. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend a September 9 Informational Webinar on the new program. Applications are due by October 1.

Campus RainWorks Challenge - The EPA Office of Water has announced the 2021 Campus RainWorks Challenge, a green infrastructure design competition for undergraduate and graduate students. Student teams, working with a faculty advisor, will submit designs, a project narrative, and a letter of support for a proposed green infrastructure project for their campus. Winning teams will be awarded cash prizes. Registration is open from September 1-October 1 and entries must be submitted by December 10.

Nauset Sea Scouts - The Nauset Sea Scout program, a branch of the Cape and Islands Council of the Boy Scouts for America, is seeking boys and girls ages 14 and up from across Cape Cod to learn hands-on boating and water safety skills and build life skills, while exploring local marine resources and maritime career opportunities. The year-round program also provides opportunities for scouts to participate in land-based field trips and work on group projects and rank advancement within the program. For more information, see the Nauset Sea Scout Ship 72 website.

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