Mass ECAN December News — Massachusetts Ecosystem Climate Adaptation Network

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Mass ECAN December News

As 2019 comes to an end, thanks for all you have done to advance climate adaptation! It can be challenging work, but I'm glad we're doing it together. I hope you have a peaceful holiday season and return recharged to tackle 2020.

See below for:

Member Spotlight
Announcements
Conference Proceedings, in case you missed them
The Mass ECAN Reader

Best,

Melissa Ocana
Climate Adaptation Coordinator, UMass Amherst

Mass ECAN Member Spotlight
Every month, we'll highlight someone in our community of practice so you can learn about the variety of adaptation work going on and "meet" a new colleague!

Chris Hirsch
Environmental Scientist
Neponset River Watershed Association

Bio: Chris plays a leading role on a variety of NepRWA’s efforts involving habitat restoration, green infrastructure, and citizen science. Prior to starting at NepRWA, he worked as a botany consultant for The Nature Conservancy, monitored water quality in the Baltimore Harbor, and studied capuchin monkey behavior in Costa Rica. In his spare time, Chris likes hiking, canoeing, and visiting local breweries.

Climate change adaptation project he's currently excited about: Chris is working to improve the climate resilience of the Neponset’s urban coldwater trout streams. He is partnering with federal, state, and local organizations to replace problem culverts, remove obsolete dams, and study how the trout are utilizing their habitat using environmental DNA technology. The data from this study will be used to develop restoration plans for all nine coldwater fisheries in the Neponset Watershed.

Announcements

Funding Opportunity - The EOEEA Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program. The response period for Planning Grants is open on a rolling basis until Jan. 15, 2020. In case you missed it, they have also hired new MVP Regional Coordinators over the last couple months (see contact info on their website).

Funding Opportunity - The New England Landscape Futures (NELF) Explorer team is accepting proposals for small grants for a planning, communication, or other project that uses the scenarios-based mapping tool to visualize possible outcomes for future land use. Proposals are due by 5pm on Dec. 20.

Funding Opportunity - The National League of Cities is accepting applications from cities for support related to resilience projects through the Leadership in Community Resilience program. Apply here by Dec. 20.

Course - The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS) and USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub are hosting an Adaptation Planning and Practices online training course from Jan. 21 - Mar. 13, focusing on projects related to forests, watersheds, and urban forests. Register here by Dec. 20.

Webinar - NIACS is also hosting a webinar as a part of their Forest Adaptation series. The first, Forest Carbon Management and Climate Adaptation, will be held on Dec. 11, 12pm. Register here.

Webinar - MA Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) is holding a webinar about the MVP program featuring a case study and representatives from The Nature Conservancy and the City of Worcester on Dec. 11, 12pm.

Job Opportunity - Mass Audubon is hiring four climate change staff:

News - The UN Climate Change Conference COP25 discussions are still underway. Links to ways to follow their social media from our friends at Second Nature.

2019 Mass ECAN Conference Proceedings

Even if you weren't able to join us, you can catch up with:
Takeaways
Agenda
Speaker biographies
Presentations and posters

The Mass ECAN Reader

In case you've been wondering what to read next....

"Adapting ecosystems for pollinator resilience: Cities and rural areas alike have important roles to play" from Lauren de la Parra at Creative Climate Solutions.

Here's to having a supportive community and network!

Don't forget to lean on and reach out to your peers. Below is an excerpt from a recent Boston Globe article on coping with climate grief that quoted Mass ECAN Member Alexandra Vecchio:

"Find a community. You can’t save the world by yourself, and you shouldn’t try to tackle your feelings alone, either. Alexandra Vecchio, the climate change program manager at the Massachusetts Audubon Society, said having a support network is essential.

'You do a better job when you feel like you aren’t standing out there alone screaming into the abyss,” Vecchio said. “Having a group or team that you’re plugged into makes it so much easier and helps to hold you accountable.' "

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