|
Mass ECAN August News
|
|
|
|
See below for news specifically curated for our community of practice:
Feel free to forward this newsletter and encourage colleagues to sign up to stay up-to-date on climate adaptation happenings in the Commonwealth. I hope this finds you enjoying summer as much as possible given these challenging times!
|
|
|
Best,
Melissa Ocana
Climate Adaptation Coordinator, UMass Amherst
|
|
Keeping positive environmental behaviors post-COVID-19
While there is much that has come out of this pandemic that we are all ready to be rid of, there are some new behaviors and mindsets worth saving. Everyone is experiencing this pandemic differently, but looking around, I’ve noticed several new habits with climate change relevance. Some are related to mitigation and reduced carbon emissions, like increased telecommuting, reduced food waste, and growth of home vegetable gardens. Other habits and mindsets have more relevance to adaptation, such as setting up systems to connect with and lean on others to build more resilient communities.
As discussed in previous newsletters, many people have been spending more time outdoors than ever before and highly valuing the open and green spaces that exist. These spaces can provide many co-benefits, including reducing flooding and providing habitat for vulnerable species. Enhancing these connections to natural spaces is an important foundation for supporting land conservation and parks. This global pandemic also seems to be raising awareness of how interconnected all our systems are globally and that our individual actions have collective impacts.
How do we keep these positive habits and mindsets going once we’re all on the other side of the pandemic? As some places start to come out of lockdown, advice has been shared about how to maintain desired behaviors of all sorts. Psychologists who are looking for shared lessons between COVID-19 and climate change point out that times of transition can be opportune for establishing new habits. And, the collective actions we are seeing emerge in response to COVID-19 have relevance not only to climate change but also to confronting systemic racism.
Learn more about behavior change and fostering action from social scientists working on COVID-19 and climate change, including Mass ECAN members Ezra Markowitz and Susanne Moser:
In our own work, we can call attention to the changes we’d like to see continue and connect them to the resulting environmental and climate co-benefits through our communications and marketing. We can support people’s positive behavior change by reinforcing and rewarding their new habits. The last few months have brought to light areas where transformational change is needed and I’ve been inspired by how many peers are thinking hard about what that means for us professionally.
|
|
|
Sharing your work in the context of COVID-19
The City of Boston is sharing stories of social resilience and connectedness that are showing up in Boston due to COVID-19 through the Climate Ready Story Project. The goal through this project is to celebrate the resilience that already exists in Boston. They are lifting stories of neighbors looking out for neighbors, small businesses stepping up to support their staff, and families supporting one another. Learn more.
The networks and relationships that make communities more resilient to the pandemic can also make them more resilient to climate change, and vice versa. This project is coordinated by Mass ECAN member and Boston Climate Resilience Program Coordinator Peyton Silar Jones.
Are you working on something related to COVID-19?
Send your story to massecan@umass.edu.Thanks for everything you do to take care of yourselves and others, respond to the pandemic, and advance climate adaptation!
|
|
|
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!
Michele Grzenda
Conservation Administrator
Town of Weston
Bio: Michele has over 15 years of experience blending the fields of environmental regulation, land management, and education. She is currently Vice President on the Board of the MA Society of Municipal Conservation Professionals and previously worked as Conservation Administrator for the Town of Framingham, Biologist for Sudbury Valley Trustees, and Teacher/Naturalist for Mass Audubon. Outside of work, Michele shares her passion for all creatures great and small by leading nature trips and classes for Appalachian Mountain Club and other non-profits.
Climate change adaptation project she’s currently excited about: Michele recently completed a Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Case Estates, a large open space parcel in the center of town with ecological values, scenic views, and passive recreational opportunities. After using the NIACS Adaptation Workbook, Michele realized that the property was at risk of increased stressors on native grassland and shrubland species due to climate change. She identified adaptation strategies, such as favoring native species that will adapt to future conditions when planting new trees or plants for pollinators, that are also incorporated in the Final Draft of the Case Estates Ecological Management Plan.
|
|
|
Funding Opportunity - The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is offering an Accelerating Climate Resiliency Grant Program for municipalities in the MAPC region with nature-based solutions prioritized. Proposals accepted until August 30th. Learn more here.
Funding Opportunity - The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA)'s Planning Grants through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program. Proposals accepted on a rolling basis through August 7th. See the RFR here.
Webinar - Join the Nature Connects Webinar Series with The Nature Conservancy focusing on climate adaptation and mitigation. August 6, 12-1pm, A Climate Conversation with Fred Rich and Lynn Scarlett. Register here. View past recordings from the series here.
Webinar - Join the EPA Southern New England Program (SNEP) for Building the Case for Green Infrastructure: The Value of Nature, August 12, 1-2 pm. In this webinar, Mass Audubon will present a case for green infrastructure focused on building climate resilience and the financial and health benefits of natural areas. Register here.
Workshop Opportunity - The Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (NE CASC) is offering a Biological Thresholds in the Context of Climate Adaptation workshop over zoom. It will introduce the concept of biological thresholds, explore case studies, discuss adaptation strategies and research opportunities, and review management priorities. Register here by August 8th to attend. Sessions are held:
- Wednesday, October 7th: 10:30-11:30 AM & 1:30-2:30 PM
- Thursday, October 8th: 1:30-2:45 PM
|
|
|
In case you've been wondering what to read next....
IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based solutions: IUCN recently put out new benchmarks and a framework for mainstreaming nature-based solutions across the globe. They provide guidance on how to design and implement nature-based solutions that are capable of consistent delivery of benefits for people and nature.
In case you missed it...
Our Taking Cues from Nature to Adapt to Climate Change: A Communications Resource for Nature-based Solutions came out last month! This resource was written for practitioners to provide more climate adaptation and ecosystems context for nature-based solutions and highlight their many co-benefits for people and nature. It was written by members of the Mass ECAN-affiliated Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Communications Work Groups, with support from the USDA and UMass Extension.Thanks for all you are doing to mainstream nature-based solutions!
|
|
|
|
The information included was provided by you when signing up to join Mass ECAN. If you would like to update or remove your entry, feel free to email us at massecan@umass.edu.
|
|
|
Why am I getting this email?
Welcome to Mass ECAN!
You are receiving this email because you joined Mass ECAN.
Welcome to a supportive community of climate adaptation practitioners and researchers who are interested in ecosystem resilience and natural resources conservation in Massachusetts.
Mass ECAN is creating a space for us to learn from and with each other. Together, we can build capacity for climate adaptation that promotes ecosystem resilience and weaves natural resources conservation into actions across sectors. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
