|
Mass ECAN December News
|
|
|
Happy end of 2020!
What a strange and challenging 2020 it has been! This month, I hope that you are able to rest, reflect, and look forward to the coming year. Thanks for all you do to advance climate adaptation and inspire transformation during these difficult times.
Here at Mass ECAN, we remain committed to advancing adaptation through peer knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices and opportunities. We’ve found our community more eager to connect than ever in these remote times. Because of the challenges and limited capacity, many have taken a hard look at what matters and how to be most impactful in their climate adaptation work. Outside of Mass ECAN, it’s been reinvigorating to see so many people reconnecting with nature and valuing the outdoors during lockdowns, with clear implications for our work.
Here are some Mass ECAN highlights from 2020:
- Successful Fall Series created space for networking and learning about nature based solutions and joint mitigation-adaptation - see Proceedings below
- Increased newsletter content to reflect COVID challenges and opportunities - see December News below
- Creation of an outreach publication on Nature Based Solutions and involvement in another publication on Peer Learning for Adaptation
- 100+ new members
- Four expert work groups continued to meet (more updates in 2021!)
- Kicked-off Zoom networking events, which we’ll continue in the new year
We look forward to another great year of working together on climate adaptation, network-building and ecosystem resilience/transformation. To close out 2020, please share this newsletter with a colleague and invite them to join us!
See below for news specifically curated for our community of practice:
|
|
|
Best,
Melissa Ocana
Climate Adaptation Coordinator, UMass Amherst
|
|
Mass ECAN Fall Series Proceedings
Thanks to everyone who made our Fall Series a success! It was wonderful to see so many engaged faces, both familiar and new, over Zoom. Even if you weren’t able to attend, you can catch up with the Proceedings below.
Nature Based Solutions Networking Event - 11/12
Mainstreaming Nature Based Solutions Workshop - 11/16
Mainstreaming Joint Mitigation-Adaptation Workshop - 12/3
In Summary -
- Though we had to hold events remotely, in-lieu of our in-person annual conference, attendees were still wonderfully engaged and open to sharing with each other. People were particularly eager for small group discussions and breakout opportunities to connect.
- We found that nature based solutions remain one of the most timely and expanding areas of practice, where co-benefits for climate adaptation and ecosystems overlap with many other interests across sectors. We appreciate all that this community does to promote and mainstream nature based solutions practices!
- Our other focal topic of Joint Mitigation-Adaptation was one that is still new to many. Our workshop highlighted this concept and actions with co-benefits for carbon sequestration/storage and for adaptation/resilience. Attendees brainstormed knowledge gaps and challenges to JMA implementation, and shared existing work in this space.
- We’re reading through your feedback on these events and look forward to planning 2021 topics together!
|
|
|
Sharing your work in the context of COVID-19
The New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) has launched a blog series, Notes From the Field, to bring nature to people at a time when many are sheltering at home. When it is safe to do so, staff members offer a behind-the-scenes look at their current work and document interesting natural phenomena from forests protected by NEFF. They also share retrospective stories in an effort to offer readers a few moments of respite or rejuvenation, as well as a way to connect with nature and NEFF during the pandemic.
Are you incorporating COVID-19 into your climate adaptation work?
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 highlight someone in our community of practice so you can learn about a variety of adaptation work and "meet" a new colleague!
Jeffrey T. Malloy
Climate Adaptation Services Lead
BSC Group, Inc.
Bio: Jeff has over 17 years of environmental consulting experience working as an ecologist, regulatory specialist, and planner. As a Senior Climate Adaptation Planner, Jeff seeks to integrate climate-resilient solutions into BSC Group's organizational culture and project work. In parallel with his professional endeavors, Jeff is nearing completion of his Ph.D. in the Natural Resource and Earth Systems Science Program at the University of New Hampshire where he studies the role of social justice in climate adaptation policy implementation. For fun, he enjoys golfing and spending time with his family.
Climate change adaptation project he’s currently excited about: Jeff’s commitment to identifying adaptation solutions that promote co-benefits is evident throughout his work and academic research. He routinely develops frameworks that municipalities can use to better understand the interdependent nature of climate-resilient solutions. In Athol, Jeff is working with the community to integrate nature-based solutions and enhance social resilience of a downtown revitalization project at Lord Pond Plaza, including intentions to daylight a culverted stream that flows beneath the parking lot.
|
|
|
Announcements
Nominations - The Climate Adaptation Forum is seeking nominations to diversify the perspectives on its Steering Committee. Nominations are due 12/31. Learn more here.
Webinar - Greenbelt is hosting a Climate Resiliency Planning Webinar on 12/16 from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm. This will focus on climate resiliency and conservation funding opportunities. Register here.
Webinar - "Saying Yes to Wildlands & Woodlands" is hosted by Highstead Foundation, Northeast Wilderness Trust, New England Forestry Foundation, and Harvard Forest. Learn how to best protect New England's forests against climate change, biodiversity loss, development, and forest fragmentation.
Job Opportunity - Program Manager, Charles River Watershed Association, Weston. Integrate environmental restoration, conservation, and climate resilience into CRWA's stormwater and greenways program.
Job Opportunity - Assistant Director for Operations (Program Manager V) and a Fiscal Manager (Fiscal Officer IV), Division of Ecological Restoration. DER's work brings clean water, recreation opportunities, climate adaptation, and other ecosystem services to the citizens of MA.
Job Opportunity - Assistant Director for Sustainability Planning, Town of Brookline. Work with the town on initiatives pertaining to sustainability including environmental, energy, climate change, and similar programs.
Job Opportunity - Director of Climate Resilience, Program Manager VI, Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, Boston. Includes managing climate resilience projects, contracts and budgets, and staff reports. Posted 11/13.
Job Opportunity - Clean Energy and Climate Specialist/Planner II, The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), Boston. Position encourages clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, smart growth, equity, and regional collaboration.
Job Opportunity - Sustainability Manager, BETA Group, Inc., Eastern MA, RI, and CT. Integrate climate change, resiliency, and adaptation planning into projects with this senior-level position.
Job Opportunity - Strategic Communications Manager, Sustainable Solutions Lab, Boston. Help amplify their work to support climate justice.
Job Opportunity - Water Resources Engineer, GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc., Norwood. Manage water-related projects with special consideration of climate change adaptation and resilience practices.
Funding Opportunity - The MA Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is accepting applications for the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant. Eligible applicants are local governments and state agencies. Full applications due Dec. 11th. Additional information here.
Course - The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science is offering an Adaptation Planning and Practices Training course for forest and natural resource managers from 1/25 to 3/15. Register here before 12/20. Learn more about this course at their informational webinar on 12/16.
Awards - Accelerating Climate Resilience Awards through MAPC and the Barr Foundation have been announced. 11 grantees will receive funding for climate resiliency projects in the FY21 cycle.
|
|
|
|
In case you've been wondering what to read next....
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
