Mass ECAN August News
|
|
|
|
Happy summer! I hope you are getting some time to play outside and enjoy nature. With Fall around the corner, we're looking forward to connecting with you during our Fall Event Series. This year, we are planning a remote workshop and networking event again along with several in-person field trips. While we miss seeing you at our annual in-person conference, we're so excited to meet up outdoors to explore beautiful places and hear amazing adaptation stories from peers! Check out the first two opportunities below and keep an eye out for more soon.
This week, I am also feeling especially thankful for you all. It's difficult to reflect on the dire projections shared in the newest IPCC Report, which are especially alarming knowing that it tends towards conservative estimates as a consensus-based document. But, it gives me hope to know so many peers who are deeply committed to working on climate mitigation and adaptation. Our collective actions will determine the future, so thanks for all you do to increase engagement, expand our understanding and inspire transformation!
See below for news specifically curated for our community of practice:
Please forward this newsletter to a colleague and invite them to join us.
|
|
|
Best,
Melissa Ocana
Climate Adaptation Coordinator, UMass Amherst
|
|
|
Mass ECAN Fall Events Series
|
|
|
We're kicking off our series with two feel-good field trips where colleagues are overcoming challenges and getting the work done!
Old Town Hill,  Newbury - 9/28 at 10:30am-12:30pm (rain date: 9/30) Come join us in a beautiful location in the Great Marsh to see colleagues and learn how to help our salt marshes adapt! This field trip will showcase nature-based climate adaptation strategies in salt marshes including ditch remediation and removal of sediment blockages. There will be a short walk to the marsh and rainboots/wellies are recommended. Pack a lunch if you'd like to eat on-site and continue connecting with colleagues. This field trip is co-hosted by Mass ECAN and The Trustees of Reservations. Sign up here to join us!
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Northampton - 10/12 at
10:30am-12:30pm (rain date: 10/16) Join us to learn about transformation in floodplains! This field trip to Arcadia/Northampton's Manhan Meadows will showcase climate adaptation strategies in floodplain forests including novel climate-informed plantings. Pack a lunch to eat in the pavilion while connecting with colleagues. This field trip is co-hosted by Mass ECAN and Mass Audubon. Sign up here to join us!
We will follow COVID-safe practices. More details to follow as the day approaches! There is limited capacity for these field trips, and registration will be first-come, first-served.
If you are interested in being a sponsor of the Fall Events Series, please contact Melissa for more information.
Stay tuned for more events coming soon!
|
|
|
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback in our member survey! We'll be sharing a summary of takeaways soon.
Congratulations to our prize winners Darya Mattes and Anne Herbst!
|
|
|
|
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!
Esmeralda Bisono
Sustainability & Resiliency Department Manager
City of Salem
Bio: Esmeralda has worked for the City of Salem since 2019, where she started as an intern at the Solarize Mass Plus program. She then moved into the Sustainability & Resiliency Coordinator role where she managed several projects, including community engagement efforts on energy efficiency, enhancing sustainability at parks, and advocating for a focus on Environmental Justice communities. Esmeralda has recently been promoted as the Manager for Salem’s Sustainability & Resiliency Department to continue the important work of building community resilience. Esmeralda holds a BA in Political Science and Sustainability from UMass Dartmouth.
Climate change adaptation project she's currently excited about: The City of Salem partnered with the City of Beverly for a two-year planning process for Resilient Together: our joint Climate Action & Resiliency Plan. The final plan was released in June and includes over 70 actions for both cities to take to address the effects of climate change. The actions are categorized by seven elements: Buildings & Development, Energy, Infrastructure, Mobility, Public Health & Safety, Solid Waste, and Natural Resources. Natural resources strategies include increasing tree coverage, planting native species, and encouraging green infrastructure. You can contact Esmeralda to learn more about the work that Salem is doing.
|
|
|
Grant Awards - The Division of Ecological Restoration awarded $4 million in grants to climate adaptation and ecological restoration projects that will strengthen community preparedness for large storms, improve climate-ready infrastructure, restore floodplain habitat and flood storage capabilities, and protect fisheries, wildlife, and river habitats. See the press release and grantees for the Priority Projects and Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Programs here.
Training - Certified Climate Change Professional Training, The EPA Southeast New England Program and the Association of Climate Change Officers are partnering to offer scholarships for their online training that enable participants to learn together and prepare for the exam to earn the Certified Climate Change Professional credential. The next cohort begins 8/16. Learn more here.
Webinar - Addressing Stormwater Flooding through Resilience Action Strategies and Sustainable Financing, EPA Soak Up the Rain Series. Learn how Bourne, MA and Portsmouth, RI are charting the course for climate resilience and climate finance in the region and hear about the benefits of proactively taking action to become more climate-resilient. 8/24, 2:00pm - 3:30pm. Register here.
Job - Climate Adaptation Scientist, The Nature Conservancy, Boston. Advance climate adaptation and conservation of resilient lands and waters by developing and implementing strategies that protect and restore ecological integrity, reduce climate risks, and promote human well-being.
Job - Ecological Restoration Project Manager, SWCA Environmental Consultants, Amherst or Westborough. Pursue projects and client contacts within the climate-driven services group and manage projects focused on nature-based solutions, ecological resilience, and other ecological restoration project types.
Job - Regenerative Agriculture Planner, Regenerative Design Group, Greenfield. Support farmers, landowners, and agricultural service providers in adopting regenerative agriculture and ecological land stewardship practices that support farm communities, ecosystem function, and climate change adaptation.
Job - Vice President for Climate Change, Mathematica, Cambridge. Craft a climate change strategy that identifies a set of priorities that align with the learning needs of the organization's partners such as federal agencies, foundations, and corporate philanthropies.
Job - Environmental Analyst, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Boston. Join the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office to conduct environmental impact reviews of wetlands, coastal resources, air quality, and other projects. Experience with climate adaptation is preferred.
|
|
|
In case you've been wondering what to read next....
- IPCC Report - The Physical Science Basis: The Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report includes updated information on the climate system, bringing together the latest advances in climate science, and combining multiple lines of evidence. See the Summary for Policymakers and articles from the Boston Globe and New York Times for more.
- Conserving Plant Diversity: Native Plant Trust and The Nature Conservancy released a comprehensive report providing a scientific framework for conservation action and land protection at the species, habitat, and parcel scales to conserve plant diversity in New England as the climate changes.
- Climate Resilience Land Use Strategies: MAPC launched a new website with tools communities can use to address the growing impact of storms, sea level rise, heat, and drought. It features regulatory language from MAPC municipalities, background information and resources on: floodplain and wetlands restrictions, tree protection and water conservation, design standards, and zoning incentives.
- Climate Solutions 101 Video Course: If reading the new IPCC report has you wondering about solutions, check out Project Drawdown's recently released a video course on climate action.
- New Environmental Justice Website: The Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs launched a new environmental justice website that updates the definition of Environmental Justice and also includes an updated EJ Policy, Map Viewer, and other tools and resources.
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
