Mass ECAN October News
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If you are finding it hard to concentrate given recent global atrocities, please know that you are not alone. I hope that we can all find the community support we need in challenging times.
Here in our professional community, we’ve tried to make your job a little easier by compiling climate happenings and updates from across the state. It's a busy season in the climate adaptation world. These past couple weeks were full of announcements about federal and state climate actions (too many to keep track of, so we’ve highlighted some in the Reader section including the new ResilientMass Plan). I hope to see you around at some of these upcoming events and conferences!
See below for our newsletter that's specifically curated for our community of practice:
Feel free to share this newsletter with a colleague and invite them to join us!
Best,
Melissa Ocana
Climate Adaptation Coordinator, UMass Amherst
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Join us for a series of field trips showcasing amazing climate adaptation and watershed-scale collaboration!
Mattapoisett River Valley Field Trip
Oct. 24 (Rain date Oct. 30), 10am-12pm
With the Buzzards Bay Coalition
Join us for a trail walk to learn about coordinated multi-town watershed land conservation efforts as well as a large wetland/stream ecological restoration project. These projects buffer flooding and drought, and enhance the resilience of a regionally important drinking water supply, fish/wildlife resources, outdoor recreation opportunities and local agriculture.
Ipswich Field Trip
Sep 7, 11am-12:30pm
With the PIE-Rivers Partnership & Ipswich River Watershed Association
 Thanks for a great day! Last month, members learned about climate adaptation, community engagement and ecological benefits related to the Ipswich Mill Dam Removal and nearby green infrastructure projects.
Mystic River Boat Tour
Oct 13, 10am-12pm
With the Resilient Mystic Collaborative and the Mystic River Watershed Association
This Friday, folks will be taking a charter boat tour of the Lower Mystic. They will hear from community partners about a variety of adaptation projects addressing extreme heat, flooding, habitat degradation, environmental justice, and access to green space. *We are at capacity for this trip!*
These events are organized by Mass ECAN, the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program, the MA Division of Ecological Restoration, local project partners and watershed collaboratives.
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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!
Laura Hilberg
Senior Scientist
EcoAdapt
Bio: Laura works on EcoAdapt's Adaptation Support Program, which is dedicated to providing communities and natural resource professionals with customized guidance, training, tools, and research to help them move forward with adaptation planning and implementation. Before joining EcoAdapt in 2015, they worked with the Northeast Climate Science Center as well as on sustainable agriculture initiatives with Grow Food Northampton. Laura holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Mount Holyoke College, and a MS in Environmental Studies from Antioch University, New England.
Climate Adaptation Project: Laura is in the early stages of a project on identifying climate change vulnerabilities and adaptation opportunities for golf courses across the nation. Not only does the project consider climate impacts on course management and use, but also the role of golf courses as open space within landscape-scale adaptation planning. It seeks to maximize sustainable ecosystem benefits of these areas, such as wildlife habitat and floodwater storage, while also reducing the use of scarce resources required to maintain them. Laura is excited as this project will shape the first guidance on climate adaptation aimed toward golf course owners, superintendents, and users.
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Funding Opportunity - Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Designed to support transformational habitat restoration projects that restore coastal ecosystems using approaches that enhance community and ecosystem resilience to climate hazards. Applications due 11/17.
Funding Opportunity - Climate Program Office (CPO), Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP) Program, NOAA. The CAP program supports sustained, collaborative relationships and networks of people working together that help communities build lasting and equitable climate resilience. Funded by 5-year cooperative agreements. Seeking applications for the Upper Northeast region due 2/5.
Event - Lessons Learned: How We Adapt on the Road to Climate Adaptation, Environmental Business Council & Sustainable Solutions Lab. Learn from an expert panel as they reflect on challenges they’ve encountered in climate adaptation projects, and how those challenges can inform our next steps as a community of practice. Attend in person in Boston or over Zoom from 9am-12pm on 10/12.
Speaker Series - Rooted in Nature: Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Resiliency, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). This series offers an exploration of indigenous perspectives on climate resilience and sustainability, spotlighting practical examples and case studies rooted in the local context of Massachusetts. Watch past sessions or register for upcoming online sessions here.
Call for Proposals - MassLand Conference. Seeking session ideas for the conference on 3/23. This year, they especially encourage workshops that highlight conservation in environmental justice communities and nature based solutions to climate change. Submit by 10/27.
Job - Land Conservation & Climate Resilience Program Manager, Nashua River Watershed Association, Groton (Hybrid). Responsible for implementing comprehensive conservation strategies, managing projects, identifying and planning Nature Based Solutions, and building community partnerships. Applications due 10/18.
Job - Sustainability and Resiliency Planner, City of Somerville. Creatively advance climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts by implementing sustainable practices and advancing resilience across our assets, infrastructure, and resources in ways that promote health and equity.
Job - Restoration Ecologist, Save the Bay, Narragansett Bay. Responsible for planning, designing and implementing ecological restoration projects including salt marsh and wetland restoration, dam removals, and other climate resiliency objectives. Applications due 11/1.
Job - Environmental Planner II, MAPC, Boston. Analyze environmental issues, develop sustainable best practice recommendations, and manage the development of plans that protect natural resources and reduce the risks associated with climate change.
Job - Senior Regional Land Use Planner, MAPC, Boston. Work on projects that have real community impacts, are equity-oriented and intermunicipal, and promote economic development in appropriate locations, while preserving the region’s natural resources.
Job - Senior Climate Resilience Engineer / Project Manager, Stantec, Boston/Burlington/Other offices. Work on resilience focused transportation projects throughout the Northeast. Partner with resilience planners to assess climate stressors and strategize on potential adaptation solutions for public sector clients.
Job - Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program Regional Coordinator - Berkshires. Work directly with communities to support them through the MVP process and ensure coordination with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) in advancing climate resilience projects.
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Hear from fellow Mass ECAN members at these upcoming conferences!
Massachusetts Association for Floodplain Management (massFM) Annual Conference - Speakers focusing on all aspects of flood plain management will share success stories, latest tools and resources. 8:30am-7pm, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, on 10/23.
Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) Fall Conference - Under the theme “Back to Basics for Conservation Commissions: From Foundations to the Future,” speakers will present on an assortment of topics including solar siting, forestry workshops, stormwater management and more. 8am-4pm, Devens Community Center, on 10/28.
Regional Conservation Partnership (RCP) Network Gathering - With the theme of "Embracing Complexity Through Partnership," speakers will address the importance of equity and justice in their shared work, build on each other's knowledge and current strategies, and address challenges, like biodiversity and climate resilience, as partnerships. 8am-4pm, University of Massachusetts Amherst, on 11/9.
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In case you've been wondering what to read next...
- State Plan: Hot off the presses is the State's ResilientMass Plan (SHMCAP - Hazard Mitigation & Climate Adaptation Plan), which identifies strategies and specific measurable actions state agencies can take. Congrats everyone who worked on this!
- NYC Climate Week: The annual Climate Week was held in late September. Catch up with the announcements and proceedings here.
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Celebrating Climate Week: Governor Healey signed an Executive Order to review existing biodiversity efforts and establish new goals and strategies, which are to be met by 2050, including ensuring a climate-resilient landscape for the future. Read the details here.
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American Climate Corps: The Biden-Harris administration announced the launch of the first-ever American Climate Corps, which is expected to employ 20,000 young adults. Read more from The Guardian, CNN, and NPR.
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White House Framework and Summit: The White House Summit on Building Resilient Communities was held September 28th. Read the fact sheet to learn more and the National Climate Resilience Framework for details on aligning investments and activities by the federal government and its partners.
- Climate-Smart Communities Initiative: NOAA announced $12.7 million to help build climate resilient communities through co-development of equitable resilience plans with a consortium of adaptation experts, led by the Climate Resilience Fund. Read more here.
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Have Something to Add?
Sharing in the Newsletters
Do you have something related to climate adaptation that you would like to see in a future newsletter? If you have project, job posting, event, outreach product, or something else that you’d like to submit for consideration, you can fill out this google form. Please note that this does not guarantee inclusion. We’ll select the climate adaptation items most relevant to our community of practice to continue to provide a curated newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you!
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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. Mass ECAN is coordinated by UMass Extension. |
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