Mass ECAN July News
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Happy summer! In this month's Reader section, you’ll see a new book by Cate Mingoya-LaFortune about how everyday people can “channel resources you currently have to effect meaningful change at the local level that will prepare and strengthen your community against the most common climate related challenges.”
I appreciate how Cate is cultivating hope and empowering those lacking a sense of efficacy to take action. The book also smartly recognizes this ability to take action as a balm for climate anxiety.
Adaptation practitioners are active and dynamic, taking actions to help protect the communities, ecosystems, people, and wildlife they care about. Thanks to all of you for stepping up every day to advance climate adaptation!
Below is 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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This year’s Field Trip series is exploring adaptation actions and nature-based solutions in response to inland flooding, starting with:
Easthampton Field Trip
Sept. 5 (rain date Sept. 12), 10am-1pm
Join us to explore green infrastructure projects in a residential setting and learn about community engagement and maintenance. Stay for optional snack/networking time from 12pm-1pm. Register here.
Check back for more events soon! These are organized by Mass ECAN, the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program, the MA Division of Ecological Restoration, and local project partners.
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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!
Peter Federico
Resilience Planner
Stantec
Bio: At Stantec, Peter has conducted climate vulnerability assessments for state agencies and local nonprofits. Previously, as a trained ecologist, he performed field work in Maine and South Africa. As a former biology teacher, Peter is also enthusiastic about making technical and scientific concepts accessible and enjoys public engagement and participatory planning. He is interested in collaborating with organizations and individuals to support nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration projects. Outside of work, Peter is an avid skier and paddleboarder who is already planning his next trip to the Rockies!
Climate Adaptation Project: Peter is the lead planner on the development of a vulnerability assessment of the impacts of flooding-related disruptions across 200 miles of the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) parkway system.  DCR parkways are “greenways” connecting communities and open spaces that provide essential routes for regional travel by every mode. The assessment aims to identify areas of potential locations of flood disruptions and where future adaptive measures could reduce the impact of flooding on users and communities. Peter also designed outreach materials and facilitated data collection and engagement sessions with staff from DCR and other local organizations. Please feel free to reach out to Peter!
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Expert Work Group Spotlight
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Each month, we'll highlight one of our Expert Work Groups so you can learn about their latest activities! Our affiliated Work Groups are for experts on various climate adaptation topics that require cross-organizational collaboration for success.
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The Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Expert Work Group convened in 2018 to define NBS and identify and remove barriers to widespread adoption of these strategies.
In 2019, we developed a Case Study Outline to share success stories with municipal leaders, developers, and practitioners. Throughout the pandemic, we finalized a template and collected information for three initial showcase projects varying from conserving natural landscapes, restoring or enhancing ecosystems, to increasing the natural elements within the built environment. To date, we have five case studies, which are hosted through BSLA, and are looking for additional opportunities to grow our library - send in your suggestions here! We also created a NBS Primer with the Climate Communications Work Group.
More recently, we have been meeting quarterly to connect and hear from partner speakers on topics such as native plant sourcing, planting pocket forests, and partnering with tribes on conservation. We’re also looking to expand our membership in 2024 and refine our goals as we transition from planning for NBS to implementing and documenting more solutions on the ground. For more info or if you are an NBS practitioner interested in the next group meeting (9/4 at 1:00 pm), please contact the co-leads, Stefanie Covino and Hillary King.
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Funding Opportunity- Coastal Resilience Grant Program, MA Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Seeking proposals for innovative and transferable local and regional projects to address coastal flooding, erosion, and sea level rise impacts. Eligible projects include evaluating vulnerabilities and risks, public outreach, retrofitting and relocating vulnerable public infrastructure, shoreline restoration, and proactive planning. Proposals due 7/19.
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Event- Municipal Coastal Resiliency Webinar, Environmental Business Council. Hear about coastal resiliency efforts from both a large municipality (Boston) and a smaller municipality (Groton, CT). 11:30 am- 1:00 pm on 7/10. Zoom.
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Listening Session- Biodiversity Goals for the Commonwealth, Dept. of Fish and Game. Join for two virtual public listening sessions to share your thoughts on our state's biodiversity conservation goals. 12pm - 2pm 7/17 and 6pm-8pm 7/23. Virtual.
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Call for Nominations- Climate Adaptation Leadership Awards, National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Network. Awards recognize outstanding and exemplary leadership by individuals, agencies, Tribes, businesses, students, and youth to build resilience and advance adaptation of our country's vital natural resources in a changing climate.
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Job - Conservation and Resilience Fellow, City of Boston, On-site. Temporary position ~six months. Support efforts to protect wetland resources and mitigate climate impacts, as well as promote the equitable management of the city’s natural open space.
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Job - Climate Resilience Manager, Groundwork Southcoast, Hybrid. Lead land, water, and food stewardship and climate resilience efforts.
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Job - Communications Manager, Charles River Watershed Association, Boston. Work with senior staff to set and implement the strategy for all communications to consistently articulate CRWA’s mission, drive CRWA’s advocacy, and support fundraising.
- Job - Communications Manager, Native Plant Trust, Wayland, Hybrid. Support strengthening existing and building new regional partnerships, reaching those seeking to hear their message of optimism and action in the face of the biodiversity and climate crises, and inspiring supporters who fuel their work through service and philanthropy.
- Job - Principal Watershed/Natural Resource Planner, Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), Hybrid. SRPEDD’s Environmental Planning Dept. seeks up to two proven project leaders to advance their work program enhancing environmental quality and resilience across Southeastern MA through watershed planning and natural resource management.
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In case you've been wondering what to read next..
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Meet the Mass ECAN Interns
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 Carol DeRose is our summer climate adaptation outreach and engagement intern and plans to continue working with Mass ECAN throughout the Fall semester. Carol is a Natural Resources Conservation and Political Science double major at UMass Amherst, and a rising senior in the Commonwealth Honors College. She is passionate about environmental policy, specifically policy surrounding sustainable development and environmental justice communities, and plans to attend law school after graduating. She is completing her thesis on how PFAS disproportionately pollute the water of environmental justice communities in the U.S. At UMass, Carol is also active in the Student Government Association, where she works as the Secretary of Sustainability. She looks forward to learning more through Mass ECAN and meeting more people through the network.
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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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