Join us in Worcester for our in-person conference! Mass ECAN conferences are an opportunity to connect with peers, learn and share about climate adaptation efforts throughout the state, and grow our capacity to accomplish this work together as a community.
The conference will have ample networking time and sessions around our theme of Mainstreaming Nature Based Solutions. See the agenda here! We’ll keep updating this as speakers are confirmed.
If your organization is able to cover conference registrations, we kindly ask for a donation of $25 here to directly support venue, meals, and other conference costs. Mass ECAN is hosted by UMass Extension, so donations are processed through UMass Amherst. Thank you!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out.
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Supporter-Level
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!
Francelis Morillo Suarez
Clean Energy and Climate Planner II
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
Bio: Francelis joined MAPC’s Clean Energy Department in 2021 where she provides technical assistance to communities for their climate mitigation and resilience work in the Greater Boston region. Additionally, she is a co-coordinator for MAPC’s North Suburban Planning Council subregion, consisting of nine cities and towns, through which she assists municipal staff by hosting monthly meetings and providing resources and support. Francelis received a Sustainability Certificate and Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Italian Studies from Wellesley College, and most recently, received a Climate Change & Health Certificate from the Yale School of Public Health. She looks forward to continuing to advocate for centering racial equity in plans, policies, programs, and community engagement throughout her work and beyond.
Climate Adaptation Project: To accelerate climate resilience in the MAPC region, Francelis provides support for the Accelerating Climate Resilience Grant Program. This Program helps municipalities and community based partners advance and implement strategies that protect people, places, and communities from the impacts of climate change. MAPC is now accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the FY 2025-2027 grant program. Learn more here.
Announcements
Funding Opportunity: The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is currently seeking proposals for Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grants. Due 2:00pm on April 4. Apply here.
Funding Opportunity: MAPC has opened its EOI period for Accelerating Climate Resilience grants. For the first time, eligible lead applicants also include entities that work in and serve the people of the MAPC region. Submissions due April 9. See more here.
Funding Opportunity: The Southeast New England Program (SNEP) funded through the EPA is accepting applications for their watershed implementation grants through April 18. Apply here.
Funding Opportunity: The Network for Landscape Conservation is accepting proposals for the 2025 Catalyst Fund to accelerate the pace and practice of landscape conservation and stewardship across the U.S. Proposals due May 16. See the RFP here.
Event: As part of the UMass Sustainable Solutions Lecture Series, learn about Tim McPhearson's (New School) work on nature-based solutions for cities and their potential in enhancing social justice. April 9 at 12pm. Register here.
Event: The Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center is hosting an Identifying Knowledge Gaps in Coastal & Marine Environmental Changes listening session. Resource managers, researchers, policymakers, and community members knowledgeable about coastal ecosystems are invited to participate. April 9 at 4pm. Register here.
Event: The next MA Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) Lunch & Learn webinar includes TNC speakers discussing nature-based solutions to remove carbon pollution and adapt to climate change. April 10 at 12pm. Register here.
Event: Hosted by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and partners as part of a year-long series, this month’s webinar explores The Changing Landscape for Migratory Forest Birds. April 15 at 12pm. Register here.
Event: The Environmental Business Council is hosting its 3rd Annual Stormwater Summit. The event will cover the many challenges of managing stormwater in our changing world. May 2 from 9am - 3pm. Register here.
Job: MA State Director, The Nature Conservancy, Boston. Lead the State Business Unit and partner closely with TNC’s Northeast Division as it executes conservation goals. Apply here.
Job: Resilience Planning Team Manager, Stantec, location flexible including Boston. Lead mission-driven work and support company strategic initiatives in line with climate adaptation and resilience services. Apply here.
Job: Senior Staff Attorney, Charles River Watershed Association, Boston. Represent CRWA in administrative processes and legal proceedings at the local, state, and federal levels to advance the mission of enhancing the Charles River and its watershed. Apply here.
Job: Director - Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass Audubon, Lincoln. Inspire staff, donors, and volunteers in the community to work together to achieve ambitious goals to engage new audiences, address the effects of climate change, and protect and steward natural habitats. Apply here.
Job: Aquatic Mitigation Specialist, MA Department of Fish and Game, Boston. Help recruit, track, and manage ecological restoration projects that offset unavoidable impacts to aquatic resources. Apply here.
Job: Environmental Analyst IV, Mass DEP, Boston. Coordinate stormwater-related activities within the Surface Water Discharge/NPDES Program. Apply here.
In Case You Missed It
The Coastal Relocation Network is a peer-learning network focused on supporting climate and planning practitioners in preparing for community-driven relocation to reduce flood risk and increase climate resilience for coastal communities. The Network meets ~ every other month and has an email listserv to share questions, ideas, and resources. It is convened by The Nature Conservancy, Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston, Communities Responding to Extreme Weather, and UMass Amherst Extension, with support from a CZM Coastal Resilience Grant.
By joining the network, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow practitioners, and access events including the 1st Annual Massachusetts Coastal Relocation Workshop. If interested in joining the Network, please ask to Join the Group or email Kim Starbuck.
Spring Conferences
Learn from fellow Mass ECAN members at upcoming conferences!
April 16-18: Stone Living Lab (SLL) Conference. UMass Boston. Join professionals from the education, private, and public sectors for keynote discussions and breakout sessions about nature-based resilience in urban coastal settings. Register here.
8:00 - 12:00: Addressing the Combined Impacts of Climate Change and Invasive Species to Improve Fish and Wildlife Management
Bethany Bradley, NE CASC & UMass Amherst
Jenica Allen, NE RISCC & UMass Amherst
Toni Lyn Morelli, USGS & NE CASC
Gary Fish, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
1:30 - 5:30: Managing Impacts of Climate Change on Wildlife in New England
Toni Lyn Morelli, USGS & NE CASC
May 1:Mass ECAN Conference on Mainstreaming Nature Based Solutions. Clark University, Worcester. Hope to see you there! Register here.
May 23:Boston Society of Landscape Architects (BSLA) Fieldday. Northeastern University, Boston. Join BSLA in this new, annual, in-person conference intended for all who design, make, and care for landscape architecture in New England. Registration coming soon.
The Mass ECAN Reader
In case you've been wondering what to read next:
Happy Earth Month! Celebrate by attending clean-ups and events across the state, pledging to take action, and by getting outside to enjoy our beautiful planet!
Join us in Worcester for our in-person conference! Mass ECAN conferences are an opportunity to connect with peers, learn and share about climate adaptation efforts throughout the state, and grow our capacity to accomplish this work together as a community.
The conference will have ample networking time and sessions around our theme of Mainstreaming Nature Based Solutions, including:
misconceptions, challenges, and solutions,
equitable and innovative community engagement,
policy and permitting, and
examples from our Expert Work Groups & Ambassador Awards
Stay tuned for the full agenda!
If you are interested in becoming a conference sponsor, please reach out to Melissa.
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!
India Mackinson Coastal Resilience Grant Specialist
MA Office of Coastal Zone Management
Bio: India first joined CZM in the summer of 2023 as the CoastalResilience Grant Specialist. In her current role, India offers technical assistance in coastal resilience, community engagement, and environmental justice and administers the office's Coastal Resilience Grant Program. India has previously worked in municipal government. She earned her Master of Environmental Management from Duke University and Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Climate Adaptation Project: Coastal communities in Massachusetts are facing significant risks from sea level rise, erosion, and coastal storms. India manages the Coastal Resilience Grant Program to fund and offer technical assistance to projects that increase community understanding of these impacts, determine vulnerabilities, redesign public infrastructure, implement adaptation planning, and restore shorelines. Funding innovative projects, such as these, both locally and regionally helps to increase the adaptive capacity of our coastline. See the FY 2025 awards for examples and the FY 2026 Webinar to learn more.
Announcements
Expression of Interest: The MA Office of Coastal Zone Management anticipates the release of the FY 2026 Request for Responses for the Coastal Resilience Grant Program in the Spring. Applicants may receive feedback on a project idea by completing this Expression of Interest form by March 14th.
Funding Opportunity: The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is currently seeking proposals for Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grants. Due by 2:00pm on April 4th. Apply here.
Carolyn Kousky, Acting Chief Economist at the Environmental Defense Fund. March 5th,12:00pm-1:30pm. Register here.
Mike Beck, Director of the Center on Coastal Climate Resilience at the University of California Santa Cruz. March 6th, 3:00pm-4:00pm. Register here.
Webinar: The MVP team is excited to host the fourth Winter Webinar Series virtually via Zoom. The next topic will be Demystifying the Hydrologic and Hydraulic Model: Flooding Studies 101. March 6th, 10:30am-12pm. Register here.
Event: Climate Adaptation Forum - Insurance’s Role at Climate’s Frontlines: Crisis, Innovation, and Community. In Boston and Zoom. Join the UMass Boston Sustainable Solutions Lab and the Environmental Business Council of New England to explore the critical intersection of insurance and climate resilience while engaging with leaders shaping the future of climate risk and adaptation. March 7th, 9am-12:30pm. Register here. Email Mass ECAN for a free in-person registration (we have two - first come, first served).
Event: MA Office of Coastal Zone Management. Zoom. CZM will be holding virtual office hours to allow stakeholders to ask questions about the ResilientCoasts Initiative and share feedback with staff. March 10th or March 17th, 9am-10am. Register here. March 12th or March 19th, 4pm-5pm. Register here.
Event: SNEP Network. Zoom. Join the New England Environmental Finance Center’s MA Grant Funding Workshop. March 19th, 10:00am-12:00pm. Register here.
Webinar: MassLand Conference Sponsor Talk. Zoom. Join The Nature Conservancy to learn about freshwater resilience and adding rivers and streams into your land conservation. March 21st, 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register here.
Job: Director of Climate Resilience and Finance, MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Boston. Help to coordinate and implement the ResilientMass Plan, including across the EEA climate team. Apply here.
Job: Director of Climate Justice, Conservation Law Foundation, Boston. Refine vision and implementation strategy for CLF’s climate justice work. Apply here.
Job: Impact Director, Charles River Conservancy, Cambridge. Manage and support growth and maximize the CRC’s impact through program and project oversight. Apply here.
Job: Energy Justice Organizer, Greenroots, Chelsea/East Boston. Build grassroots power to advocate for equitable access to clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives. Apply here.
Spring Conferences
Learn from fellow Mass ECAN members at upcoming conferences!
March 11-12: Northeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Management Network (NE RISCC) Annual Conference, Virtual. Engage with practitioners, researchers, and policy makers to discuss challenges and solutions to managing invasive species in a changing climate. Register here.
March 15: Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC) Annual Conference. Holy Cross College, Worcester. Join Massachusetts citizens and professional planners for a day of workshops, speakers, and networking. Register here.
March 21:Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference. UMass Amherst. This in-person conference features a plenary speaker and 23 sessions on a range of land conservation topics, including conserving climate-resilient landscapes. Register here.
9:30 - 10:45am. Managing Forests for Climate
Josh Rapp, Mass Audubon
9:30 - 10:45am. Natural Climate Solutions in Massachusetts: How Landowners Are Using Wetlands, Farms, and Forests to Fight Climate Change
Laura Marx, The Nature Conservancy
2:25 - 3:40pm. Habit to Habitat: Transforming Landscapes to Resilient Ecosystems, from Conception to Maintenance
Evan Abramson, Landscape Interactions
April 16-18: Stone Living Lab (SLL) Conference. UMass Boston. Join professionals from the education, private, and public sectors for keynote discussions and breakout sessions about nature-based resilience in urban coastal settings. Register here.
May 1:Mass ECAN Conference on Mainstreaming Nature Based Solutions. Clark University, Worcester. Hope to see you there! Register here.
May 23:Boston Society of Landscape Architects (BSLA) Fieldday. Northeastern University, Boston. Join BSLA in this new, annual, in-person conference intended for all who design, make, and care for landscape architecture in New England. Registration coming soon.
The Mass ECAN Reader
In case you've been wondering what to read next:
Celebrate National Women’s History Month:
Take time this month to celebrate and support women who are our colleagues and climate change leaders! Read and reflect on stories about trailblazing women in the climate space here.
Federal Data Archives:
Looking for federal climate-related data and web pages that have been removed with the change of administration? Here are a few resources to point you in the right direction:
and resilience work in the Greater Boston region. Additionally, she is a co-coordinator for MAPC’s North Suburban Planning Council subregion, consisting of nine cities and towns, through which she assists municipal staff by hosting monthly meetings and providing resources and support. Francelis received a Sustainability Certificate and Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Italian Studies from Wellesley College, and most recently, received a Climate Change & Health Certificate from the Yale School of Public Health. She looks forward to continuing to advocate for centering 
