Feel free to pass this message along to colleagues and encourage them tojoin usand attend the Conference. At any point, you can reach out to massecan@umass.edu with ideas about what our Network should tackle next.
Tuesday, October 30th
Framingham State University Register Here
Building off of last year's successful event, we're holding our second annual conference! At the conference, we'll be shaping our Mass ECAN community and networking with fellow adaptation practitioners. Session topics will include the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program, Leadership by Regional Organizations, and our Expert Work Groups on Climate Communications, Coldwater Streams, Saltmarsh, and Mainstreaming Nature Based Solutions.
Stay tuned for the full agenda on our website.
Space is limited - first come, first served. Invite your colleagues!
Showcasing your work at the conference
As we did last year, we're creating a space for you to share updates on your adaptation projects:
share publications or one-pagers about your adaptation initiatives at the Resources table and on our website
share slides of your adaptation initiatives that will play between sessions and be compiled in the conference proceedings online
Mass ECAN Member Spotlight
Every month, we'll highlight someone in our community of practice so you can learn about the variety of adaptation work going on and "meet" a new colleague!
Bethany Bradley
Associate Professor, Dept. of Environmental Conservation
UMass Amherst
Bio:Bethany is interested in how terrestrial ecosystems respond to anthropogenically driven changes, especially interactions between invasive species, land use and climate change. She uses tools from biogeography and landscape ecology to improve forecasting of future changes to ecosystems. Bethany has co-authored over 50 journal articles, and her research has been featured by the New York Times, NPR, and BBC News. She is one of the co-founders of RISCC, the Northeast Regional Invasive Species & Climate Change Management network.
Climate change adaptation project she's currently excited about: Bethany models how invasive plants might shift with climate change. The Northeast is a 'hotspot' of future plant invasion with nearly 100 species that are not currently found in Massachusetts that could establish here by 2050. But, 100 species is a very long watch list and impractical for monitoring. Her ongoing work synthesizes the ecological, agricultural, and human health impacts of these invasive plants to prioritize species with the greatest potential impacts for proactive prevention and eradication.
Announcements
State Plan Adopted - The State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan was adopted on September 17th. It is the first of its kind to fully integrate hazard mitigation planning with climate change impacts and adaptation strategies. Learn more about the Plan's development and take a look at the Plan here. Congrats to all who contributed!
Global Climate Action Summit Update - Mass Audubon colleagues share highlights from the Summit hosted earlier this month in San Francisco here.
Climate Preparedness Week - This week marks the first annual Climate Preparedness Week organized by Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) and dedicated to learning, service, and actions that better prepare our communities for extreme weather events. The week also aims to provide resources and draw attention to the ways climate change disadvantages some communities more than others. Learn more here.
Funding Opportunity - MEMA and DCR have announced availability of three FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs, including the 2018 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant program, the 2018 Flood Mitigation Assistance program, and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Learn more about the grant programs here.
Event - Law and Governance Meets Climate Adaptation is being hosted at the UMass Club in Boston on September 28 from 7:15-11:45 am. This latest Forum will focus on the development of new rules, regulations, and governance needed to respond to our changing climate.
Event - The Regional Conservation Partnership (RCP) Network Gathering will be November 15 at UMass Amherst, including tracks on "Resilient Regions" and "Future Scenarios." Learn more and register here.
