Mass ECAN April News
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As we pass the first anniversary of the pandemic, I just wanted to say thank you again for all you are doing to keep advancing climate adaptation during this challenging time. We know it’s been hard to maintain connections during COVID times and hope that Mass ECAN has been a reminder that your supportive community of peers is still out there, albeit remotely! This time has shown that building relationships and partnerships to address climate change also makes us better equipped to handle any challenge to our resilience, including a global pandemic. So, thanks for growing and supporting adaptation networks and collaborations!
As vaccinations present us with a light at the end of the tunnel, I hope we have some time to reflect again on what we’ve learned during this global pause and the transformation we’d like to see on the other side.
See below for news specifically curated for our community of practice:
Please share this newsletter with a colleague and invite them to join us. Happy Spring!
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Best,
Melissa Ocana
Climate Adaptation Coordinator, UMass Amherst
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Mass ECAN Member Spotlight
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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!
Alexandra Vecchio
Director of Parks and Open Space
Town of Brookline
Bio: Alexandra is responsible for organizing and directing all activities of the Brookline Parks and Open Space Division, including the planning, design, acquisition, construction, and maintenance of parks, street and park trees, conservation areas, and small green open spaces. Previously, she was Mass Audubon's Climate Change Program Director and responsible for drafting and implementing their Climate Action Strategy. Alexandra has a Master's of Environmental Management from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies where she specialized in the intersection of climate change adaptation, land use planning, and water resource management.
Climate change adaptation project: Thanks to an MVP Action Grant, the Town of Brookline is currently drafting their first Urban Forest Climate Resiliency Master Plan (UFCRMP). This plan will position the Town to proactively prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate change on public and private trees. The UFCRMP will include assessment of the health and condition of the existing urban forest, review of the Town’s forestry management practices and emergency procedures, and development of goals and actionable recommendations to enhance the resiliency of Brookline’s urban tree canopy. You can contact Alexandra for more information about this project and its implementation.
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Funding Opportunity - The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) announces the FY22 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Grant Program. Learn more from their Webinar Recording.
- MVP Program Planning Grants. Provide support for cities and towns to complete climate vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented climate resiliency plans. Applications due 6/4.
- MVP Program Action Grants. Provide designated MVP Communities funding to implement identified priority climate adaptation actions. Applications due 5/7.
Funding Opportunity - The Climate Adaptation Fund 2021 RFP is open. The Wildlife Conservation Society will award grants to nonprofit conservation organizations across two funding categories: Adaptation Implementation of innovative actions for wildlife and ecosystems, and Adaptation Mainstreaming. Pre-proposal applications are due 4/28.
Funding Opportunity - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is pleased to announce the availability of application development for FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and/or Flood Mitigation Assistance project, scoping, and planning grants. To request this assistance, submit a statement of interest (SOI). SOIs will be accepted on a rolling cycle and assistance will be provided on a first come first served basis.
Award Opportunity - Nominations for the Climate Adaptation Leadership Awards are now open! This honor recognizes efforts to bolster natural resources in a changing climate and is organized by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and partners. Submit nominations here by 5/16.
Job - Senior Water/National Resources Professional, Fuss & O'Neill, Springfield. Develop creative and sustainable approaches to help communities engage with a wide range of projects including ecological restoration, water resources design, and nature-based approaches to climate resilience. Apply Here. Posted 3/24.
Job - Climate Resilience Fellow, Mystic River Watershed Association. Work in close partnership with Climate Resilience Project Manager and Engagement Manager primarily to implement MyRWA's Wicked Hot Mystic project, and secondly to support other heat health related work. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Job - Policy Analyst, Conservation Law Foundation (CLF). Boston. Work closely with an interdisciplinary team of staff and community partners to advance CLF’s work on climate change resilience, transportation, and environmental justice. Posted 3/9.
Webinar - The Environmental Business Council is hosting three events of interest:
Webinar - A Tree Grows in Chelsea: Greening Our Gateway Cities, EPA Soak Up the Rain webinar series. Showcases how tree planting contributes to better stormwater management, builds climate resiliency, and improves overall environmental and public health in communities overburdened by social and environmental injustice. Mass ECAN members Ibrahim López-Hernández, GreenRoots and Bob O'Connor, EOEEA will be speaking. 4/13, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM. Register Here.
Shoutout - And congratulations to GreenRoots, Inc. for being a finalist for the American Climate Leadership Awards (ACLA) which recognizes, rewards, and amplifies best practices in activating climate change advocacy and action.
Shoutout - Congratulations to Resilient Mystic Collaborative and the Town of Arlington for being recognized by the National League of Cities in their Leadership in Community Resilience Program.
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Don't miss these upcoming presentations on climate adaptation topics from your Mass ECAN peers!
April 6-17 - Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) Annual Environmental Conference Week. View the schedule and session details. Register here.
- A3 Equity-led, Climate Resilient Park Projects in the Mystic River Watershed
- Melanie Garate, Mystic River Watershed Association
- D2 Making Good Land Conservation Decisions: Resources and Tools
- Scott Jackson and Lee Halasz, UMass Amherst
- D3 Massachusetts Healthy Soil Action Plan: Recommendations for Protecting Soil Function
- Keith Zaltzberg, Regenerative Design Group
- Robert O'Connor, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
- G2 Preparing for Sea Level Rise: Assessing Coastal Vulnerability and Enhancing Resilience
- Danielle Perry and Danica Warns, Mass Audubon
- J2 Stressed Out Trees: Climate Change Impacts and Interventions
- Gillian T. Davies, BSC Group Inc.
April 26-28 - Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (NEAFWA) is hosting their annual Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference. View their schedule and workshops. Register here.
- S-04: Emerging Threats and Unintended Consequences: How Climate Change Exacerbates and Complicates Wildlife Management
- How is climate change interacting with non-climate threats to exacerbate and complicate wildlife management?
- Michelle Staudinger, NE CASC
- Translating Science into Practice for Improved Invasive Species Management in the Face of Climate Change
- Toni Lyn Morelli, NE CASC
- Habitat Restoration Approaches to Improve Community and Ecosystem Resilience
- Richard O. Bennett, US Fish & Wildlife Service
- Quantifying the Relative Impacts of Climate Change and Urban Growth on the Capability of the Northeast to Support Wildlife
- Bill DeLuca, National Audubon Society
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In case you've been wondering what to read next....
- Climate Bill: Late last month, Governor Baker signed into law the Next Generation Roadmap. See what some of our conservation nonprofit partners from The Trustees and Mass Audubon have to say about how nature plays into this landmark climate bill.
- Trees & Forests:
- Connectivity & Climate Change Toolkit: The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Climate Adaptation Committee released a new toolkit to provide information, tools, and resources critical to understanding and implementing climate adaptation strategies related to landscape connectivity.
- Celebrating Earth Month: I know we celebrate the Earth all year, but there should be great articles and events this April. The Biden Administration is celebrating by hosting a climate summit, including discussing opportunities to address the role of nature-based solutions in achieving net zero by 2050 goals.
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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.
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