Mass ECAN September News
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This time of year is all about transitions as we move from Summer to Fall -- the start of cooler weather, welcoming a new school year, and choosing the next leaders in our governments. Here's to doing all we can to support champions of climate adaptation at all levels of government! We can’t afford to lose any time to climate inaction.
See below for details on the exciting Fall we have planned for Mass ECAN. Hope to see you at our events!
Explore our newsletter 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 Fall, we’re providing skill-building workshops just for Mass ECAN members, thanks to funding from the Barr Foundation.
Last chance to RSVP for our first workshop!
Join us for a Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Workshop facilitated by the Consensus Building Institute on Sept. 13th from 9:30am-3pm at the CBI office in Cambridge. We will explore the ways that people negotiate to create value and resolve disputes. Negotiation is any communication between people with an intention to influence or persuade, which is often needed as we work towards climate action. This full-day workshop will be a mix of lecture-style and interactive sessions that include role-play, discussion, and skills-building. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Space is limited. RSVP here.
Collaborative Leadership Workshop Series
Join us to strengthen your leadership and facilitation of collaborations through a three-session online series on Leading with a Network Mindset, facilitated by the Institute for Conservation Leadership.
Oct. 22, 24, and 29, from 1-2:30pm on Zoom- please plan to attend all.
● Use the network mindset framework to identify opportunities for evolution and action that support your partnership’s goals.
● Leave with tools and approaches you can use to cultivate a network mindset in your partnership.
● Consider your network’s needs and next steps based on its maturity and evolution.
● Tap the expertise and support of colleagues to get fresh perspectives, ideas, and inspiration to address a challenge or opportunity in your partnership.
Spots are limited. RSVP here.
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This year’s Field Trip series is exploring adaptation actions and nature-based solutions in response to inland flooding. After each trip, stay for optional lunch/networking time from 12pm-1pm. Hope to see you there!
Easthampton
Sept. 5 - tomorrow! - 10am-1pm
Join us to explore green infrastructure projects in a residential setting and learn about community engagement and maintenance. We'll have Mt. Tom's ice cream to share! Register here.
Devens/Ayer
Sept. 24 (rain date Sept. 30), 10am-1pm
Explore a variety of nature-based solutions projects, including low-impact development techniques, pocket forests, and stream daylighting, across commercial, residential, and recreational sites. Learn how municipalities can incorporate nature-based solutions into all of their planning, development, and climate resilience efforts. Register here.
North Branch Hoosic River
Oct. 21 (rain date Oct. 28), 10am-1pm
Visit the Beaver Mills Dam in North Adams, and the former Briggsville Dam in Clarksburg, to learn about dam removal benefits, including flood mitigation, stream continuity, and fish passage. Explore how watershed-scale partnerships, community engagement, and the prioritization of climate justice are all essential parts in increasing resiliency. Register here.
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!
Sara Singh
Conservation and Climate Resilience Specialist
Nashua River Watershed Association
Bio: Through her work as NRWA's Project Manager for an MVP Action Grant, Sara supports climate resilience and environmental justice efforts in the watershed. In addition to developing partnerships in the MVP communities, she is responsible for reporting, planning, and public outreach. Previously, she conducted research on environmental topics including PFAS contamination, climate policy progress in New England, Muddy River restoration, wildlife conservation, and conservation monitoring technologies. Sara earned a BS in International Business & Marketing from the University of South Carolina Honors College, an MS in Environmental Policy & Planning from Tufts' UEP Department, and an MA in Law & Diplomacy from The Fletcher School.
Climate Adaptation Project: Sara is coordinating a MVP Action Grant project that is a 2 year planning process centered on meaningful community engagement in the Nashua River watershed communities of Fitchburg, Groton, Pepperell, Leominster, and Ashburnham. The NRWA and its subcontractors (BSC Group and Regenerative Design Group) incorporated the feedback of residents and municipal officials during the community engagement process to identify specific priority sites and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for these sites. This project is paving the way for area transformations of priority sites identified by the community, for the community.
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Funding Opportunity- Cranberry Bogs & Coastal Wetlands Restoration Grant, Division of Ecological Restoration. Seeking proposals to advance the early phase feasibility, project planning, preliminary design, and construction of retired Cranberry Bog and Coastal Wetland Restoration Projects. Due: 9/23.
Funding Opportunity - Action Grant, EEA's Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program. Starting 9/9, the MVP Program will be accepting Expression of Interest (EOI) forms for FY26 Action Grant project ideas. The EOI is not mandatory, but serves as a resource. Due: 11/1.
Shout-out - Congrats DER awardees!
Event - Network and Learn: MA Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, Environmental Business Council. Join your colleagues for a network & learn session with EBC to hear about the Commonwealth’s climate priorities and implementation strategies for 2024 and beyond. 4pm-6pm on 9/25. Boston.
Event - An Introduction to CSO and What it Means for the Blackstone River Webinar, SNEP Network. Explore what CSO is, how it relates to floodplains, where it occurs on the Blackstone River. Learn what communities are doing to address CSO and what resources are available for communities and residents. 1pm-2:15pm on 9/5. Zoom. Register here.
Event - Fall Webinar Series, Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center. Join an Invasive Species Tool Talk, where management tools in the context of invasive species ranges and adaptation will be explored. 4pm on 9/11. Zoom. Register here.
Event - Dam Removal Site Visit, Dam Busters, Braintree at the Monatiquot River/Armstrong Dam. Staff from the Division of Ecological Restoration will lead the tour. 12pm-1pm on 9/18. Register here.
Event - Community Engagement for Climate Resilience, Climate Adaptation Forum, EBC & Sustainable Solutions Lab. For new and long-term practitioners alike to understand what skills and practices are involved and what benefits are possible when project teams and community members partner to identify problems and solutions to climate challenges. 9:30am-12:30pm on 9/27. Hybrid. Register here.
Job- Climate Engagement Associate, Mystic River Watershed Association, Arlington. Take the lead in building relationships around the impacts of stormwater flooding and other issues residents are facing due to climate change, focused on the upstream Mystic communities.
Job - Senior Climate Resilience Project Manager, City of Boston. Carry out and implement projects, including public infrastructure for neighborhoods throughout the city, with an emphasis on initiatives related to climate change, the natural and built environment, waterfront, and the watershed.
Job - Development Associate, Charles River Watershed Association, Hybrid. Provide critical support for fundraising and donor engagement efforts. Be part of a mission-based organization working on the front lines of climate change and clean water protection.
Job - Communications Manager, Boston Harbor Now, Charlestown. Drive the development and execution of strategic communications initiatives, ensuring a cohesive organizational brand across all platforms. Lead innovative storytelling efforts, engage diverse audiences, and manage projects.
Job - Restoration Ecologist, Mass Audubon, Lincoln. Seeking a self-motivated, organized, and friendly person to join the Ecological Restoration Program. The ideal candidate will have experience as a project manager and curiosity and passion about ecosystems and restoring them.
Job - Coastal Program Manager, BSC Group, West Yarmouth, Hybrid. Support projects including river restoration, salt marsh restoration, and coastal restoration. The successful candidate will have expertise that spans Coastal Engineering and Ecological Science.
Job - BioMap Outreach and Development Specialist contractor, Westborough/Hybrid. Responsible for outreach and development activities to promote and improve the new BioMap conservation planning tool, a framework for strategic protection and stewardship of lands and waters most important for ensuring a climate-resilient landscape.
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In case you've been wondering what to read next...
- MA Dept. of Fish and Game Five-Year Strategic Plan: The new plan establishes a bold and unifying vision, focusing on solutions at the intersection of biodiversity, climate change, and environmental justice. Read it here.
- Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: See the Latino Climate Justice Framework to learn more about how to address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on Latino/a/x communities. Let's celebrate our Latino colleagues and take this as an opportunity to learn more of their stories, such as these 12 Latino Environmental Leaders.
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