ENV 163 Geographic Information Systems I (GIS): Massachusetts & Cape Cod Environmental Resources

The MA Climate Change Assessment is a statewide analysis detailing how Massachusetts people, environments, and infrastructure may be affected by climate change and related hazards through the end of the century. This assessment will directly inform the first five-year update to the State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (SHMCAP) that will be released in Fall 2023.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's State Climate Summaries consist of observed and projected climate change information.

The Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050 provides details on the actions the Commonwealth will undertake to put the Commonwealth on a pathway to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050.

This plan comprehensively integrates climate change impacts and adaptation strategies with hazard mitigation planning.

EPA's August 2016 report.

SWAP presents the 570 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Commonwealth, the 24 types of habitat that support these species, and the actions necessary to conserve them. Chapter 5 of the plan covers climate change and Massachusetts species of greatest conservation need.

Prepared by Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Massachusetts Climate Change Adaptation Advisory Committee, this report was the first broad overview of climate change as it affects Massachusetts, the impacts of this change, vulnerabilities of multiple sectors ranging from natural resources, infrastructure, public health, and the economy.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary's management plan guides activities in the sanctuary by identifying priority management issues and proposing sets of actions to address them. The most revised management plan was published in August 2023 and includes 15 action plans that address current and emerging management needs, including a climate change action plan.

Gateway to data and information relevant to climate change adaptation and mitigation across Massachusetts. Provides local climate change science and decision support tools that enhance climate resilience for local planners, practitioners, policy-makers, and the public.

EEA seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s environmental resources while ensuring a clean energy future for the state’s residents.

MassDEP's mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth's natural resources - air, water, and land - to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations.

The Division of Marine Fisheries manages the state’s commercial and recreational saltwater fisheries and oversees other services that support the marine environment and fishing communities.

Massachusetts information from the CDC’s National Environmental Public Health Tracking.

The Green Communities Division (GCD) provides grants, technical assistance, and local support from Regional Coordinators to help municipalities reduce energy use and costs by implementing clean energy projects in municipal buildings, facilities, and schools.

MVP grant program provides support for cities and towns in Massachusetts to identify climate hazards, assess vulnerabilities, and develop action plans to improve resilience to climate change.

CZM is the lead policy, planning, and technical assistance agency on coastal and ocean issues within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and implements the state’s coastal program under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act.

SWAP presents the 570 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Commonwealth, the 24 types of habitat that support these species, and the actions necessary to conserve them. Chapter 5 of the plan covers climate change and Massachusetts species of greatest conservation need.

Information compiled by the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

Cape Cod Climate Initiative is a community-focused, information based effort to inform a strategic framework and collaborative approach to address the region’s contributions to and threats from climate change. Includes their report: Cape Cod Climate Action Plan.

The Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization whose mission is to reduce ways in which the Cape & Islands region contributes to climate change and to protect the region from its potentially devastating impacts.

Founded in 1968 by a group of concerned citizens to oppose an Army Corps of Engineers’ proposal to turn Nauset Marsh into a deep-water port, for over 50 years, APCC has helped restore natural resources in every town, procured better environmental policy at the county, state and federal level, and brought in millions of dollars to improve, protect and preserve the Cape.

Hanging in the Balance: An Urgent Call for Protecting Cape Cod’s Natural Resources is a report by the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) that provides a comprehensive analysis of key natural resources on Cape Cod. The report examines past and present impacts to natural resources, current threats, case studies, and recommended actions that promote protection, preservation and restoration of the region’s most important resource areas.

The Cape Cod Commission is the regional land use planning, economic development, and regulatory agency created in 1990 to serve the citizens and 15 towns of Barnstable County, Massachusetts. The Commission's interdisciplinary work covers a broad range of topics, addressing Cape Cod's needs in land use, transportation, economic development, GIS, natural resources, and more.

The Cape Cod Coastal Planner is a communication and decision support tool intended to educate users on the climate change hazards impacting Cape Cod's coastline, the adaptation strategies available to address them, and implications for local infrastructure and ecosystems.

The mission of Cape Cod Cooperative Extension is to improve the health and well-being of youth, families, and communities; conserve and enhance natural and marine resources, and strengthen agriculture and food systems.

The Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project is a watershed-wide effort to restore fish passages, remediate stormwater runoff to protect shellfish beds and restore degraded salt marshes.

The State of the Waters: Cape Cod is an annual assessment of the Cape’s water quality. Learn about the Cape’s water quality and what can be done to address water pollution and achieve clean water.

NECAP tested the use of role-play simulations, or “games,” to help community members come together to discuss and catalyze action around managing climate change risks in four New England communities.

A 2022 report from Highstead explores how New England’s forests are an important climate solution and explores five pathways to increase forests’ impact.

NE CASC is part of a network of nine Climate Adaptation Science Centers managed by the U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Adaptation Science Center. They work with natural and cultural resource managers to gather the scientific information and build the tools needed to help fish, wildlife, and ecosystems adapt to the impacts of climate change.

NEFF helps the people of New England to sustain their way of life, protect forest wildlife habitat and ecosystem services, and mitigate and adapt to climate change.

CDC’s Climate and Health Program supports state, tribal, local, and territorial public health agencies as they prepare for the health impacts of a changing climate.

The Climate Hubs and their partners support USDA’s Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan connecting science and practice through place-based resources.