ABBY CARE WEBPAGE

MassDEP’s Bureau of Water Resources is holding a virtual Meet The Grants Workshop to provide information on grant offerings for the upcoming fiscal year for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and water quality projects. This year we will also be holding an extended Applicant 101 Training for both grant and procurement opportunities after the grant showcase for those who are interested. The workshop will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. The video and slides will be made available online after the presentation. Registration and other information included below.

MassDEP Bureau of Water Resources Meet the Grants Workshop
Location: Zoom (virtual)

Date: Thursday, June 16, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM

Registration required: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4517798900328/WN_GpoARyPRQOWuX_WYpMTIaw#/registration

Attendees: Those interested in these grant offerings are welcome to attend – entities typically eligible for these grants include municipalities, local boards and commissions (Boards of Health, Conservation Commissions, etc.), stormwater coalitions, environmental justice professionals, river and watershed associations, public water suppliers, wastewater operators

DCR programming includes adaptive hiking, boating, cycling, swimming and golfing options for people of all abilities across the state 

BOSTON – As part of its commitment to ensuring residents and visitors of all abilities can connect with nature through outdoor recreation, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced the summer programming schedule for its Universal Access Program (UAP).  

UAP provides adaptive and accessible recreation opportunities at DCR parks throughout the year, helping make Massachusetts’ park system more welcoming and inclusive for all. This summer’s programming includes hiking, boating, swimming, cycling, and golfing at DCR properties located throughout the state. 

“At DCR, we’re committed to ensuring our public lands are welcoming and accessible to all,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “We want every resident and visitor to know that our parks, trails, beaches, and waterways are spaces where they belong. Through our Universal Access Program and the support of our partners, more people are able to connect with nature, spend time on the water, and enjoy all that our parks have to offer during the summer months.”  

From June through August, free and low-cost adaptive programming will be offered at 29 DCR properties. Each activity is designed to accommodate a wide range of needs and includes adaptive equipment and support. Programs are open to individuals of all ages and abilities. Friends and family of participants are also encouraged to participate. 

DCR also supports accessible and adaptive camping needs at many of our campsites. A full list of accessible sites can be found on DCR’s accessible camping webpage. 

The following activities will be featured at multiple DCR properties on dates throughout the summer:  

• Canoeing/Kayaking: Ranking among UAP’s most popular summer activities, DCR partners with Waypoint Adventure and All Out Adventures to offer kayaking and canoeing opportunities at Cochituate State Park in Natick, Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton, the Middlesex Fells Reservation in Stoneham, DAR State Forest in Goshen, Whitehall State Park in Hopkinton, the Charles River Reservation in Cambridge, Beartown State Forest in Great Barrington, Walden Pond in Concord, Belle Isle Marsh in East Boston, Quinsigamond State Park in Worcester and the Upper Charles River Reservation in Waltham. 
• Hiking: In partnership with Waypoint Adventure, UAP is hosting group hikes at Blue Hills Reservation in Milton and Beaver Brook Reservation in Waltham. Each hike will highlight the natural and historic significance of each area while taking visitors through wooded areas and alongside ponds and waterways.  
• Cycling: A variety of cycling equipment, including recumbent bikes, tandems, hand cycles, trikes and wheelchair accessible bikes will be made available by All Out Adventures and Waypoint Adventure at the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center in Worcester, Norwottuck Rail Trail in Hadley, Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, Blackstone River Greenway in Blackstone, Nashua River Rail Trail in Ayer, and Mass Central Rail Trail. 
• Swimming: Visitors in need of support while swimming will have the chance to cool off with staff from Easterseals Massachusetts at Worcester’s Bennett Field Pool this summer. Additionally, all of DCR’s 24 swimming pools, which open on June 20, feature outdoor chair lifts that provide access to the water. Several pools also have ramps or zero-depth entry and select pools and spray decks also have beach wheelchairs for use.  
• Rowing: Holyoke Rows is once again offering trips down the Connecticut River this summer. Participants will receive an introduction to rowing and can choose between a leisurely trip or competitive activities.  
• Sailing: In partnership with Community Boating, participants will get to sail along Boston’s Charles River Esplanade with programming designed for first-time and returning sailors.   

Additional adaptive recreation activities, including cycling, kayaking, paddleboarding and yoga, will be offered at Nickerson State Park in Brewster through October with Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers. Golf For All and the Massachusetts ParaGolfer Association are hosting adaptive golf programming at Ponkapoag Golf Course in Canton and Leo J. Martin Golf Course in Weston. Greens access in Weston will be limited due to ongoing repairs. 

DCR will also have all-terrain wheelchairs (trackchairs) available at Windsor State Forest in Windsor starting June 19 and at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport effective immediately. Maudslay State Park will also have mobility scooters available to visitors. All motorized mobility devices must be reserved at least three days in advance of visiting a DCR property.  

For a full list of DCR’s 22 accessible beaches, which feature beach mats and beach wheelchairs, visit DCR’s website.  

UAP will also be hosting summer adaptive ice skating at Porrazzo Memorial Rink in East Boston on August 24. 

Participants need to register in advance to take part in UAP programming. To register and view the full Summer Adaptive Program Schedule, including program locations, dates and times visit the UAP website. Those interested in joining the mailing list to receive notifications of upcoming events and activities can call (413) 461-7126 or email [email protected]. 

National Grid is kicking off the summer season with proactive campaigns to help customers stay cool and manage costs. These efforts include bundled solutions that combine energy savings with bill management programs, as well as opportunities to connect one-on-one with customer advocates at assistance events statewide.

Following another cold winter, these outreach efforts will help customers during the high-heat months, when increased usage can drive higher electricity costs, and provide tools to track and better understand their energy use. National Grid’s program experts can also offer solutions to help with high bills, helping alleviate financial burdens for eligible customers.

Throughout the summer season, National Grid will provide customers with text alerts that will provide timely energy-saving tips during heat waves. Below is a checklist with a few tips that can help Massachusetts residents save on energy costs throughout the hot summer:

May 29th is 529 Day, and Treasurer Goldberg’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) invites you to celebrate with free college and career savings

What’s 529 Day? 

Celebrated every year on May 29, 529 Day is about promoting the benefits of saving for college and career training costs with tax-advantaged 529 accounts. Massachusetts families can get a headstart on their savings with a free $50 deposit from BabySteps when they open a MEFA U.Fund 529 account at no cost within one year of their child’s birth or adoption. 

Learn more and get started: mass.gov/babysteps

MassDEP’s Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program is now open for applications. Technical Assistance Grants support effective public involvement during the assessment and cleanup of oil and hazardous material disposal sites under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (Chapter 21E).

Public participation is an essential part of the state's Waste Site Cleanup Program. Many may find it difficult to understand the technical and scientific information contained in the plans and reports related to the assessment and cleanup of disposal sites which can hinder effective participation by citizens in the cleanup process. TAGs are awarded to selected community and citizens’ groups to reimburse those groups to obtain expert assistance, increase public participation, and provide public education about disposal site assessment and cleanup activities. A total of $200,000 in funding is available with up to $20,000 per applicant selected.

Applications are due by Friday, August 28, 2026. More information on TAGs, FAQs, and application criteria can be found on MassDEP’s website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/technical-assistance-grants-waste-site-cleanup

MassDEP funding opportunity through the Natural Resource Damages Assessment and Restoration Program. The Program assess injuries to natural resources resulting from spills and releases of oil and hazardous materials and substances into the environment, brings claims against responsible parties for monetary damages to compensate the public for these injuries, and plans and implements projects to restore, replace or acquire the equivalent of natural resources and the services that they provide to the environment and the public. 

Over $128,000 is being made available for projects that will restore, replace or acquire natural resources that were injured (including wetlands, surface waters, sediment, shoreline and water quality and the services that these resources provide to humans and ecosystems). Proposed restoration projects must benefit the Chelsea and Mill Creek, and/or the Lower Mystic River watersheds.

Additional information can be found on MassDEP’s website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/natural-resource-damages-program-restoration-funds