Environment

MAPC’s Environment Department provides technical assistance and policy guidance to municipalities on issues ranging from climate preparedness and vulnerability assessments, natural hazard mitigation planning, and sustainable water management. 

2024 Highlighted Projects

Multi colored map of the Greater Boston region, illustrating the statewide flooding analysis showing flood vulnerability and survey results of flooding impacts by municipality. It illustrates that some of the greatest flooding impact is in Environmental Justice communities.

Map (snapshot) of statewide flooding analysis done by project team showing flood vulnerability and survey results of flooding impacts by municipality. View the full map.

Flood Vulnerability Assessment of EJ Communities

Beginning in 2024, MAPC, in partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), started  working on a multi-phased project focused on assessing flood vulnerability in Environmental Justice (EJ) neighborhoods.  In 2024, the project team engaged with 187 communities across the Commonwealth, including 9 other Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs) and numerous Community Based Organizations (CBOs). 

Four communities will be chosen this year (2025) for a pilot flood mitigation solutions program.

Abstract yellow, white, and blue wavy designed background. In white text over the blue part of the background it says, "Accelerating Climate Resilience". Under that yellow text says, "Speaker Series".

Logo for the annual Accelerating Climate Resilience Speaker Series.

Several people stand on grass and gravel looking at a construction stormwater retrofit site. There is gravel and sand, and a piece of yellow construction equipment. In the background are homes, trees, and cars.

Site visit to Watson Park in Braintree for their Stormwater Retrofits Project.

Accelerating Climate Resilience (ACR) Grant Program 

The Accelerating Climate Resilience (ACR) Grant Program, generously supported by the Barr Foundation, is wrapping up its fifth year. The goal of the program is to accelerate climate resilience in the region by helping municipalities in the Greater Boston region advance strategies that protect people, places, and communities from the impacts of climate change. After five years and through four grant rounds, the program has provided awards to about 55 pilot projects to more than 40 different communities, totaling nearly $2.7 million. 

The ACR program has also served as a resource through the Resilience Community of Practice (RCOP) - a peer-to-peer learning space to share skills and knowledge, discuss successes and challenges among grantees, and build a support network of climate resilience champions.  


ACR grants and the program’s technical assistance support help municipalities to achieve on-the-ground impacts that build resilience and transform planning into tangible action. MAPC is proud of the ACR program’s achievements to date in accelerating the climate resilience of the region, and we are excited for the work ahead.    

Climate Resilience Playbook logo. A green map of Massachusetts with an illustration of water below the map, a yellow sun to the upper left of the map and green leaves to the right of the map. All inside an orange outlined circle. Words around the outside of the circle say, "Climate Resilience Playbook".

The Climate Resilience Playbook logo.

Climate Resilience Playbook

A partnership project (began in 2024) between the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, for creating an interactive tool to assist communities with climate resilience efforts.

2024 Awards and Accomplishments

North Shore Water Resilience Task Force

The completion of three studies for the Task Force which began in 2023:

Many people standing together horizontally and in rows on a riser, facing the camera smiling. There is a large, white sign in front of them with the words, "Essex North Shore" on it in black.

In September 28 2022, members (18 North Shore communities and the Ipswich River Watershed Association) signed a joint charter establishing the North Shore Water Resilience Task Force (photo of the signing event). 

MAPC serves as a co-facilitator for the Task Force. 

2024 News of Note
Articles about MAPC's work, expertise, or articles MAPC staff were interviewed for or quoted in.