The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) Center for Coastal Environmental Sensing Networks (CESN) hosted the second conference on Coastal Environmental Sensing Networks (CESN ’09). This two-day conference was comprised of 3 panel sessions held in conjunction with Coastal Zone ’09 (CZ ’09), a networking dinner, and presentations, posters, and plenary talks at UMass Boston.

CESN ‘09 provided a forum to share state-of-the-art technology capabilities and learn about informational needs related to environmental sensing networks. Specific focus was placed on gathering, processing, and utilizing information from environmental sensing networks to better manage the changing coastal environment. The focus of CESN ’09 is consistent with the "Revolutionary Times: Catching the Wave of Change" theme of CZ ’09 (http://www.csc.noaa.gov/cz/) and as such, Day 1 of CESN ’09 took place on Thursday July 23, 2009 at the CZ ’09 conference ( held at The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers). At CZ ’09, a series of three Panel Sessions on Coastal Environmental Sensing Networks explored sensor network technology, sensor applications, and policy and management-related information and technology needs. On Day 2, Friday, July 24, 2009, sessions on novel sensors, land and ocean networks, cyberinfrastructure solutions, and coastal information needs as well as exhibits and plenaries took place at UMassBoston. The two days were linked by a conference Lobster Bake dinner on Thompson Island in Boston Harbor.