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| Join us at the Vineyard Conservation Society's Annual Meeting |
 New Views of Ocean Life the Census of Marine Life is the most ambitious program in the history of marine biology and you will have a chance to preview it at the VCS Annual Meeting this year. The Census of Marine Life began in the year 2000 and involves thousands of scientists from more than 80 nations. The program will report the first census of marine life in October 2010.
Jesse Ausubel, co-founder of the program and VCS Board member will preview some of the major findings and discoveries of the program, which span diversity, distribution, and abundance, from microbes to mammals. The presentation will include still and moving images of the astonishing beauty of ocean life.
Conservation Center; a light dinner will be served. Call VCS for information 508 693 9588 |
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The Six Hundred Million Dollar Plan
By MIKE SECCOMBE
Vineyard Gazette |
 Of course, when you are working on the largest cooperative project in the history of marine biology, a 10-year, $600 million census of all the world’s marine life, you need to know something about the tax regime in 14th century Czarist Russia.
Let professor Jesse Ausubel, cofounder of the project, explain.
“The czars used to collect part of their income from Russian Orthodox monasteries in barrels of herring,” he said. “People didn’t lie to the czar, so the monasteries on the Baltic and Black Sea kept very accurate records of herring catches and herring runs, back to about 1300.” http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?21611
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| LOCAL NEWS |
Island Fishermen Plead Case for Sectors
By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL
Vineyard Gazette |
 With the future of the groundfish industry at stake, five Islanders plan to attend a three-day summit in Portland, Me., this week where a new management system that aims to rebuild stocks and make fishing profitable again will be considered.
The meeting of the New England Fishery Management Council opens today and runs through Thursday. The council is expected to vote on establishing a new sector system for catching groundfish, including cod, haddock and the many flounders that were once abundant in New England waters.
http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?21540 |
| Feature |
THE OIL INTENSITY OF FOOD
Lester R. Brown |
 Today we are an oil-based civilization, one that is totally dependent on a resource whose production will soon be falling. Since 1981, the quantity of oil extracted has exceeded new discoveries by an ever-widening margin. In 2008, the world pumped 31 billion barrels of oil but discovered fewer than 9 billion barrels of new oil. World reserves of conventional oil are in a free fall, dropping every year.
http://www.earthpolicy.org/
Books/Seg/PB3ch02_ss3.htm |
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The Green Revolution(s)
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Published: June 23, 2009
NY Times |
There has been a lot of worthless chatter about what President Barack Obama should say about Iran’s incipient “Green Revolution.” Sorry, but Iranian reformers don’t need our praise. They need the one thing we could do, without firing a shot, that would truly weaken the Iranian theocrats and force them to unshackle their people. What’s that? End our addiction to the oil that funds Iran’s Islamic dictatorship. Launching a real Green Revolution in America would be the best way to support the “Green Revolution” in Iran.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/
opinion/24friedman.html?ref=opinion |
Water-wise Car Washing
Taking your car to the local car wash instead of washing it at home might seem like a guilty pleasure, but from an environmental perspective it is often the better choice. When you wash your car in the driveway or street, contaminants such as grease and brake dust (as well as the detergent itself) flow into storm sewers, which discharge directly into our waterways. Car washes, on the other hand, are required to drain their water into sanitary sewers (which direct sewage to treatment facilities) or to filter and reuse it on-site. Greentips: June 2009
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| Calendar |
| (Not So Creepy) Creatures of The Night Family Hike |
 Monday and Tuesday Evenings, (Not So Creepy) Creatures of The Night Family Hike, The Trustees of Reservations, each week in July and August Tour begins at sunset (tour duration: 75 minutes) Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Chappaquiddick 508.627.3599 Families with children age 4-8 years old that have ever wondered what flies, hunts, squeaks and screeches under the cover of darkness will have an opportunity to strap on a headlamp and take a hike through a Trustees of Reservations property to look for the Not-so Creepy Creatures of The Night! |
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| Seashore Discovery |
 Mon, June 29, Seashore Discovery 10-11:30 am, Felix Neck, Edgartown. Guided beach walk. $9; $6 members; free for children under 3. 508-627-4850. |
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| Snorkel Discovery |
| Monday through Friday, each week in July and August, Snorkel Discovery, 10:00 a.m. & 12:45 p.m. (tour duration: 75 minutes) Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Chappaquiddick, The Trustees of Reservations, offered in a shallow, sheltered salt pond, this snorkel discovery is great for children (and parents) of all swimming abilities as well as those who are still wading! For families with children age 4-8 years old, our education staff will assist your child’s discovery of shrimp, crabs, fish, jellies, and more. Masks, snorkels, nets, and instruction provided. 508.627.3599 Member Child: $10 Non-member Child: $12 (Up to two adults FREE with child’s admission). |
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| New England Wild Flower Society – Become a Plant Conservation Volunteer |
 Tues, June 30, New England Wild Flower Society – Become a Plant Conservation Volunteer noon – 2:00 pm at The Polly Hill Arboretum FREE BYO Lunch Come join us to find out about this great opportunity to become a citizen scientist and monitor rare plant sites in the region. John Burns – Program Administrator – of the New England Wild Flower Society will introduce you to the joys, process, and benefits of becoming a Plant Conservation Volunteer (PCV). It’s a great way to learn more about plants, meet others with similar interests, and make an impact in conservation. So, come learn about this great opportunity. Call with questions 508-693-9426. |
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| If Trees Could Talk |
| Tues, June 30, If Trees Could Talk: Tree Tour 10-11:30 am, Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury. If Trees Could Talk with Tom Clark. $5; free for members. 508-693-9426. |
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| Creature Feature: Spider Crabs |
| Tues, June 30, Creature Feature: Spider Crabs 10:30-11:30 am, Felix Neck, Edgartown. Nature program for ages 3-5 and guardian. $9; $6 members. |
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| Teas and Tours at the Farm Institute |
 Tues, June 30, Teas and Tours at the Farm Institute in Katama begins at 9:15 a.m. Enjoy tea, pastries and learn about the farm. Free, all welcome. |
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| Vineyard Conservation Society Annual Meeting |
| Tues, June 30, Vineyard Conservation Society Annual Meeting is at 5:30 p.m. at the Wakeman Conservation Center off Lambert's Cove Road in Vineyard Haven. Preview the New Views of Ocean Life the Census of Marine Life, a program that involves thousands of scientists from more than 80 nations. Light dinner will be served. For details, call 508-693-9588. |
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| Seashore Discovery |
| Wed, July 1, Seashore Discovery 10-11:30 am, Felix Neck, Edgartown. Guided beach walk. $9; $6 members; free for children under 3. 508-627-4850. |
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| Special Evening Kayak Tours |
| Wed and Thurs Evenings, each week in July and August, Special Evening Kayak Tours Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Chappaquiddick, The Trustees of Reservations, Tour begins one hour before sunset (duration: 2.5 hours) Cape Poge and Wasque are home to a variety of wildlife, and a Trustees naturalist will guide you as you explore the beauty of the salt water world from the perfect vantage point, a kayak or canoe! You may catch a glimpse of heron, osprey, and terns flying overhead; crabs, sea sponge, or clams in the water below you; and your toes will feel the sands of a remote Trustees beach as you stop midway through your tour to stretch and become inspired by the sights and sounds of this special place. 508.627.3599. |
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| Creature Feature: Horseshoe Crabs |
 Wed, July 1, Creature Feature: Horseshoe Crabs 10:30-11:30 am, Felix Neck, Edgartown. Nature program for ages 3-5 and guardian. $9; $6 members. |
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| Local Plant ID/Craft |
| Wed, July 1, Local Plant ID/Craft 1-3 pm, Aquinnah Cultural Center. Local medicinal and edible plants. $10. 508-645-7900; ACC@wampanoagtribe.net. |
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| “Potluck & Play: "Kim and Delia" |
| Wed, July 1, “Potluck & Play: "Kim and Delia" 5 pm, The FARM Institute, Edgartown. ArtFarm Enterprises presents story about young girl and imaginary friends. Runs through July 12 (except July 4, 6). $10. |
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| The Triple Tour! Lighthouse, Snorkel, and Glass Bottom Kayak Tour |
| Select Fridays in July and August, The Triple Tour! Lighthouse, Snorkel, and Glass Bottom Kayak Tour Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Chappaquiddick, The Trustees of Reservations Book an adventure of a lifetime! Spend a day with our education staff as they give you a tour of the historic Cape Poge Lighthouse, offer you time to relax and enjoy your own picnic lunch in Mytoi garden, then make you comfortable in one of our brand new (entirely glass!) kayaks for a tour of Cape Poge Bay. Did we forget to mention that you will also be able to cool off with a snorkel adventure at a remote Trustees beach during your paddle tour? Tour number limited to 2 adults and up to 2 children (age 7-14).Tour includes an introductory family membership. Participants must provide their own lunch, transportation to and from the Chappaquiddick Ferry is provided. Pre-registration required. ADULTS $90; CHILDREN $45 508.627.3599. |
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| MOONRISE KAYAK |
| Sun, July 5 MOONRISE KAYAK 7:00pm FELIX NECK WILDLIFE SANCTUARY See Sengekontacket pond in a new light, moonlight, as we celebrate the different full moons of summer. With a guide, you will kayak on the pond as the moon rises and sparkles on the water. Equipment included. Ages 11 and up with an adult. 508.627.4850. |
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| Save The Date |
| Lobster Week |
 Wed, July 8 The Menemsha Fisheries Development Fund celebrates Lobster Week at the Chilmark Public Library at 5:30 p.m with a lecture by Boston University Biology Professor Dr. Jelle Atema, a renowned lobster researcher. Followed by the award-winning documentary film Realm of The Lobster on Thursday, July 9 at 5 p.m. and a drawing for two live lobsters. Contact the library for information: 508-645-3360.
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 Did You Know?
PLA
In recent years, conventional petroleum-based plastics have come under fire for failing to live up to increasing demands for sustainability on the consumer market. A world without plastics is nearly unfathomable, but the move is on to find more environmentally friendly alternatives developed from renewable resources.
Go to the Environmental Educators section for the rest of the article. |
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| Announcement |
| Flat Point Poultry News |
 Wanted to send out a quick update about where things stand at Flat Point Poultry. There are delays to the chicken processing but also an opportunity. Tentative date for the second round of Cornish Rock Cross broilers has been pushed back to July 25th.
Third Run won't be available until September 12th. (This is due to a large loss we suffered while the birds were being shipped. On July 11th (tentative) Jeff and I will be processing 70 Pekin ducks. We still have many available. They will be $6/lb and will run 5 to 6 pounds. Please contact us if you are interested. Give a call if you have any questions. Doug Brush 508.693.2057 508.939.1140
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| Water Update |
Fishery council sets vote on 'sector' plan
By BECKY W. EVANS
revans@s-t.com
June 22, 2009 |
 For the past five years, New England fishermen have watched their groundfishing season shrink, their trip limits drop and their profits plummet under restrictions designed to build sustainable populations of cod, flounder and other overfished species.
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/
article?AID=/20090622/NEWS/906220307/-1/NEWS01
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| Energy Update |
Deep in Bedrock, Clean Energy and Quake Fears
By JAMES GLANZ
Published: June 23, 2009
NY Times |
BASEL, Switzerland — Markus O. Häring, a former oilman, was a hero in this city of medieval cathedrals and intense environmental passion three years ago, all because he had drilled a hole three miles deep near the corner of Neuhaus Street and Shafer Lane.
He was prospecting for a vast source of clean, renewable energy that seemed straight out of a Jules Verne novel: the heat simmering within the earth’s bedrock.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/
business/energy-environment/24geotherm.html?_r=1&hp |
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| Climate Change Update |
Peterson gets his way with climate and energy bill
23 Jun 2009
by Russ Walker |
 Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) on Tuesday surrendered to agriculture interests on a key provision in the massive climate and energy bill he introduced with Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Facing a defection from farm-state Democrats, Politico.com reports that Waxman agreed to change the bill so that “the U.S. Department of Agriculture will oversee the [carbon] offset program for farmers, and the House will seek further guidance from the Obama administration about the appropriate role for the EPA.”
http://www.grist.org/article/
2009-06-23-agriculture-climate-waxman |
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Pelosi cracks the whips to get climate bill passed
25 Jun 2009
by Kate Sheppard |
Are there 218 votes in the House of Representatives for clean energy and a healthier climate?
Rep. Mike Doyle is one of nine lawmakers “whipping” up votes for the Waxman-Markey bill. Above, Doyle at a June 24 rally on Capitol Hill.Kate Sheppard / GristWith a vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act expected on Friday or Saturday, supporters on Capitol Hill and in the environmental community are trying to determine if there are enough votes to pass it.
http://www.grist.org/article/2009-06-25-pelosi-climate-bill-votes |
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| Wastewater Update |
HOMEOWNERS WORRY ABOUT SEWER COSTS
By Jake Berry
jberry@capecodonline.com
June 24, 2009 |
 CENTERVILLE — Amy Killoran will be paying for her new septic system for the next 20 years. But if Barnstable planners get their way, she'll only be using it for the next four or five.
As a Centerville resident, Killoran, who installed a new $48,000 septic system in 2005 on the orders of the town health board, is one of the roughly 1,600 town residents who would be added to the town sewer system under an expansion plan currently under review before the town council.
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/
article?AID=/20090624/NEWS/906240321/-1/NEWS01 |
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| Wildlife Update |
| GOM lobster stock defies conventional wisdom |
 ALEXANDRIA, VA Nothing in the American lobster world seems to confound scientists more than the status of the Gulf of Maine resource.
With the single exception of Area 514 off Massachusetts, the new 2009 assessment found that over fishing is not occurring in the Gulf of Maine and the stock is not depleted or over fished.
http://www.fish-news.com/cfn/editorial/
editorial_6_09/GOM_lobster_stock_defies_conventional_wisdom.html |
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| Recycling Update |
| Cronig’s Market Banishes Styrofoam from Shelves |
 To reduce its environmental impact, Cronig’s Market has teamed up with Eco MV to replace all its styrofoam packaging. Styrofoam is a byproduct of petroleum and has a landfill life of over 3,000 years, and while it has been touted as a light and well-insulating material, more sustainable alternatives abound. For Cronig’s Market, the more environmentally friendly alternative is unbleached bulrush fiber.
http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?21619 |
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Have ideas for content for the Almanac? Please send them along to:
marticamv@aol.com |
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If you are not already a member, please JOIN US!
The Vineyard Conservation Society is a local, member-supported non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the environment of Martha's Vineyard. Founded in 1965, VCS is active in land conservation, education and advocacy. VCS works with landowners, colleague groups, and public officials to conserve land, guide growth, promote environmental awareness and encourage public participation.
JOIN ON-LINE by clicking here, or download our printable PDF form and mail it to us with your check. For more information about VCS, please call 508 693-9588 or email vcsinc@vineyard.net
25 Years of Winter Walks
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