Vineyard Conservation Almanac

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In This Issue:

Local News:
New Martha's Vineyard License Plate

Island Plan Update:
Landscapers, nurserymen (and women): Please help with the Island Plan!!!

Feature:
Justices Challenge EPA's Arguments in Clean Air Act Case

Calendar:
Nursery School Naturalists;
Martha’s Vineyard Education Alliance (MVEEA);
Public Meeting on the Regional Transportation Plan;
Martha’s Vineyard Water Alliance meeting;
More...

Save The Date:
Continue the Tradition of Felix Neck Fall Festival;
Volunteers Needed for Native Plant Care and Habitat Restoration

Climate Change:
U.S. Defends Itself on Global Warming;
U.S. agencies study claims of scientific censorship

Nature Update:
Ocean fish, seafood could collapse by 2048 –study

Energy Update:
Green Fuel to harness unused coal

Local Government Update:
Vineyard Voters Back Change in Dukes County Government

LOCAL NEWS

New Martha's Vineyard License Plate

Anyone who registers a car anywhere in Massachusetts can contribute to the well-being of the Island's non-profit organizations by applying for the new MV license plate. Acting together, and only together, we have an opportunity to send approximately $100,000 to Island charities each year. All it takes is to fill out a form (downloadable from www.mvdonors.org) and send it with a $40 check (payable to the Registry of Motor Vehicles) to the Martha's Vineyard Donors Collaborative. Since the $40 is in addition to the regular auto registration fee, 100% of the fee will go to Island non-profits through the new Vineyard Fund.

Contributors can request their own plate number combination, between 26-3,000, providing no one else has gotten to it first. We give up to three requests, to make your chances better. The web site offers tips in getting a number you want.

Your MV License plate will demonstrate to the world that you are a person who loves the Vineyard and wishes to preserve the good things of our Island life. Contact Bea Phear, mailto:pbphear@comcast.net with questions.

Island plan Update

Landscapers, nurserymen (and women):
Please help with the Island Plan!!!

The Island Plan Natural Environment Work Group Core has identified landscapers and those who operate lawn services and nurseries as essential members of the Natural Environment Work Group. It is important for landscapers to be well represented in this group, because of your knowledge of local landscaping practices and services, and your important ideas on how to best plan for the landscaping of the future!

Please email Jo Ann Taylor at taylor@mvcommission.org to join the group. If you are already a member of the work group, thank you for your participation.

Energy Tips - From idealbite.com
For your health. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which the body can use to kill certain viruses, like herpes and the flu. Flax seed and hemp have mega Omega-3 power, helping to lower cholesterol. Upstage petroleum: flax seed and hemp oils are used in paints, coatings and as lubricants, and all 3 oils make excellent sources of fuel for biodiesels - particularly coconut oil.

FEATURE

Justices Challenge EPA's Arguments in Clean Air Act Case
November 2, 2006
By Charles Lane
Washington Post Staff Writer

Supreme Court justices took a skeptical view of an Environmental Protection Agency crackdown on air pollution from electric power plants yesterday as the court heard oral arguments in a major case on the authority of the federal government to punish violations of the Clean Air Act.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/
content/article/2006/11/01/AR2006110101661.html

CALENDAR

Nursery School Naturalists

Mon. Nov. 13, & 20, 2006
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
For Children Ages 3-5 with a parent/friend 10:00-11:00 a.m. Due to popular demand, we will continue our Nursery School Naturalist programs until Thanksgiving. Join us on 2 more Fridays to explore Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. Fee: $8M, $10NM for per class. 508 627-4850.

Martha’s Vineyard Education Alliance (MVEEA)

Tues, Nov 14, 2006, 3:30 pm
Visitors Center of Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown
The Martha’s Vineyard Education Alliance (MVEEA) will hold its second meeting of the year. Our meetings are scheduled to last approximately one hour. The new co-chairs of the MVEEA are Sarah Mello-Trudel Environmental Education and Interpretation Coordinator, The Trustees of Reservations and Christina Miller of Friends of Sengekontacket. Call 508-693-7662 with questions strudel@ttor.org, www.thetrustees.org.

Public Meeting on the Regional Transportation Plan

Tues, Nov 14, 2006, 5:00 pm
The offices of the MVC, 33 New York Avenue in Oak Bluffs
This is the second of two public meetings to discuss the update of the Regional Transportation Plan. A draft of the Regional Transportation Plan can be downloaded prior to the meeting from the Commission's website at www.mvcommission.org. Members of the public are invited to give their comments on this draft to the Martha's Vineyard Joint Transportation Committee before it is finalized. For further information, contact Jim Miller, Planner (Transportation) at the Martha's Vineyard Commission at miller@mvcommission.org or 508-693-3453.

Martha’s Vineyard Water Alliance meeting

Wed. Nov. 15, 2006, 12:30 pm
Vineyard Golf Club, the first organic golf club on the island.
Jeff Carlson, the manager of the club will give the group a tour of this unique place. The tour will follow a short agenda which will include a (15 minute) video entitled ‘A Piece of the Puzzle’ about the installation of an alternative denitrifying system at Bob Woodruffs. The Club is on 72 Club House Lane off of the Edgartown/West Tisbury road between the Edg. Sewer Plant and the town forest. Coming from up island 1000 feet after Metcaff drive turn left onto paved road across from the ‘Do Not Pass’ sign. Call 508-627-8219 with questions.

Toddler Time at Native Earth Teaching Farm

Wed. Nov. 15, 2006, Visit anytime between 9 a.m. and noon
94 North Road in Chilmark
Casual and informal seasonal activities, animal visits and outdoor fun, supported by donation. For details, call 508-645-3304.

Author Visit: Phyllis Meras

Thurs. Nov. 16, 2006, 6:30 pm
Oak Bluffs Public Library
Phyllis Meras will discuss her book, Country Editor: Henry Beetle Hough and the Vineyard Gazette, with a special focus upon his preservation and conservation efforts. Question and answer session afterwards.

Fall Walk

Thurs. Nov. 16, 2006, 10:30-11:30 am
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Rd., Edgartown.
Sponsored by Family Center. Led by Susie Bowman. Dress for weather. Pre-register: 508-693-7900, ext. 288.

Wee Farmer

Fri. Nov. 17, 2006, 10:30-11:45 am
FARM Institute, Katama Farm, 14 Aero Ave., Edgartown. Age 3 and 4. Bi-monthly, new theme each workshop. $10. Pre-register: 508-627-7007.

Sustainable Farming Pioneer Joel Salatin

Fri. Nov. 17, 2006, 7 pm
Joel Salatin will speak and sign his book Holy Cows and Hog Heaven at 7 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury.

Who Killed The Electric Car?

Sat. Nov. 18, 2006, 7:30 pm
Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven
Film: Who Killed The Electric Car? is a documentary about big business. Admission is $6, or $4 for film society members.

Massachusetts & New England Global Warming Action Conference

Sun, Nov. 19, 2006, 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
MIT's Stata Center, 32 Vassar St, Cambridge, MA
Mass. Climate Action Network's 5th Conference. Hosted by MIT’s Technology & Culture Forum, Lunch catered by Whole Foods. Learn what you, your town, city, state, company, or university can do about global warming. Learn from & network with climate activists, technical experts & policy specialists. For more information go to http://massclimateaction.org/conferenceinfo.htm

Save The Date

Continue the Tradition of Felix Neck Fall Festival

November 24, 2006, 11 am - 3 pm
(Rain Date is Saturday, November 25th)
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
After the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving, relax with family and friends at Felix Neck. Good food and good friends come out for this annual community celebration. Activities include face painting, nature crafts, games, the Felix Neck Quest, music and guided walks. Soups, bread, baked goods and other foods will be available for sale. A donation of $2 per person is suggested to support the programs and maintenance of the Sanctuary. 508-627-4850 Good food and good friends come out for this annual community celebration. Activities include face painting, nature crafts, games, the Felix Neck Quest, music and guided walks. Soups, bread, baked goods and other foods will be available for sale.

Calling All Gardeners and Outdoor Enthusiasts:
Volunteers Needed for Native Plant Care and Habitat Restoration Opportunities Available Throughout the Fall

Tuesday, November 28th or Friday, December 1st, 2006, 1 - 4 pm
Hoft Farm preserve, West Tisbury
Interested in native plants and habitat restoration on the Vineyard? Join The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for volunteer work days to support Vineyard wildflower populations. TNC seeks volunteers to help with end-of-season tasks at its Native Plant Propagation Center. Hoft Farm, is located off of Lambert’s Cove Road. To sign up for the November 28th or December 1st volunteer work day, please contact Peggy Pinney at the Conservancy’s Islands Office: ppinney@tnc.org or 508-693-6287, ext. 10.

Climate Change

U.S. Defends Itself on Global Warming
November 6, 2006
By CHARLES J. HANLEY
Associated Press

The United States is doing better lately than some countries in restraining growth of global warming gases, and it isn't likely to change its stand against mandatory controls, a U.S. negotiator said Monday as 5,000 delegates opened the annual U.N. climate conference.

http://www.forbes.com/technology/
ebusiness/feeds/ap/2006/11/06/ap3147683.html

U.S. agencies study claims of scientific censorship
Thursday, November 02, 2006
BY KITTA MacPHERSON
Star-Ledger Staff

Federal auditors are investigating allegations that the two main agencies on space and ocean science censored government scientists who held views on global warming that clashed with those of the Bush administration, officials said yesterday.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/
index.ssf?/base/news-9/116244933145570.xml&coll=1

Nature Update

Ocean fish, seafood could collapse by 2048 –study
By Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent
Reuters

WASHINGTON - The world's fish and seafood populations will collapse by 2048 if current trends in habitat destruction and overfishing continue, resulting in less food for humans, researchers said on Thursday.

In an analysis of scientific data going back to the 1960s and historical records over a thousand years, the researchers found that marine biodiversity -- the variety of ocean fish, shellfish, birds, plants and micro-organisms -- has declined dramatically, with 29 percent of species already in collapse.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15531790/

Energy Update

Green Fuel to harness unused coal
By MICHAEL STOTHARD
UPI Energy Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- A new type of coal-based fuel, which will soon be commercialized with federal backing, could harness America's vast low-rank coal reserves and make the country energy self-sufficient for the next 300 years or significantly supplant oil consumption, the chief of Fairbanks, Alaska-based Silverado Green Fuels.

http://www.upi.com/Energy/
view.php?StoryID=20061107-053500-8578r

Local Government Update

Vineyard Voters Back Change in Dukes County Government
By JIM HICKEY

The winds of change were in the air for Dukes County this past week as Island voters elected two new members to the Dukes County Commission and approved the creation of a new county charter commission by an almost four-to-one margin.

http://www.mvgazette.com/news/
2006/11/10/county_charter.php

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