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| This week in conservation June 22-28, 2009 |
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| Code Green: Introducing the ‘Stretch’ Building Code for New Construction & Renovations | |||||||||
 Mon, June 22, Code Green: Introducing the ‘Stretch’ Building Code for New Construction & Renovations, Forum Sponsored by Cape & Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative (CIRenew) At a June 22 forum, Ian Finlayson of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will preview the new “stretch” building code as an option for promoting highly efficient construction in communities on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. The forum, free and open to the public, will run from 6 to 8 pm at Waquoit Bay Reserve in East Falmouth. Media Contact: Megan Amsler, Cape & Islands Self-Reliance, 508.563.6633. |
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| Gardening Lecture | |||||||||
 Wed, June 24, Gardening Lecture 7:30 pm, Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury. "Lessons on Design, Plants, and Life" with Laura Coit, editor of Meristems. $10; $5 for members. |
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| Lessons from the Homestead Border | |||||||||
 Wed, June 24 Lessons from the Homestead Border, Polly Hill Arboretum, 7:30pm at the Far Barn. Can gardening put life in perspective? Join Laura Coit, Editor of Meristems and PHA volunteer, for a look at lessons learned while creating and maintaining the Homestead Border at PHA. This colorful mixed border planted in 2004, combines shrubs, perennials, natives, and bulbs in seasonal combinations. Coit planned a sunset color scheme and planted in the spirit of experimentation; along the way she learned something about garden design, plants, and life. She will share favorite plants and simple planting design tips in this illustrated lecture. This lecture sponsored by Eden Market & Garden Center. $10/$5 for PHA members. |
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| Skunk Lecture | |||||||||
 Thurs, June 25, Skunk Lecture 5 pm, Chilmark Library. Skunks Without Borders: movements/behavior of coastal skunks on M.V. with Luanne Johnson. Free. 508-645-3360. |
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| Slow Food Potluck | |||||||||
 Thurs, June 25, Slow Food Potluck 6:30-9 pm, Ag Hall, West Tisbury. Bring dish for 6 with local ingredient; BYOB. slowfoodvineyard@gmail.com. |
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| Sheriff's Meadow Nature Walk | |||||||||
 Thurs, June 25, Sheriff's Meadow Nature Walk 10 am, Cedar Tree Neck, West Tisbury. Monthly walk series. Pre-register: 508-693-5207. |
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| Kayak Tour | |||||||||
 Thurs, June 25, Kayak Tour 10 am-12 noon, Felix Neck, Edgartown. Guided tour of Sengekontacket Pond; for ages 11 and up. $35; $28 members. Pre-register: 508-627-4850. |
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| Gardening Lecture Series | |||||||||
 Sat, June 27, Gardening Lecture Series 11 am-12 noon, Vineyard Gardens, West Tisbury. Deer resistant gardens with Chuck Wiley. Free gardening camp for children 6+. Weekly. 508-693-8511. |
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| Exhibit Opening/Weaving Presentation | |||||||||
| Sat, June 27, Exhibit Opening/Weaving Presentation 11 am-3 pm, Aquinnah Cultural Center. Medicinal garden opening; weaving with Linda Coombs. 508-645-7900; ACC@wampanoagtribe.net. | |||||||||
| Benefit Art Show | |||||||||
| Sat and Sun, June 27 & 28, Benefit Art Show 10 am-5 pm, Old Mill, West Tisbury. M.V. Garden Club's Beauty and the Best annual show. Also June 28. $5; free for children under 12. 508-627-5546. | |||||||||
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| Save The Date | |||||||||
| New Views of Ocean Life at the VCS Annual Meeting | |||||||||
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 Did You Know?Zero waste What is “zero waste”? Recycling has become a national habit and is practiced daily by more than 100 million Americans. Compared to the recycling rates of a decade ago, this is a great stride – but we can do better. While recycling has come a long way, it will not end the American dependency on landfills and incinerators, nor will it reverse the rapid depletion of the world’s natural resources. This is where the concept of “zero waste” has gained creed. Instead of putting increasing pressure on the end user, “zero waste” requires product manufacturers and designers to take responsibility for their products’ life cycles. In a zero waste approach, disposed items and materials are not viewed as waste, but rather as valuable resources that can be reused in new products or processes. While the intention is to reduce the volume of disposed items as much as possible, what is discarded must be able to be used in an ongoing cycle of use and reuse. Go to the Sustainable section for the rest of the article |
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| Announcement | Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions | ||||||||
Alert – Wind Siting Legislation and Public Listening Session |
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| Wind Update | Wind farm ruling faces appeal |
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| Wildlife Update | 4 states ravaged by beetles ask US for forest fire support |
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 WASHINGTON - Officials from Rocky Mountain states urged Congress yesterday to help them avert a potential catastrophe this summer, with millions of acres of beetle-ravaged pines prone to fire. Local government officials and forestry specialists told the House Natural Resources Committee at a hearing that small towns, ski resorts, water supplies, and electricity transmission lines near dying forests are at risk for wildfires. Local government officials and forestry specialists told the House Natural Resources Committee at a hearing that small towns, ski resorts, water supplies, and electricity transmission lines near dying forests are at risk for wildfires. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/ articles/2009/06/17/ beetle_plagued_west_asks_congress_to_boost_forest_fire_prevention/ |
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| Pestiside Update | E.P.A. to Review Safety of Pet Flea and Tick Products |
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Liquid flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats have been on the market for more than a decade. But following a recent increase in reports of adverse reactions among pets, the Environmental Protection Agency has intensified its scrutiny of the products, warning pet owners that the treatments may have serious, even fatal, side effects. |
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 The Conservation Almanac has been brought to you by a grant from the Edey Foundation, as well as a generous donation from an anonymous donor.Email Subscription Information The Almanac is provided as a public service by the Vineyard Conservation Society with the intent of providing quick and easy access to the Island's government process and environmental community. You are recieving this free email service because you have subscribed to the Vineyard Conservation Almanac. More information about island conservation issues, meetings and events can be viewed at http://almanac.vcsmv.org. If you do not wish to continue receiving these emails please click here to unsubscribe. Thank you for subscribing to the Almanac! |
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They were green long before it was cool to be green. From the moment they formed the Chilmark Spring Water Company, the Dunkl family went to extraordinary lengths to provide a chemical-free, all-natural product with the lightest possible impact on the environment. The water comes from a zealously protected natural spring in Chilmark. Brothers Fred and Peter Dunkl, mechanically inclined former Volkswagen mechanics, run the bottling line. Sister Heidi keeps the books in order. 
WASHINGTON — The impact of a changing climate is already being felt across the United States, like shifting migration patterns of butterflies in the West and heavier downpours in the Midwest and East, according to a government study to be released on Tuesday.
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. Click here to visit Census of Marine Life website 
BARNSTABLE — The Cape Cod Commission has announced it will appeal to the state's highest court to overturn the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board's approval of the proposed Nantucket Sound wind farm.