In support of our Vineyard Lawn initiative, we have purchased a number of lawn signs that say, “This is a chemical-free Vineyard Lawn safe for children, pets and ponds.” We are looking for willing people who actually have ‘vineyard lawns’ that are visible from the street, to show off and inspire others, by planting a sign. Excess nitrogen from fertilizers leaches into the ground water, which gets into our ponds causing algae blooms, which suffocates shellfish and finfish. If you would like to help raise awareness with this initiative, give our office a call, 508-693-9588 and come in and pick up a sign. Thanks, VCS staff khart@vineyardconservation.org

The draft version of the Martha's Vineyard Island Plan has been released for public comment. The plan says: “A combination of isolation and strong actions by the local community has kept the Island of Martha's Vineyard as a very special and distinct place in the world. But significant additional effort will be needed to ensure that excessive or poorly managed growth doesn’t undermine the very qualities that make people want to live or visit here, and slowly destroy the Island that we love.” . . . “Implementing the recommendations of the Island Plan will lead to a better future for the Vineyard.”

The Island Plan Steering Committee – is inviting comments on both the content and the presentation of the draft version of the Martha's Vineyard Island Plan from town boards, Island organizations, and members of the public by the end of September 2009, so the document can be revised and finalized by the end of the year.

The draft plan can be viewed at local libraries or online at www.IslandPlan.org. Paper copies can be obtained from the MVC. Individuals or groups are invited to provide feedback in a variety of ways.

• Online: Go to www.IslandPlan.org to make general comments or provide specific corrections or suggestions for each section.
• Open Houses: Discuss the proposals with members of the Steering Committee at the Martha's Vineyard Commission offices, 33 New York Avenue, Oak Bluffs on: - Wednesday August 26 from 4 to 7pm, - Saturday, August 29 from 10am to 1pm, or - Monday, August 31 from noon to 3 pm. - Watch for additional open houses in September.)
• Written Comments: Please send them by e-mail to info@IslandPlan.org or by mail to Island Plan c/o MVC, Box 1447, Oak Bluffs, 02557. For further information, contact Mark London, london@mvcommission.org, 508-693-3453 x11.

TUKTOYAKTUK, Northwest Territories (AP) -- The Arctic Ocean has given up tens of thousands more square miles (square kilometers) of ice on Sunday in a relentless summer of melt, with scientists watching through satellite eyes for a possible record low polar ice cap.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/
C/CN_CANADA_ICE_RETREATS?SITE=MAHYC
&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-08-09-19-04-31

On an overcast foggy morning, much of Edgartown Great Pond and its coves disappear as if the brush stroke of an artist had painted the shifting clouds. The 900-odd-acre pond with hidden coves and a fragile environment is William (Boo) Bassett’s summer workplace.

For most of this summer and much of last summer, Mr. Bassett has worked husbanding the restoration of wild oysters in the pond. It is both heavy and delicate work. He says he is doing it not just to restore a historic fishery, but also to restore the health of the once-vibrant pond.

http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?22483