Vineyard Conservation Almanac

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In This Issue:

Local News:
MVC weighs new rules for the sky above;
ISLANDERS RAIL AGAINST OCEANS PLAN

Feature:
LAST GASP FOR THE FOREST

Calendar:
“Newsmaker” evening;
Tuesday After School at the Farm Institute;
Peter Cabana: Wind 101;
More...

Announcement:
Fall Educational Programs

MVTV:
Ocean Management Plan

Climate Change Update:
U.S. and China Vow Action on Climate Threat but Cite Needs

Energy Update:
On Energy, We're Finally Walking the Walk

Wildlife Update:
Butterfly antennas key to navigating in migration;
Fishermen urge quick action on herring fleet

Water Update:
TURF BATTLE HEATS UP OVER LIMITS ON WATER-GUZZLING LANDSCAPES

Living Local Harvest Fest

The 3rd Annual Living Local Harvest Fest (LLHF) October 2nd and 3rd on Martha’s Vineyard, is a two day program of fun! and free community events that aim to increase awareness and accelerate the uptake of sustainable living on Martha’s Vineyard. LLHF brings together the unique community of Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate and educate on issues such as local food production, marine life, renewable energy, resource conservation, and island waste management. Through collaboration and positive engagement, the Vineyard community looks to be an example of how to build self-sufficiency, strengthening our local economy to ultimately enhance the cultural and the spiritual quality of islanders' and visitors' lives.

The festival is presented by the Vineyard Energy Project, Vineyard Conservation Society, Island Grown Initiative, M.V. Agricultural Society. For the schedule and more information go to http://www.livinglocalharvestfest.org

LOCAL NEWS

MVC weighs new rules for the sky above
By Steve Myrick
Published: September 24, 2009
MV Times

At its meeting next Thursday, the Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) is set to accept an unusual nomination for a district of critical planning concern (DCPC). Accepting the nomination - all but a certainty, according to commission members and staff - would trigger an immediate moratorium on any development 200 feet above Island land or above the three-mile territorial limit of state waters. Development below that 200-foot level would not be affected by the moratorium.

http://www.mvtimes.com/marthas-vineyard/
news/2009/09/24/marthas-vineyard-commission.php

ISLANDERS RAIL AGAINST OCEANS PLAN
By MIKE SECCOMBE
Vineyard Gazette

Citing diverse issues from bird strikes and toxic unexploded munitions to ancient spirituality and hard economics, Islanders lined up on Wednesday night to express their concerns about the possible effects of planned commercial wind farms near the Vineyard.

http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?23047

Feature

LAST GASP FOR THE FOREST
Paying to save trees
Sep 24th 2009

From The Economist print edition
A new climate treaty could provide a highly effective way to reduce carbon emissions by paying people to not cut down forests

IN THE south-eastern corner of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, in the municipality of Novo Aripuanã, there is thick forest cover—for now. But as new, paved highways are driven into the trees, illegal loggers inevitably follow. At the current rate of deforestation, around one-third of the forest in Amazonas will have been lost by 2050, releasing a colossal 3.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

http://www.economist.com/sciencetechnology/
displaystory.cfm?story_id=14492973

Landscape for water efficiency
You can cut outdoor water use significantly by replacing some or all of your lawn with native plants and ground cover, which are adapted to thrive on rainwater alone. Reseed the remaining lawn with drought-resistant grass: tall fescue for colder regions and Bermuda grass for hotter climates. Place mulch around flowers and trees to help the soil stay cool and retain water.
Courtesy of Greentips

Calendar

“Newsmaker” evening

Mon, Sept 28, The MV Times invites you to attend a “Newsmaker” evening with Professor Sam Telford for a talk about ticks and habitat management, at 6:30 pm, at the Grange Hall, West Tisbury. Mr. Telford’s presentation is co-sponsored by the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, Vineyard Golf Club Foundation, Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, and Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation. For more information call Nelson Sigelman, managing editor of The Times.

Tuesday After School at the Farm Institute

Tues, Tuesday After School at the Farm Institute: Hands-on learning about our food systems, sustainable agriculture and taking care of the land for ages six and up is from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Farm Institute in Katama. Cost is $15 per session, $120 for the season. Register on-line at farminstitute.org or call 508-627-7007, extension 104.

Peter Cabana: Wind 101

Tues, Sept. 29, Peter Cabana: Wind 101, Vineyard Haven Public Library, 7PM This lecture will begin with the basics of wind generated electricity and then follow up with what has happened in Europe, the opportunities for the United States and how Massachusetts is in a great position to lead the nation. The Vineyard is at a historic crossroad between embracing renewable energy technologies and protecting the island.

Farmers-in-Training at the Farm Institute

Thurs, Oct 1, Farmers-in-Training at the Farm Institute, for young people ages 11 and up with prior experience at the Farm is from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Farm Institute in Katama. Cost is $15 per session, $120 for the season. Register on-line at farminstitute.org or call 508-627-7007, extension 104.

Living Local Opening Night, “Opportunities and Challenges”

Fri, Oct 2, Living Local Opening Night, “Opportunities and Challenges” 7:30-10:00pm Panel discussion with next generation island leaders Jeanette Vanderhoop, Chris Fischer, Myles Thurlow, and Katy Carroll with questions by island elders, Kerry Scott and Steve Ewing, Moderated by John Abrams. The event will take place at Grange Hall in West Tisbury with a community discussion and deserts to follow.

Living Local Harvest Festival

Sat, Oct 3, Living Local Harvest Festival, 9:00 – 3:00 a packed day of events at the Agricultural Hall + Fairgrounds in West Tisbury.

LEARN - TENT 1: Forums on leading-edge visions of sustainability The tent is sponsored by the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) (http://www.wampanoagtribe.net)
10:00-11:00am: ENERGY: Community Wind: (Em)powering Martha's Vineyard
11:00am- noon: NATURAL RESOURCES: Wampanoag Environmental Leadership
1:00-2:00pm: FOOD: The Now and Tomorrow of Small Scale Meat Production in Massachusetts
2:00-3:00pm: WASTE: Waste Deep on Martha’s Vineyard

FUN- TENT 2: Interactive demonstrations The tent is sponsored by South Mountain (http://www.somoco.com)

KIDS – TENT 3: Fun educational activities for kids of all ages!

Vendors Non-Profit Exhibits from Island vendors

Garden Bench Workshop

Sat, Oct 3, Garden Bench Workshop, Polly Hill Arboretum, 9am - 2pm Janice Shields of Cut It Out returns for her popular bench workshop. Each workshop participant will construct a garden bench using native eastern hardwoods. The dimensions are 38”L, 20”H, 18”D. The precut materials and connecting hardware will be provided by the instructor. This is a five hour workshop. A tool list will be available. The class is designed for all skill levels. It’s hard work, but you’ll love your bench! Janice has been designing and building rustic furniture since 1995. She teaches workshops all over the Northeast. Class runs from 9am to 2pm, bring a bag lunch. Call 508-693-9426 for registration, class size is limited. $155/$130 for PHA members.

Announcement

Fall Educational Programs

The Farm Institute Fall Educational Programs began on September 15, but you can still register for individual sessions. Go to http://farminstitute.org/programs/2009fall/2009-fall-flyer.pdf to see the offerings.

MVTV

Ocean Management Plan

Public Hearing from Wednesday, Sept 23, 2009
Airing Mon, Sept 28, Channel 15 at 7PM
Check MVTV program listings for other times

Climate Change Update

U.S. and China Vow Action on Climate Threat but Cite Needs
By NEIL MacFARQUHAR
Published: September 22, 2009
NY Times

UNITED NATIONS — Some 100 heads of state gathered at the United Nations on Tuesday for an unprecedented daylong conference on combating climate change, with key leaders like presidents Hu Jintao of China and Barack Obama acknowledging that agreement is an important goal, but also stressing their own needs.

Negotiators trying to hammer out a deal to cut global emissions by December in Copenhagen have largely stalled, and the United Nations organizers are hoping that gathering the leaders will give the talks new political momentum.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/
science/earth/23climate.html?_r=1&hp

Energy Update

On Energy, We're Finally Walking the Walk*
Plan B Updates
SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
Lester R. Brown

The United States has entered a new energy era, ending a century of rising carbon emissions. As the U.S. delegation prepares for the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December, it does so from a surprisingly strong position, one based on a dramatic 9 percent drop in U.S. carbon emissions over the past two years and the promise of further huge reductions.

http://www.earth-policy.org/index.php?
/plan_b_updates/2009/update82

Wildlife Update

Butterfly antennas key to navigating in migration
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
AP Science Writer

Washington (AP) – Millions of Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico for the winter and scientists have long speculated on how the insects find their way. Turns out, their antennas are the key.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/
US_SCI_MIGRATING_MONARCHS?SITE=MAHYC
&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-09-24-14-17-08

Fishermen urge quick action on herring fleet
By Doug Fraser
dfraser@capecodonline.com
September 21, 2009

Local fishermen have requested that Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke impose an emergency action on the herring fleet currently fishing in waters off Cape Cod.

The measure would require federal fishery observers on every boat and that no catch be dumped overboard unless it has been sampled by those observers.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is working on a similar set of regulations, but local fishermen are worried the herring boats could catch a lot of fish that are currently protected in closed areas before that takes effect.

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/
pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090921/NEWS/909219988/-1/NEWS01

Water Update

TURF BATTLE HEATS UP OVER LIMITS ON WATER-GUZZLING LANDSCAPES
By GWENDOLYN BOUNDS

There's a turf war under way over America's lawns, and it may be headed for your yard.Later this year, the Environmental Protection Agency plans to expand its WaterSense conservation program to include a voluntary label for newly built homes. Homes could win certification if they consume roughly 20% less water than standard new homes. Along with criteria for high-efficiency toilets and faucets, the program has a landscaping clause that could strictly limit the amount of turfgrass participating builders plant. The rationale: Homeowners waste a lot of water laboring to keep lawns lush.

http://online.wsj.com/article/
SB10001424052970203278404574416990861394378.html

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