Vineyard Conservation Almanac

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In This Issue:

Local News:
Living Local & The Next Generation;
2009 Living Local Harvest Fest

Feature:
U.S. Blocks Oil Drilling at 60 Sites in Utah;
Fishing for trade in Woods Hole

Calendar:
Two top fisheries research scientists from South America will deliver a talk on sustainability in small-scale fisheries;
Boat fueling on Tashmoo;
Tuesday After School at the Farm Institute;
More...

Save The Date:
The Nature Conservancy Needs Volunteers

Announcement:
MV Hospital’s “Medication Disposal Day”;
MV Has A New Breach!

MVTV:
Nessie helping to save the Great Pond;
Another Invasive Sea Squirt Comes To The Vineyard

MV Commission Update:
Martha's Vineyard Commission Comments

Wildlife Update:
Slime Spread Sends Scientists Diving Seas, Searching for Clues

Environmental Education Update:
Solvent used in Cape pipes linked to birth defects

Climate Change Update:
No deal on crucial issues as UN climate talks end;
Climate Agency Sees China’s Efforts Paying Off

Wastewater Update:
Wastewater agency gets mixed reviews

Recycling Update:
A report on the very successful Slow Food September dinner;
Battle to expand bottle law heats up

Water Update:
Illicit Tashmoo Fueling Operation Halted

LOCAL NEWS

Living Local & The Next Generation
By John Abrams, Founder and CEO of South Mountain Co.

October 4, 2009 · Posted in Leadership, Martha's Vineyard, Politics, South Mountain Company

The third annual Martha’s Vineyard Living Local and Harvest Festival just ended. It began with a Friday night forum called Opportunities and Challenges – a Panel Discussion with Next Generation Island Leaders.

It was about youth. Having just turned 60, I am acutely aware of the role of young people (in their 20’s and 30’s) in my work life and civic life. At work they are a constant theme and a growing force. There is a great transition in process at South Mountain Company – from first generation leadership to the next. It’s a long, gradual journey, sometimes a bit frightening but mostly thrilling, and it’s gathering steam.

http://www.companywekeep.net/

2009 Living Local Harvest Fest
By Tad Crawford, member of the Board of Directors of VCS

Be the change you seek for our community

Despite horrendous weather, an estimated 1,200 participated in Martha’s Vineyard’s third annual Living Local Harvest Fest on Friday night and all day Sat¬urday, October 2-3. The two-day event offered a free, jam-packed program of activities aimed at increasing awareness and commitment to sustainable living on Martha’s Vineyard.

Go to the Sustainable section for the rest of the article

Feature

U.S. Blocks Oil Drilling at 60 Sites in Utah
By JOHN M. BRODER
Published: October 8, 2009

WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior has frozen oil and gas development on 60 of 77 contested drilling sites in Utah, saying the process of leasing the land was rushed and badly flawed.

The 77 government-owned parcels, covering some 100,000 acres in eastern and southern Utah, were leased in the last weeks of the Bush administration. But the leases were immediately challenged by conservation groups, and in January a federal judge blocked drilling on the ground that the Interior Department had failed to follow its own procedures for reviewing the appropriateness of lands designated for oil and gas extraction.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/
science/earth/09leases.html?_r=1&hpw

Fishing for trade in Woods Hole
By Sarah Shemkus
sshemkus@capecodonline.com
October 09, 2009

WOODS HOLE — At the Marine Biological Laboratory yesterday, a group of about 20 international delegates clustered together in a room that houses a variety of marine creatures.

And as they snapped pictures of sharks and gingerly touched shiny black sea urchins, these visitors may also have been forging new global business connections.

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/
pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091009/NEWS/910090326/-1/NEWS01

Today, artificial lighting accounts for nearly 20% of the world’s electricity consumption, and “without rapid action, the amount of energy used for lighting will be 80% higher in 2030,” says IEA executive Director Claude Mandil. We’re sure you can guess who could make the biggest impact: The average American home uses ten times the artificial light of the average Chinese home, and 30 times that of the average Indian home. The executive director of Greenpeace U.K. is urging governments to mandate efficient lighting in building codes, and Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have considered legislation that would phase out incandescent bulbs. What a bright idea!

Courtesy of Wake Up and Smell the Planet

Calendar

Two top fisheries research scientists from South America will deliver a talk on sustainability in small-scale fisheries

Mon, Oct 12, Two top fisheries research scientists from South America will deliver a talk on sustainability in small-scale fisheries at the Chilmark Public Library at 3 p.m. Ana M. Parma and Jose’ Orensanz are research scientists with the Argentine Council for Science and Technology and have both been chosen to participate in the prestigious Pew Fellows in Marine Conservation program. Their talk is sponsored by the Menemsha Fisheries Development Fund and the Friends of the Chilmark Public Library. Admission is free. Call the library with questions – 508-696-9322.

Boat fueling on Tashmoo

Tues, Oct 13, There will be a special Tisbury selectmen’s meeting to further discuss boat fueling on Tashmoo at 4:30 at the Katharine Cornell Theater

Tuesday After School at the Farm Institute

Tues, Oct 13, 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.

Toddler Time

Wed, Oct 14, Toddler Time 10 a.m. to noon at Native Earth Teaching Farm, 94 North Road in Chilmark, with animal visits and farm crafts. Weather permitting. The farm is also open for tours Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For details, call 508-645-3304 or see nativeearthteachingfarm.org.

Farmers-in-Training at the Farm Institute

Thurs, Oct 15, 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.

GIRLS IN THE WOODS

Thurs Oct. 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, Dec 3, 10, 17, GIRLS IN THE WOODS, 4 - 6 pm Sassafras’ after school program for girls, ages 8 - 14, with women mentors, in the outdoors. We gather plants, berries, roots, make our own teas and potions, craft baskets and beads, learn to make cordage from plants, make up stories, and play games. We will get to know each other and the natural world better, do things that interest girls, and assist them in developing into strong young women. Where appropriate, we split up into a younger and an older clan. $ 20 per session, $ 90 for 6x, $ 125 for 10 sessions till Xmas break Sassafras Earth Education, 5 Church St. Aquinnah, MA 02535 tel: 508 645 2008 website: sassafrasmvy.org.

SATURDAY SQUIRRELS

Sat. Oct. 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12, 19, SATURDAY SQUIRRELS, 10 am - 4 pm For youth ages 6 - 12 every Saturday in the fall and often split up into a younger and an older clan. We are outside all day exploring the woods and streams, we look for animal signs, learn primitive skills and how to use plants, play lots of games, tell stories, and have fun! This program has three goals; deepening the seasonal dimension, creating timeless outdoor space and long-term mentoring relationships. $ 50 per session, $ 250 for 6x, $ 325 for 10 sessions till Xmas break Sassafras Earth Education, 5 Church St. Aquinnah, MA 02535 tel: 508 645 2008 website: sassafrasmvy.org.

Long Point Celebration Day

Sat, Oct 17, Long Point Celebration Day, The Trustees of Reservations, 11am -3pm Long Point Wildlife Refuge, West Tisbury Help The Trustees of Reservations celebrate our 65th property in the Commonwealth with a day of seaside activities, kite flying, & blue bird box building! Discover the cultural history of the Tisbury Pond Club on a guided walking tour from 1pm-3pm. Free to all. Rain or Shine. Use Deep Bottom Road entrance. Call Kate 508.693.7662 x15 with questions

Save The Date

The Nature Conservancy Needs Volunteers

For Seed Harvesting & Cleaning Project with the Island's Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy's Massachusetts Islands Program staff and volunteers have been collecting, cleaning and sorting seeds from our native plant nursery. Seeds are currently ripening on plants in the nursery and are in need of harvesting.

Six 2-hour sessions are scheduled for seed harvesting and seed cleaning to take place at the Hoft Farm Field Station located off of Lambert's Cove Rd. Sign up required. A minimum of 3 volunteers (with a maximum of 10 volunteers) must RSVP per session or the session will be postponed/canceled. Beverages and snacks will be provided. Session times are: Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 10:00 am to 12:00; Thursday, Oct. 15 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m; Friday, Oct. 16 from 1:00 to 3:00; Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 10:00 am to 12:00; Wednesday, October 21 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; and Monday, Oct 26 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

To sign up and get directions to the property please contact Liz Loucks at the Conservancy’s Islands Office: eloucks@tnc.org or call 508-693-6287, ex. 15.

Announcement

MV Hospital’s “Medication Disposal Day”
By Marnie Stanton, Vineyard Conservation Almanac

Have you ever wondered what to do with all the half empty bottles of medicine that clutter up your medicine cabinet? Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is actively working on this problem through their “Medication Disposal Day,” which was created through the energy and enthusiasm of David Caron, Director of Pharmacy.

Go to the Recycle section for the rest of the article

MV Has A New Breach!

There has been a new breach confirmed out at Norton Point by Dana Gaines from his kayak. “I took the rowing shell out this morning, and there is indeed a second breach and resultant new island, which is very small and will likely erode away as did the similar island in early summer '08. It's interesting that this breach occurred on the Norton Point (Katama) side, rather than in the Chappy-side spit which has been washing over routinely. If the new breach widens, it will set the Norton Point east- building process back a full year. How it will impact the Chappy side is yet to be determined.” Go to http://picasaweb.google.com/Bill.Brine/BreachUpdate# to see the latest aerial photos by Bill Brine. He will be updating his photo library soon.

MVTV

Nessie helping to save the Great Pond

The new dredge being put to good use
Channel 13 Tuesday Oct 13 and Thursday Oct 15 both at 6:30 PM

Another Invasive Sea Squirt Comes To The Vineyard

Get a good visual on the spreading slime
Channel 13, Tues Oct. 13, 7:30PM and Friday Oct 16, 7:30PM

MV Commission Update

Martha's Vineyard Commission Comments

These comments have been forwarded onto officials of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Ocean Management Plan (June 2009 Draft)
Martha's Vineyard Commission Comments

The Martha's Vineyard Commission commends the Commonwealth for undertaking a comprehensive planning effort for the Commonwealth’s ocean waters as a framework for future development. The MVC also commends the team that worked on the Plan for the high quality professional work in collecting and analyzing a tremendous amount of data in such a short period of time. In addition, the MVC expresses its appreciation to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for adding a public hearing on Martha's Vineyard.

Go to MVC section for the rest of the comments

Wildlife Update

Slime Spread Sends Scientists Diving Seas, Searching for Clues
By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL
Vineyard Gazette

It sounds like a bad science fiction movie: a slime from outer space has reached the earth. It spreads underwater across the harbors and bays of a small Island community and eventually throughout the East Coast. The world’s top scientists gather to study and discuss the problem..

http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?23231

Environmental Education Update

Solvent used in Cape pipes linked to birth defects
By CYNTHIA McCORMICK
cmccormick@capecodonline.com
October 05, 2009

A new study published in an environmental health journal says babies born to Cape women exposed in pregnancy to a chemical solvent in drinking water had an increased risk of birth defects.

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/
pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091005/NEWS/910050301/-1/NEWS01

Climate Change Update

No deal on crucial issues as UN climate talks end
By MICHAEL CASEY
AP Environmental Writer

BANGKOK (AP) -- U.N. climate talks ended in a whimper Friday without progress on the pressing issues of emission cuts for wealthy nations or financing for the developing ones, both of which are crucial to reaching a global warming pact.

Negotiations have been deadlocked for months and delegates have raised doubts whether a new climate pact to rein in greenhouse gases can be reached by the time world leaders gather in Copenhagen in December. The pact would replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/
A/AS_THAILAND_UN_CLIMATE_TALKS?SITE=MAHYC
&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-10-09-07-22-59

Climate Agency Sees China’s Efforts Paying Off
NY Times

One sticking point ahead of global negotiations over the climate later this year is the contribution of developing countries like China, and whether they should agree to mandatory targets to reduce carbon emissions.

An analysis released Tuesday by the International Energy Agency showed that China could slow the growth of its emissions at a much faster pace than was commonly assumed because of its huge investment in wind and nuclear energy and its emphasis on energy efficiency. The report also points out that the global downturn is offering a unique opportunity to tackle climate change.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/
business/energy-environment/07emissions.html?_r=1&hpw

Wastewater Update

Wastewater agency gets mixed reviews
By Patrick Cassidy
pcassidy@capecodonline.com
October 08, 2009

BARNSTABLE — A review committee charged with evaluating the Cape Cod Water Protection Collaborative's effectiveness has reached its verdict: reorganize and refocus.

The review committee, formed by Barnstable County Commissioners in July, found that the collaborative has done well to secure funding opportunities for Cape towns pursuing wastewater management plans, collaborative executive director Andrew Gottlieb told commissioners yesterday at their regular meeting. In particular, the collaborative's sponsorship and support of a zero-interest loan program for municipal wastewater projects was a boon, albeit underutitlized, for towns on the Cape, Gottlieb said.

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/
pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091008/NEWS/910080312/-1/NEWS01

Recycling Update

A report on the very successful Slow Food September dinner
By Tomar Waldman, Member of the Board of Directors of VCS

The September 27th dinner was wildly successful in all ways including our goal of producing a waste free event. The one hundred diners left behind less than one third of a ninety six gallon tipster of recyclables and the same amount of trash.

Eco MV generously donated compostable place settings and the ten gallons of this compostable trash were delivered to a compost heap. Mary took the small amount of plate scrapings to her farm animals.

Go to the Recycling section for the rest of the report

Battle to expand bottle law heats up
By David Abel
Globe Staff / October 8, 2009

After long struggle, backers optimistic

Every legislative session for the past 15 years, state lawmakers have proposed bills to expand the bottle law, the 5-cent deposit fee for carbonated soda, beer, and malt beverages. But the bills have died each time before ever getting a committee vote.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/
massachusetts/articles/2009/10/08/battle_to_expand_bottle_law_heats_up/

Water Update

Illicit Tashmoo Fueling Operation Halted
By MIKE SECCOMBE
Vineyard Gazette

Commercial deliveries of diesel fuel to fishermen working from the Lake street dock on Lake Tashmoo have been stopped, after operating for some 18 months, apparently illegally.

The action followed a report to town selectmen on Tuesday night by the Tashmoo management and harbor management committees, which not only deemed the operation an environmental hazard, but also took the selectmen to task for “selective and preferential enforcement” of regulations prohibiting commercial activity on the dock.

http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?23222

There will be a special Tisbury selectmen’s meeting to further discuss the boat fueling in Tashmoo on Tues, Oct 13th at 4:30 at the Katharine Cornell Theater

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