Vineyard Conservation Almanac

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In This Issue:

Local News:
Island Waste Haulers’ Updates on Their Recycling Services

Feature:
Never-Give-Up Fighting Spirit: Lessons From a Grandchild

Calendar:
Toddler Time;
Catch Shares: Our Fishing Future;
Public Hearing on designation of the Land Zone of the Island Wind DCPC;
More...

Announcement:
350.ORG RALLY FOR A STABLE CLIMATE

MVC Update:
Cape Wind, utility in pact

Climate Change Update:
In Letter to Obama, Senators State Conditions for Supporting Climate Bill;
Tree Harvester Offers to Save Indonesian Forest

Water Update:
Census of Marine Life;
From eternal darkness springs cast of angels and jellied jewels

Sustainability Update:
The Localization of Agriculture

Wildlife Update:
Turtle Turns Up in Right Place at Right Time

VCS Winter Walks call attention the local effects of global climate change.

Save The Date
Sunday December 13th at 1:00 p.m. Islanders of all ages are invited to join the Vineyard Conservation Society (VCS) for a walk to the Gay Head Cliffs, North Side and learn about erosion and accretion. Walk leaders will be Isaac Taylor and Brendan O’Neill. Walkers will have the opportunity to enter the Gay Head Lighthouse and enjoy the view from the top. Participants should meet at the Lighthouse at 1:00 pm. Parking is available nearby. As always, cider and cookies will be served! All VCS walks are family friendly, FREE and begin at 1:00 p.m. For a complete schedule of walks go to www.vineyardconservation.org or call VCS at 508 693 9588.

LOCAL NEWS

Island Waste Haulers’ Updates on Their Recycling Services
By Marnie Stanton, Vineyard Conservation Almanac

In keeping with its long history of concern for waste management and recycling on the Vineyard, VCS is actively surveying the island business community to find out how much they are able to recycle. In order to complete the total picture of recycling on the Vineyard, and facilitate the creation of a climate that will maximize efficient waste management practices on island, it seemed only natural to also interviewing the three main waste haulers. We were particularly interested in how the current recycling push is affecting their businesses. Monte Bizzarro, owner of Bizzarro Waste Disposal, Inc., Heidi Rydzewski, from Allied Waste Services of MV and Greg Carroll, from Bruno’s Inc, all sat down with us to give us their stories and update us on their recycling practices.

Go to the Recycle section for the rest of the article

Feature

Never-Give-Up Fighting Spirit: Lessons From a Grandchild
By Jim Hansen

This note and an opinion piece submitted to The Observer in answer to the question: Is There Any Real Hope of Cutting Global Carbon Emissions? are available at My opinion piece was published in The Observer on 29 November, but with the wording of the question slightly altered.

Such negative questions and attitudes are increasing. How refreshing, on cold, windy Thanksgiving Plus One Day, which we spend with our children and grandchildren, when I went outside to shoot baskets with 5-year-old Connor. Connor is very bright, but needs work on his hand-to-eye coordination. I set the basket at a convenient height for him, but his first several shots banged off the backboard off-target. Then he said, very brightly and bravely, “I don’t quit, because I have never-give-up fighting spirit.” It seems his karate lessons are paying off.

http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/
mailings/2009/20091130_FightingSpirit.pdf

Less waste. Every year, we waste 28 billion pounds of food - or about 100 pounds per person - between Thanksgiving and New Years.

Whip up new meals with those leftovers. Meals, not dumps. A Biter household can keep 500 lb of perfectly biodegradable kitchen and garden waste out of landfills every year (and most stuff doesn't decompose in landfills).

Compost what you can't otherwise get rid of. Compost your organic waste and use the soil for your garden or houseplants for smiles all around.

Food left to rot in landfills gives off methane, a gas at least 20 times as powerful at trapping heat than carbon dioxide (translation: You'll contribute less to global warming).

Calendar

Toddler Time

Wed, Dec 9, Toddler Time is from 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.

Catch Shares: Our Fishing Future

Wed, Dec 9, Catch Shares: Our Fishing Future, with Julie Wormer, New England Oceans Program Director for the Environmental Defense Fund. Free. Sponsored by the Friends of the Chilmark Public Library and the Menemsha Fisheries Development. For details, call 508-645-3360.

Public Hearing on designation of the Land Zone of the Island Wind DCPC

Thurs, Dec 10, Public Hearing on designation of the Land Zone of the Island Wind DCPC, The Martha's Vineyard Commission at 7:30 p.m., at the MVC Offices, 33 New York Avenue, Oak Bluffs. The MVC has already designated the Ocean Zone of the Island Wind District of Critical Planning Concern, namely the nearshore waters out to the 3-mile limit of the towns’ jurisdiction. This hearing gives town boards and members of the public an opportunity to testify as to whether or not the MVC should designate the lands and inland waters as well. The proposed Land Zone of the District presently includes the air space above 150’ over all lands and waters of Dukes County with the exception of certain Indian lands, all school grounds, and the Town of Edgartown. The Commission is interested in hearing testimony about whether or not the District should be designated, as well as testimony about the DCPC’s goals and guidelines, a draft version of which is available on the MVC website (www.mvcommission.org) or from the Commission (508-693-3453).

Seasons of the Polly Hill Arboretum

Thurs, Dec 10, Seasons of the Polly Hill Arboretum, a talk by collections and grounds manager Tom Clark, is at the Oak Bluffs library from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Free, all welcome.

Girls in the Woods

Thurs, Dec 10, Girls in the Woods is at Sassafras Earth Education in Aquinnah from 4 to 6 p.m., for girls ages 9 to 14. Cost is $20. Program includes looking at wild flowers, edible plants, crafting, games and stories. For details, call 508-645-2008, or visit sassafrasmvy.org.

December Pot Luck

Thurs Dec 10, December Pot Luck, Slow Food Martha’s Vineyard celebrates Terra Madre Day at the Chilmark Community Center from 6:30 – 9:00pm. This coincides with Slow Foods Terra Madre Day, which recognizes the work done by the more than 1,300 local chapters, in 150 countries who are working to defend their local culinary culture. Guest speaker Rosemary Melli, Governor of Slow Food USA - New England Region, will address recent goals and achievements of these chapters which have always formed the backbone of Slow Food. Please join us in this celebration and bring a dish to share using at least one local ingredient if possible and a place setting for everyone in your group. BYOB as well. $5.00 donation/free for Slow Food members. For more information call 508-693-4433.

DECEMBER TEACHERS' WORKSHOP

Sat, Dec 12, DECEMBER TEACHERS' WORKSHOP at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Topics in Oceanography Professional Development Workshop 9:00-2:30 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution "Ocean Acidification: what it is, what we know, and what it may mean" Hear how ocean water chemistry is changing, and how the changes may affect marine life and people Hands-on demonstration of classroom experiments and kits on ocean acidification Registration: $30, breakfast and lunch included. Directions here, more information at this link Checks payable to WHOI. Sorry, no purchase orders. Mail to: Kathy Patterson, WHOI, MS # 16, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Registration deadline: Dec. 7, 2009 Contact: Kathy Patterson, kpatterson@whoi.edu, 508-289-2700, or Kate Madin, kmadin@whoi.edu, 508-289-3639

350.ORG RALLY FOR A STABLE CLIMATE

Sat, Dec 12, 350.ORG RALLY FOR A STABLE CLIMATE
Five Corners, Vineyard Haven
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Vineyarders will stand in solidarity with other 350.org events being held around the world to coincide with the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark. President Obama will attend the Conference, and our rally urges him to position the United States as a world leader in the reduction of CO2 emissions from 387 ppm (parts per million) back to a sustainable 350 ppm.

Visit the 350.org web site. Design and bring your own 350 sign. Bring a mask and snorkel if you have them. For more information, call 508-693-7741

Winter Nature Walk

Sat, Dec 12, Winter Nature Walk 10 am, Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury. Explore grounds in off-season with staff. Free. 508-693-9426.

Alpaca Farm Junior Discovery

Sat, Dec 12, Alpaca Farm Junior Discovery 9:30–11 am, Island Alpaca, Oak Bluffs. Feeding, barn chores, etc.; ages 8+. Rain or shine. Also Sun. $20. Pre-register: 508-693-5554; islandalpaca.com. Children’s Knitting 9:30–11 am, Island Alpaca, Oak Bluffs. Learn basics; materials provided. Ages 8+. $35. Pre-register: 508-693-5554; islandalpaca.com.

VCS Winter Walk to Gay Head Cliffs

Sun Dec 13, VCS Winter Walk to Gay Head Cliffs, at 1:00 p.m. Islanders of all ages are invited to join a walk to the Gay Head Cliffs, North Side and learn about erosion and accretion. Walk leaders will be Isaac Taylor and Brendan O’Neill. Walkers will have the opportunity to enter the Gay Head Lighthouse and enjoy the view from the top. Participants should meet at the Lighthouse at 1:00 pm. Parking is available nearby. As always, cider and cookies will be served! All VCS walks are family friendly, and FREE. For a complete schedule of walks go to www.vineyardconservation.org or call VCS at 508 693 9588

Announcement

350.ORG RALLY FOR A STABLE CLIMATE

About Vineyard Power

Vineyard Power is a community-owned cooperative that will help achieve a sustainable energy future for Martha's Vineyard while keeping the benefits and control of our resources in our community. All island ratepayers are eligible to join.

Click here to read more about Vineyard Power.

How to become a member
The one-time joining fee for membership in the Vineyard Power cooperative is $50, and will remain at this rate through early 2010.

To become a member, please send a check for $50 made out to Vineyard Power to:
Vineyard Power, PO Box 1077, West Tisbury, MA 02575

You are also welcome to come by our office at 1085 State Road in West Tisbury with your joining fee- but please call ahead.

Once you're a member...
We're planning to convene the first meeting of Vineyard Power in early 2010, when the members will elect a Board of Directors.

Until then, we'll keep you up-to-date on major developments in the cooperative by email. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

And if you have neighbors, friends, colleagues or family members that you think might be interested in joining Vineyard Power, please forward this mail on to them.

Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to hearing back from you.

Best wishes,
Paul Pimentel, VEP Chairman
Dave McGlinchey, VEP Executive Director
Suzanne Slarsky Dael, Communications Coordinator

Vineyard Power our island - our energy
t. 508-693-3002
e. info@vineyardpower.com

MVC Update

MVC Authority over Wind

In a November 10 letter and at a November 13 meeting, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles acceded to requests from Senator Rob O’Leary, Representative Tim Madden, Island Selectmen, County Commissioners, MVC Commissioners, and citizens to preserve the Vineyard’s control over development in local waters.

http://www.mvcommission.org/doc.php/
Newsletter%207-06.pdf?id=2464

Wind Update

Cape Wind, utility in pact
By Erin Ailworth
Globe Staff / December 2, 2009

Governor Deval Patrick is expected to announce today that National Grid and Cape Wind have agreed to negotiate a long-term contract that would allow the utility to buy electricity generated by the planned offshore wind farm - a critical step to securing financing, according to a person briefed on the matter.

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/
articles/2009/12/02/cape_wind_national_grid_enter_pact/

For VCS’s opinion on Wind go to our website at http://www.vineyardconservation.org/

Climate Change Update

In Letter to Obama, Senators State Conditions for Supporting Climate Bill
December 3, 2009, 11:04 am
By JOHN M. BRODER

A group of Senate Democrats who are considered swing votes on pending climate change and energy legislation sent a letter to President Obama Thursday morning detailing their conditions for supporting any domestic bill or international treaty to address global warming.

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/
in-letter-to-obama-senators-state-conditions-for-supporting-climate-bill/?hp

Tree Harvester Offers to Save Indonesian Forest
By NORIMITSU ONISHI
Published: November 29, 2009

TELUK MERANTI, Indonesia — From the air, the Kampar Peninsula in Indonesia stretches for mile after mile in dense scrub and trees. One of the world’s largest peat swamp forests, it is also one of its biggest vaults of carbon dioxide, a source of potentially lucrative currency as world governments struggle to hammer out a global climate treaty. The vault, though, is leaking.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/
science/earth/30climate.html?_r=1&hpw

Water Update

Census of Marine Life

Jesse Ausubel, a VCS board member, is one of the founders of this remarkable project! http://www.referencecenter.com/ref/reference/
CensMarnLf/Census_of_Marine_Life?invocationType=ar1clk&flv=1

November 23, 2009
From eternal darkness springs cast of angels and jellied jewels
Frank Pope, Ocean Correspondent

Beyond the reach of the last tendrils of sunlight, far beneath the waves, lies the planet’s largest — and strangest — habitat. Although long thought too extreme for any form of life, a decade-long exploration has revealed a startling range of exotic new species and alien ways to eke out a living in the perpetual darkness.

Sea angels, jewel squid, helmet jellies and a 2m-wide octopod that flies with ear-like fins are among more than 17,000 new species discovered during 210 expeditions undertaken to explore the deep ocean for the international Census of Marine Life.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/
science/earth-environment/article6927449.ece

http://www.oceans-lefilm.com/

Sustainability Update

The Localization of Agriculture
DECEMBER 01, 2009
Lester R. Brown

In the United States, there has been a surge of interest in eating fresh local foods, corresponding with mounting concerns about the climate effects of consuming food from distant places and about the obesity and other health problems associated with junk food diets. This is reflected in the rise in urban gardening, school gardening, and farmers’ markets.

With the fast-growing local foods movement, diets are becoming more locally shaped and more seasonal. In a typical supermarket in an industrial country today it is often difficult to tell what season it is because the store tries to make everything available on a year-round basis. As oil prices rise, this will become less common. In essence, a reduction in the use of oil to transport food over long distances—whether by plane, truck, or ship—will also localize the food economy.

http://www.earth-policy.org/index.php?/book_bytes/2009/pb4ch09_ss5

Wildlife Update

Turtle Turns Up in Right Place at Right Time
By MIKE SECCOMBE
Vineyard Gazette

Compared with the distance it had already come, the little turtle’s voyage from Martha’s Vineyard to Woods Hole was short. The only unusual thing was, it went by ferry. Shellbey, the juvenile Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, was in bad shape, you see. Made lethargic by cold and battered by the weekend’s storm, it was washed up injured on the Island’s north shore.

http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?23806

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