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This week in conservation
January 29 - February 4, 2007
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In This Issue:

Local News:
The Island Grown Initiative Rallies the Farmers!

Feature:
Bush Seeks Vast, Mandatory Increase in Alternative Fuels and Greater Vehicle Efficiency

Calendar:
Naturalist Program;
Polly Hill Arboretum;
Our Vineyard Ponds in Trouble: How You Can Help;
More...

Land Conservation Update:
New Conservation Tax Benefits for Farmers and Other Landowners Who Act in 2007

Nature Update:
Polar bears shift dens off the ice

Energy Update:
Energy DCPC Gains Support;
Hot rocks could help meet US energy needs

Sustainability Update:
Wampanoag tribe suspends its hatchery operations

LOCAL NEWS
The Island Grown Initiative Rallies the Farmers!
By Marnie Stanton, Vineyard Conservation Almanac

The Island Grown Initiative (IGI) hosted a delicious potluck meal and follow up discussion to Joel Salatin’s local farm talk, at the Island Co-Housing common house in West.Tisbury last week. The IGI group of coordinators included Ali Berlow, Melinda Rabbit DeFeo, Randi Baird and Steve Bernier, who all spoke eloquently to the gathering of around 50 farmers. The farm community was represented by a wide variety of people of all ages, curious about what the IGI was all about.

Go to the Sustainability section for the rest of the article.
ISLAND PLAN UPDATE


Please check the Island Plan section for January updates on the Water Core Group, Natural Environmental work group and others.
Ideal Bite
Energy Tip
If your dishwasher's drying cycle is on, flip this last cycle off to cut down big on energy bills.

 

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FEATURE
Bush Seeks Vast, Mandatory Increase in Alternative Fuels and Greater Vehicle Efficiency
Published: January 24, 2007
By EDMUND L. ANDREWS and FELICITY BARRINGER
NY Times

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 — Vowing to reduce the nation’s thirst for foreign oil, President Bush called on Tuesday for a huge government-mandated increase in renewable fuels — mainly ethanol — and tougher mileage standards for cars and light trucks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/24/
washington/24energy.html
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CALENDAR
Naturalist Program
Mon. Jan 29, 2007, 10 - 11 am
Felix Neck wildlife sanctuary in Edgartown
Activities for nursery school naturalists. For children ages three through five with a parent or a friend. Stories, crafts and short hikes. Discover winter animals in their habitats and other cold-weather adventures. Session fee is $8 for member, $10 for non-member. Space is limited. Call 508-627-4850 for reservations and more information.
Polly Hill Arboretum
Tues. Jan. 30, 2007, 2 - 4 pm
Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury will celebrate its namesake's 100th birthday in the new greenhouse. For more information, call 508-693-9426.
Our Vineyard Ponds in Trouble: How You Can Help
Wed. Jan. 31, 2007, 5:30 pm
Chilmark Public Library
Our Vineyard Ponds in Trouble: How You Can Help will be discussed by Wendy Culbert of the Vineyard Conservation Society. The free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Chilmark Public Library. For more information, call 508-645-3360.
Children's Nature Program
Thurs. Feb. 1, 2007, 3 - 3:45 pm
The Trustees of Reservations, 860 State Rd., Vineyard Haven.
"Bundle Up Baby" program, age 2-4 and caregivers. Story, activity, and short walk. Also Feb. 8. $5; free for members. 508-693-7662.
Wee Farmer Program
Fri. Feb. 2, 2007, 10:30 - 11:45 am
FARM Institute, Katama Farm, 14 Aero Ave., Edgartown.
For age 3 and 4 yrs. New topic every week. Explore the farm, hands-on activities. $15. Pre-register: 508-627-7007.
Moonrise Walk
Fri. Feb.2, 2007, 5 pm
Moonrise Walk: Moonrise Meander at Felix Neck in Edgartown at 5 p.m. Bundle up and come out to Felix Neck to greet the full moon rising over Sengekontacket Pond. Felix Neck’s trails provide the views and Suzan Bellincampi will be your guide on this brisk early evening walk. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Free for members and $5 for non-members. Please register by calling 508-627-4850.
Saturday at the FARM
Sat. Feb.3, 2007, 12 noon - 3:30 pm
FARM Institute, Katama Farm, 14 Aero Ave., Edgartown.
For grades K-8. Winter chores with animals and gardens. Weekly through March 3. $25. 508-627-7007.
Nature Walk
Sun. Feb. 4, 2007, 1 pm
Trade Wind Fields Preserve, County Rd., Oak Bluffs.
M.V. Land Bank guided history walk, 1.5 miles. Rain or shine. Free. 508-627-7141.
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Land Conservation Update
New Conservation Tax Benefits for Farmers and Other Landowners Who Act in 2007

Farmers (and other landowners) who donate a permanent restriction on all or part of their land can benefit from a major new tax incentive if they act in 2007. A new law passed last summer allows qualifying farmers to take a tax deduction for their gift up to 100% of their gross income per year for up to 15 years, provided the land remains available for agriculture, and the gift is made in 2007.

See Land Protection, Land Conservation/Eco benefits, for the rest of the article and Tax bill.
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Nature Update
Polar bears shift dens off the ice
Published: January 24, 2007
By DAN JOLING
The Associated Press

BEAUFORT SEA: Study shows that pregnant sows dig in on land; global warming is cited.

More pregnant polar bears in Alaska are digging snow dens on land instead of sea ice, according to a federal study, and researchers say deteriorating sea ice due to climate warming is the likely reason.

http://www.adn.com/news/
alaska/wildlife/bears/polar_bears/
story/8586538p-8479596c.html
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Energy Update
Energy DCPC Gains Support
By IAN FEIN
Vineyard Gazette

Annual Town Meeting Initiative to Create Island wide District for Energy Conservation Moves Ahead Slowly

A first-of-its-kind initiative that would allow the Vineyard to regulate its own energy use is slowly gathering steam.

The proposed Island wide Energy Conservation district of critical planning concern (DCPC) gained a vote of confidence from the Edgartown planning board on Tuesday, and also this week secured spots on the Tisbury and West Tisbury annual town meeting warrants, ensuring that voters in those towns will weigh in on the concept in the coming months.

http://www.mvgazette.com/news/
2007/01/26/energy_dcpc_support.php
Hot rocks could help meet US energy needs

Get more out of geothermal, experts advise.

A modest investment in geothermal technology could allow the United States to harness 10% of its electricity-generating capacity from the hot bowels of the Earth by 2050, a new study says.

http://www.nature.com/news/
2007/070122/full/070122-4.html
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Sustainability Update
Wampanoag tribe suspends its hatchery operations
January 25, 2007
By Nelson Sigelman
MV Times

The Wampanoag Shellfish Hatchery at the head of Menemsha Pond off State Road in Aquinnah lies dormant. Hatchery director Rob Garrison left in September, and there are no immediate plans to raise juvenile shellfish this year.

http://www.mvtimes.com/news/
2007/01/25/wampanoag_hatchery.php
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