Sat, Sept. 15, 2007
10:00 - 11:30 am
Create a hand-made nature journal to hold precious memories of your experiences in nature. Practice basic journaling techniques and make your first entry when we take a walk to the shore of Sengekontacket pond. Fee: $6 Mass Audubon Members, $9 Non-Member per person

Sat, Sept 15, 2007
10 am – 2 pm
Whether you’re a budding gardener or already have two green thumbs, the Arboretum’s first annual plant sale will have something for you. Arboretum staff have chosen and grown plants that are noted not only for their superior ornamental qualities but also for their adaptability to island life. We plan to offer a selection of trees, shrubs, and perennials including many Island natives. visit our website for a list of available plants.

Sat, Sept. 15, 2007
With Robert Culbert every Saturday morning from 9 am ­ noon, rain or shine, meets at the Regional High School’s Faculty Parking Lot. Explore the Vineyard’s woodlands, meadows, and beaches to learn about bird identification, ecology and behavior. For more information call 508-693-4908. Cost $25 per person.

Sat, Sept 15, 2007
10 am – 2 pm
Whether you’re a budding gardener or already have two green thumbs, the Arboretum’s first annual plant sale will have something for you. Arboretum staff have chosen and grown plants that are noted not only for their superior ornamental qualities but also for their adaptability to island life. We plan to offer a selection of trees, shrubs, and perennials including many Island natives. visit our website for a list of available plants.

The Environmental Conference of the Year
Oct. 19-21, 2007
UMASS Dartmouth
Connecting for Change conference is presented by the Marion Institute It is an internationally acclaimed annual gathering of environmental, industry and social justice innovators who have demonstrated visionary and practical models for restoring the Earth and its inhabitants

Discounts available to all who register and pay in full prior to Sept. 14th
connectingforchange.org

The Marine and Paleobiological Research Institute in Vineyard Haven, is seeking an adult volunteer to help with everything from record keeping to writing to research. Two or three mornings/afternoons a week would be great. Organizational and grant writing/researching skills a plus. The mission of MPRI is education, research and public participation in marine and paleobiological sciences; also working to preserve our world fossil heritage. Our website is www.MPRInstitute.org. Please contact Fred Hotchkiss, director, email Hotchkiss@MPRInstitute.org or 5008-693-3122

The National Sea Grant Office recently announced the following funding opportunities:

Aquatic Invasive Species Research and Outreach Program
The goal of this program is to discover and develop information and tools that can lead to the prevention, monitoring and control of aquatic invasive species threatening United States coastal, oceanic and Great Lakes communities, resources and ecosystems. Pre-proposals are due to the Woods Hole Sea Grant Program by 4:00 p.m. on October 11, 2007.

NOAA Marine Aquaculture Program
The NOAA Aqquaculture program seeks proposals proposals for demonstration projects and innovative research for the development of environmentally and economically sustainable marine aquaculture in nearshore, open water, and terrestrial environments. The Great Lakes are considered marine for this competition. Pre-proposals are due to NOAA (not Woods Hole Sea Grant) by 4:00 p.m. on October 18, 2007.

Complete details for both of these opportunities are available on the web (http://www.seagrant.noaa.gov/funding/rfp.html) or by contacting: Judy McDowell Director,Woods Hole Sea Grant,193 Oyster Pond Road, MS #2,Woods Hole, MA 02543 508-289-2557 jmcdowell@whoi.edu

In September Reading Daniel Quinn’s Ishmael

Discussion Tues. Sept. 25, 7 p.m. at the West Tisbury Library.

Please join this island-wide book group, reading and discussing books that examine our relationship with nature. The group is sponsored by all six island libraries, Felix Neck Sanctuary, Polly Hill Arboretum and The Vineyard Conservation Society.

Car pool information: Down island meet at Felix Neck at 6:30 p.m.

Island Plan: Natural Environment Forum
Tues, Sept 11, 1PM channel 13 and Wed, Sept 12, 6 PM channel 13

This summer was devoted largely to getting public feedback on the work completed by the Steering Committee and Work Groups over the previous ten months. Reaction has been very positive, with lots of useful comments and clarifications. Forums: Over 400 people have participated in forums so far. We hope to get all proceedings on the website by the month’s end. Watch forums on MVTV. Ag Fair: The Island Plan exhibit at the Agricultural Fair was well attended. Network of Planning Advisors: There are now over 450 members of the Network. Please go to www.islandplan.org to fill out an on-line feedback survey.

Staff at Cape Cod Commission Finds the Electric Cable Plan Still Lacking Information; Public Hearing Begins

A staff report released by the Cape Cod Commission this week gives a decidedly mixed review to the controversial plan by Cape Wind Associates to build 130 wind turbines on Horseshoe Shoal. The report finds that Cape Wind's plan to connect the turbines to land in West Yarmouth through underwater electricity transmission lines meets only eight of 32 performance standards set by the commission.

http://www.mvgazette.com/news/
2007/09/07/cape_wind_ccc.php

Scientists sifting genetic material from thriving and ailing bee colonies say a virus appears to be a prime suspect — but is unlikely to be the only culprit — in the mass die-offs of honeybees reported last fall and winter.

The die-offs, in which adult bees typically vanished without returning to hives, were reported by about a fourth of the nation’s commercial beekeepers. The losses captured public attention as rumors swirled about causes, like climate change, cellphone signals and genetically-modified crops. Scientists have rejected those theories.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/07/
science/07bees.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

These bellwethers of climate change face a grave future, writes Leigh Dayton | September 05, 2007

IN 1929 Australian adventurer and photographer Frank Hurley snapped a picture of the bleak landscape of Heard Island, in the bitterly cold Southern Ocean. He recorded for posterity a thriving colony of photogenic macaroni penguins as well as the rocky site, Erratic Point.

Seventy-one years later, seabird ecologist Eric Woehler stood where Hurley had placed his tripod. With a click of the shutter the University of Tasmania scientist captured the same view: rocks, coastline, ocean, penguins. It was the same, but different.

"In the late 1920s there were about 250 breeding pairs," says Woehler. "But when I was there in 2000 the colony was less than 20 pairs and grass had grown around the edge of the colony."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/
0,25197,22363196-30417,00.html

Slow-Growing, Deep-Rooted Grasses Save Time, Money and Other Resources

With Labor Day picnics fading into memory and early fall almost upon us, this is the ideal time for homeowners to seed their lawns. I must confess than I’ve never been a big fan of that great American institution, the suburban lawn. The hours of weekly maintenance, the loud smelly mowers spewing CO2 into the atmosphere, the expensive and resource depleting watering, the toxic chemical fertilizer….all for that tidy little patch of keeping up with the neighbors. There are currently big bald spots and weeds growing on my third of an acre, and frankly, I’ve been reluctant to do much of anything about it….

….until I read about Eco-lawn, a great cost-saving, eco-friendly alternative to the conventional residential lawn product. http://www.ecotality.com/life/?p=83