 |
||||||||
| This week in conservation JANUARY 21 - 27, 2008 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
| Calendar | ||||||||
| Island Plan Social Environment Work Group Kick-Off Workshop | ||||||||
|
||||||||
| Negotiating for Coastal Resources Workshop | ||||||||
 Thurs, & Fri, Jan 24-25, Negotiating for Coastal Resources Workshop, The Bayside Resort, West Yarmouth. Negotiation is one of the skills that coastal resource professionals frequently need to use but tailored training on this topic is generally lacking. It is one of those skills that people often wish they possessed especially when difficult planning situations arise and lines are drawn in the sand. Who Should Attend? Coastal managers, municipal officials, conservation commissions, natural resource officers, land managers, planners, NGO representatives and environmental leaders. The workshop is being organized by the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. (* N.B. Registration fee can be paid prior to or at the workshop.) Contact Tonna-Marie Rogers, Coastal Training Program Coordinator, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Tel: 508-457-0495 ext. 110 |
||||||||
| Farmers in Training program | ||||||||
 Fri, Jan 25, Farmers in Training program for ages 10 and up offered after school at the FARM Institute. Call 508-627-7007, extension 106 for details. |
||||||||
| Nature Sing-a-Long | ||||||||
 Sat, Jan 26, Nature Sing-a-Long 10-11 am, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Rd., Edgartown. With Susie Bowman. $4; $2 for members; children under 3 free. 508-627-4850 |
||||||||
| Island Alpaca Classes | ||||||||
 Sun, Jan 27, ISLAND ALPACA CLASSES, Join us for our fun and informative classes that will be held at Island Alpaca Farm in the Store. Class sizes are limited, so register early! All ages are welcomed. Sock Workshop, 11 am to 1 pm. Now is your chance to learn how to knit socks. Socks are fun to knit and you can make a pair in a weekend! Registration: Contact instructor, Ann Marie D'Addarie @ 508-274-9696 Class Fee: $45Island Alpaca farm open to the public Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27 from 11 to 4 pm |
||||||||
| back to top | ||||||||
| Opportunities | ||||||||
| Summer Jobs on Cape Cod-2008 | ||||||||
| Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve & Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Falmouth & Mashpee, Massachusetts Island Managers (3) Closing date: February 15, 2008 Endangered Shorebird Manager Closing Date: February 15, 2008 Summer Science School Directors (2) Closing date: February 15, 2008 Seasonal Park Interpreter Closing date: February 15, 2008 Environmental Education Intern(s) Closing date: On-going To Apply: Send resume, cover letter, DCR Application Form and names and phone numbers of two references to: PROGRAM MANAGER, WBNERR PO BOX 3092 WAQUOIT, MA 02536 Information: http://www.waquoitbayreserve.org DCR Application Form: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/documents/seasonal_application.pdf Call (508) 457-0495, x. 100 |
||||||||
| back to top | ||||||||
| Sustainable Book Club | ||||||||
| Edward O. Wilson’s The Creation An Appeal to Save Life On Earth |
||||||||
 Discussion February 26, 7 p.m. hosted by the Vineyard Conservation Society at the Wakeman Center in Vineyard HavenPlease 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. Newcomers always welcome. |
||||||||
| back to top | ||||||||
| Energy Update | ||||||||
| Ocean waves could generate power |
||||||||
WEST BARNSTABLE — Wave energy converters may have a low profile, but the technology made a splash at Cape Cod Community College last night. During a forum sponsored by the Cape and Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative, a diverse audience that included students, selectmen and engineers was introduced to the devices that could one day provide about 7 percent of the country's energy needs. |
||||||||
| back to top | ||||||||
| Biofuel Update | ||||||||
| Europe May Ban Imports of Some Biofuel Crops |
||||||||
|
||||||||
| back to top | ||||||||
| Climate Change Update | ||||||||
| Antarctic ice loss speeding up |
||||||||
|
||||||||
| back to top | ||||||||
| Wind Update | ||||||||
| Proposed wind farm draws few foes in Hull |
||||||||
|
||||||||
| back to top | ||||||||
| Nature Update | ||||||||
| Bird News |
||||||||
 Now that the annual Christmas Bird Count is fading into pleasant memories and a lot of fascinating data, we might be lulled into thinking that we can put citizen science aside until next winter. Nope! Such is not the case, as we have a request for help with a winter waterfowl survey of sites where people feed wild ducks and geese.http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?15188 |
||||||||
Bush OKs sonar use despite court rule |
||||||||
 Security trumps threat to whalesWASHINGTON - The White House has exempted the Navy from complying with two major environmental laws in an effort to free the service from a federal court's decision limiting the Navy's use of sonar in training exercises. Environmentalists who had sued successfully to limit the use of loud, mid-frequency sonar - which can be harmful to whales and other marine mammals - said the exemptions were unprecedented and could lead to a larger legal battle over the extent to which the military has to follow environmental laws. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/ washington/articles/2008/01/17/ bush_oks_sonar_use_despite_court_rule/ |
||||||||
| back to top | ||||||||
 Email Subscription InformationThe Almanac is provided as a public service by the Vineyard Conservation Society with the intent of providing quick and easy access to the Island's government process and environmental community. You are recieving this free email service because you have subscribed to the Vineyard Conservation Almanac. More information about island conservation issues, meetings and events can be viewed at http://almanac.vcsmv.org. If you do not wish to continue receiving these emails please click here to unsubscribe. Thank you for subscribing to the Almanac! |
||||||||
Have ideas for content for the Almanac? Please send them along to: |
||||||||
A dozen stunned West Tisbury property owners crowded the normally quiet town assessors meeting this week to question their assessments and tax bills, which have more than doubled this year. 
Federal agency to hear comments, then make final decision on Cape Wind
Wed, Jan 23, Island Plan Social Environment Work Group Kick-Off Workshop The Island Plan is turning its attention to various aspects of living on the Vineyard as it launches its Social Environment Work Group, with a kick-off workshop at 7:00 pm at the Oak Bluffs Senior Center. Everyone is invited to participate. This Work Group will look at the human aspects of the Island, such as the characteristics of the population and community; social, health, educational and recreational services, and culture. For further information, go to the Island Plan website – 
PARIS — In a sign of growing concern about the impact of supposedly “green” policies, European Union officials will propose a ban on imports of certain biofuels, according to a draft law to be unveiled next week. If approved by European governments, the law would prohibit the importation of fuels derived from crops grown on certain kinds of land — including forests, wetlands or grasslands — into the 27-nation bloc. 
Shrinking continent is losing ice faster today than a decade ago.
Sometime next year, Hull could become the first community in Massachusetts to get all its electricity from wind power.