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This week in conservation
May 26 - June 1, 2008
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In This Issue:

Local News:
Senator O'Leary's Oceans Bill close to becoming law

Feature:
Reaching Well Beyond the Farm

Calendar:
Alpaca Farm Open House;
John Abrams's The Company We Keep;
Quest M.V. Workshop;
more...

Save The Date:
Innovative and Alternative Onsite Septic Systems and the NitrexTM Permeable Reactive Barrier

Announcement:
The Island Blue Pages

Energy Update:
Universal shed;
Energy-saver bulbs carry disposal woe

Wastewater Update:
Wastewater Management Study Gets Underway

Water Update:
Vineyard Conservation Society Receives Grant

Climate Change Update:
World's wildlife and environment already hit by climate change, major study shows;
Critics: Polar bear plan must fight global warming
LOCAL NEWS

Senator O'Leary's Oceans Bill close to becoming law
By Winthrop Roosevelt
Published: May 22, 2008
MV Times
A groundbreaking bill that would require all decisions about development or use of Massachusetts waters to conform to a single integrated oceans management plan is close to becoming law.

http://www.mvtimes.com/2008/05/22/
news/senator-oleary-oceans-bill.php
Feature

Reaching Well Beyond the Farm
By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN
Published: May 20, 2008
NY Times

WASHINGTON — Few pieces of legislation generate the level of public scorn consistently heaped upon the farm bill.

Presidents and agriculture secretaries denounce it. Editorial boards rail against it. Good-government groups mock it. Global trading partners formally protest it. Even farmers gripe about it.

But as Congress proved again last week, few pieces of major legislation also get such overwhelming bipartisan support — enough, in the case of the current farm bill, to override the veto expected by President Bush any day now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/20/
washington/20farm.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

Ideal Bite
How to Get Started in the Slow Food Movement
Slow Food is good, clean and fair food. We believe that the food we eat should taste good; that it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work.[1] The slow food movement is a reaction to a fast food lifestyle predominant in many modern cultures. By choosing to become a part of the Slow Food movement, you are making a choice to be a co-producer rather than a consumer; an active, proactive and informed part of the food chain that recognises the "connections between plate and planet".

http://www.wikihow.com/
Get-Started-in-the-Slow-Food-Movement

 

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Calendar
Alpaca Farm Open House

Mon, May 26, Alpaca Farm Open House 1-6 pm, Island Alpaca Company, Oak Bluffs. See Ongoing Events, Saturday.
John Abrams's The Company We Keep
Tues, May 27, Sustainable Book Club, John Abrams's The Company We Keep: Reinventing Small Business for People, Community and Place is book for discussion at Islandwide book group free at 7 p.m. at Edgartown library. All welcome.
Quest M.V. Workshop
Wed, May 28, Quest M.V. Workshop 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Sail MV, Vineyard Haven. Historical buildings, oral histories, photos and documents from M.V. Museum with Steve Glazer and others. Bring lunch. Continues May 29. $125. Pre-register: 508-627-4441 ext. 120, 118.
PHA: Plants, People, and Opportunities
Thurs, May 29, PHA: Plants, People, and Opportunities 10am – noon Volunteers are very important people at the Polly Hill Arboretum. As the Arboretum grows, volunteer opportunities continue to increase. Spend a morning with volunteer coordinator Nancy Weaver, executive director Tim Boland, and other PHA staff for this across-the-board introduction to the many ways you can become involved at the Arboretum. Participants will review the history of the Arboretum, tour the plant collections, and take a look at what goes on behind the scenes. Many of our most valuable volunteers began with this popular class and went on to be trained through our docent program. Open to all. No Fee. Call Nancy to register. 508-693-9426 .
Control of Non – Native Phragmites
Thurs, May 29, Control of Non – Native Phragmites, All-Island Conservation Commissions and Friends (public welcome). 5:30 – 7:00 PM, MVC offices, Stone building, OB. Chris Polatin, of Polatin Ecological Services, will present a best management practices for control of non-native phragmites. It has been some time since we have heard about phragmites (four years!), so this should provide a timely update. Contact Jo-Ann Taylor 508-693-3453 ext.19 with questions.
There’s No Place Like Home – Butterflies
Sat, May 31, There’s No Place Like Home – Butterflies, Felix Neck Sanctuary, 10:00 – 11:30 AM Many people enjoy the beauty of a butterfly visiting their yard. Create a butterfly box that will provide a habitat for them. Pre-registration required (508-627-4850) Members: $28, and Non-Members: $38.
Free Tree Day
Sat, May 31, Free Tree Day 9:30 am-12 noon, Nat's Farm Meadow, West Tisbury. Sheriff's Meadow Foundation invites public to dig up small cedar trees to take home. Rain or shine. 508-693-5201.
Chemical-Free Lawn Lecture
Sat, May 31, Chemical-Free Lawn Lecture 10-11:30 am, Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury. With Paul Tukey of safelawns.org. Co-sponsored by Vineyard Conservation Society. $10. 508-693-9426.
Alpaca Farm Open House
Sat, May 31, Alpaca Farm Open House: 1 am-6 pm, Island Alpaca Company, 1 Head of the Pond Rd., Oak Bluffs. Meet the new baby alpaca! Refreshments; $5 suggested donation. 508-693-5554.
Alpaca Farm Open House
Sun, June 1 Alpaca Farm Open House: 1 am-6 pm, Island Alpaca Company, 1 Head of the Pond Rd., Oak Bluffs. Magic Loop Technique class (11am-4pm) Refreshments; $5 suggested donation. 508-693-5554. 11 am to 4 pm, Magic Loop technique class. Learn how to use one circular needle instead of 4 or 5 double pointed needles. For the advanced beginner. $45.
 
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Save The Date
Innovative and Alternative Onsite Septic Systems and the NitrexTM Permeable Reactive Barrier
Thurs, June 12, Innovative and Alternative Onsite Septic Systems and the NitrexTM Permeable Reactive Barrier, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm This workshop will examine the viability of innovative and alternative onsite septic systems (I/As) for meeting TMDL limits for nitrogen on Cape Cod. Presentations will address how these systems function and perform as well as maintenance and management issues. Wastewater experts and engineers with experience working on Cape Cod will share perspectives on both the advantages and disadvantages of these systems and where and how they are most appropriately used. The session will be the first in a series of monthly workshops targeting decision-makers involved in wastewater planning being organized by the Waquoit Bay Reserve through its Coastal Training Program. There is no cost to attend the workshop but registration is required. To register please contact Laurie Tompkins at 508-457-0495 ext. 108, ltompkins@state.ma.us or Tonna-Marie Rogers at 508-457-0495 ext. 110, tonna-marie.surgeon-rogers@state.ma.us. Space is limited therefore early registration is encouraged.
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Announcement
The Island Blue Pages
The Island Blue Pages, a wonderful resource for protecting Martha’s Vineyard waters, will soon be going into its second printing. Many thanks to the Wampanoag Tribe for being responsible for these additional copies, as well as the translation and printing of many in Portuguese.
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Energy Update
Universal shed

Martha’s Vineyard has a ‘Universal shed,’ that takes all items containing small traces of mercury. Go to the Edgartown Refuse and Recycling Center on the West Tisbury/ Edgartown Rd across from the airport. Check in at the weigh station and you will be directed to the shed. Questions call 508-627-4501.
Energy-saver bulbs carry disposal woe
By Marc Levy
Associated Press / May 19, 2008
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - It's a message being drummed into the heads of homeowners everywhere: Swap out those incandescent lights with longer-lasting compact fluorescent bulbs and cut your electric use.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/
articles/2008/05/19/
energy_saver_bulbs_carry_disposal_woe/
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Wastewater Update
Wastewater Management Study Gets Underway

Yesterday, May 19, a comprehensive wastewater management study for Martha's Vineyard got underway with a kick-off meeting with the consultants and members of the study advisory committee.

The highest priority “promising initiative” of the Island Plan Water Resource Work Group, and a general priority for the overall Island Plan, was to undertake a wastewater management study for Martha's Vineyard. The MVC acted on this recommendation earlier this year by putting together funding and carrying out a request for proposals. A selection committee chose engineering firm Wright Pierce from among five proposals.

Go to the Water section for the rest of the press release

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Water Update
Vineyard Conservation Society Receives Grant
By Brendan O'Neill, Executive Director of VCS

The Vineyard Conservation Society (VCS) is pleased to announce that it has received a one-year grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust to support VCS water quality protection efforts. VCS is a 43-year old environmental organization dedicated to preserving the environment, character and quality of life of Martha’s Vineyard through advocacy, education, and the protection of the Island’s land and waters.

Go to the Water Section for the rest of the press release
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Climate Change Update
World's wildlife and environment already hit by climate change, major study shows
Ian Sample, science correspondent
The Guardian, Thursday May 15 2008

· 90% of damage caused by rising temperatures
· Conclusions based on reports going back to 1970

Polar bears have been severely affected by global warming, which a major study has linked to human activity.

Global warming is disrupting wildlife and the environment on every continent, according to an unprecedented study that reveals the extent to which climate change is already affecting the world's ecosystems.

Scientists examined published reports dating back to 1970 and found that at least 90% of environmental damage and disruption around the world could be explained by rising temperatures driven by human activity.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/
may/15/climatechange.scienceofclimatechange
Critics: Polar bear plan must fight global warming
By DAN JOLING, Associated Press Writer
Tue May 20, 4:54 PM ET
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Conservation groups returned to court to challenge Bush administration efforts to help save the polar bear, saying federal officials' refusal to include steps against global warming violates the Endangered Species Act.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/
20080520/ap_on_re_us/polar_bears
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