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The Climate Action Plan Needs Your Voice
Please Take the Climate Survey Today!
Please take a moment and fill out this brief survey about your perspective on climate change on our island. Your input will help inform the on-going effort to develop an MV Climate Action Plan (CAP).
The CAP is an island-wide planning process underway to identify priorities for our community to prepare for the impacts of climate change, and to reduce our contributions to it.
A climate action plan that is truly a good fit for our community needs many voices. Help us share this survey on social media using the Facebook post found here. Please encourage your friends, family and networks to add their voices--input is welcome from year-round and seasonal residents, as well as regular visitors. Thank you!
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THANK YOU to everyone who took part in CLIMATE ACTION WEEK!!
During the week of May 9th, community members and organizations hosted 40 climate-focused events that were attended by 1400 participants. Wow! What a huge success--thank you to everyone who made this week possible, and who committed time to learning more about climate change and how we can take meaningful local action.
For an issue that can feel so difficult and disheartening it was a wonderful opportunity to see a silver lining -- a community coming together, with positive energy and practical solutions, and a desire to be involved and make a difference.
Here's an article from the Vineyard Gazette about Climate Action Week, and keep an eye on the new Vineyard Way website for photos and event recordings from the week.
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Annual Youth Climate Summit Galvanizes the Next Generation of Climate Activists
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, in partnership with the MVRHS Protect Your Environment Club, held the fourth annual Youth Climate Summit on Friday May 27 th. The full-day event, open to Grades 5-12, was filled with climate-focused conversation, food, activities and a keynote from Native Earth Teaching Farm's Rebecca Gilbert. It was attended by over 160 students and 30 community members! Here is an article from the MV Times with more about the Summit. This event would not have been possible without the support of students, experts, and donors. THANK YOU to all who supported our island youth in digging in on climate. |
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West Tisbury and Aquinnah Voters Adopt New Climate-Forward Bylaws
At this spring's town meetings West Tisbury and Aquinnah adopted bylaws that require all new or substantially renovated buildings to use electricity, rather than fossil fuels, for heating, cooling, and hot water. (Excluded are cooking, generators, and wood stoves.) They also adopted bylaws requiring that new or substantially renovated buildings be made ready for an electric vehicle charger. These new bylaws are intended to help the towns meet their goal of eliminating the use of fossil fuels by 2040. Congratulations and thanks to these first two towns for leading the way--may the others soon follow!
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Climate Related Events at the Edgartown Library
Native Gardening, with Angela Lucky
Saturday, June 4 at 10:30 am
In this presentation, Angela will discuss the importance of native plants and how we can shift our perceptions to create ecologically productive gardens and promote biodiversity. We will be learning about how to help wildlife and plants move, mate, pollinate, and thrive.
This program was developed in partnership with BiodiversityWorks, the Village and Wilderness Project, and the Martha's Vineyard Vision Fellowship.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Edgartown Free Public Library.
Salt Water Wednesdays
Wednesday, June 8 at 4 pm
Have you ever wanted to learn how to gut a fish or shuck an oyster? Sign up for this monthly workshop where you will learn about all aspects of Island seafood, from preparation to the ecological importance of buying local. You'll leave with not only a filet (or some shellfish) for dinner, but also with the knowledge of how to process your next catch. This month we will be learning how to fillet a fluke, a lovely light fish that is easily the star of any meal.
Registration is required
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Island Grown Initiative
Regenerative Gardening Events
It is officially gardening season and a great time to learn more about how your gardening passion can be a climate solution!
Perennial Vegetables: Where and How To Plant Them
Saturday, June 4, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Regenerative Backyard Practices
Saturday, June 18, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Visit the IGI Website to register and learn more!
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Join VCS and the MVFF for a premiere screening of On Our Watch at the
VCS Annual Meeting
Thursday, June 23, 5:30 pm
The Grange, West Tisbury
The upcoming short film "On Our Watch" is an engrossing tale of our Island's coastal ponds, their vital importance to natural systems, the threats they face, and what Islanders are doing to protect them for future generations. Pond health is impacted by a variety of forces, climate change among them. The film was directed by Ollie Becker and produced by The MV Film Festival & Vineyard Conservation Society.
The evening will begin with a reception and brief annual meeting of the VCS membership, followed by the film. The event is free and open to the public.
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Make Your Home More Comfortable, Save Energy, and Get Help with Home Improvement Projects
If Climate Action Week has you excited to act but not sure what to do first, or if you are wondering how to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient, this recent blog post from the Cape Light Compact is a great resource. It shares clear and easy steps and puts information about home energy assessments, and various rebates all in one place. Their electric lawn equipment rebate might even get you inspired for Father's Day gifts!
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Island Grown Initiative Seeks Regenerative Agriculture Crew & Intern
IGI is offering a great opportunity to learn more about regenerative agriculture, by being a member of their Field Crew! They also still have one summer internship spot available.
Check out the IGI website to learn more about these positions. |
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As always we end with our thanks for your care and action on climate issues. Please share this newsletter with friends and encourage others to join our mailing list.
There is much to be done.
"Climate change is the single biggest thing that humans have ever done on this planet. The one thing that needs to be bigger is our movement to stop it."
– Bill McKibben
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