Vineyard Conservation Society Protecting Our Island Environment

. . . for future generations

There is only one Martha’s Vineyard And only one Vineyard Conservation Society, with only one goal: to safeguard the landscapes, seascapes and rural character of this special Island using advocacy, education and legal defense.

Landscapes Preserving our Island Home

From rare heathlands to woodlands, farmlands to footpaths, the Vineyard Conservation Society has protected the diverse habitats and scenic beauty of Martha’s Vineyard for half a century.

Coastal Heathlands and Grasslands

Martha’s Vineyard is blessed with some of the Earth’s most uncommon landscapes, including our threatened coastal heathlands and sandplain grasslands. More than 90% of the Earth’s coastal heathlands – home to a rich but fragile ecological community – have vanished due to human impacts. But our little island is one of the few places where these heathlands have survived, due in no small measure to the diligence of VCS. Thriving within the windswept moors near Moshup Trail in Aquinnah, bearberry, huckleberry and highbush blueberry coexist in the harsh conditions with rare species like the shocking pink dragon’s mouth orchid Arethusa. Harrier hawks nest nearby, spotted turtles seek out shrubby swamps and vernal pools, and a diversity of invertebrates find refuge and breeding habitat among the maritime shrubs and stunted coastal oaks.

Top: the sandplain grasslands of Katama, conserved with VCS help. Right: heathlands at the Frances Newhall Woods Preserve in West Tisbury. Bottom: the dragon’s mouth orchid Arethusa bulbosa at Moshup Trail in Aquinnah. All are focuses of VCS land protection efforts.

Moshup Trail remains the focus of our ongoing heathland protection efforts. At the opposite end of the island, the “Great Plains” of Katama, with its vast, flat stretches of sandplain grassland habitat, testifies to past VCS protection successes.

Farmlands

Local farms are emblematic of our treasured rural landscape. But they are more than picturesque. Local agriculture conserves open space, brings fresh food to our community, and promises a more self-reliant and sustainable future. For fifty years, VCS has maintained this focus on the importance of farms to our heritage, our local economy and our health. We advocate for protection of our prime agricultural soils and for a rejuvenation of local farming. These efforts have led to conservation of hundreds of acres and helped families retain working farms for generations to come. The results can be seen across the Island at places like Morning Glory, Nip ‘n’ Tuck, Mermaid, Flat Point and Allen Sheep Farms, in the wonderful educational resources at Native Earth Teaching Farm and the FARM Institute, and at the new Agriculture Hall, a community symbol of this revival. This page: the iconic Brookside Farm, Middle Road, Chilmark, where VCS co-holds a Conservation Restriction.

VCS partnered with Edgartown to conserve 200 acres at Katama Farm, home of the FARM Institute (top), and helped facilitate the perpetual protection of Flat Point Farm (bottom).

Rural Roads and

Scenic Vistas

Nothing imparts a sense of place and of peace more than our rural roads. Often overlooked as a preservation target, the Vineyard Conservation Society has been ever-vigilant in defense of the rural character of our roads and unpaved byways. In 1965, the very year VCS was founded, our advocacy resulted in a “limited access” designation for West Basin Road in Lobsterville. This formative success story not only preserved the road itself, but effectively prohibited a wave of development from overtaking the dunes and moors. Since then, we have won state Scenic Road status for Lambert’s Cove Road and facilitated numerous Conservation Restrictions along many of our other rural roads, including Indian Hill Road, Scotchman’s Bridge Lane, and Tea Lane. We have researched the Vineyard’s legacy of unpaved “Ancient Ways” (many of which pre-date European settlement) and advocated for their protection, securing legal safeguards for many.

This page: Without VCS, West Basin Road at Lobsterville might otherwise be a state highway rimmed by development. Top left: a protected Ancient Way, carved into the landscape from generations of use. Bottom left: the stillness of winter at Moshup Trail.

Seascapes

Treasured by all who love Martha’s Vineyard, our oceans, beaches, and coastal ponds offer quiet natural beauty, wondrous bounty, and opportunities for recreation, fishing, and shellfishing. Protecting these resources is essential to protecting the quality of our environment and the vitality of our economy. Sadly, many of our coastal waters are imperiled. An excessive amount of nitrogen from runoff, septic systems, and other human impacts is polluting many of the coastal ponds, resulting in algae blooms, reduced water clarity, and low oxygen levels. Sea level rise, expected to increase in coming years, will complicate the problems facing coastal ponds, exacerbate erosion of our beaches, and may lead to saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies. Reversing this degradation is essential to the future of our Island, and it will take an Island-wide, concerted effort. Our Vineyard Lawns Program and Clean Water Initiative are two ongoing education programs designed to inform residents and visitors about what needs to be done on the individual and community levels to turn around the declining health of our waters.

Top: VCS educational programs alert Islanders to the threats facing our coastal ponds. Left: Wonders abound on Lagoon Pond. Facing page: Rising seas and erosion are changing our quintessential Vineyard seascapes.

Can you help us ensure the protection of our: heathlands and sandplains farms and scenic vistas oceans and coastal ponds

. . . for future generations?

Vineyard Conservation Society we are the caretakers . . .

. . . Safeguarding Land Development Pressure

Martha’s Vineyard is comprised of more than 60,000 acres, about one-third of which has been protected by the efforts of VCS and other conservation colleagues. While this is a remarkable achievement, less than half of the remaining 40,000 acres is “built out” to the limits of current zoning, leaving more than 20,000 acres vulnerable to development. VCS works diligently to stay abreast of and oppose insensitive development proposals that would despoil the landscape and quality of life we all enjoy.

Conservation Restrictions

The Island depends on the VCS “watchdog” role.

Above: While supporting a sustainable future, Mermaid A Conservation Restriction (CR) permits a landowner, working with a Farm in Chilmark benefits from a conservation conservation organization, to permanently conserve land while retaining restriction. Bottom: Without VCS, much more of ownership. As one of Martha’s Vineyard’s oldest and most respected conservation the Vineyard would resemble the suburban sprawl organizations, VCS has been asked to hold CRs on several dozen parcels encroaching upon the conserved Katama Plains. comprising nearly 800 acres of land. Holding a CR comes with an important responsibility to ensure that the conserved land is being used only for the purposes for which it was protected. At a minimum this means VCS must conduct a regular survey of these lands. Such monitoring may involve identifying and remedying illegal activities (such as trash dumping) or more subtly documenting changes over time from erosion or incursions of invasive species. It is often assumed that once land has a legally binding CR, it is safe forever—perpetually protected for wildlife habitat, agricultural use, or public enjoyment. But while the terms of the CR are indeed forever, ensuring these protections requires continuous stewardship and vigilance, including legal defense.

. . . Giving Wise Counsel Just one story of many A Vineyard farming family, faced with putting their historic farm on the market in the face of mounting expenses, reaches out for help: Can VCS find a way to keep this multi-generational working farm in the family and protect the nearby habitat for native flora and fauna, all while addressing the financial challenges? Cases such as this are not unusual for Island families or for the Vineyard Conservation Society. Successful resolution can take months and sometimes years of hard work. And land-rich-but-cash-poor families rarely have resources to reimburse VCS for the hours of research and sensitive negotiation essential to successfully preserving their land. In one year alone, VCS provided free consultation on six major land protection projects, resulting in hundreds of acres of land being permanently conserved. Our unique role as wise counsel also extends to providing public testimony on issues of conservation importance, offering guidance to town leaders and citizens participating in the political process, and supporting the work of our colleaugues and local environmental agencies.

. . . a Voice for the Island

Advocacy, activism, education, legal defense—these are the hallmarks of the work of the Vineyard Conservation Society and the reason VCS is widely considered the “Voice for the Island.” Conservation reaches beyond simply protecting land. The Vineyard Conservation Society speaks for the flora and fauna of this Island and the ecosystems they inhabit. Our environmental stewardship encompasses public education and community organizing on a variety of issues, including clean water, wastewater management, solid waste disposal, reduction of chemical lawn fertilizers, encouraging native plants, and smart land use planning and regulatory initiatives.

At our educational Winter Walks, VCS gives voice to the land and water of the Island. Will you add your voice to the chorus?

. . . for Future Generations

For half a century, the Vineyard Conservation Society has worked tirelessly to preserve the natural resources, community character and quality of life of our island home. But our work is not done — VCS must remain nimble, to adapt and respond to the environmental issues of the next fifty years and beyond. Our broad vision of sustainability positions VCS as the Island’s leader on present-day and future issues. We have worked to promote conservation of energy and materials, and expanded recycling opportunities. Raising public awareness about climate change mitigation and adaptation is an organizational priority, as is supporting local agriculture to ensure the security of our food supply and local economy. In concert with our hardy Island people, our built environments and natural habitats must stand as examples of resilience in the face of coming change. Please help us continue to be the Island’s voice, for future generations of Vineyarders.

A changing climate requires resilience, but also creative thinking and the passion to pursue sustainable solutions. VCS and colleague organizations share offices at the Mary P. Wakeman Conservation Center, where we seek to emulate these principles.

Protectors of Land and Water A Voice for the Island Wise Counsel Caretakers . . . Just a few of the words used to describe the Vineyard Conservation Society and the reason we invite you to contribute to the VCS Endowment Fund. Whether through purchasing land, holding conservation restrictions on land owned by others, providing legal and technical assistance, advocating for better regional and local laws, or educating the public, VCS has been at the forefront of conservation efforts on Martha’s Vineyard for fifty years. Yet we cannot rest — so much more needs to be done. The fact that a third of the land of Martha’s Vineyard remains open to development is reason enough for VCS to intensify our efforts. And this we intend to do. But success will require more resources than we presently have. The Vineyard Conservation Society is strong, but has a small staff with a very large job to accomplish. Time spent raising funds for operations can impede our important land conservation activities. That is why VCS has established an Endowment Fund to allow us to focus on the important work of safeguarding our Island.

Can you help us today with a contribution to our new Endowment Fund?

Ways to Give Cash Gifts

Gifts may be made by cash, check, credit card, wire transfer, or online through our website. Gifts are tax deductible.

Securities

Gifts of appreciated securities receive favorable tax treatment and may be deducted at fair market value on the date of transfer to VCS.

Bequests

Remember VCS with a bequest in your will. Planned giving includes gifts of land interests, life insurance, and retirement plan assets, among other options.

Pledges

A pledge can be spread over several years, allowing donors to make larger commitments and fulfill them at a comfortable pace. Additional giving options include matching gifts, and honorary or memorial gifts.

Please contact us for more information: 508-693-9588 [email protected] www.vineyardconservation.org P.O. Box 2189 Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

Vineyard Conservation Society 508-693-9588 / www.vineyardconservation.org P.O. Box 2189 Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

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