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Save The Date!
VCS ANNUAL MEETING
Tuesday, June 28, 5:30 pm
at the Wakeman Conservation Center
off of Lambert's Cove Road
At this year's meeting, Jeremy Houser PhD., will be giving a
presentation on his research about the local effects of global climate
change. A light dinner will be served. All are welcome. FREE
Quote of the Week
Biological communities will see dramatic reorganizations in coming
decades owing to shifting invasive potential by nonnative species. Click
HERE
VCS Current Initiatives
Still not sure what it is that we do?
Here is a list of our current initiatives:
Clean Water Initiative
VCS is continuing a multi-year public awareness campaign to advocate for
clean water and a coordinated wastewater management plan to reverse the
decline in health of the Vineyard’s Great Ponds.
Vineyard Lawns Campaign
Part of keeping our waters clean involves persuading Island residents
and businesses to avoid chemical lawn fertilizers and encourage use of
native grasses and plantings.
Open Space Preservation
VCS provides direction and facilitation to property owners on conserving
land. We advocate in the regulatory review process on behalf of saving
open space, farmland, habitat, and natural resources like clean water.
Protecting Agricultural Land
Local farms define rural character, maintain a link with the past, and
promise a more sustainable future. VCS has worked for decades to
conserve our prime farm soils and rejuvenate local farming using
Agricultural Preservation Restrictions (APRs) and other tools. Building
partnerships with towns and colleagues has been a formula for success at
places like the new Ag Hall, Nip 'n' Tuck, Morning Glory, Native Earth
and Katama Farms.
VCS Winter Walks
The VCS Winter Walks Program offers monthly guided walks during the
winter months on private lands, many conserved under VCS auspices. All
walks are free and open to the public.
Island-Wide Recycling Initiative
Part of VCS’s broad definition of conservation involves promoting
Island-wide coordination of solid waste disposal and enhanced recycling
capabilities in all Island towns.
Climate Change Adaptation
Some of the greatest impacts of global climate change will be felt at
the coasts. VCS is promoting community awareness about the local
environmental impacts we can expect and plan for.
Conservation Calendar
Wee Farmers
Saturdays, May 7 - May 28
9:30 - 11 am. The Farm Institute
Farming for the little ones! It's time to visit your animal friends and
help take care of the garden at The FARM Institute 9:30- 11 am. Children
may pat the bunny, hold a baby chick, feed the piglets or plant in the
Wee Farmer garden plot. Children must be accompanied by a parent or
caregiver; one child per adult. $15/session. To register,email:
education@farminstitute.org
Regulating New England Fisheries:
Tuesday, May 10, 7 pm
Vineyard Haven Public Library
Martha's Vineyard and Dukes County Fishermen's Association.
for more information email:
amyryan@clamsnet.org
The Importance of Shellfish to our Environment
Tuesday, May 17, 7 pm
Vineyard Haven Public Library
Rick Karney from the Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group will be speaking
about our precious shellfish! We all love to eat them, but do you know
how vital they are for our environment? Put several clams, oysters or
mussels in a bucket of dirty water and in 28-48 hours, you will have
clean water. They add to the integrity of the coast line by providing
an anchor to strengthen the sea grass and other small animals that feed
there. They are also very tasty!
www.vhlibrary.org
Film Screening: Farming the Future
Oak Bluffs Library , May 19, 6:30 p.m.
Screening of documentary film, Farming the Future: Farm Life on Long Island. Free and all are welcome.
Vineyard Wildlife Festival
Saturday, May 21, 10:00am-2:00pm
Felix Neck Edgartown
Celebrate Vineyard Wildlife and Citizen Science at Felix Neck! Activities,
talks and walks for the whole family. Get up close and personal with a
raptor, search for salamanders in the woods, and more!
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10:00 am: Beginners Bird Walk with Rob Culbert
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11:00 am: Live Birds of Prey Show
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12:00 pm: All About Horseshoe Crabs
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1:00 pm: Salamander Search
Activities, crafts and live birds of prey demonstrations throughout the day.
Looking for lunch? Enjoy local burgers and hot dogs by The Farm Institute.
In Season Recipes
DANDELION SALAD
Cut a 2” square of
real bacon into small chunks and fry
until done. Set aside bacon and discard half the bacon grease (more or
less depending on how much there is and how much dandelion greens you
have). Briefly sauté some chopped
sweet Bermuda onion in the pan till barely tender. Toss onions, bacon grease and bacon chunks with
cleaned dandelion greens. Serve immediately.
Add a bit of
Mermaid Farm Feta cheese if you like.
No need for vinegar as the greens are tart enough.
From Edible Wild Plants of Martha’s Vineyard
WILD, WILTED WATERCRESS SALAD
Ingredients:
2 bunches of local wild watercress (Try to get mature watercress...it will hold up better to the hot dressing.)
3-4 slices bacon
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
4 teaspoons sugar
Salt and pepper
A pinch of ground mustard
A pinch of paprika (sweet)
Method:
1 Rinse thoroughly the watercress, removing old leaves and thick stems. Set aside in a serving bowl.
2 Heat a small stick-free pan on medium heat and cook the bacon until
done, several minutes on each side. Remove the bacon from the pan and
put on a paper towel. Keep the bacon fat in the pan.
3 Add the cider vinegar and sugar to the bacon fat. Stir to dissolve.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper, add a pinch of ground mustard and a pinch
of paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning. This is a sweet-sour dressing,
so if it is too acidic, add a bit more sugar, if too sweet, add a bit
more vinegar.
4 Bring the dressing to a simmer. Pour over the watercress. Crumble the bacon over the top. Toss and serve.
Serves 4 to 6.
