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Conservation Almanac Special Edition
The VCS Year-End Appeal
Gallery Opening Benefit on Saturday
Vineyard Conservation History & Future Outlook
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The VCS Environmental Action Appeal
 “I thought of it as a society to work on every facet of conservation.”Richard Pough, speaking about the formation of the Vineyard Conservation Society
Over
the last five decades, quite a diverse mission has evolved from our
co-founder’s ambitious vision. From education and public advocacy to
legal defense of conservation gains, VCS has shaped the Vineyard we know
and love.
This is our year-end appeal, your
opportunity to help sustain that work. VCS is a membership
organization, relying on member support for our work. So, if you are not
already a member, please join today!
And to our members, we ask for your support with a year-end gift
in whatever amount you can, and that you help spread the spirit of
conservation to family and friends with a gift membership – please give today!
There
is no doubt Dick Pough anticipated many of the challenges we are facing
right now on Martha’s Vineyard. He and Henry Beetle Hough (our other
co-founder) were especially skilled at articulating threats arising from
overly rapid growth and development: dwindling open space, burgeoning
traffic, pollution and over-stretched natural resources.
Fighting to protect our Island’s land and water will always be a core
element of our mission, but we also must call attention to the more
optimistic, uplifting work happening at VCS. These are the other “facets
of conservation” referenced above, such as educating the next
generation of Vineyard conservationists, sharing land-use and
conservation history through Winter Walks, and the waste reduction
initiatives that will make possible a more sustainable future.
Last week a “Director’s Update” went out detailing recent progress on
these programs and other highlights from what we’ve taken to calling the
“Connect – Protect – Reflect” sustainability agenda. If you missed it, take a look now!
Thank you for your support in helping us protect our Island environment
 Benefit Event this Saturday
Gallery Opening Showcases Persian Rugs
This
Saturday (Dec. 22), the Solviva Tribal Rug Gallery in Vineyard Haven
re-opens with a special event. A new collection of Persian rugs will be
offered to the public for the first time, with 10% of all sales to be
donated to support the work of VCS.
The Gallery now has several hundred exquisite old Persian Tribal Rugs
hanging on walls and covering the floors: area rugs and runners of all
sizes, all stunningly beautiful with glowing colors and intricate
traditional patterns. Most of them were made several generations ago by
nomadic tribal people in accordance with their traditional Persian
culture, working by hand with great skill and artistic sensitivity.
 Please join your VCS friends from 1 to 6 pm at the Solviva Gallery, 100 Skiff Ave.
in Vineyard Haven for wine and other goodies, and then take home one of
these unique handmade treasures. Thank you to Anna Edey for putting
this wonderful event together!
After Saturday, the 10% donation offer will continue for every buyer
who refers to VCS as the beneficiary, but the gallery will be open only
by appointment. For more info on the event or to set up an appointment,
please email Anna.
Conservation Outlook 20/20
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
 This
August, VCS Executive Director Brendan O'Neill was invited to give the
annual David H. Smith Memorial Lecture at the Polly Hill Arboretum.
Brendan reflected on decades of conservation successes and setbacks on
Martha’s Vineyard, and spoke to the challenges we face in the next
half-century.
If you missed it, a video adaptation of the entire talk can be found at the VCS website.
Later this winter we expect to have completed a short video focusing on
the critical issue of current development trends; we are just awaiting
the most recent update on growth data from the MV Commission to complete
the picture.
P.S. - If you shop at Amazon, make sure to use the "AmazonSmile" donation program! All you have to do is log in at the AmazonSmile page
before shopping and Amazon donates 0.5% to the charitable organization
of your choice. Please consider choosing a local non-profit such as
Vineyard Conservation Society as your designated charity. Every little
bit counts!
 December sunrise over the harbor in Vineyard Haven. Photo by Mya O’Neill.
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