Nature Conservancy restores sandplain grasslands
The sandplain grasslands of Martha’s Vineyard are a rare and imperiled ecosystem that exist almost exclusively on islands in Massachusetts, and some of the most outstanding examples of these unique systems are right here...
Climate Solutions: Regenerating soil — a key strategy
A Climate Solutions series would be remiss not talking about the importance of soil: its role as a carbon sink, and how caring for it helps both the planet and our species. Food, agriculture,...
Three towns to vote on climate action article
Voters in Edgartown, Chilmark, and Tisbury will be asked to adopt the 100 Percent Renewable Martha's Vineyard warrant at upcoming town meetings, an article that supports the Island's goal of becoming powered by 100...
Climate Solutions: Plastics and recycling — we can do better!
We are drowning in plastics, and the oil industry is doing its best to keep it that way. Plastics, which are made from oil, support production even when the demand for heating oil is...
VTA unveils solar canopies
Updated May 17
The Vineyard Transportation Authority held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday for a series of solar canopies it erected at its facility at the Airport Business Park.
The event was also a celebration of the...
Exploring the Vineyard’s future
In mid-April, Island Innovation hosted the first Island Finance Forum, a virtual event where members of island communities across the world could exchange solutions for sustainable economic recovery in the post-pandemic world. The event...
Climate Solutions: Food waste
Food waste is 8 percent of greenhouse gas emissions … more than the carbon footprint of the airline industry.
According to Project Drawdown, one-third of the food produced in farms and factories never makes it...
Going out on a limb
Martha’s Vineyard Airport is distributing 2,500 tree seedlings to Island schools, to be given out to children.
According to airport director Geoff Freeman, the airport is working on a number of green initiatives, and the...
Lone star ticks emerge early this year
With the unexpectedly premature arrival of lone star ticks on Martha’s Vineyard, boards of health are considering what the future of mitigation and prevention of vector-borne illnesses might look like.
Richard Johnson, Island entomologist and...
Deadwood sparks concern over forest fires
Dukes County commissioners are concerned about drier weather and large amounts of deadwood increasing the potential for forest fires on Martha’s Vineyard.
For the past several years, dry plant detritus has been identified as a...
Climate Solutions: Taking care of ourselves and our species
In our state, wind and solar are our greatest resources.
What does solar do for us?
Even though Massachusetts is not the sunniest, we are getting 7 percent of our power from the sun. We...
Keeping the Island clean, one beach at a time
People on Martha’s Vineyard are more conscious about the impact of human activity on the natural environment than ever before.
With the economy of the Vineyard’s coastal community relying so heavily on the health of...
Climate Solutions: Going solar when you can’t do it at home
Part of the vision of a 100 percent renewable energy Island includes large, community solar arrays around the Island.
What is community solar?
Most important, it is a way that you can get your electricity...
The Times welcomes Bluedot Living
The Martha’s Vineyard Times Company will launch Bluedot Living, a sustainable lifestyle magazine, in late May.
Bluedot, published in a partnership with Bluedot, LLC, an organization founded by Victoria Riskin of West Tisbury, will be...
Citizen scientists help monitor water quality
The Buzzards Bay Coalition recently published the first 28 years of its Baywatchers water monitoring program data in “Scientific Data,” a leading peer-reviewed nature research journal.
From 1992 to 2018, the Baywatchers program has collected...
Climate Solutions: Resilient at home
Imagine having enough energy storage at your house or in your neighborhood to be able to have some power and water during prolonged power outages.
Solar and batteries make that possible.
Solar info
Solar panels can...
Steamship Authority considers electric ferry future
The Steamship Authority (SSA) is conducting a feasibility study to examine the existing 10-boat fleet, and what it might take to start switching over to electric ferries in the future.
According to a 2018 report,...
Climate Solutions: Batteries make us resilient
Imagine a Vineyard where we are generating our power from renewable sources, and have enough energy storage to sustain critical loads during prolonged power outages.
Batteries play a big role in that vision, and they...
Climate Solutions: Becoming resilient
Prolonged power failures are a serious concern as climate change progresses and more extreme weather events occur. When the electric grid is down, having systems that give us a continued source of power, without...
Chilmark considers installing EV rapid chargers
Chilmark is looking to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the town center, which will be able to charge a vehicle fully in about 40 minutes.
During a Tuesday meeting of the board of...