The Trustees of Reservations has Two New Members!

Last year while we took our annual vacation to Martha’s Vineyard with our friends, Matt and I started looking into the benefits of becoming a member of The Trustees of Reservations. This organization runs many of the guard shacks to some of our favorite locations on the Vineyard but we both knew there must be a whole lot more to this organization’s benefits than simply getting into beach parking lots for free.

What we discovered is that there is a whole lot more!

Matt’s birthday just passed (on April 16) and sometime back in February I had decided to give him a gift of membership as I knew it was something not only he, but our whole family (and maybe even a couple friends!) would gain great use from.

He was so excited to receive a Supporting level membership as his gift but for those not in the know, I guess I should tell you just what that includes!

As a Supporting level member we get to enjoy the benefits of --
☼ Free access (for up to 4) at over 100 reservations, maintained and protected by the employees of the Trustees and its many volunteers, all across Massachusetts and the islands (including Crane Beach, a premiere beach in Massachusetts for Trustee members only).
☼ A free copy of the Property Guide, which shares vital information about every single place they maintain, and annual subscription to the quarterly magazine Special Places.
☼ Discounts at their two bed and breakfast locations as well as at tons of events across the state that occur year round.
☼ A full year’s membership to celebrate all the seasons!
☼ A car window sticker to proudly display our commitment to the cause.
☼ Knowledge that 75% of my membership dues went directly to support the annual operating costs of the organization’s properties.
☼ A tax deductable portion of the membership dues.

Needless to say there are TONS of ways to volunteer, donate time (or man power) or take advantage of the many special places the Trustees care for annually and we intend to visit or enjoy as many of them as we can over the next year!

Of course we are both looking forward to our annual summer Vineyard vacation and daily trek to the Long Point Wildlife Refuge (and beach!) more than anything else! Ah summer sunshine, salt air and seagulls who try to steal your lunch. There is nothing else that compares!

If you’re in Massachusetts and would like information on the Trustees visit their website, an individual membership only costs $45 (students and seniors receive reduced costs up to family membership levels). Although costs can reach $600 at the Sponsor level, most people, who are outdoor lovers such as us, would find a family level ($65) sufficient for their needs. Give them a call and see what would work best for your family and help preserve some of Massachusetts most precious and beautiful resources!

An Environmentally Responsible Vacation to Martha’s Vineyard

Last week Matt, our friends, their twin one year old boys and myself all headed out for seven days of off season fun on Martha’s Vineyard. We have vacationed there multiple times over the years but I had not paid as close attention to the eco efforts of the island residents prior to this year. What I discovered is that the island has a committed approach to being a more ecological vacation destination.

The entire island is committed to recycling and the blue bins are picked up weekly. This impressed me as I live just outside of Boston, a fairly sizeable metropolis, and my bin is only picked up twice a month!

As we traveled between our vacation rental house and the beach I could not help but notice the abundance of public transit busses island wide. The busses are available to all through the Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority. There are thirteen routes which provide rides from both ferry docks (Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs) as well as the airport.

Each trip is only $1 or full day unlimited passes are only $7, 3 days for $15, 7 days for $25 or 31 days for $40. Children under six are free and those over 65 are half price. There is accessibility for the disabled (half price), as well as those riding bikes or who have pets or luggage with them. The coolest thing is that in addition to designated stops busses can be hailed anywhere along their route and will stop if it is safe to do so.

One of the most exciting things about MV is the protected areas on, around or near the many island beaches. Matt and I took a random drive one afternoon and stumbled upon the Cedar Tree Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in West Tisbury maintained by the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation. The Sanctuary is 216 protected acres of wooded land and pristine beach residing on the Vineyard Sound.

The trails are no more than a half mile each way but once we hit the beach it was like we discovered an entirely new world! Sunbathing, swimming and picnicking are not permitted on the beach so almost nothing is disturbed. The first day of our trip there we discovered a few plastic bottles that had washed ashore which of course we carried out. On our second day we went a different direction on the beach only to discover a large bin placed by the caretaker meant to collect these items.

One of the main reasons so much land on Martha’s Vineyard is so well protected and cared for is due to The Trustees of Reservations organization. A not for profit group they are committed to historic and land use preservation of over 100 properties across Massachusetts, at least six of which are on MV.

After spending the past few years enjoying the beaches at Long Point Wildlife Refuge and then experiencing the beauty of Wasque, Mytoi and Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge this year Matt and I have decided to take full advantage of all the Trustees offer by joining the organization this fall.

Access to the island is limited to passenger ferries which run on somewhat limited schedules, private boat and airplane shuttles which originate from only 5 airports in southeastern Massachusetts. Limiting access also helps to keep environmental impact low.

Next year I would love to give public transportation a try and with a Trustees membership in hand, get back out to take advantage of exploring the very thing I am working every day to try to help protect; the vast natural landscape of this amazing island get away!

Cape Wind Is Clear for Construction

Here in Massachusetts we have the area of the coast known as Cape Cod, a decent sized peninsula that hooks around north forming what looks like a bent arm at an elbow. The Cape, as it is called in these parts, is a fantastic place to vacation with lots of wonderful beaches, cutsie New England-esque shops and amazing scenery. Frequently bunched in with The Cape is most always The Islands. This refers to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, two small islands, just south off the coast. In the Nantucket Sound strong winds tend to gust and Cape Wind has been waiting patiently to make use of this natural resource.

On May 28, 2009 Governor Deval Patrick expressed his enthusiasm for the approval of permits across the state to begin construction on the 130 turbine project. The project is expected to generate enough power to provide electricity to upwards of 420,000 homes from the 420 megawatts of electricity generated by the wind power available in the Sound.

As the first fully operational, offshore, wind turbine farm in the United States, Cape Wind will be making history. There are many who are not too keen on the idea of creating that kind of historic mark however. Fishermen and wildlife experts are concerned of the possible displacement of marine life and the need to go further offshore to acquire these species. In addition many residents within eyeshot of the proposed farm site location are convinced it will cause a reduction in home values as they feel it will create an offshore eye sore.

Regardless of the opposition the approval of the permits is an exciting thing as this will create a whole slew of jobs in the Green Collar sector for a large mass of people who are greatly in need of one at this time. In addition it will make use of a fully sustainable, rapidly renewable resource to provide electricity -- wind power.

The Cape Wind website contains a plethora of information on this project. Everything from Press Releases to the benefits of using wind as a resource to an area specifically dedicated to how to teach our children about the benefits of using wind as an alternative to oil or even natural gas to power our lives.

Now that the permits are in place for Cape Wind I do truly hope it is done in a responsible way so as many natural resources as possible are protected as well as a creation of jobs is provided for so many struggling workers. I personally will enjoy every minute of watching those majestic blades spin this summer!