Discovering Climate Connections: How Local Partnerships Are Shaping Our Environment – The Martha’s Vineyard Times

This is my final note as the climate change coordinator for Martha’s Vineyard. After 20 years, it feels like the right time to step back and let someone new bring fresh ideas to this vital work.

Over these years, I’ve focused on two key questions: How will climate change affect our Island? And what can we do about it? Initially, it was hard to see the connections. News articles mentioned issues like stronger pollen and more pests, but they didn’t point directly to a warming climate. Through research, I discovered links in studies from groups like the Union of Concerned Scientists and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Once I identified the challenges, I aimed to find ways for the Vineyard to adapt, piecing together a huge puzzle. This led to my role with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) and the creation of the Island’s first Climate Action Plan, “The Vineyard Way – Connected to Our Past, Committed to Our Future.” It was a labor of love for a place that’s given me so much: a home, a career, and a sense of peace.

Today, a wealth of information on local climate issues is available. If you care about the future of our Island, here are some resources to check out:

The Vineyard Climate Action Plan features an updated website with a News and Updates section. This 20-year plan outlines local impacts and includes over 200 actionable steps—many already underway.

The Vineyard Conservation Society runs the Island Climate Action Network (ICAN). Their monthly newsletter provides updates on all things climate. You can easily subscribe through their site.

The MVC and the Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship are collaborating on a two-year position for a climate communications specialist. Morgen Schroeder shares updates frequently on Facebook and Instagram, keeping the community informed.

Vineyard Power leads our transition to renewable energy. You can consult with an energy coach there to help you make the switch.

Several towns have resource pages worth exploring: Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury.

Don’t forget our local libraries! They offer more than just books, allowing you to borrow various items that promote reuse—a better choice for the environment. Many libraries also host climate-related events: check out Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and West Tisbury.

The MVC’s Climate Action Task Force meets quarterly to tackle pressing local issues. Recent discussions covered wildfire management and stormwater mapping. These meetings occur on the first Friday of each quarter, and the Zoom link is available on the MVC calendar at mvcommission.org.

On June 22, you can join “Wampanoag Voices: Enriching the Climate Conversation,” hosted by the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and MVC. It promises to be engaging with a panel discussion, taking place at Stillpoint in West Tisbury.

Working alongside talented individuals and organizations has been incredibly rewarding. I am proud that people like Samantha Look at the Vineyard Conservation Society and Noli Taylor at the Island Grown Initiative are now leading their groups effectively.

As I step back, I want to express gratitude to MVC Executive Director Adam Turner and everyone who contributed to this journey. I’ll leave you with a powerful thought from Jane Goodall: “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

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