The Vineyard Conservation Society’s 23rd annual Earth Day beach cleanup was a great success. Many dedicated volunteers young and old spent the morning removing a long winter’s worth of debris. On this first really gorgeous spring day we were all reminded of how precious our shorelines are but also how fragile. It is important that we remind others to properly dispose of their unwanted items, especially plastic bags, so that we do not endanger the wildlife that may ingest the wrong thing and die unnecessarily. Get out and enjoy our Island’s unique natural treasures and remember, take only pictures, leave only footprints.

VCS would like to thank the Harbor View Hotel for hosting over 100 people for our after party for the third year in a row.

Food sponsors include Isola, Sharky’s, The Wharf, Harbor View, Cronig’s and Stop & Shop. Also thanks to WMVY and the Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank.

Local organizations returning this year to work at designated beaches include the Lagoon Pond Association, Friends of Sengekontacket, Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, Tisbury Waterways, Inc., Tashmoo management committee, MV Surfcasters Association, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, Squibnocket Association, Harbor View Hotel, town of Chilmark, Tisbury School, the Church of Latter Day Saints, Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank, Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Committee, Cub Scout Packs 90 and 93, Martha’s Vineyard Youth leadership Initiative, and Alex’s Place at the Y.

Individual supervisors include Brian and Caroline Giles, Bruce Golden, Melinda Loberg, Mait Edey and Carden LeBlanc. Special thanks to the highway departments in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury and refuse disposal employees responsible for disposing of hundreds of pounds of trash.

Richard Toole

The writer is president of the VCS.