Conservation
Conservation
May 26, 1989
Sheriff's Meadow Foundation Has History of Love for Island
The Sheriff's Meadow Foundation, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, owes its existence to the vision, courage and determination of two remarkable people: the late Henry and Elizabeth Hough. In 1920, Henry's father gave the Vineyard Gazette as a wedding present to the two young graduates of the Columbia School of Journalism. Active as managing editor of the New Bedford Evening Standard, the father had introduced Henry to the exciting possibilities of small-town community journalism.
May 9, 1986
Island Enters Into the Age of Land Bank
Starting Monday morning, buyers of Martha’s Vineyard real estate will pay two per cent of the purchase price to the Martha’s Vineyard land bank. Tisbury voters yesterday followed the other five Island towns by endorsing the measure designed to raise money for preservation of natural and recreational resources.
The Dukes County commissioners this morning were to appoint one person from each Island town to the land bank commission. The state secretary of environmental affairs will appoint a seventh member.
November 15, 1985
Upon A Pole Our Vineyard Osprey Nest
The osprey, once a seriously threatened Vineyard bird, has made a significant recovery. The osprey population on the Vineyard has doubled and doubled again in recent years. The recovery comes from a well proven nesting pole program developed by Gus Ben David, director of Massachusetts Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.
December 16, 1983
Vineyard Groups Forge Agreement For Conservation
In a move expected to give Vineyard conservation interests unprecedented strength in shaping the Island’s future, the Vineyard Conservation Society, the Vineyard Open Land Foundation, the Sheriffs Meadow Foundation, the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club and the Trustees of Reservations are shaping an agreement that will allow them to share their strengths and resources.
October 14, 1983
Island Center Honors Name of Supporter
Mary P. Wakeman, a woman who has devoted herself to the cause of conservation on Martha’s Vineyard, was the guest of honor Saturday when Island conservationists gathered at Cranberry Acres to celebrate her 82nd birthday and to start a fund-raising campaign for the Mary P. Wakeman Conservation Center.
Six Island conservation organizations have joined forces to build a $500,000 conservation center on a lot donated by the Vineyard Open Land Foundation in the subdivision off Lambert’s Cove Road in Vineyard Haven.
July 7, 1970
Vineyard’s Open Land Foundation Becomes Reality
With the recording of an agreement and declaration of trust last week, the Vineyard Open Land Foundation, first proposed in the Gazette of April 17, became a reality.
The agreement and declaration were signed by 12 original trustees: Jerome B. Wiesner, Mary P. Wakeman, Anne P. Hale, Herbert E. Tucker Jr., Robert E. Simon Jr., Edward J. Logue, Hans F. Loeser, William M. Honey, Henry Beetle Hough, Kevin Lynch, James F. Alley and Joseph G. Kraetzer. The eventual board will number not more than 21.
December 13, 1968
Felix Neck, Gift to Mass. Audubon, Will be Preserve
George M. Moffett Jr., widely known as a yachtsman and conservationist, signed an agreement last week by which Felix Neck, more than 200 beautiful acres of widely varying terrain extending into Sengekontacket Pond, will be conveyed to the Massachusetts Audubon Society as a wildlife sanctuary. Part of the acreage is transferred immediately, and the balance will be leased to the Audubon Society until the gift is completed.
August 2, 1966
Island Is Special, Secretary Udall Says at Gay Head
In a friendly but eloquent mixture of encouragement, advice and warning to the whole Island, Secretary of the Interior Steward L. Udall formally dedicated the colorful clay cliffs of Gay Head as a National Landmark on Saturday afternoon.
June 25, 1965
New Group Would Strive to Save Island’s Beauty
Letters have gone out to a number of Vineyarders seeking support for a new organization devoted to preserving the natural splendors of the Island. The organization is a committee of the Natural Area Council Inc., and its letter is self-explanatory:
“An organization is in process of formation under the name, Friends of the Island. Its purpose is to preserve the natural beauty of Martha’s Vineyard. If it is to accomplish its goal it will need the support and cooperation of all segments of the Vineyard community.
September 12, 1960
Foundation Insures Sanctuary in a Town
The Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation figures this year for the first time in the list of tax-exempted property in the town of Edgartown. The property so designated is the old ice pond known for generations as Sheriff’s Meadow Pond, and the land immediately around it, now assured of preservation for all time in its present native state.
