December 2025: CAP Implementation Updates
The Vineyard Way — Martha’s Vineyard’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) — was created in 2022 by all six Island towns, the Wampanoag Tribe, and more than 100 community partners. With over 190 actions across six thematic areas, the CAP outlines how we can protect our people, ecosystems, and infrastructure from rising seas, flooding, extreme weather, […]
Island Led Climate Action: Town Committees At Work
Across Martha’s Vineyard, climate action is not an abstract idea—it’s being shaped town by town, committee by committee, by residents who care deeply about the future of the Island. From energy efficiency and emissions reductions to conservation, preparedness, and community engagement, local climate, energy, and conservation committees play a critical role in turning the Vineyard […]
Building Water Resilience on Martha’s Vineyard
Every drop counts—especially on an Island. Between dry summers, rising demand, and increasingly unpredictable weather, protecting our freshwater supply has become one of Martha’s Vineyard’s most urgent climate priorities. From 2023 to 2025, the Edgartown Water Department, Oak Bluffs Water District, and Tisbury Water Works participated in a federal Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) […]
Wildfire Risk & What We Can Do on Martha’s Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard may not look like “fire country” to many—but the latest risk maps, historical fire data, and expert analysis tell another story. Wildfire risk here is real, growing, and shaped by the Island’s ecology, climate trends, and how we manage land and prepare our towns. The good news: the Dukes County Community Wildfire Protection […]
Salt Marsh Migration and Climate Resilience
As sea levels rise, our salt marshes – especially around Sengekontacket Pond and Pocha Pond – are under increasing stress. But these vital ecosystems also offer powerful tools for adaptation, if we give them room to migrate and recover. Why Salt Marshes Matter Salt marshes are more than pretty shorelines. They deliver multiple ecosystem services […]
Building Social Resilience: MVC Hiring Community Liaisons
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) is hiring 2–3 Community Liaisons to play a vital role in shaping the Island’s climate resilience future. This opportunity is part of the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) 2.0 Program, a two-year initiative funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to help communities identify climate risks and implement strategies that strengthen resilience. […]
Wampanoag Voices: Enriching the Climate Conversation
On Sunday, June 22, 2025, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and the Natural Resources Department of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) invite you to a powerful and personal event: Wampanoag Voices: Enriching the Climate Conversation. From 3–5 PM at Stillpoint in West Tisbury, this gathering offers a chance to reflect deeply on the climate […]
Join Us at the 3rd Annual Earth Day Festival!
Celebrate Earth Day with The Vineyard Way crew at the 3rd Annual Earth Day Festival this Saturday, April 19th, at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum! The event will run from 12-3PM and promises a fun, family-friendly afternoon of sustainability-themed activities, live music, and local vendors committed to protecting our island’s environment. We’ll be there sharing the […]
Preparing for Rising Waters: Updating Floodplain & Wetlands Bylaws
As climate change accelerates, Martha’s Vineyard is already experiencing the impacts of sea level rise, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding. To respond to these growing risks, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) is working closely with town governments to update local floodplain and wetlands bylaws—key tools for protecting both public safety and the island’s natural […]
MVP 2.0 Project: Advancing Climate Resilience on Martha’s Vineyard
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) is happy to announce that it has received grant funding from the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program to support climate resilience planning across the six Island towns. This new initiative, the MVP 2.0 Project, builds upon the earlier MVP Community Resilience Building workshops conducted several years ago, which identified […]