Get Involved
Paid and unpaid, young and old, year-round and seasonal, the Island community is taking charge of our future. There are so many ways to get involved. Have a look at the suggested actions in each of the thematic areas for ideas on how you can get involved today!
Thematic Area Actions
Additional Ways to Take Action
Plant Local MV
In collaboration with the Vineyard Conservation Society and the Polly Hill Arboretum, Biodiversity Works developed a successful educational campaign promoting the use of native plants on Martha’s Vineyard. Based on focus group input, they created brochures, signs, and a booklet titled Plant Local Martha’s Vineyard. This initiative, involving conservation groups, botanists, and landscaping experts, encourages homeowners and businesses to incorporate native plants into their landscapes, building resilience to climate change. The Plant Local MV campaign aims to preserve biodiversity and promote sustainable landscaping practices across the island.
BIOCHAR ON MV
Biochar is charcoal made by heating wood waste without oxygen. Unlike regular burning that produces ash and smoke, this process (called pyrolysis) creates a carbon-rich soil amendment that improves soil health.
Martha’s Vineyard has abundant wood waste that can be converted to biochar. Using biochar helps local farmers and gardeners retain nutrients in sandy soils without chemical fertilizers, preventing runoff that harms groundwater and ponds. Visit our Biochar page to learn more about the many benefits and see if there are any upcoming events or kiln demonstrations.
TRASH TASK FORCE
The Martha’s Vineyard Solid Waste Task Force is a coalition of town officials, waste professionals, nonprofit leaders, and community members working under the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. Formed in 2025, the Task Force meets monthly to tackle the Island’s solid waste challenges head-on—developing smarter, more cost-effective, and more sustainable strategies for how we handle our trash, recycling, compost, and hazardous materials.