Hay bales in an open field on Martha’s Vineyard

Resources

VCS provides tools, guides, and archives to help our community care for the Island’s land, water, and wildlife. Explore the programs and materials below to learn, act, and stay informed.

Resources Menu
Bright bouquets of pink, red, yellow, and white flowers fill wooden crates at an outdoor farm stand, with baskets and a chalkboard sign nearby.

For Visitors »

Guidelines for exploring Martha’s Vineyard responsibly — how to tread lightly, respect wildlife, and support Island conservation.

 A wide coastal view shows steep white cliffs topped with green grass and scattered buildings beside the blue ocean.

Land Protection Tools »

Learn how you can protect your land and preserve its legacy for future generations.

 Rolling coastal dunes of Martha's Vineyard covered in grasses and shrubs stretch toward the ocean under a bright sky with large clouds.

Environmental Policy »

From bylaws to state review, VCS shows up where decisions are made. We submit testimony and advocate for strong, science-based protections.

 A green leaf sprout grows against a weathered wooden surface beneath the title “Vineyard Conservation – Summer/Fall 2024.

Print Newsletter Archive »

Explore our print newsletter archives.

 Map of Martha’s Vineyard showing multiple marked locations across the island with purple check icons.

Tap Map »

Find public refill stations and help reduce single-use plastics through the Island-wide Take Back the Tap initiative.

 Film poster for “Great Ponds,” presented by the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, over an aerial view of a coastal shoreline and pond.

Great Ponds Film Series »

Watch and learn from our ongoing film series exploring the Island’s Great Ponds and the people who protect them.

Homeowner Resources

Everyday choices at home make a big difference for the Island’s ponds, wildlife, and groundwater. Explore resources that help homeowners, landscapers, and community groups care for the Vineyard’s land responsibly.

Solar panels on slanted roof

Vineyard Lawns

The Vineyard Lawns program encourages a healthier, more natural approach to lawn care — one that’s safe for kids, pets, and wildlife, and protects our ponds from nitrogen pollution.

Interested in scheduling a presentation for your homeowners association? Email

Learn More

Land Protection Tools

Resources to help landowners understand and manage conservation restrictions.

Learn More

Great Pond Film Series

The Great Pond Film Series, co-produced by the Vineyard Conservation Society and Circuit Arts, explores the ecological, cultural, and historic importance of Martha’s Vineyard’s great ponds — and the challenges they face from nitrogen pollution, overdevelopment, and climate change.

Beautifully filmed by director Ollie Becker, the three-part documentary shares both the urgency of the threats and the hope found in local collaboration and restoration.

  • Episode 1: On Our Watch introduces the history and science behind the ponds’ decline and community response.
  • Episode 2: Finding a Better Balance highlights island-wide efforts to restore pond ecosystems and reduce human impact.
  • Episode 3: In production
View the Film Series