50 Years of Conserved Land: A Look at VCS Accomplishments
The grounds of the agricultural society hall.
The grounds of the agricultural society hall.
The view across the Allen Farm fields was permanently preserved with the help of the VCS.
The view across the Allen Farm fields was permanently preserved with the help of the VCS.
VCS helped facilitate a partnership with the town and the state to preserve more than 160 acres of plains at Katama Farm, now home to Farm Institute,
VCS helped facilitate a partnership with the town and the state to preserve more than 160 acres of plains at Katama Farm, now home to Farm Institute,
How it all started: Lobsterville moors on Wampanoag tribal lands in Aquinnah.
How it all started: Lobsterville moors on Wampanoag tribal lands in Aquinnah.
Mermaid Farm, a working farm that is part of a more than 60 acre property straddling the Chilmark/West Tisbury line.
Mermaid Farm, a working farm that is part of a more than 60 acre property straddling the Chilmark/West Tisbury line.
Mill Brook runs through Waskosim's Rock Reservation, permanetly protected with help from VCS.
Mill Brook runs through Waskosim's Rock Reservation, permanetly protected with help from VCS.
Moshup Trail heathlands, rare habitat preserved by VCS.
Moshup Trail heathlands, rare habitat preserved by VCS.
The Noon property near downtown West Tisbury. The owner, Jane Newhall, gifted a conservation restriction in 1999. Today the property is owned by her niece Prudy Noon and her husband John.
The Noon property near downtown West Tisbury. The owner, Jane Newhall, gifted a conservation restriction in 1999. Today the property is owned by her niece Prudy Noon and her husband John.
Woods family property, with rural field and barn off Panhandle Road, protected by conservation restriction.
Woods family property, with rural field and barn off Panhandle Road, protected by conservation restriction.
Pristine Mill Brook watershed spans Chilmark and West Tisbury.
Pristine Mill Brook watershed spans Chilmark and West Tisbury.
Frances Newhall Woods Preserve off North Road in Chilmark.
Frances Newhall Woods Preserve off North Road in Chilmark.
Waskosim's Rock Reservation in Chilmark, permanently protected with VCS help.
Waskosim's Rock Reservation in Chilmark, permanently protected with VCS help.
Vineyard Conservation Society was formed in 1965 by a group of conservationists concerned about development on the Lobsterville moors. Fifty years later, the VCS endures, its mission unchanged. Over the course of the last half century, the organization has preserved land from Edgartown to Aquinnah through conservation restrictions and parternships with other organizations. The VCS has helped preserve farmland and pieces of the Island's agricultural history, and worked on advocacy, outreach and education about environmental issues. The society holds 19 conservation restrictions and today it has more than 1,000 members.