Island Light: Caretakers
An unexpected passenger.
An unexpected passenger.
Sun goes down at Eastville looking westward.
Sun goes down at Eastville looking westward.
Sure sign of spring when the pear trees bloom on Circuit avenue.
Sure sign of spring when the pear trees bloom on Circuit avenue.
Warmer weather brings cyclists out in force on Island roads.
Warmer weather brings cyclists out in force on Island roads.
Geese fill the blue skies over Oak Bluffs.
Geese fill the blue skies over Oak Bluffs.
Dusk at Tashmoo, and all is calm.
Dusk at Tashmoo, and all is calm.
Room on Vineyard Haven sidewalks for a little remote control car action.
Room on Vineyard Haven sidewalks for a little remote control car action.
End of the day along Main Street.
End of the day along Main Street.
Little rain of late and Smokey advises you to be safe.
Little rain of late and Smokey advises you to be safe.
Tiasquam River meanders through Chilmark woods.
Tiasquam River meanders through Chilmark woods.
Tisbury's Tom turkey struts his stuff.
Tisbury's Tom turkey struts his stuff.
West Chop Lighthouse is patriotic scene.
West Chop Lighthouse is patriotic scene.
Gulls wheel through the darkening sky over State Beach.
Gulls wheel through the darkening sky over State Beach.
The Island celebrated Earth Day this weekend. On the Vineyard a great deal of hard work has gone toward environmental protection, and we have many to thank: conservation groups who have worked to save fragile areas; the Martha's Vineyard Commission, which has been the gatekeeper of our unique natural resources; private property owners who have preserved open space; farmers and fishermen who have been responsible caretakers of the land and the sea; and school children who have designed the carry-in-carry-out posters. All have contributed to the cause.
The poet, farmer and conservationist Wendell Berry once remarked there is no such thing as a global village. "No matter how much one may love the world as a whole, one can live fully in it only by living responsibly in one small part of it," he wrote.
Yesterday the Vineyard Conservation Society sponsored its annual Earth Day beach cleanup – a good way for Islanders to keep living responsibly on this small corner of the earth. And one we should practice every day.