homepage - outings - national - brochure - 12336a
Trip Number: 12336A
Price: $545
Deposit: $100
Capacity: 10
Staff: Mary Alice Smith
Highlights:
- Help restore the Vineyard's rare coastal habitats
- Explore charming island towns
- Bike, hike, or bird during free time
Includes:
- All meals
- Lodging at Hoft Farm
- All group work tools
The Trip
Photo: Francine Wai
We'll explore the Martha's Vineyard few tourists ever see. New England's largest
island, the Vineyard lies four miles south of Woods Hole off the coast of Cape
Cod. Triangular in shape, the island is 23 miles long and nine miles wide. Formed
by glaciers some 10,000 years ago, the Vineyard's distinctive landscape consists
of kettle ponds, open meadows, dense forests, steep cliffs, and natural harbors.
Its globally rare habitats include coastal sandplains, grassland heaths, and
scrub oak woodlands.
The Vineyard's bountiful lands and waters provided ample sustenance to Native
Americans before the first European settlers arrived in 1642. Over the next
200 years, islanders made their living as fishermen, merchant seamen, pilots,
and whalers. Although tourism constitutes the primary economy now, the island's
rich maritime history is evident in the independent character and histories
of its towns and hamlets: Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Aquinnah, Chilmark,
Menemsha, and West Tisbury.
The Project
Since 2000, Sierra Club groups have partnered with the Massachusetts chapter
of The Nature Conservancy in its Islands Program. TNC seeks to protect the Vineyard's
significant ecosystems and preserve biodiversity in the face of unrelenting
development pressures. While protecting land is one key strategy, TNC also seeks
to restore the island's once-expansive sandplain habitats by replanting native
species in these rare seaside prairies.
Specific tasks will be based on the Conservancy's most pressing needs at the
time of our trip. In past outings, Sierra Club groups have assisted in seed
collection and preservation, and invasive plant removal in a variety of sites
on the island.
Itinerary
Photo: Francine Wai
We will meet at Hoft Farm, less than four miles from the ferry landing in Vineyard
Haven on the north shore of Martha's Vineyard. Specific directions will be sent
later. Dinner on Sunday evening will be our first meal together.
We will work a total of four days (one full six-hour day and three partial)
with one day off. There will be ample free time to visit nearby towns, stroll
along the beaches and hike preserves. Other possible activities include biking,
kayaking, antiquing, and bird watching. Fall foliage colors reach their peak
in New England in early October. The trip will end after breakfast on our last
day.
Getting There
The ferry ride from Woods Hole takes about 45 minutes. If you bring a car,
advance reservations are a must due to limited service through the Steamship
Authority at www.steamshipauthority.com. Expect to pay a round-trip fare of
about $140 per car, plus $15 per person. Parking in the Woods Hole-Falmouth
area is approximately $10/day. Transportation will be provided from Vineyard
Haven for those without cars. Air service, with connections through Boston and
Providence, is also available.
Accommodations and Food
Our base of operations will be the 90-acre Hoft Farm. Purchased by The Nature
Conservancy in 1997, the farm encompasses woodlands, meadows, ponds and wetlands.
The renovated farmhouse provides housing for the Conservancy's fire crews and
research teams. Three bedrooms with two, three, and four single beds are available
in the farmhouse as well as three (unheated) cabins containing two single beds
each. Each participant will have one or two roommates, depending on the group
composition. Camping is not allowed at Hoft Farm. We will have many fresh foods
and a varied menu offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian selections; please
discuss any dietary restrictions with the leader in advance. Each participant
will help cook and clean up at least one day of the outing. The Hoft farm has
a fully equipped kitchen. Meals (except for packed lunches) will be taken at
the farm.
Trip Difficulty
Photo: Francine Wai
Work projects vary from light-duty to strenuous. Each participant will work
at his or her own pace and endurance level. We expect to work one full six-hour
day and three partial days.
Equipment and Clothing
The weather is usually comfortable in early October, but be prepared for a
range of warm to quite chilly temperatures. Rain gear is essential, as we will
work in light to moderate rain (but not in storms or high winds). Poison ivy
is common, so bring protective clothing. A detailed clothing list will be provided
before the trip.
References
- Schneider, P., The Enduring Shore: A History of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard,
and Nantucket.
- Friary, N. and G. Bendure, Walks and Rambles on Cape Cod and the Islands.
- Hale, A., Moraine to Marsh: A Field Guide to Martha's Vineyard.
- Norton, H.F., Martha's Vineyard: History, Legends, Stories.
- Oldale, R.N., Cape Cod and the Islands: The Geologic Story.
- Wessels, T., Reading the Forested Landscape.
- Cronon, W., Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology
of New England.
- Newcomb, L., Newcomb's Wildflower Guide.
Conservation
Photo: Francine Wai
We will assist The Nature Conservancy staff with the restoration of rare and
endangered coastal sandplain native species and habitats. Projects may entail
harvesting seeds from TNC's Native Plant Nursery at Hoft Farm, removing
invasive species, and assisting in efforts to return the soil to the acidic,
low-nutrient characteristics that foster native species. TNC staff will provide
talks about the purpose and methodologies of their conservation projects.
While working on TNC projects and during our stay on Martha's Vineyard, we
will follow Leave No Trace protocols.
Trip Price
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details
about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.
The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Staff
Mary Alice Smith joined the Sierra Club in 2002, following a trip to Yosemite National Park. A service trip in 2009 sparked her interest in becoming a Sierra Club national leader to share her love of nature. Growing up in rural Georgia, she enjoyed roaming the woods and fields and developed a deep affinity for the environment. Favorite activities include hiking in the White Mountains and her home state of Rhode Island. She enjoys bird watching, biking, yoga and listening to acoustic music. She assisted on the Martha's Vineyard trip in 2010 and served as Vineyard trip leader in 2011.
E-mail: maryalicesmith4@gmail.com
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips