Land Use, Natural Resources, and Biodiversity
Martha’s Vineyard is home to globally rare ecosystems and a wide array of biodiversity. The actions in this focus area strive to preserve and better manage the Island's natural resources. Actions also focus on improving zoning and land use management to ensure safety of our community.
Land Use
A Growing Community
Dukes and Nantucket Counties have the fastest population growth in the state. As more people call the Island home, we need to ensure that we are growing smart and protecting the health of our diverse natural areas and keep people out of current and future risk areas.
7,400 new houses and 9,000 guesthouse could be built based on current zoning. Currently 313 buildings will be permanently flooded by 2050 due to sea level rise, storms, and storm surge. The development planning and zoning choices we make now can either aid in building resilience or create new vulnerabilities.
Wetlands and Ponds
Protecting our Environment that Protects Us
Over the last 25 years, clearing land and planting non-native species contributed to a loss of nearly 10% of our native flora. For new and existing properties, enhancing biodiversity is critical to supporting healthy resilient ecosystems.
Without room to migrate inland, many salt marshes could turn into tidal flats as the sea rises. Over 266 of the Island’s 3,500 acres of wetlands (largely salt marshes) could be lost by 2050. Taking steps to protect these areas for wetland migration will help retain their ecosystem values and build resilience.
Nearly every one of our 27 coastal ponds are currently classified as "impaired". Taking action to reduce pollutants and runoff will help our pond ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Equity Considerations
Smart Land Use
On our Island, equitable access to basic resources is already under stress. Our growing population is living in prolonged states of insecurity – a problem which will deepen in the face of climate impacts. The Vineyard Way plan aims to foster careful land use decision-making that is inclusive of the community and can help keep our most vulnerable residents out of harm’s way while also promoting of a healthy environment. If not done thoughtfully, however, our existing land use patterns stand to broaden inequality, further endanger our most vulnerable populations, degrade our environment, and impair the overall resilience of our community.
How You Can Help
Take Action to Protect our Natural Resources and Biodiversity!
