Midsummer marks the busiest and most vibrant season for the Natural Neighbors program. Our team is in full swing — visiting yards, offering tailored ecological guidance, recording the rich biodiversity we encounter, attending community outreach events, and coordinating the tireless efforts of our Invasive Plant Brigade (IPB). The summer of 2025 represents our fourth year of action across Martha’s Vineyard, and it’s a perfect time to share a behind-the-scenes look at what we’ve accomplished so far.
Since our inception, Natural Neighbors has conducted a remarkable 362 site visits covering 930 acres of private and community land. These visits have taken us to every corner of the island, and this year, due to a high demand, we have even started to include visits to Cape Cod:
- Aquinnah – 7 visits
- Chilmark – 41 visits
- Edgartown – 87 visits
- Oak Bluffs – 62 visits
- Vineyard Haven – 89 visits
- West Tisbury – 70 visits
- Off-island – 6 visits
Each visit represents a stepping stone forward to building a connected, healthier, more resilient local ecosystem. I would like to note that the number of visits per town relates to population density and the amount of developed land in each town, rather than the number of environmentally-minded people living in each town! More homes simply equals more visits. We see all kinds of properties in our travels, and each one is special in its own way. No matter the size or the location, every yard has immeasurable potential.
One of our proudest achievements has been supporting the planting of nearly 6,000 native plants through our seasonal plant sales. These plants not only enhance habitat for pollinators and birds but also help residents take direct action toward restoring native biodiversity in their own backyards. From the beginning, we have collaborated with the Polly Hill Arboretum to provide our Natural Neighbors with Martha’s Vineyard Wild Type plants — the native plants grown by Polly Hill derived from seed stock they have earnestly collected, by hand, from plants here on the island. We curate their stock into packs designed specifically for particular sets of growing conditions.
As part of our ongoing commitment, we conduct follow-up visits to check on progress and offer continued support. Out of 22 follow-up visits over the past year, 11 yards have earned Natural Neighbors signs, recognizing the homeowner’s success in creating ecologically valuable spaces.
Meanwhile, our Invasive Plant Brigade has been hard at work, removing over 42 cubic yards of invasive plants — enough to overflow a commercial dumpster. This effort not only improves individual properties but also contributes to the island-wide battle against aggressive non-native species that threaten our natural landscapes.
Four years in, Natural Neighbors is proving that community-driven conservation can make a meaningful difference. Thank you to all who have welcomed us into your yards, joined our events, and committed to stewarding this beautiful island we call home. If you would like to learn more about ways to make your yard more resilient and biodiverse, Natural Neighbors can help you. Find out more about our program by clicking HERE, and while you are there, sign up for a visit, and we will come by to help get you started on your journey! We will share our knowledge and resources at no cost to you and find many other ways for you to support biodiversity in your yard.
