Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge and other barrier beaches will be closed to over-sand vehicles starting next week.

Eunice Youmans began work last month as the new executive for The Trustees of Reservations on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Norton Point has reopened to over-sand vehicle traffic after several weeks of closures during peak shorebird rearing season.

Since the founding of Sheriff’s Meadow in 1958, Martha’s Vineyard has become a world leader in conservation, with a several nonprofits working together to preserve the natural environment.

Oversand vehicle access will be restricted on the barrier beaches that rim Chappaquiddick and Edgartown over the next few weeks to protect piping plover and least tern chicks.

The general manager at The Farm Institute will leave his job due to restructuring by The Trustees of Reservations, which took over the nonprofit Edgartown teaching farm two years ago.

The Edgartown conservation commission has reached an agreement on a lease with the Trustees of Reservations regarding Katama Farm, the 186-acre property formerly leased to the Farm Institute by the town of Edgartown.

A county resolution setting $15 minimum wage for contractors complicates an agreement with The Trustees of Reservations to manage Norton Point Beach.

Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge has been closed to vehicle traffic to protect newly-hatched piping plover chicks.

The Farm Institute and The Trustees of Reservations have announced plans to merge by the end of the year, with the Trustees taking the 15-year-old nonprofit teaching farm under its wing, leaders from both organizations told the Gazette Wednesday.