To cultivate the resilience of our coastal pond ecosystems through science, collaboration, and education.
About Us
Established in 1998, Great Pond Foundation leads in estuary science and restoration, using data generated by our programs for informed pond management. Our team builds strong partnerships with neighbors; fostering learning and expertise; and sharing tools and techniques. The coastal ponds of Martha’s Vineyard are globally rare, ecologically fragile, treasures whose preservation and restoration are fundamental to the Island’s long-term sustainability. The Island depends on clean and healthy coastal waters to feed families and support the local economy. These living waters define both the spirit and the character of our community.
Today felt like a safari as we ventured to the heads of coves of #EdgartownGreatPond. We are joined by scientists from @mblwoodshole and @sheriffsmeadow in order to identify and collect #wetland plants and assess how much and what type of #nitrogen they capture. Wetland plants 🌱 may be one of the solutions to combatting nitrogen pollution. Stay tuned 🗓️, results will be coming within the year. Preliminary data 📈 are promising. Wetlands capture both carbon and nitrogen and are good for the ponds💧 and the planet 🌏. Thanks 🙏 to our collaborators and to all those who provided access. #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #greatpnd #pond #natureisthesolution #plants #boat #kayak #science #collaboration
A dead Portuguese man o’ war (Physalia physalis) has been reported on the Edgartown Great Pond beach 🏖️, to the west of the breach area. These stinging colonial organisms show up in our waters from time to time. They are not jellyfish 🪼 but rather a siphonophore. According to @noaa “Beachcombers be warned⚠️: The stalwart man o’ war may still sting you even weeks after having washed ashore.” #beachcombers #beachcombers #beachlife #southshore #marthasvineyard #mvy #edgartown #edgartowngreatpond #beach #portugesemanofwar #siphonophore
Summer 😎is flying by with another busy week for MV CYANO! Swipe ➡️ to see the updated 🗺️ maps from this sampling week. As always, be sure to follow MV CYANO recommendations (last slide) and check out our website for weekly updates on your favorite 💧 pond! 🔗 in bio ☝️
#mvcyano #greatpondfoundation #science #august #summer #data #ponds #coastal #marthasvineyard #cyanobacteria #waterquality #maps #weekly #testing #updates #capeandislands #birds #calm #outside #sun #bloom
After a long field 🛶season of collecting data, we spend the winter ❄️ analyzing and finding the “story” 📖 within the ponds. Our 2024 Ecosystem Monitoring Report for Edgartown Great Pond is out and you will want to read this one ‼️The 2024 summer ☀️represented a period of RESILIENCE and REBOUND for the Edgartown Great Pond ecosystem. Learn more about this rebound in report… link 🔗 in bio 👆
#edgartowngreatpond #ecosystemmonitoringreport #waterquality #waterqualitytesting #2024 #resilience #rebound #report #science
We hope everyone is staying cool 😎 during these hot summer days! ☀️This was a big week for our science team 🛶 and MV CYANO! We tested 11 ponds in these past few days 🦠 Here are the updated MV CYANO maps 🗺️ from this sampling week. Please make sure to follow MV CYANO recommendations!
➡️ check out our MV CYANO page on our website for weekly updates on your favorite pond! 🔗 in bio
#mvcyano #greatpondfoundation #science #summer #hot #july #waterquality #cyanobacteria #bloom #map #update #marthasvineyard #capeandislands #pond
GPF is proud 🤩 to announce 📣 that we are the recipient of a SNEP RESTORATION CAPITAL MINI-GRANT!
This grant helped us purchase a replacement YSI!
Swipe right ➡️ to read more…
Thank you 🙏 @raestuaries for supporting our ponds!
#grant #science #thankful #greatpondfoundation #waterquality #ysi #exo #data #thankyou
Thank you Island community for celebrating 🙌 the ponds with us at Sengekontacket! We hope everyone had as much fun as we did. Seeing the life 🐠🦀🐚in the pond is one of the best ways to connect and understand their natural magnificence! Thank you to @friendsofsengekontacket @islandspiritkayak and @marthasvineyardculturalcouncil for collaborating with us!
#seinenet #sengekontacketpond #biodiversity #greatpondfoundation #science #scientist #water #fish #crabs #identify #touch #buckets #summer #july
Meet Anna! 👋
Anna joined us this summer ☀️as a summer science intern! Anna dives into fieldwork and lab work with enthusiasm 🤩, curiosity, and a great sense of humor 🤣. From collecting water 💧 samples to helping in the lab 🧪 she brings creativity, intelligence, and laughs to the team!
Although she has had some bad luck with using the Secchi disks ⚫️⚪️…. she turned this experience into art 🖼️ Swipe ➡️to read her comic “Anna VS Secchi”, you won’t be disappointed 👏😂
Welcome Anna, we’re glad you are here!
#team #greatpondfoundation #science #field #lab #womeninstem #member #grateful #gpf #boat #ysi #secchi #comic #funny
