Monitoring Water Quality
Protecting Healthy Habitat
Protecting Healthy Habitat
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Misty Stillness. Photo by Vineyard Colors

A Restoration
Success Story
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Ripples in the Pond. Photo by Emily Reddington

Monitoring
Water Quality
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Protecting
Healthy Habitat
Otter
Preserving
Pond Ecology

Photo by Anne Mazar

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Mission Statement

To cultivate the resilience of our coastal pond ecosystems through science, collaboration, and education.

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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.

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Latest News

BEACH BeFrienders

Befriend an Edgartown Beach Join the Vineyard Conservation Society's BEACH ...

Pond Cut Scheduled

Great Pond Rises During Storm: The elevation of Edgartown Great ...

Storm Thrashes South Shore

Natural Breaches Across South Shore: The late fall storm that ...

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BeFriend an Edgartown BEACH🏖️ - Join the Vineyard Conservation Society’s BEACH BeFrienders and Great Pond Foundation - Saturday, March 30th from 2-6pm. Meet the BEACH BeFrienders at Lighthouse Beach, Chappy Ferry, or Wilson's Landing. We are so excited to partner with the incredible Vineyard Conservation Society @vineyardconservation BEACH BeFrienders! Clean a beach, meet some new friends, eat some candy 🍬, learn about beach birds 🐦 @bworksmv with BiodiversityWorks! #marthasvineyard #greatpondfoundation
BeFriend an Edgartown BEACH🏖️ - Join the Vineyard Conservation Society’s BEACH BeFrienders and Great Pond Foundation - Saturday, March 30th from 2-6pm. Meet the BEACH BeFrienders at Lighthouse Beach, Chappy Ferry, or Wilson's Landing. We are so excited to partner with the incredible Vineyard Conservation Society @vineyardconservation BEACH BeFrienders! Clean a beach, meet some new friends, eat some candy 🍬, learn about beach birds 🐦 @bworksmv with BiodiversityWorks! #marthasvineyard #greatpondfoundation
1 day ago
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1/8
Great Pond Foundation is conducting off-season sampling thanks to a grant from the Edey Foundation. The conditions of the pond before summer have a large impact on the health of the ecosystem throughout the growing season. Our science staff is measuring 💧 water quality, phytoplankton (including cyanobacteria), nitrogen and phosphorus, and the state of the eelgrass. Our boat 🚤 is not in the water this time of year, so this trip was only possible thanks to the help of the Edgartown Shellfish Department and the @mvshellfishgroup 🦪. We are grateful! A special thanks to Shellfish Constable, Rob Morrison for not only being the captain today but also helping with data 📊 collection. It was an added bonus to be able to see the dredging underway by the Town of Edgartown. The dredge crew is removing the sand that limits pond flushes and making it available for beach renourishment projects on the south shore. #greatpondfoundation #Edgartown greatpond #dredge #sand #beach #water #ocean #coast #greatpond #grateful #marthasvineyard #mv #mvy
Great Pond Foundation is conducting off-season sampling thanks to a grant from the Edey Foundation. The conditions of the pond before summer have a large impact on the health of the ecosystem throughout the growing season. Our science staff is measuring 💧 water quality, phytoplankton (including cyanobacteria), nitrogen and phosphorus, and the state of the eelgrass. Our boat 🚤 is not in the water this time of year, so this trip was only possible thanks to the help of the Edgartown Shellfish Department and the @mvshellfishgroup 🦪. We are grateful! A special thanks to Shellfish Constable, Rob Morrison for not only being the captain today but also helping with data 📊 collection. It was an added bonus to be able to see the dredging underway by the Town of Edgartown. The dredge crew is removing the sand that limits pond flushes and making it available for beach renourishment projects on the south shore. #greatpondfoundation #Edgartown greatpond #dredge #sand #beach #water #ocean #coast #greatpond #grateful #marthasvineyard #mv #mvy
1 week ago
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2/8
Dredging is underway at #EdgartownGreatPond by the Town of #Edgartown. Each time the cut is open, the tides bring sand into the Pond and a delta of sand builds up on the pond side of the barrier beach. This delta is larger than usual this year because of the extreme #overwash during a series of south-facing strong winter storms. Dredging increases the effectiveness of pond flushes, following cuts because it makes a channel through the delta of sand. A cut is successful in EGP when there are at least 9-11 days of #tidal flush. The Town cuts EGP ~3-4x per year, lowering pond elevation, reducing nutrient pollution, increasing #salinity, and allowing the exchange of creatures between #ocean and #pond. The sand that blocks flushing (dredge spoil) can be used to for coastal resilience projects, combating storm damage due to #erosion. Thank you 🙏 @sully7777777777 for the beautiful image. #greatpondfoundation #grateful #drone #dronephotography #dronestagram #atlanticocean #beach #sand #capeandislands #marthasvineyard #southshore #coastal #coastalresilience #resilience #dredge
Dredging is underway at #EdgartownGreatPond by the Town of #Edgartown. Each time the cut is open, the tides bring sand into the Pond and a delta of sand builds up on the pond side of the barrier beach. This delta is larger than usual this year because of the extreme #overwash during a series of south-facing strong winter storms. Dredging increases the effectiveness of pond flushes, following cuts because it makes a channel through the delta of sand. A cut is successful in EGP when there are at least 9-11 days of #tidal flush. The Town cuts EGP ~3-4x per year, lowering pond elevation, reducing nutrient pollution, increasing #salinity, and allowing the exchange of creatures between #ocean and #pond. The sand that blocks flushing (dredge spoil) can be used to for coastal resilience projects, combating storm damage due to #erosion. Thank you 🙏 @sully7777777777 for the beautiful image. #greatpondfoundation #grateful #drone #dronephotography #dronestagram #atlanticocean #beach #sand #capeandislands #marthasvineyard #southshore #coastal #coastalresilience #resilience #dredge
3 weeks ago
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3/8
The sun is shining after the storm. Areas around #EdgartownGreatPond received about 5 inches 📏 of snow ❄️. The wind 💨 is gusting 21 mph WNW as the sun ☀️ rises above the snowy landscape on this #ValentinesDay #morning. #greatpondfoundation #snow #sky #sunrise #trees #winter #february #marthasvineyard #mv #mvy #edgartown #tisbury #vineyardhaven #oakbluffs #chilmark #westtisbury #aquinnah #capeandislands #morningwalk #snowontrees #outside #getoutside #getoutdoors #clouds
The sun is shining after the storm. Areas around #EdgartownGreatPond received about 5 inches 📏 of snow ❄️. The wind 💨 is gusting 21 mph WNW as the sun ☀️ rises above the snowy landscape on this #ValentinesDay #morning. #greatpondfoundation #snow #sky #sunrise #trees #winter #february #marthasvineyard #mv #mvy #edgartown #tisbury #vineyardhaven #oakbluffs #chilmark #westtisbury #aquinnah #capeandislands #morningwalk #snowontrees #outside #getoutside #getoutdoors #clouds
1 month ago
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4/8
Sending you a moment of ☀️ #sunshine from #EdgartownGreatPond and hoping you get the opportunity to soak up the sun wherever you are. Do you have time for a walk on the water today? Snow ❄️ and wind 💨 are forecast for tomorrow, Tuesday. #greatpondfoundation #grateful #monday #february #morning #morningwalk #marthasvineyard #marthasvineyardlife #island #islandlife #water #cleanwater #healthywater #livingwater #brackish #ripples #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogwalk #edgartown #oakbluffs #tisbury #vineyardhaven #chilmark #aquinnah #capeandislands #bluesky
Sending you a moment of ☀️ #sunshine from #EdgartownGreatPond and hoping you get the opportunity to soak up the sun wherever you are. Do you have time for a walk on the water today? Snow ❄️ and wind 💨 are forecast for tomorrow, Tuesday. #greatpondfoundation #grateful #monday #february #morning #morningwalk #marthasvineyard #marthasvineyardlife #island #islandlife #water #cleanwater #healthywater #livingwater #brackish #ripples #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogwalk #edgartown #oakbluffs #tisbury #vineyardhaven #chilmark #aquinnah #capeandislands #bluesky
1 month ago
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5/8
We’re hiring! Come work with Great Pond Foundation! GPF is seeking two college students for the Summer Science Internship, and one candidate for a 6-month Field Crew Leader position. These positions will assist in various capacities with the Ecosystem Monitoring Program and MV CYANO (cyanobacteria monitoring program) among many other exciting endeavors. Spend your summer studying the coastal waters of Martha’s Vineyard. Visit https://greatpondfoundation.org/jobs/ for application details. #greatpondfoundation #summer #marthasvineyard #summerjob #internship #science #getoutside #boat #water #edgartown #oakbluffs #chilmark #vineyardhaven #aquinnah #westtisbury #mvcyano #fieldcrew #paidinternship
We’re hiring! Come work with Great Pond Foundation! GPF is seeking two college students for the Summer Science Internship, and one candidate for a 6-month Field Crew Leader position. These positions will assist in various capacities with the Ecosystem Monitoring Program and MV CYANO (cyanobacteria monitoring program) among many other exciting endeavors. Spend your summer studying the coastal waters of Martha’s Vineyard. Visit https://greatpondfoundation.org/jobs/ for application details. #greatpondfoundation #summer #marthasvineyard #summerjob #internship #science #getoutside #boat #water #edgartown #oakbluffs #chilmark #vineyardhaven #aquinnah #westtisbury #mvcyano #fieldcrew #paidinternship
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/8
The #barrierbeach has healed with sand filling in the #breach made by #nature. Much of the sand that entered #EdgartownGreatPond during #overwash #storm events remains north of the barrier beach and in the Pond. Good news 🗞️ from the #Edgartown Dredge Committee meeting last week, the Town has scheduled the crane to bring the #dredge into the Pond in early #March. Our data 📈demonstrate that cut success is greater following winters with dredging. Thanks to the Town of Edgartown’s Dredge and Shellfish Committees and staff for all the work they do keep our waters thriving. 🙏Thanks also to @sully7777777777 for these wonderful #drone images of the dynamic environment of the cut. #greatpondfoundation #grateful #pond #water #ocean #beach #atlantic #atlanticocean #sand #dune #massachusetts #capeandislands #greatpond #january #winter #dronelandscape #dronephotography #marthasvineyard
The #barrierbeach has healed with sand filling in the #breach made by #nature. Much of the sand that entered #EdgartownGreatPond during #overwash #storm events remains north of the barrier beach and in the Pond. Good news 🗞️ from the #Edgartown Dredge Committee meeting last week, the Town has scheduled the crane to bring the #dredge into the Pond in early #March. Our data 📈demonstrate that cut success is greater following winters with dredging. Thanks to the Town of Edgartown’s Dredge and Shellfish Committees and staff for all the work they do keep our waters thriving. 🙏Thanks also to @sully7777777777 for these wonderful #drone images of the dynamic environment of the cut. #greatpondfoundation #grateful #pond #water #ocean #beach #atlantic #atlanticocean #sand #dune #massachusetts #capeandislands #greatpond #january #winter #dronelandscape #dronephotography #marthasvineyard
The #barrierbeach has healed with sand filling in the #breach made by #nature. Much of the sand that entered #EdgartownGreatPond during #overwash #storm events remains north of the barrier beach and in the Pond. Good news 🗞️ from the #Edgartown Dredge Committee meeting last week, the Town has scheduled the crane to bring the #dredge into the Pond in early #March. Our data 📈demonstrate that cut success is greater following winters with dredging. Thanks to the Town of Edgartown’s Dredge and Shellfish Committees and staff for all the work they do keep our waters thriving. 🙏Thanks also to @sully7777777777 for these wonderful #drone images of the dynamic environment of the cut. #greatpondfoundation #grateful #pond #water #ocean #beach #atlantic #atlanticocean #sand #dune #massachusetts #capeandislands #greatpond #january #winter #dronelandscape #dronephotography #marthasvineyard
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/8
The breach at #EdgartownGreatPond has closed. These beautiful photos were captured by @sully7777777777 thank you 🙏! These images were taken on January 23, 2024. The Pond was open and tidal beginning on January 10th and did not begin to gain elevation again until January 24th. The salinity has risen as a result of this natural opening and the overwash events. #greatpondfoundation #edgartown #marthasvineyard #mv #mvy #oakbluffs #tisbury #westtisbury #chilmark #aquinnah #beach #barrierbeach #ocean #atlantic #atlanticocean #drone #dronephotography #dronestagram #sand #water #tidal #pond #southshore #island #islandlife #capeandislands #massachusettsoutdoors #massachusetts #newengland
The breach at #EdgartownGreatPond has closed. These beautiful photos were captured by @sully7777777777 thank you 🙏! These images were taken on January 23, 2024. The Pond was open and tidal beginning on January 10th and did not begin to gain elevation again until January 24th. The salinity has risen as a result of this natural opening and the overwash events. #greatpondfoundation #edgartown #marthasvineyard #mv #mvy #oakbluffs #tisbury #westtisbury #chilmark #aquinnah #beach #barrierbeach #ocean #atlantic #atlanticocean #drone #dronephotography #dronestagram #sand #water #tidal #pond #southshore #island #islandlife #capeandislands #massachusettsoutdoors #massachusetts #newengland
The breach at #EdgartownGreatPond has closed. These beautiful photos were captured by @sully7777777777 thank you 🙏! These images were taken on January 23, 2024. The Pond was open and tidal beginning on January 10th and did not begin to gain elevation again until January 24th. The salinity has risen as a result of this natural opening and the overwash events. #greatpondfoundation #edgartown #marthasvineyard #mv #mvy #oakbluffs #tisbury #westtisbury #chilmark #aquinnah #beach #barrierbeach #ocean #atlantic #atlanticocean #drone #dronephotography #dronestagram #sand #water #tidal #pond #southshore #island #islandlife #capeandislands #massachusettsoutdoors #massachusetts #newengland
The breach at #EdgartownGreatPond has closed. These beautiful photos were captured by @sully7777777777 thank you 🙏! These images were taken on January 23, 2024. The Pond was open and tidal beginning on January 10th and did not begin to gain elevation again until January 24th. The salinity has risen as a result of this natural opening and the overwash events. #greatpondfoundation #edgartown #marthasvineyard #mv #mvy #oakbluffs #tisbury #westtisbury #chilmark #aquinnah #beach #barrierbeach #ocean #atlantic #atlanticocean #drone #dronephotography #dronestagram #sand #water #tidal #pond #southshore #island #islandlife #capeandislands #massachusettsoutdoors #massachusetts #newengland
The breach at #EdgartownGreatPond has closed. These beautiful photos were captured by @sully7777777777 thank you 🙏! These images were taken on January 23, 2024. The Pond was open and tidal beginning on January 10th and did not begin to gain elevation again until January 24th. The salinity has risen as a result of this natural opening and the overwash events. #greatpondfoundation #edgartown #marthasvineyard #mv #mvy #oakbluffs #tisbury #westtisbury #chilmark #aquinnah #beach #barrierbeach #ocean #atlantic #atlanticocean #drone #dronephotography #dronestagram #sand #water #tidal #pond #southshore #island #islandlife #capeandislands #massachusettsoutdoors #massachusetts #newengland
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/8
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Eelgrass in Edgartown Great Pond

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