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.
Last week the GPF team joined Dr. Javier Lloret of the @mblwoodshole to take groundwater💧samples in Slough Cove of Edgartown Great Pond. These samples will contribute to an ongoing multi-year research study 📚 that will provide us with new insight on nitrogen sources and potential solutions 👏. #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #edgartowngreatpond #water #groundwater #science #nitrogen #nitrogensource
Today the GPF team is sampling #groundwater 💧 with Dr. Javier Lloret of the @mblwoodshole in #SloughCove of #EdgartownGreatPond. Javier and his colleague, Kelsey will take these samples back to their 🧪 laboratory in Woods Hole and 📏measure the #nitrogen concentration in the water. The transect samples collected today are part of a multi-year study 📚 to pinpoint 📍 and identify the sources of nitrogen pollution causing impairment 🦠 in the Pond. Stay tuned, we have more to share about this exciting work. #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #mv #mvy #pondhealth #water #waterquality #collaboration #november #getoutside #fall
We are excited🥳 to announce we have been chosen as a recipient of Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation Community Grant! 👏Thank you MVCF for supporting our RESILIENT ECOSYSTEM MENTORSHIP. This mentorship is an early career position that serves to increase the resilience of the Island community through scientific 🧪 monitoring & preservation of Island ponds💧.
🔵Owen Porterfield was the 2023 Resilient Ecosystem Mentee. Following his mentorship he became GPF’s Field Science Coordinator👍.
🔵Carly Inghram is our 2024 Resilient Ecosystem Mentee. This position has allowed her to step into her field of study soon after graduating 🎓college.
We think it’s time to start sharing some of our Cyanobacteria microscopy🔬pics from this season!
🟢Cyanobacteria are among the oldest organisms on Earth 🌎 and have played an essential role in the Earth’s ecosystem 👏. However, when there is a dramatic increase in Cyanobacteria populations, blooms can occur which can be harmful to the pond and the humans or pets 🐶 around the pond.🟢
Here is a close up 🔎 of Dolichospermum, a form of cyanobacteria 🦠 that we have seen a lot this summer ☀️. Dolichospermum filaments stand out with its coiled 🌀shape. #microscopy #cyanobacteria #greatpondfoundation #cells #ponds #marthasvineyard #pondhealth
Last week our team had the opportunity to meet with students at Sepiessa Point to talk about how abiotic 🌡️🧂💨 factors influence the health of our island’s ponds . We are grateful ☺️ to be able to exchange knowledge with students and discuss the hard question of “what is a healthy pond⁉️”. Thank you to the @mv_public_charter_school students for joining us and sharing your knowledge💡and enthusiasm about our ponds! #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #sepiessapoint #mvcs #ponds #grateful #education
This week we wrapped up our field season with one last sampling run on Edgartown Great Pond! 👏 We wouldn’t have been able to have such a smooth field season without our great staff😊. Although we are going to miss our weekly pond monitoring, our team is excited for the off-season and we jumping right into data analysis 📊and report writing ✍️. Happy November everyone! #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #edgartowngreatpond #sunrise #boat #endofseason
As the 🍂 leaves are changing and the temperature 🌡️ is dropping, fall is bringing changes to the ponds as well! With cooler weather, 🌊water temperature and Cyanobacteria concentrations are decreasing across our island ponds! 👏 #MVCYANO #MarthaVineyard #GreatPondFoundation #Fall #fallleaves #October #Ponds #NewEngland
