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Misty Stillness. Photo by Vineyard Colors

A Restoration
Success Story
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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.

Learn More

Latest News

2026 Summer Highlights

2026 Summer Season Highlights One of the busiest times of ...

Summer Water Quality Monitoring Stats

A Summer of Sampling: By the Numbers! The 2026 summer ...

Pond-Smart Checklist

Ponds are Alive Make Sure to Look before You Leap! ...

Instagram

And so it begins…
The Town of Edgartown cut ✂️ Edgartown Great Pond today, Wednesday, October 7th,  to the Atlantic Ocean 🌊. Shout out 🙌🏻 to Shellfish 🦪 Constable, Rob Morrison, and excavator 🚜🪏Steve Handy. The Pond started draining at ~10:30 am. Thanks to our eyes 👀 in the sky ☁️, @sully7777777777 for capturing the process. #marthasvineyard #ocean #beach #barrierbeach #october
And so it begins…
The Town of Edgartown cut ✂️ Edgartown Great Pond today, Wednesday, October 7th,  to the Atlantic Ocean 🌊. Shout out 🙌🏻 to Shellfish 🦪 Constable, Rob Morrison, and excavator 🚜🪏Steve Handy. The Pond started draining at ~10:30 am. Thanks to our eyes 👀 in the sky ☁️, @sully7777777777 for capturing the process. #marthasvineyard #ocean #beach #barrierbeach #october
And so it begins…
The Town of Edgartown cut ✂️ Edgartown Great Pond today, Wednesday, October 7th,  to the Atlantic Ocean 🌊. Shout out 🙌🏻 to Shellfish 🦪 Constable, Rob Morrison, and excavator 🚜🪏Steve Handy. The Pond started draining at ~10:30 am. Thanks to our eyes 👀 in the sky ☁️, @sully7777777777 for capturing the process. #marthasvineyard #ocean #beach #barrierbeach #october
And so it begins… The Town of Edgartown cut ✂️ Edgartown Great Pond today, Wednesday, October 7th, to the Atlantic Ocean 🌊. Shout out 🙌🏻 to Shellfish 🦪 Constable, Rob Morrison, and excavator 🚜🪏Steve Handy. The Pond started draining at ~10:30 am. Thanks to our eyes 👀 in the sky ☁️, @sully7777777777 for capturing the process. #marthasvineyard #ocean #beach #barrierbeach #october
6 hours ago
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The cut ✂️ is underway at Edgartown Great Pond! 

PRE-CUT the elevation 📏is just shy of 4 feet above LMSL and salinity 🧂is ~ 13-14 ppt. 

⭐️Our team has a very cool study underway to measure cut impacts on pond health. STAY TUNED! 

#greatpondfoundation #cutstudy #ocean #nitrogen #beach
The cut ✂️ is underway at Edgartown Great Pond! PRE-CUT the elevation 📏is just shy of 4 feet above LMSL and salinity 🧂is ~ 13-14 ppt. ⭐️Our team has a very cool study underway to measure cut impacts on pond health. STAY TUNED! #greatpondfoundation #cutstudy #ocean #nitrogen #beach
8 hours ago
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2/8
🌊☀️What were we up to on the ponds this summer? 👀Find out in our latest NEWSLETTER!

From hundreds of samples to field days and community outreach, take a look at what kept us busy this summer season…

Newsletter link in bio 👆
🌊☀️What were we up to on the ponds this summer? 👀Find out in our latest NEWSLETTER! From hundreds of samples to field days and community outreach, take a look at what kept us busy this summer season… Newsletter link in bio 👆
6 days ago
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3/8
🌅 Out on Edgartown Great Pond

 Last week marked our second-to-last nutrient sampling day of the season. There’s something special about being out on the water in the early morning, watching the pond wake up while our science team gets to work. 💙🌿

What a great way to start the day 🤩
🌅 Out on Edgartown Great Pond Last week marked our second-to-last nutrient sampling day of the season. There’s something special about being out on the water in the early morning, watching the pond wake up while our science team gets to work. 💙🌿 What a great way to start the day 🤩
2 weeks ago
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4/8
It’s that time of year again! 🤩🍂 As we get ready for the offseason, we’re busy prepping our loggers 📊 and making sure they’re ready to go through the months ahead.
Today, we reinforced our Crackatuxet and Lyles Bay elevation loggers 🔧📈 to help keep them secure and collecting reliable data all winter.
It’s that time of year again! 🤩🍂 As we get ready for the offseason, we’re busy prepping our loggers 📊 and making sure they’re ready to go through the months ahead. Today, we reinforced our Crackatuxet and Lyles Bay elevation loggers 🔧📈 to help keep them secure and collecting reliable data all winter.
4 weeks ago
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5/8
Last night we enjoyed the sunset from on #EdgartownGreatPond 🧡 soaking in the last bits of summer ☀️
Last night we enjoyed the sunset from on #EdgartownGreatPond 🧡 soaking in the last bits of summer ☀️
Last night we enjoyed the sunset from on #EdgartownGreatPond 🧡 soaking in the last bits of summer ☀️
Last night we enjoyed the sunset from on #EdgartownGreatPond 🧡 soaking in the last bits of summer ☀️
1 month ago
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6/8
🌊 PONDS ARE ALIVE! 🌿🐟🦀

As the water warms, more things grow. Most are harmless, but some can make people and pets sick... 

Stay Safe:

🩹 Open wound? Skip the dip.
🟢 See green clumps, patches, scum or streaks? Give them space.
🐕 Keep children and dogs away from suspicious water.
👀 Check MV CYANO conditions—but always look at the water before going in.
🚿 After questionable contact, rinse with clean fresh water.

Read more in our latest newsletter on how to keep yourself, others, and pets safe LINK IN BIO
🌊 PONDS ARE ALIVE! 🌿🐟🦀

As the water warms, more things grow. Most are harmless, but some can make people and pets sick... 

Stay Safe:

🩹 Open wound? Skip the dip.
🟢 See green clumps, patches, scum or streaks? Give them space.
🐕 Keep children and dogs away from suspicious water.
👀 Check MV CYANO conditions—but always look at the water before going in.
🚿 After questionable contact, rinse with clean fresh water.

Read more in our latest newsletter on how to keep yourself, others, and pets safe LINK IN BIO
🌊 PONDS ARE ALIVE! 🌿🐟🦀 As the water warms, more things grow. Most are harmless, but some can make people and pets sick... Stay Safe: 🩹 Open wound? Skip the dip. 🟢 See green clumps, patches, scum or streaks? Give them space. 🐕 Keep children and dogs away from suspicious water. 👀 Check MV CYANO conditions—but always look at the water before going in. 🚿 After questionable contact, rinse with clean fresh water. Read more in our latest newsletter on how to keep yourself, others, and pets safe LINK IN BIO
2 months ago
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7/8
A big thank you to the @lagoonpond for letting us join them for a seine net event🌊🐟 We had such a fun time learning, exploring, and identifying critters! 🦀🐡

And a special thank you to @marthas_vineyard_bank for generously providing the nets and helping make this event possible! 🙌💙

We’re so grateful for the community, the fun, and the memories! 🐠🌊😊
A big thank you to the @lagoonpond for letting us join them for a seine net event🌊🐟 We had such a fun time learning, exploring, and identifying critters! 🦀🐡

And a special thank you to @marthas_vineyard_bank for generously providing the nets and helping make this event possible! 🙌💙

We’re so grateful for the community, the fun, and the memories! 🐠🌊😊
A big thank you to the @lagoonpond for letting us join them for a seine net event🌊🐟 We had such a fun time learning, exploring, and identifying critters! 🦀🐡

And a special thank you to @marthas_vineyard_bank for generously providing the nets and helping make this event possible! 🙌💙

We’re so grateful for the community, the fun, and the memories! 🐠🌊😊
A big thank you to the @lagoonpond for letting us join them for a seine net event🌊🐟 We had such a fun time learning, exploring, and identifying critters! 🦀🐡

And a special thank you to @marthas_vineyard_bank for generously providing the nets and helping make this event possible! 🙌💙

We’re so grateful for the community, the fun, and the memories! 🐠🌊😊
A big thank you to the @lagoonpond for letting us join them for a seine net event🌊🐟 We had such a fun time learning, exploring, and identifying critters! 🦀🐡 And a special thank you to @marthas_vineyard_bank for generously providing the nets and helping make this event possible! 🙌💙 We’re so grateful for the community, the fun, and the memories! 🐠🌊😊
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/8
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Eelgrass in Edgartown Great Pond

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