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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.ย The coastal ponds of Marthaโ€™s Vineyard are globally rare, ecologically fragile, treasures whose preservation and restoration are fundamental to the Islandโ€™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

EGP March 2026 Cut Story

Edgartown Great Pond's Long-Awaited Opening Edgartown Great Pond March 2026 ...

Choose Both: Island Environment & Housing

CHOOSE BOTH: We Can Protect the Island Environment & House ...

GPF Letter to MVC

Great Pond Foundation's Letter to Martha's Vineyard Commission Regarding DRI ...

Instagram

Everyone is enjoying this warm spring dayโ˜€๏ธ! Our team started their morning on Edgartown Great Pond with some logger ๐Ÿ“Šmaintenance. They were happy to be greeted by a lionโ€™s mane ๐Ÿชผ , mostly likely brought in by the recent cut!! 

#edgartowngreatpond #spring #westher #nature #jelly
Everyone is enjoying this warm spring dayโ˜€๏ธ! Our team started their morning on Edgartown Great Pond with some logger ๐Ÿ“Šmaintenance. They were happy to be greeted by a lionโ€™s mane ๐Ÿชผ , mostly likely brought in by the recent cut!! #edgartowngreatpond #spring #westher #nature #jelly
5 hours ago
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1/8
โœ‚๏ธ๐ŸŒŠ EGP Cut Update!
The recent Edgartown Great Pond cut is officially CLOSED as of yesterday (4/7) around 5PM ๐Ÿšซ

๐ŸŒŠ Days the Pond was open to the ocean: 19 DAYS!โ€จ(March 19th โ†’ April 7th)

๐Ÿ”„ Days with tidal exchange: 18 DAYS!

๐Ÿ”ฅ That makes this the best cut on EGP since the 20-day opening in April 2023! This is fantastic news for the EGP ecosystem. Spring cuts help set the tone for the Pondโ€™s health in the summer and fall โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ

๐Ÿ“ธ Big thanks to @sully7777777777 for this photo and all the amazing shots throughout the cut! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™Œ
โœ‚๏ธ๐ŸŒŠ EGP Cut Update! The recent Edgartown Great Pond cut is officially CLOSED as of yesterday (4/7) around 5PM ๐Ÿšซ ๐ŸŒŠ Days the Pond was open to the ocean: 19 DAYS!โ€จ(March 19th โ†’ April 7th) ๐Ÿ”„ Days with tidal exchange: 18 DAYS! ๐Ÿ”ฅ That makes this the best cut on EGP since the 20-day opening in April 2023! This is fantastic news for the EGP ecosystem. Spring cuts help set the tone for the Pondโ€™s health in the summer and fall โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ ๐Ÿ“ธ Big thanks to @sully7777777777 for this photo and all the amazing shots throughout the cut! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™Œ
6 days ago
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2/8
๐Ÿ”ŠPlease raise your voice for the Great Pond. Join the MVC public Hearing on Thursday, April 9th at 6:30 PM about the Katama Meadows Development Proposal. This may be the last time to have your voice heard. Make sure to submit comments to saltzberg@mvcomission.org before the meeting on Thursday. ๐Ÿ™ Thank you, Anne Mazar for this beautiful shot of Edgartown Great Pond โžก๏ธ Learn more about the project and hearing information: - LINK IN BIO #rainbow #water #boat
๐Ÿ”ŠPlease raise your voice for the Great Pond. Join the MVC public Hearing on Thursday, April 9th at 6:30 PM about the Katama Meadows Development Proposal. This may be the last time to have your voice heard. Make sure to submit comments to saltzberg@mvcomission.org before the meeting on Thursday. ๐Ÿ™ Thank you, Anne Mazar for this beautiful shot of Edgartown Great Pond โžก๏ธ Learn more about the project and hearing information: - LINK IN BIO #rainbow #water #boat
1 week ago
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3/8
CUT CHECK: The Pond remains open and ๐ŸŒŠtida! Salinity ๐Ÿง‚โฌ†๏ธ increased in Lyleโ€™s Bay from 10 ppt to 26 ppt. Good news for eelgrass ๐ŸŒฑ and pond creatures ๐Ÿฆช๐ŸŸ. More data ๐Ÿ“ˆ on our website in via our most recent newsletter. Thanks ๐Ÿ™ @sully7777777777 for the cut video and photos! #edgartowngreatpond #greatpondfoundation #grateful #AtlanticOcean #tidal
CUT CHECK: The Pond remains open and ๐ŸŒŠtida! Salinity ๐Ÿง‚โฌ†๏ธ increased in Lyleโ€™s Bay from 10 ppt to 26 ppt. Good news for eelgrass ๐ŸŒฑ and pond creatures ๐Ÿฆช๐ŸŸ. More data ๐Ÿ“ˆ on our website in via our most recent newsletter. Thanks ๐Ÿ™ @sully7777777777 for the cut video and photos! #edgartowngreatpond #greatpondfoundation #grateful #AtlanticOcean #tidal
1 week ago
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4/8
NEWS POST & NEWSLETTER are out covering the EGP CUT MARCH 2026: Read in depth all about the recent EGP cut! Explore photos, videos, DATA, and Moreโ€ผ๏ธAs of today the cut is still open marking 15 days! Link in BIO
NEWS POST & NEWSLETTER are out covering the EGP CUT MARCH 2026: Read in depth all about the recent EGP cut! Explore photos, videos, DATA, and Moreโ€ผ๏ธAs of today the cut is still open marking 15 days! Link in BIO
2 weeks ago
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5/8
CUT โœ‚๏ธCHECK: EGP is still open and tidal as of 5pm ๐Ÿ•” high tide on Saturday, March 28th. Thanks ๐Ÿ™ to @sully7777777777 for the images and update. This is very good news ๐Ÿ—ž๏ธ for the ecosystem. Our team will be back in the field next week and will provide elevation and salinity updates. If you arenโ€™t signed up already, now is a good time to subscribe to our newsletter. #edgartown #marthasvineyard #drone #beach #ocean
CUT โœ‚๏ธCHECK: EGP is still open and tidal as of 5pm ๐Ÿ•” high tide on Saturday, March 28th. Thanks ๐Ÿ™ to @sully7777777777 for the images and update. This is very good news ๐Ÿ—ž๏ธ for the ecosystem. Our team will be back in the field next week and will provide elevation and salinity updates. If you arenโ€™t signed up already, now is a good time to subscribe to our newsletter. #edgartown #marthasvineyard #drone #beach #ocean
CUT โœ‚๏ธCHECK: EGP is still open and tidal as of 5pm ๐Ÿ•” high tide on Saturday, March 28th. Thanks ๐Ÿ™ to @sully7777777777 for the images and update. This is very good news ๐Ÿ—ž๏ธ for the ecosystem. Our team will be back in the field next week and will provide elevation and salinity updates. If you arenโ€™t signed up already, now is a good time to subscribe to our newsletter. #edgartown #marthasvineyard #drone #beach #ocean
2 weeks ago
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6/8
The cut โœ‚๏ธof #EdgartownGreatPond remains open and tidal ๐ŸŒŠ as of 3:30 pm ๐Ÿ• Thursday, March 26th. The tidal range of the Pond is ~1 foot, which is very good and last happened in July 2024.. The volume of water exchanged during a cut is a combination of the number of tidal cycles the tidal range during those cycles ๐Ÿ”„. Ideal cuts maximize flushing and increase salinity ๐Ÿง‚pond-wide about 8-12 ppt (parts per thousand) and stay tidal for at least 9-11 days. ๐Ÿ™Thanks to Rob Morrison and the Town of Edgartown for getting the Pond drained and flushing before the warm season. Spring ๐ŸŒฑcuts tend to set the tone for the health of the Pond throughout the summer and fall ๐Ÿฆช๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿฆฆ. Photo credit @sully7777777777 ๐Ÿ‘Œ
The cut โœ‚๏ธof #EdgartownGreatPond remains open and tidal ๐ŸŒŠ as of 3:30 pm ๐Ÿ• Thursday, March 26th. The tidal range of the Pond is ~1 foot, which is very good and last happened in July 2024.. The volume of water exchanged during a cut is a combination of the number of tidal cycles the tidal range during those cycles ๐Ÿ”„. Ideal cuts maximize flushing and increase salinity ๐Ÿง‚pond-wide about 8-12 ppt (parts per thousand) and stay tidal for at least 9-11 days. ๐Ÿ™Thanks to Rob Morrison and the Town of Edgartown for getting the Pond drained and flushing before the warm season. Spring ๐ŸŒฑcuts tend to set the tone for the health of the Pond throughout the summer and fall ๐Ÿฆช๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿฆฆ. Photo credit @sully7777777777 ๐Ÿ‘Œ
3 weeks ago
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7/8
๐Ÿ”ŠVOLUME UP

EGP cut update!! ๐ŸŒŠโœ‚๏ธ 
Huge shoutout to @sully7777777777 for the amazing drone shots ๐Ÿš๐Ÿ”ฅ and Sam Henderson for the awesome cut photos ๐Ÿ“ธ

Big thanks as always to the Town of Edgartown for making these cuts happen ๐Ÿ™Œ

Stay tuned for more updates ๐Ÿ‘€ and donโ€™t forget to check out our EGP cut status 
page for most recent and info (link in bio) ๐Ÿ”—๐ŸŒŠ
๐Ÿ”ŠVOLUME UP EGP cut update!! ๐ŸŒŠโœ‚๏ธ Huge shoutout to @sully7777777777 for the amazing drone shots ๐Ÿš๐Ÿ”ฅ and Sam Henderson for the awesome cut photos ๐Ÿ“ธ Big thanks as always to the Town of Edgartown for making these cuts happen ๐Ÿ™Œ Stay tuned for more updates ๐Ÿ‘€ and donโ€™t forget to check out our EGP cut status page for most recent and info (link in bio) ๐Ÿ”—๐ŸŒŠ
3 weeks ago
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8/8
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Eelgrass in Edgartown Great Pond

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