The November cut of Edgartown Great Pond lasted ~10 days, following an 11/7 opening. The Pond drained effectively, as the water level is much lower, and the cut stayed open long enough for it to become tidal and be flushed with saltwater from the ocean. As of today the salinity is about 18-19 ppt (parts per thousand) pond-wide -great news for the eelgrass! The salinity was around 12 ppt prior to the cut, so this is a good improvement and indicates the cut was successful. The Pond is in great shape going into the winter.

Gratitude List:

We are grateful for…

a successful Fall cut, the Pond stayed tidal long enough to increase salinity pond-wide

our continued partnership with the town of Edgartown, using data to inform management

Julie Pringle, our Scientific Program Manager who was out this morning collecting data

Paul Bagnall, for getting the Pond open at a critical time to protect the eelgrass

Dave Luening and his immense impact

Phil Colarusso helping us document eelgrass in the Pond

the Bronner Family for creating a donor matching program to catalyze giving

Michael McHugh for capturing pond-wide eelgrass imagery for the very first time

Chris Seidel, for the tenacity required to produce beautiful aerial images of eelgrass

the GPF Advisory Council, for their wisdom, leadership, and dedication to pond preservation

the Island non-profits, businesses, schools, and neighbors who showed incredible resilience

Marty Harris for helping to solve problems, even at a moment’s notice

our friends from Georgica Pond, Sara Davison & Dr. Christopher Gobler

Mary Carman, for being an incredible resource & fountain of knowledge

the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group’s oyster restoration on EGP

the Edey Foundation for helping us document Blue Carbon

Mass DEP for delisting EPG from the Impairment List

the Pond, a refuge and place of beauty

an abundance of Blue Crabs

YOU, who make our work possible