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🧰TOOLS OF THE TRADE: TOOL #4: SEINE NET

It’s important for us to know what lives 🐠 in our ponds to determine how water quality can affect these biological resources 🦪. To do this we use a SEINE NET. This 30-foot net is attached to two dowels and is stretched across the running tides 🌊. It captures animals 🦀🐟🦐 in shallow waters before being slowly brought back to shore for identification. 

⭐️Join us for our annual seine net event in July (dates TBD)! 

➡️Stay tuned for our next tool of the trade! 
#seinenet #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #water #science #capeandislands #summer #biodiversity #fish #crabs #livingwaters
🧰TOOLS OF THE TRADE: TOOL #4: SEINE NET It’s important for us to know what lives 🐠 in our ponds to determine how water quality can affect these biological resources 🦪. To do this we use a SEINE NET. This 30-foot net is attached to two dowels and is stretched across the running tides 🌊. It captures animals 🦀🐟🦐 in shallow waters before being slowly brought back to shore for identification. ⭐️Join us for our annual seine net event in July (dates TBD)! ➡️Stay tuned for our next tool of the trade! #seinenet #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #water #science #capeandislands #summer #biodiversity #fish #crabs #livingwaters
6 days ago
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1/9
The ☀️ sun setting on a very high #EdgartownGreatPond, on Wednesday, January 29th. The Pond is ~3.95 feet above Local Mean Sea Level. The main body of the pond is ice 🧊 free, but some marshes and coves have thin layers of ice. Today is the new 🌚 moon. #edgartown #greatpondfoundation #newmoon #sunset #winter #water #ice #sun #marsh #marthasvineyard #islandlife #capeandislands #january #elevation #massachusettsoutdoors #massachusetts #afternoonwalk #getoutside
The ☀️ sun setting on a very high #EdgartownGreatPond, on Wednesday, January 29th. The Pond is ~3.95 feet above Local Mean Sea Level. The main body of the pond is ice 🧊 free, but some marshes and coves have thin layers of ice. Today is the new 🌚 moon. #edgartown #greatpondfoundation #newmoon #sunset #winter #water #ice #sun #marsh #marthasvineyard #islandlife #capeandislands #january #elevation #massachusettsoutdoors #massachusetts #afternoonwalk #getoutside
7 days ago
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2/9
🧰TOOLS OF THE TRADE: TOOL #3: VAN DORN 

During the field season our science team 👨‍🔬 collects nutrient samples once a month🗓️. Nutrient samples need to be collected at mid-depth. To do this we use a VAN DORN. This device is essentially a glass tube that gets lowered into the water 🌊column while in the “open” position. When at the desired depth a weighted messenger is deployed which travels down the rope and triggers the sampling tube to close, capturing water💧. After being pulled up, the water is then put into a sampling bottle🫙. 

➡️Stay tuned for our next tool of the trade! 

#toolsofthetrade #vandorn #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #water #science #capeandislands #waterquality #samples #nutrients
🧰TOOLS OF THE TRADE: TOOL #3: VAN DORN During the field season our science team 👨‍🔬 collects nutrient samples once a month🗓️. Nutrient samples need to be collected at mid-depth. To do this we use a VAN DORN. This device is essentially a glass tube that gets lowered into the water 🌊column while in the “open” position. When at the desired depth a weighted messenger is deployed which travels down the rope and triggers the sampling tube to close, capturing water💧. After being pulled up, the water is then put into a sampling bottle🫙. ➡️Stay tuned for our next tool of the trade! #toolsofthetrade #vandorn #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #water #science #capeandislands #waterquality #samples #nutrients
1 week ago
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3/9
🧰TOOLS OF THE TRADE: TOOL #2: SECCHI DISK

Our science team is out sampling daily during our field season. Another tool that we use at each station for our Ecosystem Monitoring Program is a SECCHI DISK. This is a standardized black ⚫️ and white ⚪️ disk connected to a tape measure 📏 that is used for measuring water clarity 💧and light penetration ☀️. Although there are higher-tech methods of measuring water clarity and light penetration Secchi disk measurements are universal and have been used for many years. Due to the long-term use, it is useful for historic comparisons. 

➡️Stay tuned for our next tool of the trade! 

⭐️Visit our website for more information on water quality parameters. Link in bio👆
#toolsofthetrade #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #water #science #waterquality #secchidisk
🧰TOOLS OF THE TRADE: TOOL #2: SECCHI DISK Our science team is out sampling daily during our field season. Another tool that we use at each station for our Ecosystem Monitoring Program is a SECCHI DISK. This is a standardized black ⚫️ and white ⚪️ disk connected to a tape measure 📏 that is used for measuring water clarity 💧and light penetration ☀️. Although there are higher-tech methods of measuring water clarity and light penetration Secchi disk measurements are universal and have been used for many years. Due to the long-term use, it is useful for historic comparisons. ➡️Stay tuned for our next tool of the trade! ⭐️Visit our website for more information on water quality parameters. Link in bio👆 #toolsofthetrade #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #water #science #waterquality #secchidisk
2 weeks ago
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4/9
🧰 TOOLS OF THE TRADE: TOOL #1: HANDHELD WATER QUALITY METER 

The most utilized tool for our Ecosystem Monitoring  Program is our HANDHELD WATER QUALITY METER. We use a YSI Pro DSS. This device has a multi-parameter probe which measures💧water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity. The probe is attached to a cable which allows us to lower it into the water 🌊 and measure 📏 these parameters throughout the water column to determine if they change with depth. 

⭐️Stay tuned for our next tool of the trade! 

➡️Visit our website for more information on water quality parameters. Link in bio
#toolsofthetrade #ysi #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #water #science #capeandislands #data #datacollection #pondhealth #coastalponds
🧰 TOOLS OF THE TRADE: TOOL #1: HANDHELD WATER QUALITY METER The most utilized tool for our Ecosystem Monitoring Program is our HANDHELD WATER QUALITY METER. We use a YSI Pro DSS. This device has a multi-parameter probe which measures💧water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity. The probe is attached to a cable which allows us to lower it into the water 🌊 and measure 📏 these parameters throughout the water column to determine if they change with depth. ⭐️Stay tuned for our next tool of the trade! ➡️Visit our website for more information on water quality parameters. Link in bio #toolsofthetrade #ysi #greatpondfoundation #marthasvineyard #water #science #capeandislands #data #datacollection #pondhealth #coastalponds
2 weeks ago
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5/9
The Island’s great ponds are precious ecological resources that with scientifically informed 👩‍🔬 and data-driven management 📈 can be restored and protected. GPF’s science team works hard to assess pond 💧health and collect quality data. Our water quality data collection would not be possible without our science equipment 🔬. This week we will be starting a series called “Tools of the trade” with pictures, videos, and information about our most used tools 🧰 so you can learn more about the equipment needed to collect water quality data that in turn helps inform recommendations for management practices. 
➡️Stay tuned for our first tool of the trade! 

#toolsofthetrade #greatpondfoundation #scienceequipment #waterquality #data #science #coastalponds #marthasvineyard #capeandislands #datacollection #scientists
The Island’s great ponds are precious ecological resources that with scientifically informed 👩‍🔬 and data-driven management 📈 can be restored and protected. GPF’s science team works hard to assess pond 💧health and collect quality data. Our water quality data collection would not be possible without our science equipment 🔬. This week we will be starting a series called “Tools of the trade” with pictures, videos, and information about our most used tools 🧰 so you can learn more about the equipment needed to collect water quality data that in turn helps inform recommendations for management practices. 
➡️Stay tuned for our first tool of the trade! 

#toolsofthetrade #greatpondfoundation #scienceequipment #waterquality #data #science #coastalponds #marthasvineyard #capeandislands #datacollection #scientists
The Island’s great ponds are precious ecological resources that with scientifically informed 👩‍🔬 and data-driven management 📈 can be restored and protected. GPF’s science team works hard to assess pond 💧health and collect quality data. Our water quality data collection would not be possible without our science equipment 🔬. This week we will be starting a series called “Tools of the trade” with pictures, videos, and information about our most used tools 🧰 so you can learn more about the equipment needed to collect water quality data that in turn helps inform recommendations for management practices. 
➡️Stay tuned for our first tool of the trade! 

#toolsofthetrade #greatpondfoundation #scienceequipment #waterquality #data #science #coastalponds #marthasvineyard #capeandislands #datacollection #scientists
The Island’s great ponds are precious ecological resources that with scientifically informed 👩‍🔬 and data-driven management 📈 can be restored and protected. GPF’s science team works hard to assess pond 💧health and collect quality data. Our water quality data collection would not be possible without our science equipment 🔬. This week we will be starting a series called “Tools of the trade” with pictures, videos, and information about our most used tools 🧰 so you can learn more about the equipment needed to collect water quality data that in turn helps inform recommendations for management practices. ➡️Stay tuned for our first tool of the trade! #toolsofthetrade #greatpondfoundation #scienceequipment #waterquality #data #science #coastalponds #marthasvineyard #capeandislands #datacollection #scientists
2 weeks ago
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6/9
We hope everyone is staying warm and cozy on these cold 🥶 January days. Although the surface of the ponds are frozen ❄️, that’s not stopping us from offloading our loggers and collecting water quality data! 

⭐️First Image: Edgartown Great Pond 
⭐️Second Image: Chilmark Pond

#greatpondfoundation #winter #ponds #frozen #logger #data #ice #science #january #coastalponds #marthasvineyard #edgartowngreatpond #chilmarkpond
We hope everyone is staying warm and cozy on these cold 🥶 January days. Although the surface of the ponds are frozen ❄️, that’s not stopping us from offloading our loggers and collecting water quality data! 

⭐️First Image: Edgartown Great Pond 
⭐️Second Image: Chilmark Pond

#greatpondfoundation #winter #ponds #frozen #logger #data #ice #science #january #coastalponds #marthasvineyard #edgartowngreatpond #chilmarkpond
We hope everyone is staying warm and cozy on these cold 🥶 January days. Although the surface of the ponds are frozen ❄️, that’s not stopping us from offloading our loggers and collecting water quality data! ⭐️First Image: Edgartown Great Pond ⭐️Second Image: Chilmark Pond #greatpondfoundation #winter #ponds #frozen #logger #data #ice #science #january #coastalponds #marthasvineyard #edgartowngreatpond #chilmarkpond
3 weeks ago
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7/9
🚨We’re hiring!🚨

💧Come work with Great Pond Foundation and explore one of New England’s most beautiful and vital estuaries on Martha’s Vineyard! 

➡️GPF is seeking candidates for the SUMMER SCIENCE INTERNSHIP beginning in June and a candidate for a 6-month RESILIENT ECOSYSTEM MENTORSHIP position beginning in May. 

⭐️These positions will assist in our ecosystem monitoring program and our MV CYANO (cyanobacteria monitoring program) among many other exciting projects. 

☀️Spend your summer studying Martha’s Vineyards coastal ponds!☀️

➡️For application details visit our hiring page on our website. Link in bio👆

#greatpondfoundation #hiring #summer #science #marthasvineyard #coastalpond #waterquality #samples
🚨We’re hiring!🚨 💧Come work with Great Pond Foundation and explore one of New England’s most beautiful and vital estuaries on Martha’s Vineyard! ➡️GPF is seeking candidates for the SUMMER SCIENCE INTERNSHIP beginning in June and a candidate for a 6-month RESILIENT ECOSYSTEM MENTORSHIP position beginning in May. ⭐️These positions will assist in our ecosystem monitoring program and our MV CYANO (cyanobacteria monitoring program) among many other exciting projects. ☀️Spend your summer studying Martha’s Vineyards coastal ponds!☀️ ➡️For application details visit our hiring page on our website. Link in bio👆 #greatpondfoundation #hiring #summer #science #marthasvineyard #coastalpond #waterquality #samples
3 weeks ago
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8/9
If you haven’t yet, check out this article 🗞️ by the @marthasvineyardtimes about the on-going controversial housing proposal in Edgartown. The article describes the development plan🏡 along with many concerns it raises for the Island community. With new data regarding nitrogen inputs in Edgartown Great Pond💧, this plan could have negative impacts on the pond’s health. In the article Emily Reddington, our Executive Director says “We know that 70 percent of nitrogen impairment is coming from two coves in Edgartown Great Pond are sub-watersheds, that’s Meshacket Cove and Slough Cove”. With the pond currently rebounding in its health, this plan could set it back. Read more about this plan in the “Controversial Edgartown housing project headed to MVC review ” article by MV Times reporter, Eunki Seonwoo. Link in bio 👆

#marthasvineyard #mvtimes #housingdevelopment #edgartowngreatpond #protectourponds #protectourwater #nitrogen
If you haven’t yet, check out this article 🗞️ by the @marthasvineyardtimes about the on-going controversial housing proposal in Edgartown. The article describes the development plan🏡 along with many concerns it raises for the Island community. With new data regarding nitrogen inputs in Edgartown Great Pond💧, this plan could have negative impacts on the pond’s health. In the article Emily Reddington, our Executive Director says “We know that 70 percent of nitrogen impairment is coming from two coves in Edgartown Great Pond are sub-watersheds, that’s Meshacket Cove and Slough Cove”. With the pond currently rebounding in its health, this plan could set it back. Read more about this plan in the “Controversial Edgartown housing project headed to MVC review ” article by MV Times reporter, Eunki Seonwoo. Link in bio 👆 #marthasvineyard #mvtimes #housingdevelopment #edgartowngreatpond #protectourponds #protectourwater #nitrogen
1 month ago
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9/9
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Owen Porterfield

Field Science Coordinator

Owen Porterfield is an islander born and raised, who developed a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of his island home at an early age. Years spent hiking the Vineyard’s numerous trails and beaches left him with the realization that not only are the Island’s natural resources incredibly unique, they’re also incredibly fragile if not […]

Emily Reddington

Executive Director

Emily, a field and laboratory biologist, has spent her career studying coastal waters, conservation genetics, and deep-sea hydrothermal vents.  As Executive Director of Great Pond Foundation, Emily advocates for the data-driven and scientifically informed management of Martha’s Vineyard coastal ponds. Emily and her team have been monitoring the ecosystem health of Edgartown Great Pond year-round […]

David Bouck

Director of Science & Collaboration

David was born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard where he spent many summers exploring the rich and diverse ecosystems across the island. From an early age, he became fascinated with the great ponds and adjoining watersheds. His appreciation for these complex and fragile habitats inspired him to study conservation and ecology across a wide range […]