Two Foundations Partner To Restore Chilmark Pond

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MA—The Chilmark Pond Foundation and Edgartown Great Pond Foundation have partnered to develop an ecology restoration plan for Chilmark Pond.

Chilmark Pond is suffering from many ecological stressors, according to a press release from the two foundations. This past summer marked the third consecutive year of toxic cyanobacteria, also known as blue green algae, blooms in the pond and a recreational user suffered from cyanotoxin exposure as a result. The pond's fishery and the Upper Pond at Lucy Vincent Beach have also been closed for years.

"Our ambition to restore the ecological health of Chilmark Pond has become even more urgent with the now regular occurrence of toxic cyanobacteria blooms," Chilmark Pond Foundation president Allan Holt said in a press release last week. "We know it will be a long-haul effort and we are committed to seeing it through so Chilmark Pond can once again support fish and shellfish and all our kids and future generations can play safely in its waters."

The two foundations said every pond on Martha's Vineyard must prepare for the challenges associated with climate change that Chilmark Pond is currently experiencing, including elevated nitrogen and phosphorous levels and rising temperatures.

“The Island’s Great Ponds are ecological treasures. Because of the twin challenges of climate change and development in the watershed, it is essential to protect these natural resources and reduce the likelihood of future algal blooms through scientifically informed watershed-wide restoration,”said Emily Reddington, Executive Director of the Great Pond Foundation, in a statement. She added, “Beginning in 2021, the GPF will expand its scientific scope with the launch of a Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program.”

The Chilmark Pond Foundation was established in 2018 to improve the ecological health of and restore the native fish and shellfish habitat to the pond. Modeled after the Great Pond Foundation, which has focused on science-based conservation of Edgartown Great Pond since 1998, the Chilmark pond foundation has submitted an application for a permit to deepen various channels in the pond with the goal of improving circulation.

“The Great Pond Foundation’s work over decades, in conjunction and in close coordination with the Town of Edgartown and its leadership, continues to show good returns in maintaining the water quality of Edgartown Great Pond,” said the Great Pond Foundation’s Chair, AC Greer, in a statement. “The Great Pond Foundation is fortunate to be able to lend a hand to the Chilmark Pond community and share our knowledge and experience so gained.”