Dear Friends and Members,

This has been has been a time of both accomplishment and transition as the Nantucket Land Council completes its 36th year and moves forward toward a promising future. Though our organization’s name prominently features the word “land,” the focus of our work has been upon both land and water issues as we continue our dedication to the protection of Nantucket’s natural world and rural character.

The health of our harbor and ponds, as well as the island’s shellfish population, has been at the forefront of some of our most important programs initiated over the past year.

We continue to monitor our eelgrass planting project in Nantucket Harbor with the hope that this effort will be a successful means for restoration of the eelgrass habitat on the island as it has in other parts of Massachusetts and along the northeast coast. Hummock Pond, with the head of the pond as its most severely degraded portion, drew our attention as well as we installed a solar-powered circulator to inhibit the growth of harmful algae. Our water quality analysis continues and will guide our next steps in this innovative approach to saving our ponds.

NLC staff’s leadership role this past year on the shellfish management plan steering committee and the fertilizer regulation work group show our ongoing commitment to these important island initiatives and their direct impact on the condition of our harbor waters. Winding up the year, we are pleased to have made a difference at the Brant Point Shellfish Propagation Lab by organizing a successful challenge grant to raise funds for equipment upgrades and operational support for this important facility.

On land, the NLC recorded three new conservation restrictions this past year and provided professional development opportunities for island landscapers to obtain a greater understanding of invasive plants and the importance of their removal. Our role as environmental watchdog brought our staff and consultants to Land Court, as well as Conservation Commission, Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings to advocate and monitor numerous land use projects.

This important work would not be possible without the generosity of long-time donors and volunteers like you. On behalf of our directors and staff, I thank you all for your loyal support.

Sincerely,

Karen Borchert,
President