2022 Nantucket Land & Water Council Annual Report by Novation Media

Nantucket Land & Water Council Nantucket’s Environmental Advocate

THANK

YOU

2022

ANNUAL REPORT

We Pay Attention. We Raise Awareness. We Take Action.

The Nantucket Land & Water Council is Nantucket’s environmental advocate. With YOUR SUPPORT, the NLWC acts as the Nantucket Waterkeeper: paying attention, raising awareness and taking action on behalf of Nantucket’s treasured fresh and saltwater resources. We are the eyes and ears for Nantucket’s waterways. See something? Say something. Email RJ@nantucketlandwater.org with your water resource questions and concerns. With YOUR help, the Nantucket Land & Water Council has been protecting Nantucket’s land and water resources for more than 49 years. THANK YOU!

Here’s what

WE accomplished together in 2022

Message from our Executive Director and Board President

DEAR FRIENDS AND MEMBERS, The Nantucket Land & Water Council would like to extend its sincere appreciation to our members and our friends for continuing to support our work throughout 2022. Thanks to you and your understanding of how critical the health of our natural resources is, we continue to focus on opportunities to preserve our land and waters for the benefit of the entire community. NLWC staff continued to educate Nantucket’s youth and adult populations through classroom visits, field trips, grants and tours. Our Downtown Tree Tours and expanding series of Kayak Tours were well attended, as were our Winter Wellness Walks coordinated with other island organizations. We welcomed two seasonal staff this year, a Summer Research Intern and an Eelgrass Restoration Manager who assisted with our research and education activities. Our research and advocacy work continued with an exciting new grant from the MA Division of Fish and Wildlife to expand our eelgrass restoration program incorporating a variety of methods to harvest and plant eelgrass seeds. We conducted another season of island pond sampling and monitoring for Harmful Algal Blooms. We continued to monitor and attend local regulatory meetings and continued our fight against the proposed Surfside Crossing 40b development. We also worked closely with 15 other island organizations and entities to establish the Clean Water Coalition to unify our collective concern over the island’s need for clean water. With the generous support of the NLWC Board and community our Water Fund continued to be a great success, enabling us to further build upon our Nantucket Waterkeeper program. In June our Executive Director and Nantucket Waterkeeper traveled to Washington DC for the Waterkeeper Alliance’s International Conference. They were able to meet with staff for multiple MA state Senators and Representatives to advocate for improved policies around the health of our waters and build new partnerships with other Waterkeeper organizations. We presented our 6th Annual State of the Harbor Forum, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act at our Annual Meeting, and celebrated all of our efforts with our most successful Annual Dinner. Our small dedicated staff works diligently year-round to be Nantucket’s environmental advocate and to use our research to keep the community informed of the island’s pressing environmental issues. Please read on about our Advocacy, Research, Education, and Land Protection programs. We cannot protect and preserve our fragile resources without your help and your voice. You are our partners and our inspiration. We look forward to continuing our work with you. With appreciation,

Emily Molden

Executive Director

Lucy Dillon

Board President 3

NLWC is YOUR Environmental ADVOCATE…

THANKS to

YOU

• We continued to fight the oversized Surfside Crossing 40b development relative to the many impacts it would have on rare and endangered species habitat, water, local infrastructure, and other resources. We received a favorable Superior Court decision acknowledging the NLWC had standing as a party in the appeal of the Surfside Crossing permit, and also acknowledging the relevance of our concerns. • We proposed amendments and updates to the Nantucket Wetland Protection Regulations introducing language to acknowledge and consider the implications of climate change and sea level rise on Nantucket’s wetland resources and the importance of this consideration in the review of future applications. • We co-founded the Clean Water Coalition bringing 15 island organizations and entities together to elevate clean water as a priority for our Town and our community, and to help with ongoing outreach and education, as well as advancing Town initiatives. • We continued to attend local Select Board, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, School Committee, Coastal Resilience Advisory Committee, and Board of Health meetings, virtually or in person, to advocate for policies and decisions that protect and preserve our island’s natural resources and be a VOICE for our island environment! • We reviewed each Annual Town Meeting warrant article and prepared recommendations for Nantucket voters for all articles that related to our mission, including recommendations against increased density and development in environmentally sensitive areas. We supported a citizen article to ban fertilizer, as well as a citizen article expanding our single use plastics ban. • We evaluated the proposal for synthetic turf fields at the Nantucket Public Schools through the expertise of consultants and provided the community with a scientific assessment of potential impacts to our island groundwater recommending against installation of the fields, which ultimately contributed to tabling the pursuit of synthetic turf. • We participated in a virtual lobby day with the Waterkeeper Alliance to support the Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act, and we also participated in the Waterkeeper’s Global Conference in Washington DC where we met with Congressional staff members to discuss clean water issues in Massachusetts.

ADVOCACY

600+

hours reviewing, writing letters, and commenting at public meetings on projects and proposals before the Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Health, Finance Committee, Select Board and more.

107

Articles reviewed for 2022 Annual Town Meeting.

Emily Molden and RJ Turcotte at the Waterkeeper Alliance Conference in Washington DC.

Advocate of the Year

Top: The Surfside Crossing site following the destruction of the forest on site. Bottom: A view of exposed geotybes on the Sconset bluff.

The NLWC would like to recognize and celebrate an influential community advocate, Ayesha Khan Barber. Despite not being a scientist by training, Ayesha has taken the lead in the community when it comes to PFAS, aka “forever chemicals,” and our health. She has become a household name both in our community and across the country as she leads the charge to get these nasty, cancerous chemicals out of our water and our bodies. Ayesha co-founded the Nantucket PFAS Action Group to draw attention to the toxic chemicals in firefighting gear and foam. From there, she has spearheaded testing of tissue from deer, fish and shellfish to examine just how far these chemicals have reached into the local environment.

Ayesha (on right) with Jaime Honkawa of Nantucket PFAS Action Group and attorney Robert Billot.

In 2021, she was integral to the Nantucket Land & Water Council’s efforts to evaluate and oppose the artificial turf fields planned for the public schools, and NLWC is now working with her to expand well testing and make it more affordable and accessible for all members of the community. Ayesha’s persistence, enthusiasm and magnetic personality make her an incredible volunteer and advocate for Nantucket. We’re beyond lucky to have her fighting for our health and clean water. THANK YOU Ayesha, you inspire us every single day!

ADVOCACY

The NLWC is Committed to PROTECTING Open Space • The Nantucket Land & Water Council continued its Conservation Restriction (CR) Program to work with landowners to protect open space. These legal agreements between an owner of land with conservation values and a nonprofit group, such as the Land & Water Council, or certain governmental entity, protects the values of that land in perpetuity. Each CR reflects a unique parcel of land and its landowner’s wishes for the future use of that land. • The NLWC accepted the donation of a new Conservation Restriction on approximately 20 acres of land in the Smooth Hummock Preserve. The permanent protection of this beautiful property supports rare and endangered species habitat, groundwater protection, scenic views and the incredible biodiversity of Nantucket. Every bit helps— contact the NLWC today about protecting your

separate CR properties across our islands

LAND PROTECTION

617

acres of pristine open space permanently protected on Tuckernuck and Muskeget Islands

land from overdevelopment and permanently preserving its conservation values! • The NLWC now holds a total of 93 Conservation Restrictions with over 1500 acres on Nantucket, Tuckernuck and Muskeget islands. • The NLWC supported the permanent protection of a beautiful 26 acre parcel, the “Jackson Property”, on Tuckernuck Island with the second installment of a challenge grant awarded to the Tuckernuck Land Trust. We look forward to continuing to support the TLT and the conservation of unique and fragile resources on Tuckernuck Island. • The NLWC continues to collaborate with other island organizations including the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, the Nantucket Islands Land Bank and the Sconset Trust to coordinate land protection efforts across the island.

1530

acres of land permanently protected

Important habitat permanently protected with NLWC’s CRs.

THANKS to

YOU

LAND PROTECTION

THANKS to

RESEARCH

YOU

NLWC is a Leader in Island-wide Environmental RESEARCH • NLWC received a permit for a new eelgrass restoration site off 5th Bend on Coatue, and with the help of our volunteers and community partners, we sowed over a quarter million eelgrass seeds at the restoration site! • For the second year in a row, the NLWC supported the acoustic tagging and monitoring of Sandbar Sharks, one of Nantucket’s top coastal predators. This study is the first of its kind on Nantucket and is being led by local shark expert Caroline Collatos and a host of community partners. • NLWC partnered with the Nantucket PFAS Action Group, Westfield Residents Advocating For Themselves, and University of Notre Dame

to begin designing a pilot program to affordably test private wells for harmful “forever chemicals” and empower average people to protect their own drinking water. • NLWC continued our financial support of UMass Boston’s coastal plastics research, which next year will focus on common mooring lines used on Nantucket moorings and their contributions to the microplastics issue. • NLWC continued our pond water quality monitoring program, exploring ways to better manage and restore ponds suffering from Harmful Algal Blooms.

Above left: Noah Singer, Eelgrass Restoration Manager planting eelgrass. Above right: RJ Turcotte sampling a harmful algal bloom.

Water Quality sampling excursions on three separate ponds (Washing, Capaum, and Gibbs)

250,000+ 30+ eelgrass seeds sown in Nantucket Harbor

volunteers helped NLWC conduct research and restoration projects

RESEARCH

NLWC is Helping EDUCATE Future Generations of Environmentalists! • During Nantucket’s 3rd Annual Green Crab Week, NLWC teamed up with Maria Mitchell Association and Sustainable Nantucket to hold a green crab fertilizer “How-To” workshop in which folks of all ages crunched up the invasive crabs to bottle and grow their flowers and veggies—addressing multiple environmental threats in one wholesome, fun and super-smelly morning. • Nantucket Waterkeeper RJ Turcotte joined Town Water Quality Specialist Thaïs Fournier to record a free “How to identify a Harmful Algal Bloom” lesson for community members enjoying our beautiful island ponds.

public and private educational programs

• NLWC held walking and kayaking tours with a variety of Nantucket organizations including the Nantucket Boys and Girls Club, Nantucket Junior Yacht Club, island businesses and non-profits to educate islanders of all ages about our beautiful vernal pools, ponds, and open spaces. • Our Karen K. Borchert Educational Grant Program supplied local educators and their students with funds supporting shark dissections, a trip to the Museum of Natural History in Boston, and junior geology tools to explore our beautiful island’s distant past.

150+ 4,800 Nantucket students impacted by our grants

dollars of grant funding for science education enrichment

Photo by Neil Foley

EDUCATION

Above: RJ Turcotte teaching students about vernal pools. At right: Partcipants enjoy one of NLWC’s Oyster Farm Harbor Tours.

THANKS to

YOU

EDUCATION

NLWC is CREATING AWARENESS of the Critical Mission We Work to Uphold Year-round, Island-wide: Protecting and Preserving our Natural and Water Resources. JOIN US! • Our 2022 Trashtag litter clean-up event was an amazing success and so much fun! With over 25 participants working along Old South Road and Fairgrounds Road, we had no problem collecting enough trash to fill a DUMPTRUCK! Participants of all ages and folks who live here year-round along with those who were just visiting joined together to beautify our roadsides. Many thanks to the Rowland family for providing refreshing lemonade to all participants! Our group was full of enthusiasm, camaraderie, and laughs. Join us again for Trashtag and make a difference! • The NLWC Associates and our Friends Fête Host Committee were delighted to host our annual Friends Fête event in July with almost 200 attendees. Our co-chairs, Jen Garran, and Peggy Kilvert, welcomed guests to Almanack Arts Colony on a beautiful summer evening. Guests enjoyed wine by Donelan Family Wines, beer and cocktails by Cisco Brewers, music by DJ Ryan Brown, dancing, raw bar, and delicious food by Mark and Eithne of Nantucket Catering Co., while celebrating the inspiration of Nantucket’s open spaces. • Host extraordinaire Susan Baer, and her generous and kind family graciously invited the NLWC and members to their gorgeous home in Tom Nevers for our Annual Labor Day Dinner. This event is a huge component of our annual fundraising. It is our MAJOR fundraising event each year, and what a magical night it was! A sincere Thank You to our 2022 Table Hosts: The Cox/Bartram/Farrell Families, Nancy Gillespie, Bill and Margi Brenizer, Lucy Dillon, Bob and Barbara Friedman, David and Edie Johnson, Ann and Charles Johnson, Charlie and Emmy Kilvert, Peter and Bonnie McCausland, Brooks and Meredyth Smith and our Event Co-Chairs Mary-Randolph Ballinger and Susan Baer.

EVENTS & OUTREACH

• Our beautiful and informative Winter and Fall/Water Newsletters were distributed island-wide and are available on our website anytime. Stay up-to-date with the NLWC’s programs, projects, tours, and events by reading our newsletters, subscribing to our monthly e-newsletter, and following us on social media @acklandwatercouncil—we love to hear from the community. • Over 1,600 observations were recorded by more than 124 participants this year as a part of our NLWC Associates “Bioblitz” citizen science project in July alone! Thanks to our partner, the Linda Loring Nature Foundation and to our NLWC Associates: Helen Weeks, Amy Rowland, Leah Mojer, Jen Garran, and Chad Kilvert for executing this fun community science event! • We were thrilled to participate in and benefit from Cisco’s 2022 Trashion Show. Many thanks to Cisco Brewers, Holly Finigan, Brian Sager Photography and Kit Noble Photography, and all who participated, in their efforts to raise awareness about Nantucket’s fragile environment; and for generously contributing to and highlighting the work of the Nantucket Land & Water Council. Lots of fun was had dressing up the Nantucket Waterkeeper. A huge shout-out and thank you to Morgan Raith for her incredible skills and talent as our Trashion Show Designer!

Top: NLWC staff Isobella Genova, Anna Day, RJ Turcotte, Emily Molden, Nate Scott, and Noah Singer. Center: The 2022 TrashTag event was a great success. Center right: NLWC’s RJ Turcotte dressed in the Trashion Show green crab costume with thanks to designer Morgan Raith. Bottom: Nantucket Middle School Civics Class students learning about threats to eelgrass.

EVENTS & OUTREACH

Treasurer’s Report Dear Nantucket Land & Water Council Supporters, I am pleased to present the Nantucket Land Council’s statement of financial position for the year 2022. 2022 was characterised by persistent inflation and a broad-based decline in capital markets, with the worst year for combined stock and bond portfolios since the Global Financial Crisis. With the S&P 500 down -20% and the total return on 10-year Treasuries down more than -16%, our foundation’s portfolio suffered. After multiple years of robust returns, 2022 resulted in a portfolio decline over 20%. Despite the challenged market backdrop, the Nantucket Land & Water Council maintained a comfortable balance sheet, ending 2022 in $38.2 million net asset value, down 9.4% from year end 2021. We were extremely fortunate to have received record support of restricted and unrestricted gifts from the generosity of our membership in 2022 totalling approximately $628,000. That marks a record year for donations received, and we are most grateful. Those contributions enable us to continue focusing resources on land and water protection, education, research and advocacy year-round on the island. Major 2022 research initiatives included monitoring harmful algal blooms in our ponds; studying PFAS and coastal plastics; and green crab population studies. Key community initiatives included our Trashtag Beach Cleanup; our Winter Wellness Walks; our State of the Harbor Forum; our downtown tree tours; and informing voters via our Annual Town Meeting recommendations. Educational initiatives included providing classroom lessons on water quality with eighth graders. Protection initiatives included Conservation Restrictions; and reviewing Conservation Commission, Select and Planning Board proposals to ensure that our island environment has a voice. Thanks again for your support in protecting our island. We are also grateful to those members who have contributed their time to the NLWC. We appreciate those who participated in furthering the NLWC’s mission through advocacy at the Annual Town Meeting and regulatory meetings, through volunteering and by attending our annual fundraising events. Because of the generosity of our membership and bolstered by the efforts of our dedicated team, our organization is in a stable financial position today from which to continue to build upon for the future. Respectfully submitted,

Laurel Ried Langworthy Treasurer

FY 2022 Management & General 16.90%

Program Expenses 76.30%

Fundraising 6.8%

2022 Financial Summary FY 2021*

FY 2022*

Restricted Contributions Unrestricted Contributions Endowment Draw Event Net Revenue Rental Income & Other Income Operations Income Programs and Projects Supporting Services Fundraising Operations Expenses

$218,697 360,616 431,703 95,912 24,000 $1,130,928 $654,984 122,131 87,133 $864,248

$179,279 448,681 525,708 88,947 24,000 $1,266,615 $752,075 178,512 70,073 $1,000,660

NET OPERATING INCOME, AFTER EXPENSES

$266, 680

$265,955

SPECIAL PROJECTS Jackson Property Campaign Draw From Land Protection Fund Rosenzweig Property Campaign Contribution Draw From Land Protection Fund

$50,000 -50,000 $200,000 -200,000

$50,000 -50,000 -

ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents Unconditional Promises to Give Prepaid Expenses Endowment Assets Fixed Assets Land and Conservation Restrictions Other Assets

$204,120 18,142,203 675,413 23,148,721 -

$380,798 21,501 8,400 13, 998,043 656,768 23,148,721 70,027

TOTAL ASSETS

$42,170,457

$38,284,258

$27,784 $27,784

$16,214 $70,027 $86,241

$42,170,457

$38,198,017

INCOME STATEMENT

BALANCE SHEET

LIABILITIES Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Other Liabilities Total Liabilities NET ASSET VALUE**

* Fiscal years ending December 31 ** Year end 2021 net asset value with donor restrictions totals $392,156 and without donor restrictions totals $41,750,517. Year end 2022 net asset value with donor restrictions totals $462,014 and without donor restrictions totals $37,736,003.

Legacy Circle & Planned Giving PLANNING YOUR LEGACY

By including the Nantucket Land & Water Council—the island’s environmental advocate— in your estate plans you are electing to become a steward of Nantucket’s treasured land and water resources for future generations. There are a variety of ways you can make a gift. Please visit nantucketlandwater.org/ support/legacy-circle/ for detailed suggestions. We encourage you to consult with your attorney or tax advisor for the various tax benefits and restrictions that may apply to your specific situation and to make certain thar your gift fits well into your overall circumstances and planning. We are available to work with your attorney or advisor to answer questions or help arrange a planned gift to the NLWC. If you’d like to discuss any of these options please contact NLWC Development Director Michelle Whelan at michelle@nantucketlandwater.org. Nantucket Land & Water Council Legacy Circle Anonymous H. Brooks and Meredyth Smith Larry Breakiron† Eva Howe Stevens† Jean Haffenreffer† Jonathan C. Swain Adrienne McCalley† Judith Wegner† Virginia and Alan Nathan † Deceased

We want our friends and neighbors to join us.

“

Meredyth and I started coming to Nantucket when we were children. Even though the island has changed in many ways, it is still a natural paradise for us. We are proud that our families have a tradition of environmental stewardship on the island. My grandmother gave the first parcel of land to the Conservation Foundation in 1965, and my wife and I have continued this tradition by giving annually to the Land & Water Council. We would like our daughter and our nieces and nephews to enjoy what we have enjoyed for so many years. We have left a legacy to the Land & Water Council in our wills because we need it to protect the island’s fragile resources long after we both are gone. Meredyth and I have added our names to the NLWC’s Legacy Circle because we want our island friends and neighbors to know of our commitment to Nantucket’s future in the hope that they will join us. —Brooks Smith, Board Member

“

Conservation Restrictions The Nantucket Land & Water Council continued its Conservation Restriction (CR) Program to work with landowners to protect open space. These legal agreements between an owner of land with conservation values and a nonprofit group, such as the Land & Water Council, or certain governmental entity, protects the values of that land in perpetuity. Each CR reflects a unique parcel of land and its landowner’s wishes for the future use of that land. The NLWC now holds a total of 93 Conservation Restrictions with over 1500 acres on Nantucket, Tuckernuck and Muskeget islands.

Tax Incentives for Conservation Restrictions In 2015, the United States Congress made permanent certain enhanced tax benefits. The core elements of the change include: — Raising the deduction a donor can take for donating a Conservation Restriction to 50% of his or her annual income; extending the carry-forward period for a donor to take a tax deduction for a conservation restriction to 15 years; and allowing qualifying farmers to deduct up to 100% of their income.

From 1986 through 2022, the following generous individuals protected their lands for public benefit by granting Conservation Restrictions to the Nantucket Land & Water Council: Edith Andrews Ginger Andrews Clifford and Dorothy Barbour Bartlett Family Trust, Henry Bartlett, Trustee Diana Bartlett Sclafani Nathaniel Bartlett W. Scott Bartlett, Jr. W. Scott Bartlett III Philip D. Bartlett, as Trustee Walter and Susan Birge Karen and Carl Borchert Borchert Nominee Trust Natalie Brewer Diana Brown Miles G. Carlisle Christopher Clark A. Byron Coffin, Jr. Edward and Sarah Crane J. Tristram Coffin Dammin Donald Denninger Michael Egan, Trustee Catherine Felleman Finback Homeowners Association Trust Eleanor Fisher Thompson Anne Fisher Falby Thomas Fisher, Jr. Thomas Fisher III

M. Pat Gardner William P. Graves II and Lydia B. Graves II (Reed Pond Nominee Trust) Marie Francis Guildehaus and Brad Henke Great Point Nominee Trust Erwin Greenberg Priscilla Grace Mary Hardy Priscilla Harper Edward and Jacqueline Harris Jane Fay Harter John Taylor Hopkins Edgar B. Howard III William T. Howard Hummock Pond of Nantucket Homeowners Association Laura Hussey Karen Jackman Richard Jackman Robert and Cynthia Jay Alexander D. Jay Alida Jay Boye Anne O. Jay Daniel G. Jay David A. Jay Paul M. Jay

Stephen W. Jay Joanne Ledbetter Christopher and Virginia Lewis Linda Loring The Linda Loring Nature Foundation, Inc. Frank and Clara Low Gary and Susan McCarthy Margaret McElderry Eileen McGrath Debora and James McIntosh Leon and Betty Miller Mira Mar Nominee Trust MSPCA Edward A. Murphy Nanahumacke Preserve Homeowners Association Nantucket Conservation Foundation The Nature Conservancy Offshore Animal Hospital Irene Parent Morris Phinney Jr. Joan Pratel Robert and Nancy Puff Sachem’s Path, Greg Segall William Seidman

Nancy J. Sevrens Sheep Common Realty Trust Catherine Snow Crocker Snow Deborah and Peter Solbert Ruth Phinney Stevens Susan Coffin Dammin Stone John M. Taylor, Jr. Estate of Susan Timken David C. Todd Town of Nantucket Tuckernuck Land Trust, Inc. Elizabeth Van Duyne Via Vai LLC Diana Walker John D. Walker, Jr. Joseph Walker Washing Pond Trust Christine, Breckenridge, Blair and Christopher Wilcox John Wittman Wright’s Landing LLC Nominee Trust Wynndhill, LLC

Donor Support

2022 NLWC Summer Staff

GUARDIAN—$10,000+

Anonymous (3) Susan and Michael Baer Mary-Randolph Ballinger William and Margaret Brenizer The Cox Family Foundation Joseph and Marie Field Robert and Barbara Friedman Mark Gottwald Mr. and Mrs. Philip Heasley Charles and Ann Johnson Edie and David Johnson Todd and Anne Knutson Bonnie and Peter McCausland -The McCausland Foundation Alan and Virginia Nathan Franci Neely Foundation Rice Family Foundation David and Barbara Roby Meredyth and Brooks Smith Merrielou Symes

Noah Singer

KEEPER—$5,000-$9,999

Ainslie Foundation Archibald Family Foundation Ritchie Battle Mr. and Mrs. C. Marshall Beale John B. Carroll Elizabeth Miller and James Dinan Matthew and Vanessa Diserio Michael and Elizabeth Galvin Ellen and Kamran Hakim Herbert D. Condie, Jr., Family Foundation Knox Foundation David and Diane Lilly Amy and Gregory Rowland Lars and Jane Soderberg James D. Toole Charles and Alison Townsend Harry Wilcox CHAMPION—$1,000-$4,999

Anderson’s Stillwater Moorings, LLC Gale Arnold Janet and Samuel Bailey, Jr. Ann and Stephen Bartram Toby Sackton and Marcia Butman Henry Belber Martha Chait Berlin Elizabeth Berry Trae Betz Walter and Susan Birge Robi and Ruth Blumenstein Mrs. Joan R. Bolling

Isabella Genova

In 2022, many of the accomplishments we have discussed in this Report would not have been possible without the help and enthusiasm of our fabulous summer staffers. In the first year of the new seeding methods, Noah Singer, our Eelgrass Restoration Manager, led the way on the water and in the office, eventually helping NLWC succeed in planting over 250,000 (you read that right, a quarter million!) eelgrass seeds in Nantucket Harbor. As part of the UVM Rubenstein Perennial Internship Program, Isabella Genova served as our Summer Research Intern. A Massachusetts native with water quality, green crab, and laboratory experience, it was hard to believe Isabella was new to Nantucket or the Land & Water Council. Isabella actually applied in 2021 as a college sophomore, and nearly landed the internship back then. But, Isabella refused to be discouraged and applied again in 2022. Her persistence and skill paid off, and the Land & Water Council is grateful for her assistance in every aspect of the organization’s summer research, education and advocacy efforts.

Donor Support Veronica Bonnet Soloman and Georgette Boucai Tom and Mimi Brome William and Laura Buck Katherine Bucknell and Bob Maguire Anne DeLaney and Chip Carver Sally and Richard Charpie Eugene and Meredith Clapp, III James and Eva Conniff Richard R. Congdon Robert and Posie Constable Heidi Cox Gina and Colby Crenshaw Amanda B. Cross Prudence S. Crozier Nicky and Vince D’Agostino Elizabeth and Wayne Davies Daniel W. and Judith S. Drake Lee Dunn Martha and Paddy Farrell Marcia Weber and James Flaws James Burruss and Mary Fontaine Dr. and Mrs. William H. Frist, MD Mr. and Mrs. Rodney L. Goldstein Tamara Grenier Lauren and Paul Gudonis Lucile Hays Timothy Healy John and Julia Hilton The Joyce and Seward Johnson Foundation Evan and Cindy Jones Peter and Maria Kellner Robin and Brian Kelly Thomas and Leslie Killian Charles and Emmy Kilvert Jean Doyen de Montaillou and Michael Kovner Nancy Gillespie and Ulrich Lächler Laurel and Ben Langworthy Pamela and Steven Leinbach Susan and Peter S. Leonard Lucy Leske Jonathan Nyland and Katherine Logue Mrs. Helen Lynch Linda and Ben McGrath Martin and Toni B. McKerrow Richard McKim and Lori Preston Christopher McKown and Abigail Johnson Fund F. William and Katherine H. McNabb Patricia White and James Meehan Anne Mendelsohn

Business Supporters Anderson’s Stillwater Moorings Visco Pumping, Inc.

Richard and Ronay Menschel Ken Jennings and Al Messina Ginger and Marlin Miller, Jr. William C. Miller, IV Mitchell Karlin and Diane Pitt Fund Joyce and Jim Morgan Craig and Ann Muhlhauser Jim and Heather Mulvihill Mr. Leo Mullen Thomas and Annalise Nelson Caroline Gottschalk and Allen Nelson Alfred and Mary Novissimo Maureen Orth Kim and Peter Parent Pamela Perun Eric Philippi Peggy Davis and William Porter Lily Zarrella and Ted Rainaud Harry T. and Susan D. Rein Allison Horne and Peter Riehl Jay and Gretchen Riley Bernice Rodriguez Ellen+ and Kenneth Roman Charles and Barret Sawyer James and Lenore Schilling Julie Fitzgerald and Carl H. Sjolund

Stillwaters Charitable Trust Jotham and Jane Tausig The Slayton Family Foundation David and Criss Troast Mr. Jeffrey Tucker James G. and Elinor Vaughter Richard and Dorothy Verney Elizabeth and Geoffrey Verney Washing Pond Conservation Trust Maryann Wasik William and Denise Welsh Jay MacLean and Stephanie Wilson Lee Winter Leslie Forbes and David Worth Bracebridge and Landis Becker Young PROTECTOR—$500-$999

Lucia and Edward Ahnemann David Anderson Stephen and Marcia Anderson David Ansel The Arzak Foundation Richard Bail Simon and Jane Canning Philip and Margaret Condon

Donor Support Cushing Donelan Heidi Drew John and Margaret Falk W. B. and George Ferris Mark Finnegan Richard Gioiosa and Simon Jones Mike and Ellen Harde Charitable Gift Fund Ruth and John LeClaire Hodges Douglas J. and Christina Kepple Melanie and Richard Kotalac Jennifer Lowry Christopher Maroney Sarah P. McIntosh Michael Gilson and Joan McPhee Alan and Barbara Medaugh Jock and Linda Mutschler Neil Paterson Inc Richard and Judith Phelan Samuel and Ellen Phelan Michael and Juliet Patsalos-Fox Mr. and Mrs. Philip W. Read Bonnie Sacerdote Carol Searle Charles and Merle Shoneman Nancy Soderberg

Anne Rosen and Andre Spears Craig and Linda Spery Susan K. Spring Jonathan C. Swain E. Crosby and Augusta Willet Mary Jane Zecher ADVOCATE—$100-$499

Anonymous (1) Susanne Albright Dewitt Alexandre Jr. Reverend Ted and Gretchen Anderson John Atherton Anne D. Bailliere Dorothy Baker Charles Bartlett Arlene Hogan and Rob Baxter Anthony and Ann Patricia Beale John and Judy Belash Mary and William Bird, Jr. Gwen and Cletus Bolan Fred and Paulette Boling Sarah Ann Miller and David Bossi Edith S. Bouriez Edward and Maureen Bousa

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Brasfield Kathie Breakiron James and Alice Breed Marilyn M. Bromley James and Nancy Buckman Caroline and Kurt Buechle Barbara Bund Henry Burger George and Kathleen Butterworth George and Susan Carneal Frances Langton and Timothy Cashman, III Nancy and John Cavanaugh Mark and Sherry Chitester Elizabeth J. Coolidge Frederick and Christina Cowles James and Chris Cowperthwait Louisa H. Crosby Brian and Linda Davis Ms. Kristin Davis David and Stephanie Deutsch Bradford and Kimberly Dimeo Nancy and Larry D’Oench Dennis and Amy-Ann Doran Jana and Dominic Duarte Devin Dwyer

“Unbiased advocacy and education on behalf of our land and water resources are at the forefront of Nantucket Land & Water Council’s agenda and I am honored to help further their important initiatives on Nantucket, especially their work with native plants and pollinator advocacy, and their essential support in tackling our ever-growing litter problem! Nantucket’s environment would continue to degrade without the NLWC’s oversight and asking important questions regarding our community’s practices.” —Leah Mojer, NLWC Associate

Donor Support James Sulzer and Barbara Elder Maria Morgan Ellington Arthur Ensroth Barbara M. Erskine Matt and Sheila Fee Eric and Jascin Leonardo Finger Meg and Sam Flax Margot Fooshee Tanya Forman Clara Foundation, Inc Michael and Cynthia Fowler Emory and Ellen Freeman Peni Garber Eileen Gebrian Rebekah Gewirtz Carl and Nancy Gewirz Margaret Gilfoy Dr. Elliot and Jeri Werner Goldberg Ian Golding and Laura Wasserman Lindsay Green Mrs. Toby Greenberg Simon Mikhailovich and Wendy Greenberg Kim and Tom Griswold Joe and Linda Hale Dr. Valerie and Robert Hall Sharon Hartley Gay Held Brad and Marie Henke Grace S Hinkley Peter and Ann Holmes Maureen Phillips and Douglas Horst William and Evelyn Howard Richard and Virginia Irwin John G. Johnson Thomas Kasza Mr. and Mrs. Woodward Kay Sanford Kendall Mr. and Mrs. Graham Kilvert Richard and Justine Kingham Lamon Family Carol B. Langer Christian J. Leary Matthew and Nina Liddle Dr. and Mrs. Joseph LiPuma Shelly Lockwood Pamela Lohmann Deborah and William Lothian Alexander and Susan Maccormick Bruce Mandel Elizabeth and Vincent Mann Ana Martinez Robert and Mary McCann Eugene and Pamela McGuire Mary Lou McGuire

Community Partners ACKlimate Nantucket ACK Now Almanack Arts Colony Bartletts Farm Cisco Brewery Clean Water Coalition The Corner Table Nantucket Department of Public Works Egan Maritime Institute Linda Loring Nature Foundation Madaket Conservation Association Maria Mitchell Association Moors End Farm Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative Nantucket Boys and Girls Club Nantucket Clean Team

James and Deborah McIntosh Jane and Rory McNeil Brook P. Meerbergen Christian T. Miles Herbert and Miriam Mittenthal Thomas and Margot Montgomery Mary Wawro and Peter Morrison Christopher Mundy E. Murdoch Family Foundation Nantucket Engineering & Survey, P.C. Cheryl Nathanson Susan and Scott Nelson Catherine Nickerson Douglas Nigen Barbara and Philip Nowak

Nantucket Conservation Foundation Nantucket Footprints Nantucket Garden Club Nantucket Harbormaster Nantucket Islands Land Bank Nantucket Senior Center Nantucket Shellfish Association ‘Sconset Trust Shimmo Homeowners Association Surfing Hydrangea Nursery Sustainable Nantucket Town of Nantucket Natural Resources Department UMASS Boston Nantucket Field Station

Katherine O’Brien Susan and Stephen O’Brien Arlene O’Reilly The Old Spouter Gallery Nannette Orr Simin Osley Valerie Paley Mr. and Mrs. Stanley T. Pardo Trish Pastuszak Elliot and Deborah Perlman Robert and Lesley Perlman Melissa and Nathaniel Philbrick Photography Nantucket Joe and Ruth Plandowski Anne De Lone and John M. Plukas Kathryn and Thomas Pochman

Donor Support Wendy L. Powell Drs. Trevor and Margaret Price Roberta and Victoria Prisco Melinda Tweeddale and Goran Puljic Kathryn Rady Henry Reeder, Jr. George and Regina Rich Jeanne W. Riggs Karen and Jack Rigney Lori Romano Gregory and Carol Ross Milton and Roberta Rowland Margaret, Isabel & John Rowland Thomas and Diane Ryder Christine Sanford Lee and Priscilla Saperstein Eric Savetsky Richard W. Schafer Ozzie and Nan Small James Smith William C. Spring John and Melissa Soderberg Dr. Robert Stanton Amanda Starbuck Joly Walton Stewart Catherine LaFarge Summers Theresa and Michael Taylor Charles Tennant Ann and George Thom, Jr. Katie and Conor Tochilin Danielle O’Dell and Michael Toole Anne Troutman Bruce Turner Jane Ameth Tyler Ross and MaryLou Unruh Cornelius Van Vorst Carlo and Nancy B. Vittorini Richard and Gay Vogt Clark and Andrea Wagner Franziska Walser Helen Weeks Anita Barker Weeks Peter Weeks Joel and Judith Weinstein West Miacomet Association John and Nancy Whelan William Willet Margot F. Wynkoop Harvey and Ellen Young Kim and Bill Zeoli

In-Kind Donations Cisco Brewers Donelan Wines Roast’d Andersons Stillwater Moorings

SUPPORTER—Up to $99

Anonymous (3) Marcia and Joseph Aguiar Nicholas Bain Mr. Curtis Barnes Michael S. Bearse Karen and Douglas Beattie Frances Bolan Randi Allfather and Carl Borchert Janet and Richard Brannigan Martha Butler Phil & Cassandra Chomo John Cooper John G. Devaney Dr. and Mrs. John W. Feuerbach Monica Flegg William and Elizabeth Folberth, III William Fordyce Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Galkin Deborah Halber Jean and Hugh Halsell, III Cary M. Hazlegrove Michael and Penny Herlihy Jinx and Mark Horan David A. Jay Carolyn Judson

Frances Karttunen Jill Lentowski Janet C. Mackay Majal, Inc. Helen and James Manchester Leah Margulies Wendy and Michael McCormick Liz Michalski Jeffrey and Deborah Nicholson Marie & Dennis Norris Max and Elizabeth Polster Jean Rioux Michael and Jane Roche Katherine and John Roe Lindy Salem Robert and Susan Schiff Smith Point Association Charles and Barbara Stott Susan J. Tate Beth and Tim Toolen Pamela Van Hoven Clark Charles Walters Gary and Vivian Weisner Michelle Whelan David and Enid Wise

In 2022, we planted over 250,000 eelgrass seeds, monitored Washing, Gibbs and Capaum ponds for Harmful Algal Blooms; laid the groundwork for a new affordable PFAS testing program, and traveled to Washington DC for the Waterkeeper Alliance national conference representing Nantucket for the very first time; continued to promote local fertilizer regulations and lawn and gardening best planting practices; and worked with over 160 other Waterkeeper organizations to assemble the largest surface water data set in the country tested for over 40 “forever chemicals.” We tested Long Pond as part of the national Cyclopure sampling study, which came out in October.

NLWC Waterkeeper, RJ Turcotte

“2022 was my rookie season bay scalloping commercially after spending two years going through the apprentice program. It was a good year to buy a boat, I did well enough to pay it off in the first few weeks and kept reaching the limit five days a week through the end of February. The community effort to save the harbor, including the Land & Water Council’s focus on helping to restore the scallop’ habitat through monitoring the health of the eelgrass meadows, and transplanting thousands of eelgrass shoots in Nantucket’s harbor has been instrumental in providing me with a future in this rare fishery.”

— Dylan Wallace, Local Nantuket Scalloper

Water Fund 2022 Challenge Grant Contributors

Over the past decade, the Nantucket Land & Water Council has steadily transitioned into being the leading voice advocating for the protection of our island’s precious fresh and saltwater resources from numerous threats posed by detrimental land management practices and inappropriate project proposals in our wellhead districts and harbor watersheds. We devote substantial resources to water quality monitoring, research, advocacy and education, such as: eelgrass research and transplanting; supplementing the Town of Nantucket’s pond water quality and Harmful Algal Bloom research by monitoring many of the island’s small ponds; investigating coastal plastics on our beaches and ocean waters; and exploring the viability of a green crab fishery to help reduce these habitat-destroying creatures. NLWC is the Nantucket Waterkeeper and an active member of the Waterkeeper Alliance -a global network of community organizations advocating for healthy water systems worldwide. In 2022, in order to encourage contributions to our donor-restricted Water Fund that supports our marine and freshwater projects on Nantucket, the NLWC Board of Directors created a generous “Water Fund Challenge Grant”, matching gifts to the NLWC’s Water Fund up to $75,000. Thanks to the generosity of the following donors, our 2022 Water Fund Challenge Grant was a success! Anonymous (1) Reverend Ted and Gretchen Anderson Charles Bartlett Ritchie Battle C. Marshall and Deborah Beale Veronica Bonnet David Bossi and Sarah Ann Miller Toby Sackton and Marcia Butman George and Kathleen Butterworth Simon and Jane Canning George and Susan Carneal John B. Carroll Frances Langton and Timothy Cashman Richard R. Congdon The Cox Family Foundation William † and Prudence S. Crozier Kristin Davis Matthew and Vanessa Diserio Eric and Jascin Leonardo Finger Monica Flegg William and Elizabeth Folberth Margot Fooshee Robert and Barbara Friedman Ian Golding and Laura Wasserman Lindsay Green Sharon Hartley Brad and Marie Henke Herbert D. Condie, Jr., Family Foundation John and Julia Hilton

Maureen Phillips and Dr. Douglas Horst Richard and Virginia Irwin Carolyn Judson Robin and Brian Kelly Sanford Kendall Charles and Emmy Kilvert Todd M. and Anne Knutson Melanie and Richard Kotalac Nancy Gillespie and Ulrich Lächler Laurel and Ben Langworthy Christian J. Leary Pamela and Steven Leinbach Susan and Peter S. Leonard Matthew and Nina Liddle Jonathan Nyland and Katherine Logue Katherine Bucknell and Bob Maguire Helen and James Manchester Bruce Mandel Christopher Maroney Peter and Bonnie McCausland / TheMcCausland Foundation Wendy and Michael McCormick Eugene and Pamela McGuire Alan and Barbara Medaugh Brook P. Meerbergen Mary Wawro and Peter Morrison Craig and Ann Muhlhauser Leo Mullen Alan and Virginia Nathan

Cheryl Nathanson Alfred and Mary Novissimo Barbara and Philip Nowak Stephen and Susan Obrien Simin Osley Trish Pastuszak Photography Nantucket Richard McKim and Lori PrestonRoberta H. and Victoria J. Prisco Philip W. and Margaret Read Harry T. and Susan D. Rein Bernice Rodriguez Amy and Gregory Rowland Margaret, Isabel & John Rowland Bonnie Sacerdote Christine Sanford Eric Savetsky Julie Fitzgerald and Carl H. Sjolund Meredyth and Brooks Smith Lars O. and Jane Soderberg Nancy Soderberg William C. Spring Merrielou Symes Ann and George Thom James D. Toole Visco Pumping, Inc Richard and Gay Vogt Anita Barker Weeks Harry Wilcox William Willet Margot F. Wynkoop Kim and Bill Zeoli

Donor Support

Volunteers Without our volunteers, 2022 would have been impossible. The eelgrass restoration in particular, with its new seeding component, was extremely labor intensive and too much for the Land & Water Council’s small staff alone. Noah Singer, our Eelgrass Restoration Manager, was assisted by these volunteers Maria Riley Lily Vittone Charlie Graeber Griffin Maltby Burton Balkind Cathy Beatty Barbara Bispham Taylor Bistany Abigail Borneman

Eliza Brown Cat Buccino Jana Burch Gabrielle Cohen Chris Davis Kristin Dean Isobelle Fleming Jean Grimmer Bob Hallihan

Doug Leighton MJ Levy-Dickson Katherine Logue Janie Lytle Natalie Mack Grace Matthews Jacob Tinkhauser Abby Van Dyke MaryAnn Wasik

Gifts in Memoriam We thank the following individuals, businesses and foundations who donated to the Nantucket Land & Water Council during our 2022 Fiscal Year. In Memory of Howard Blitman Lee Winter Larry Breakiron Richard Bail Nicholas Bain Kathie Breakiron Mark and Sherry Chitester John Cooper The Joyce and Seward Johnson Foundation Marie & Dennis Norris Lori Romano

Remembering LARRY BREAKIRON

In Honor of Susan Baer Trae Betz Franziska Walser Landis Becker Young Mary Randolph Ballinger Elizabeth and Wayne Davies Barbara and Robert Friedman Meg and Sam Flax Charles and Merle Shoneman Maureen Phillips and Douglas Horst Eric Philippi Charlie Kilvert Edward and Maureen Bousa Peter and Bonnie McCausland Elizabeth and Geoffrey Verney Emily Molden Kristin Davis Maria Zodda Lindy Salem

The Nantucket Land & Water Council remembers Larry Breakiron who served on the NLWC Board of Directors for 25 years, from 1997 until his passing in March of 2022. He was the President of the Board from 2001-2008 leading the Land & Water Council through our greatest capital campaign to protect Linda Loring’s 270 acres with a Conservation Restriction. Larry was a thoughtful and dedicated conservationist and a champion of land protection. He also understood the vital role that the Land & Water Council plays as an environmental advocate for Nantucket. Larry’s kindness and generosity of spirit will be remembered and he will be dearly missed.

OFFICERS

Lucy S. Dillon President Paul A. Bennett Vice President William Willet Vice President Laurel Ried Langworthy Treasurer Susan E. Robinson Clerk DIRECTORS

Matt Anderson Susan Baer Mary-Randolph Ballinger Larry Breakiron William S. Brenizer Thomas V. Farrell Robert Friedman Nancy Gillespie Nathanael Greene Matt Haffenreffer Charles A. Kilvert III Lucy Leske Matt Liddle Robert Lyons Peter McCausland Keltie Donelan-McDonald Alan Nathan Carl H. Sjolund H. Brooks Smith Lars Soderberg David Troast Peter Watrous Helen Weeks

ASSOCIATES

Helen Weeks Chair Jen Garran Leah Mojer Amy Rowland Chad Kilvert HONORARY DIRECTOR

William M. Crozier, Jr.

SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR

James W. Sutherland Ph.D. STAFF

Emily L. Molden Executive Director Anna Day Communications Manager RJ Turcotte Nantucket Waterkeeper Nate Scott Land Use & Stewardship Coordinator Meg Browers Development Director BOOKEEPING

Erica Lynne Bookeeping LEGAL COUNSEL

Peter R. Fenn, Esquire Fenn and Associates, Newton, MA ACCOUNTANT

Bollus Lynch LLP Certified Public Accountants and Consultants , Worcester, MA

NANTUCKET LAND & WATER COUNCIL 6 Ash Lane P.O. Box 502 Nantucket, MA 02554

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Brockton, MA Permit #601

2022

was unprecedented in terms of the number of visitors to the island as well as turnover in the real estate market on Nantucket. From the detrimental effects on our environment and rural character, to a list of social issues including a lack of adequate housing, mounting pressure on our infrastructure, hospital and schools, and an increase in food insecurity, it was clear that untethered growth does not enhance the quality of life on island, or support a sustainable community. THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, throughout the year, the Nantucket Land & Water Council continued to: Pay Attention—attending all Nantucket regulatory meetings and voicing concerns regarding projects that could negatively impact our environment; Raise Awareness — encouraging our community through online and print campaigns, educational activities and awards to shift perceptions and alter practices that are detrimental to our environment and Take Action—advocating for by-law and policy changes to proactively protect our natural resources. We also opposed regulatory decisions that could negatively impact our environment through litigation and created and administered programs to increase the health of our fresh and saltwater resources. Read about our initiatives, outreach and programs designed to further our mission and protect Nantucket’s precious land and water resources.

THANK

YOU