NLWC News


Eelgrass Restoration Volunteer Opportunity

July 2, 2024

We are currently looking for volunteers to help us at the Brant Point Hatchery to process eelgrass reproductive shoots for the summer. No skill or experience is required – we’ll teach you on the job! The goal is to take the reproductive shoots that we already collected and clip excess vegetation until we are just left with the seed-bearing pods. This will prevent oxygen from being depleted in our storage tanks. This work is crucial as it ensures our eelgrass seeds survive until we plant around Nantucket in the fall.   Restoring eelgrass beds is a critical step to keeping the waters around Nantucket healthy, and we appreciate any help you can provide!, Click HERE to join the volunteer list.


Please note: it can be sunny/hot or windy on the dock, so check the weather! Sunscreen, a hat, snacks, water, and layers are always recommended.

 

At the Brant Point Hatchery, located on Brant Point Beach next to the lighthouse.
Monday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tuesday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

 

June 26, 2026
As a part of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Nantucket and Vineyard Wind 1 , public comments were due on the Debris Infrastructure Failure Incident Response Plan Summary on Monday June 15th. The Nantucket Land & Water Council (NLWC) submitted a comment letter outlining the inappropriateness of providing a four page summary instead of the plan itself for the community to see, as well as deficiencies in the language provided and suggestions for improving it . That comment letter can be found here: NLWC VW1 Incident Plan Summary Comment Letter
June 12, 2026
The Massachusetts Senate recently passed S.3064 , known as the Mass Ready Act, a sweeping environmental bond bill that would invest over 3 billion dollars in climate resilience, water infrastructure, flood protection, PFAS remediation, conservation, and municipal environmental projects. Many of these investments align closely with priorities long championed by the Nantucket Land & Water Council, including funding for clean water infrastructure, climate adaptation, and the protection of natural resources. However, several amendments added to the bill during the Senate process have raised serious concerns among environmental organizations, municipalities, conservation commissions, and clean water advocates across Massachusetts. These provisions would weaken local municipal authority to protect wetlands and water resources and would disadvantage communities like ours that have adopted stronger environmental safeguards than just those required by state law. 
June 12, 2026
Nantucket has officially been designated as being in a Level 2 Drought Condition, triggering mandatory water conservation measures for properties served by Wannacomet Water. Although the current green lawns and foggy mornings of June may not make the island feel particularly dry right now, drought determinations are based on more than appearance alone . State officials evaluate long-term precipitation trends , groundwater conditions , and other indicators of water availability .
MORE NEWS