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Sharing Our Coastal Research
Emily Junkins Presents at Cape Cod Natural History Conference
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Dr. Emily Junkins, NCF Coastal Wetlands Research Ecologist, presented "Building Coastal Resilience on Nantucket Through Monitoring and Living Shorelines" at the Cape Cod Natural History Conference 2026 hosted by Mass Audubon last weekend.
Her presentation showcased how NCF uses long-term monitoring and nature-based solutions—like living shorelines—to protect Nantucket's coasts from storms and sea level rise while supporting wildlife habitat.
"Unlike hardened structures like seawalls, living shorelines use natural features such as oyster reefs and coastal vegetation to absorb wave energy, reduce erosion, and filter pollutants while providing habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife," Junkins explained.
Salt marshes act as natural buffers during storms, protecting the homes and properties behind them from flooding and erosion. They filter runoff before it reaches the harbor, keeping Nantucket's waters clean and safe for swimming, boating, and shellfishing. When salt marshes are healthy, they do this work naturally. Protecting these coastal areas is a critical part of protecting the island we all love.
As leaders in nature-based coastal protection, we're committed to protecting Nantucket's shorelines today and for generations. By sharing our research at regional conferences, we also help advance science-based coastal strategies that benefit other communities facing similar challenges while also learning from the success of others.
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Learning Native Plant Propagation
Successful Seed Sowing Winter Workshops
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This winter, we offered two "Sowing Seeds & Winter Plant Work" workshops led by Stacey Cooper, NCF Native Plant Propagation Manager. Participants learned how to clean and sow seeds of native plants for use in restoration work across NCF properties. Both sessions filled quickly, demonstrating strong community interest in hands-on conservation work.
Using native plants is critical to protecting the ecological health of our landscapes. These plants are better adapted to island conditions, more resilient to storms and climate change, and are generally less palatable to deer—giving them a better chance to establish, grow, and thrive.
These workshops were made possible in part by generous grant support from The Nantucket Garden Club and Remain Nantucket. Their funding helped establish critical infrastructure for our Native Plant Propagation Program, including a walk-in cooler at Milestone that provides climate-controlled seed storage. Paired with the seed room outfitted by NCF staff, the new cooler enables us to store larger quantities of local native seed long-term for restoration projects throughout the island, while providing work space to prepare seeds for germination.
We are grateful for the support of our grant partners and to everyone who participated in these workshops, and look forward to offering more opportunities to engage with this important program.
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The Milestone Center
Growing Our Native Plant Program
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“The Nantucket Garden Club is very excited about what NCF is doing in the area of seed propagation and storage and we look forward to the expansion and enhancement of this work at the Milestone Center."
- Linda Kelly, Nantucket Garden Club Grant Committee Chair
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Our Native Plant Propagation Program has grown significantly since 2006, when we first began collecting seeds and growing native plants in our Tupancy Links greenhouse. Today, this program provides essential plant materials for restoration projects—from trail stabilization to wetland restoration to coastal resilience work across our 9,000+ acres of conservation land. These native plants form the foundation of healthy ecosystems that support the pollinators, wildlife, and natural landscapes that define Nantucket's character.
The Milestone Center will expand this capacity with:
- Enhanced greenhouse and outdoor growing infrastructure for propagating larger quantities of native plants
- Dedicated herbarium for botanical research and permanent plant specimen collections
- Climate-controlled seed storage to preserve rare and common species for future restoration
This infrastructure means we can scale up production of native plant populations. Using locally-sourced seeds from our properties ensures that our restoration work utilizes the species best adapted to island conditions and preserves the ecological relationships that make our habitats unique.
The Milestone Center represents a long-term investment in native plant propagation and the science-based conservation work that keeps Nantucket's trails accessible, its wetlands healthy, and its natural heritage intact for everyone who calls this island home.
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Caring for 9,000 Acres
Forest Work and Trail Maintenance This Winter
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Head of the Plains Project Complete
Through selective thinning and vegetation management, we've reduced overcrowding that leaves pitch pine forests stressed and vulnerable to southern pine beetle infestations and wildfire. Healthier spacing means individual trees can access more light, water, and nutrients, making them stronger and more resistant to pests and environmental stress. The result is a more resilient forest that supports native wildlife and maintains the iconic pitch pine landscape that defines Nantucket's character.
Many thanks to KJP Land & Environment for the excellent job they did and to the Madaket Conservation Association for their generous grant supporting this project.
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Chainsaw Safety Training
Our Land Management team participated in chainsaw safety training this week, sharpening skills essential for maintaining 100+ miles of trails. This winter's storms brought down numerous trees and branches requiring safe removal, making this training especially timely.
Proper training ensures our crew can efficiently clear fallen trees, manage vegetation, and address hazard trees while prioritizing safety. Enhancing the skills of our crew to conduct this work in-house will also benefit our ongoing management work aimed at providing resilience to future southern pine beetle infestations and improving the overall ecological health of forests.
| | Growing Our Team: New Faces at NCF | | | | |
Tucker Taylor, Wildlife Ecology Project Manager
Tucker returns to Nantucket after earning his MS in Entomology from Oklahoma State University, where his research explored the connections between ticks, birds, and habitat change. Before graduate school, he worked as a lab technician at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine studying ticks and tick-borne illness, and previously served as Mass Audubon's Nantucket Coastal Steward. A Tuckernucker who has enjoyed the islands his whole life, Tucker is an avid birder with a particular passion for shorebirds and sea ducks.
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Lindsay Balman, Environmental Educator
Lindsay joins NCF from Finger Lakes PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) in New York, where she coordinated invasive species projects and citizen science programs. She holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Lindsay is passionate about inspiring curiosity and stewardship within communities, and when she's not leading programs, you'll likely find her exploring NCF properties on trail runs.
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We're Hiring! Seasonal Development & Events Coordinator
Join our team for a dynamic summer season supporting NCF's signature fundraising events, from the Race for Open Space to our Summer Dinner and beyond. This seasonal role supports event coordination, assists with producing materials, helps manage participant communications, and provides day-of event support that makes these community celebrations successful. If you're organized, detail-oriented, and excited to be part of conservation work that matters, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our website to learn more and apply.
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Saturday, March 14
10:00am - 2:00pm
*sensory friendly time from 9:30-10:00am
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12th Annual STEAM Festival at Nantucket High School
Thank you to the Maria Mitchell Association for hosting the 12th Annual STEAM Festival! This year’s theme, “3.14 MILES FROM SHORE: INFINITE PATTERNS”, invites our whole community to explore the intersections of science, technology, engineering, art, and math — across sky, land, and sea.
Members of our NCF Education & Ecology Teams will be there with a fun activity for all ages!
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Winter Wellness Pup Walk at Tupancy Links
Embrace the quiet of the off season with this walk for wellness, connection, and community in a dog-friendly edition! Part of the Winter Wellness Series in partnership with Fairwinds Behavioral Health Center.
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Winter Walk at Windswept Bog
With a year since the wetland restoration wrapped up, see the progress made and how we’re planning to monitor and manage the property and trail network here at Windswept.
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Winter Walk at Folger's Marsh & the Field Station
Come explore Folger’s Marsh and the harbor coastline to discover how salt marshes form, how they function, and why they are vital to protect. This guided walk will uncover the history of Folger’s through geology, chemistry, and ecology.
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Saturday, April 11
5:30pm - 6:30pm
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Southern Pine Beetle Management at the Nantucket Atheneum
This presentation at the Nantucket Atheneum shares the management journey that the Nantucket Conservation Foundation & Nantucket Land Bank have gone through to protect our island forests from invasive and destructive Southern Pine Beetle.
This free event is presented in partnership with the Nantucket Atheneum. Registration is not required.
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Winter Walk - Southern Pine Beetles on Nantucket
An important and targeted walk with NCF Director of Research Danielle O’Dell to see the effects of Southern Pine Beetle infestations up close. Learn the signs to look for and understand the significant impact this southern species could have on our island forests.
| | Join us! All NCF programs are free and open to the public, made possible by the generous support of our community. Registration is required—sign up today! | | | |
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Address: 118 Cliff Road
Mailing Address: PO Box 13
Nantucket, MA 02554
Phone: 508-228-2884
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