May News from NCF

Windswept Bog is teeming with wildlife. Baby spotted turtles bask on mossy logs at the water's edge. Killdeer and tree swallows swoop overhead. A pair of bluebirds has taken up residence this season. Garter snakes move through the grass, and painted and snapping turtles emerge to nest along the sandy trails.

Spotted turtles are one of the rarest species in the Northeast, and Nantucket is home to one of their healthiest populations anywhere. Because NCF protects nearly one third of the island, their habitat here is largely shielded from the development pressure that threatens them elsewhere.

"Spotted turtles are fascinating because their use of habitats shifts with the seasons," said Danielle O'Dell, NCF Director of Research. "In winter they shelter in dense shrubby areas towards the edge of the bog, and as spring arrives they migrate over into the grassy, watery areas. Windswept's restored wetland gives them all the habitat types they need."

The restoration of this former cranberry farm into a thriving natural wetland was a deliberate choice, years in the making. Wetlands do something farms cannot: they filter the water that flows through them, removing excess nutrients before it reaches Polpis Harbor. A healthier Windswept means cleaner water, happier wildlife, and a healthier island for all of us.

Join us for a monthly guided walk of Windswept from May through September:

May 20, June 12, July 24, August 14, and September 11, all from 8:30 to 10:30am

Southern Pine Beetle: We Need Your Help

Join us to protect Nantucket's pitch pine forests this season

Aerial image of mortality of pitch pines at Ram Pasture on Nantucket caused by an infestation of southern pine beetles in July of 2023. Inset: A southern pine beetle trapped in sap.

Nantucket's pitch pine forests are part of what makes this island look like nowhere else. The dense, twisted pines at Ram Pasture, Trott's Hills, and throughout the Middle Moors are iconic. Southern pine beetle has been working its way up the East Coast for years and arrived on Nantucket in 2023. Left unchecked, it moves through pitch pine forests quickly, killing trees before most people notice anything is wrong.

Join Danielle O'Dell, NCF Director of Research, for a Southern Pine Beetle Forest Watch Training on Saturday, May 16 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. You will learn the signs of infestation and how to report what you find. Interested in adopting a trail to monitor for southern pine beetle? Email Danielle directly to get started.

A New Greenhouse at Milestone

Native plants are built for Nantucket. Their deep roots stabilize sandy soil from erosion, they withstand the salt spray and strong winds, and they are what gives this island its distinctive, untamed character.

Our greenhouse at the Milestone site has been restored and is back in operation, growing native species that go directly into restoration projects across our 9,000 acres.

Growing our own means we can restore fragile habitats with the plants that are meant to be there. Healthy landscapes start with the right plants, and this is where that work begins.

Turtles Are On The Move

If you see a turtle crossing the road this spring, slow down and give it space. It knows exactly where it is going! If you help it across, always move it in the direction it was already heading.

Snapping turtles and painted turtles leave the ponds and brackish waters they call home each nesting season seeking the soft, sandy soil along roads and trails to lay their eggs.

Their presence is a sign that Nantucket's freshwater habitats are healthy, and giving them safe passage ensures they stay that way.

Horseshoe Crabs Have Returned

Horseshoe crabs have survived for over 350 million years, and each May they return to Nantucket's shores to spawn.

Warren's Landing in Madaket Harbor is one of their preferred spots, offering an undisturbed, undeveloped beach that is increasingly hard to find.

Our team monitors their numbers there each season and the growing trend in their population is a strong indicator of healthy waters.

Planting For Coatue's Future

Coatue is one of the most dynamic and vulnerable landscapes on the island, and beach grass is one of the best defenses we have.

Following the Ranger Shack move this past winter, our restoration ecology team planted beach grass around the new site to stabilize the sand and encourage dune growth.

Those roots hold Coatue together, protecting the barrier beach that keeps Nantucket Harbor safe.

Trail Work Across The Island

From Sanford Farm to the Serengeti to Squam Swamp, NCF maintains over 100 miles of trails across our properties, winding through some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes on the island.

Our land management team works year-round to keep every path clear, accessible, and ready for exploring. This bridge is a hidden gem...do you know where to find it?

Road Trimming Is Underway

If you have ever driven a Nantucket dirt road and come home with a fresh set of Nantucket pinstripes, you know why this work matters!

Our team is trimming back the brush along our roads this month, improving sight lines and protecting both the landscape and your vehicle.

It is a small job with a big impact on everyone who drives our properties.

Lucas Leasure

Seasonal Wildlife Field Assistant

Lucas joins NCF this season to lead spotted turtle monitoring at Windswept Bog, tracking one of Nantucket's most significant wildlife populations in a habitat that is thriving after its full wetland restoration.

He holds a degree in Natural Resource Management from The Ohio State University.

When he is not in the field, you will find him at Steps Beach or walking the Squam Swamp Interpretive Trail.

Olivia Flynn

Seasonal Development & Events Coordinator

Olivia joins us this season to help connect our community to the conservation work happening across the island.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

When she is not at work, you will find her swimming in the ocean, knitting, or out at Head of the Plains taking in the open landscape.

The Milestone Center

Where our team and our mission come together

Join us for a Milestone Center Site Tour on Thursday, May 28 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm

“NCF has been at the forefront of environmental stewardship for over six decades. Their positive impact has made a lasting difference throughout the community. The Milestone Center will ensure the organization’s continued community benefit for many years to come.”

-Sunny Daily, Nantucket year-round resident

Events & Programming

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!