Dave Luening, 🐟 Bait Fish, Essence of Summer

"The water that divides us from the mainland, unites us as a community. Martha’s Vineyard is celebrated for abundant and beautiful natural spaces, but one of our greatest assets is our strong and resilient community. Our physical isolation from the mainland reminds us of the essential role our community and its resources play in our ability to respond in times of crisis."

Emily Reddington | Executive Director

-excerpt from Gazette Commentary

Tribute to Dave Luening

It is with profound sadness that we report the loss of our friend and colleague Dave Luening earlier this month. Dave Luening was a towering influence on the Great Pond, serving as a founding director of the Great Pond Foundation, as its president, as a board member throughout, and as a member of the Edgartown Ponds Advisory Committee. Invariably well informed, his peace-making manner made him uniquely effective. Dave will be sorely missed by colleagues, neighbors and friends.

Dave Luening overlooking his beloved Great Pond.

Dave's Words of Wisdom

As we plan for the next 50 years on the Pond it is essential that we accept that there will never be a “mission accomplished,” since science and human activity are evolutionary processes.

Accept our responsibility as stewards of this magnificent natural resource. Be environmentally responsible in your property management and use of the Pond. Become informed. Be aware of impact on the Pond and observant of changes that may occur. Provide financial support to GPF and others whose objectives you support.

Get out there and ENJOY this special body of water in all of its moods, times of day and kinds of weather!

Dave Luening, August 2020

Please consider making a gift in memory of Dave Luening, to help realize his wish that the Pond be maintained and enhanced for the benefit of future generations as a place of unique beauty. Donations will help to fund education and outreach programs, with the Foundation intending to establish a speaker series each year for diverse audiences in the community named for and commemorating Dave and Doris Luening

Honoring Dave

The Essence of Summer

This summer many of the traditions we hold close to our hearts were not possible. Reminisce with us about the sweetness of summer and join us on a virutal kayak adventure, reliving the 2019 Sturgeon Moon kayak...

Summer Memories

Feeding Frenzy

Curious what the birds and the big fish are eating in the Great Pond? Scientific Programs Manager and Biologist, Julie Pringle has the answer. Julie studied silversides during her graduate work at UConn...

What's for dinner?