Our Projects
Madaket Conservation Association (MCA) is seeking proposals for projects that fit our mission. Anyone with a suggestion for a suitable project can contact Bill Grieder or the Madaket Conservation Association for a project application form. Tax-deductible charitable contributions can be made to the Community Foundation for Nantucket and identified to be directed to the Madaket Conservation Association Project Fund.
Projects Overview: MCA Co-President Bill Grieder states, "Since 1958, the MCA's mission has been to preserve and protect Madaket. We are grateful to the past and present members of the MCA for enabling us to contribute toward these important project, and are privileged to be part of the effort to preserve and protect a large part of Madaket and Nantucket for the future."
The Bubbler: If you ride or walk along the Madaket bike path, chances are you have seen the rest area across from the Fire Station. MCA received permission from the Town to adopt the water fountain area as a continuing project. The addition of a mature tree, plants and grasses has created an attractive rest area where for bike path travelers.
Madaket Shellfish: The MCA Board of Directors approved a grant request to the Nantucket Natural Resources Department. The project, called Northern Quahog Stock Enhancement, spanned (3) years and planted (615,000) seed quahogs in the Madaket harbor. The budget of ($21,000) was funded by several Nantucket organizations: Nantucket Land Council, Maddequet Admiralty, Madaket Conservation Association, Community Foundation for Nantucket and the Nantucket Shellfish Association.
Head of the Plains Purchase: The Head of Plains land is surrounded by about 120 acres of conservation land. Thanks to the combined effort of the Town, the Nantucket Land Bank, the Nantucket Land Council, the Community Preservation Committee, the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, the Madaket Conservation Association, the Madaket Residents Association and the Sheep Pond property owners, the Head of the Plains has been saved from development and is now part of the Nantucket Land Bank holdings.
Oyster Farming: MCA awarded a grant to Madaket Marine for an oyster growing in Hither Creek. Oyster spat was cultivated in the creek by staff from Madaket Marine. When the spat grew to the appropriate size, the oysters were transferred to established oyster farms in Polpis harbor. The project was deemed extremely success by Nantucket Department of Natural Resources. Madaket Marine is formulating a plan to continue the growing effort.
Beach Grass Planting: MCA awarded a grant to the Nantucket Department of Natural Resources to conduct a pilot program to plant beachgrass at Millie’s pond in an area where the “stilt” house was located. Over the last year, the dunes have built up due to a snow fence installation. The pilot program installed beachgrass plugs in the entire area to help stabilize the new dunes. This planting is a continuation of an earlier project that did the same thing at the end of Madaket Road.
Madaket Buildout Analyst: MCA awarded a grant to the The Nantucket Land Council (NLC) to fund a buildout analysis of the Madaket area. As the Town continues to plan for sewer expansion out to Madaket, the residents and the NLC are concerned about how access to this new infrastructure may significantly increase development pressure and potential in those neighborhoods. The purpose of this study is to evaluate what the potential buildout of Madaket will be with Town sewer so that the community can address questions about how it would like to plan for its future.
