(508) 696-0859
At the Nobnocket Boutique Inn we are continuing to work to minimize our impact on the local environment and to be a good steward of the 1.8 acres of land that make up the property.
Most recently we have started a Community Impact Fee to provide financial donations to the Lagoon Pond Association to help support their ongoing efforts to improve the water quality of the Lagoon and to raise awareness within the community, Town leadership and to island visitors of the urgent need to protect this precious waterway.
The Lagoon is the most at threat body of water on Martha’s Vineyard due to its heavy nitrogen loading and Mud Creek on its western arm is the closest point to our inn and the most polluted area of the pond. Learning this was a key “wake-up” moment for us and made us realize that we should be actively giving back to the Lagoon Pond Association to assist their programs.
The Lagoon Pond Association came about in 1989 when two existing organizations, Eastville-Lagoon Association and the Oklahoma Association, joined forces to create a unified body tasked with protecting the Lagoon Pond. The organization has been a driver in change in legislation of the neighboring towns to improve septic systems, reduce fertilizer use, limit motor-craft and seaplanes and in managing initiatives that provide continuous monitoring of water quality and provide for the reintroduction and growth of critical eelgrass back into the pond.
The Lagoon Pond Association hosts a Speaker Series throughout the year with local and off-island specialists providing educational seminars on issues that impact the Lagoon and other island waterways. These have included aquaculture and oyster farms, septic system advances, climate change impacts and benefits of eelgrass propagation.
In July the Association hosts an annual “Light Up The Lagoon” night when boat owners line up, and light up, their boats and traverse the Lagoon at dusk while the house owners along the water’s edge light up their houses. This creates a magical sight on a magical pond. This year’s (2025) event is July 26.
Working through the Kind Traveler “Every Stay Gives Back” program, our guests give $3/night that is passed on 100% to the Lagoon Pond Association. We also work with the leadership of Lagoon Pond Association to identify and provide hands-on volunteering opportunities for our guests.
We recognize that we have a responsibility to minimize our environmental footprint and support actions to foster sustainability on Martha’s Vineyard.
Safe travels,
Simon
