Second Annual Nantucket Green Crab Week with The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association and The Nantucket Land Council

Kelly Bernatzky • July 8, 2021

The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) and the Nantucket Land Council (NLC) are excited to announce the second annual Nantucket Green Crab Week. Between July 12 and July 16, 2021, participate in fun daily events to learn about and take action against invasive European green crabs on Nantucket.

 

European green crabs were first introduced to North America in the 1800s, likely traveling in ballast water of merchant ships from Europe. This invasive species is now abundant on Nantucket, threatening crucial aquatic resources, including eelgrass beds, shellfish populations, and native crab communities here on the island.

 

Join the MMA and the NLC for a full schedule of activities, both in-person and online, designed to generate awareness regarding Nantucket’s green crab population. During the week, the MMA and the NLC will host various in-person events, including a Green Crab Identification workshop, Green Crab Research demonstration, and Green Crab Fertilizer tutorial. On Wednesday, July 14th from 7-8PM, Dr. Jason Goldstein, Director of Research at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, will speak as part of the MMA’s Science Speaker Series via Zoom. He will discuss his work with this invasive species on the coast of Maine. On Thursday, July 15th, Greencrab.org founder, Mary Parks, will lead a live cooking demonstration via Zoom as part of the NLC’s Clean Water webinar series. Then, conclude the week with us by participating in the first ever Green Crab Derby. Help the NLC and the MMA by collecting invasive green crabs from Nantucket’s waters and win prizes for doing so! Teams of four  can register for $10 per person. For more information on the rules, prizes, and registration, please see the link below:

https://mariamitchell.doubleknot.com/event/nantucket-green-crab-derby-2021/2834871

 

To view the full Nantucket Green Crab Week schedule, watch videos, register for Zoom events, and learn more about this invasive species, please visit the Maria Mitchell Association Green Crab Week webpage at https://www.mariamitchell.org/nantucket-green-crab-week or the Nantucket Land Council Green Crab Week webpage at https://www.nantucketlandcouncil.org/events/nantucket-green-crab-week/.

 

Together as a community, it is possible to help prevent green crabs from destroying the natural resources that make Nantucket’s waters so special!

 

The Maria Mitchell Association is a private non-profit organization. Founded in 1902, the MMA works to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages.

 

Nantucket Land Council is a 501(c)3 environmental advocacy organization – protecting and preserving open space, harbor, pond, and groundwater, and advocating for the environment at Select Board, Planning Board, and Conservation Commission meetings. The Nantucket Land Council also hosts the State of the Harbor Forum each year and Oysterfest each November to educate residents on the state of our water resources, and what we can all do to help maintain this critical resource. For more information on the Nantucket Land Council’s environmental work and initiatives, please visit https://www.nantucketlandcouncil.org. 

For Immediate Release

July 8 2021

Contact: Kelly Bernatzky, Development Associate

kbernatzky@mariamitchell.org

Recent Posts

Celebrating Maria’s Discovery of a Comet – October 1, 1847

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • October 1, 2026
10mo 1, 1847. {October 1, 1847} This evening at half past ten Maria discovered a telescopic comet five degrees above Polaris. Persuaded that no nebulae could occupy that position unnoticed it scarcely needed the evidence of motion to give it the character of a comet. From the journals of William Mitchell, father of Maria. One hundred and seventy-nine years later! JNLF

Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • September 21, 2026
Sept. 24, 1881. . . . Mr. I. {van Ingen} thinks that not a person on the Board of Trustees would approve of the clause in Mr. Vassar’s will which objected to women as occupants of chairs. Just months before, Maria Mitchell had written a letter describing the controversy surrounding the bequest of Matthew Vassar to the college he founded. The large sum was separated out within his will, including the establishment of department chairs. The bequest for this action, however, did not allow for women professors to have a chair. Quite shocking for a women’s college but then, there were early trustees in the College’s founding who believed that women professors should not exist at Vassar! Maria would be the first professor Vassar hired – male OR female. JNLF

Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Announces Scalloping Field Trip Programs and Special Scalloping Experiences in October and November

September 18, 2026
NANTUCKET, MA— The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) is pleased to announce the launch of its 2026 Scalloping Field Trip Programs and Special Scalloping Experiences, set to begin October 1. These hands-on, educational experiences invite participants to explore the island’s coastal waters alongside MMA Aquarium staff while learning about the ecology and conservation of Nantucket’s iconic bay scallops. SCALLOPING FIELD TRIPS Join the MMA Aquarium Manager, Chelsea Petrik, and head into the water to collect scallops while learning about their biology, life cycle, and the challenges bay scallops face in today’s changing environment. Hand nets and adult waders will be provided. A shellfish permit is required to participate if attendees wish to take their catch home. Scalloping Field Trips meet at one of multiple locations along Nantucket Harbor to account for changing scallop availability. Registrants will be notified of the exact location via email before the day of the program. Personal transport to and from the meeting location is required to participate. Dates: October 1 ,3, 4, 7, 8, 14, 17, 18, 21, 23, 24, 28, and 31; November 1, 4, 6, 12, 14, 15, 18, 21, and 22. Cost per Participant: $50 Pre-registration is required for this event and closes two hours before the start time of the program. Scalloping Field Trip Registration Link: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/Scalloping-Field-Trip-01Oct2026 Private group scalloping field trips are also available for groups of up to eight people on select dates. To inquire, please e-mail programs@mariamitchell.org. “THE GREAT SCALLOP HUNT” — A SPECIAL SCALLOPING EXPERIENCE In addition to the MMA’s regular Scalloping Field Trips, the MMA will offer “The Great Scallop Hunt, an Island Immersion” on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3. These special, separately ticketed experiences invite participants aboard Captain Bruce Beebe’s boat for an insider scalloping expedition on Nantucket Sound. Guests will harvest, shuck, and savor fresh Nantucket Bay scallops alongside Captain Beebe, with a picnic lunch and beverages included. Only six spots are available for each of these exclusive opportunities to discover Nantucket with Bruce Beebe, exploring the island’s most cherished traditions and hidden corners. Pre-registration is required. Tickets are $500 per person, with $250 of the ticket price tax-deductible. These experiences are separate from the $50 Scalloping Field Trip Program described above. A shellfish permit is required for attendees who wish to take their catch home. The Great Scallop Hunt Registration Link: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/The-Great-Scallop-Hunt For more information on obtaining an individual shellfish permit, visit the Town of Nantucket website: https://www.nantucket-ma.gov/404.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/2304/Shellfish-Permit . The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first female professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. ###
Show More