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<p class="gmail-Default" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><br></p><p class="gmail-Default" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><br></p><p class="gmail-Default" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><br></p><p class="gmail-Default" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%"><br></span></b></p><p class="gmail-Default" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">A Phragmites Phorum: <span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;color:windowtext;background:white">Investigating
the harvest of the invasive reed <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;color:windowtext;background:white">to
mitigate nitrogen pollution in our ponds</span><span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;color:windowtext;background:white"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><span style="color:windowtext;background:white">When: Monday, March 12<sup>th</sup>,
1pm<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><span style="color:windowtext;background:white">Where: West Tisbury Library<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><span style="color:windowtext;background:white">Hosted by: The Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish
Group<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><span style="color:windowtext;background:white">Contact: <a href="mailto:emma.greenbeach@mvshellfishgroup.org">emma.greenbeach@mvshellfishgroup.org</a><span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><b><span> </span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><span>Come learn about the
research being done on the potential to harvest the invasive reed, Phragmites,
as a means to remove excess nitrogen from our coastal ponds. Project Partners
will speak on their involvement with the project, including Dr. Jamie Vaudrey
of the University of Connecticut. This project is funded by the Environmental
Protection agency and managed by the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><span><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><b><span> </span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><b>Project Summary: </b>Studies by the Massachusetts Estuaries
Program (MEP) have confirmed that high nitrogen (N) loading is the primary
driver of the degraded environmental quality observed in many of our estuaries.
The MEP studies developed N budgets, stating target N reductions required to
reverse eutrophic conditions and restore water quality. Local municipalities
have been tasked with developing plans to meet the target N reductions. <span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" style="text-indent:0.5in;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><i>Phragmites australis </i>is a
cosmopolitan species that is highly invasive in North America. Using dense
leave litter, a tall thick canopy and efficient root systems, Phragmites
outcompete native vegetation, alters nutrient and water cycles, and excludes
native animals, especially specialist species. Despite its invasive nature,
there is scientific evidence that Phragmites provides important ecological
services, especially sequestration of N, carbon and phosphorus. This strong
affinity for uptake has been exploited for nutrient management in eutrophied
estuaries and lakes in other parts of the world and in stormwater ditches and
wastewaster treatment applications. <span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-Default" style="text-indent:0.5in;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">The objectives of this study are to
1) calculate an average value of N sequestered in above ground Phragmites on
Martha’s Vineyard; and determine what impact the harvest of the reeds might
have on reducing N loads to the estuaries; 2) evaluate the response of reed
stands and native plants to annual or semiannual cutting; 3) identify the
logistical and regulatory issues involved in a harvest; 4) investigate uses and
value of harvested reeds as a means to offset harvest costs, including
potential for small business to capitalize on the harvest activity and cut
byproduct. <span></span></p><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><font style="font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(102,0,204)" size="2">Emma Green-Beach</font><div><font style="font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(102,0,204)" size="2">Special Projects Manager<br>Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group, Inc.</font><div><font style="font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(102,0,204)" size="2">PO Box 1552</font></div><div><font style="font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(102,0,204)" size="2">Oak Bluffs, MA 02557</font></div><div><font style="font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(102,0,204)" size="2">508-542-1339</font></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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