MANCHAUG POND FOUNDATION, INC.
to promote the welfare and correct use of Manchaug Pond and its watershed
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The blue space of our water resources attract many to a rich quality of life, for recreation in nature and with wildlife. The greenspace of our watershed significantly contributes to the health of the lake, provides habitats to flora and fauna which includes wildlife corridors and priority habitat for endangered species. Pressures from increased development in the watershed and public access through a state boat ramp, 3 campgrounds, a day camp for youth and a living history museum, increases vulnerability and the potential for negative impacts to water quality, and safety.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Aquatic Plant Survey/Weed Watchers Program
Trained volunteer team surveys the 380 acre lake in a 47 point grid to identify and monitor aquatic plant species acting to promote diversity of native species and head-off introduction of new invasive species. Invasive populations are monitored and suppressed through winter lake-level drawdown conducted through Town of Sutton regulation of the dam with the waterlevel set by an Order of Conditions secured and renewed by the Manchaug Pond Foundation with the Conservation Commissions of the Towns of Sutton and Douglas. Further control of invasives will be realized through a new DASH (Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting) Program.
Water Quality Monitoring
Three teams of trained volunteers in the field and in the lab focusing on monitoring and testing of water quality on the pond at the deepest point and at the inlets, outlet and in the watershed with monthly sampling and analysis. Dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus, nitrogen, water clarity, temperature, cyanobacteria, road salt and more are monitored. Efforts are conducted in cooperation with the Blackstone River Coalition and the Worcester Cyanobacteria Monitoring Collaborative.
Safe Boating & Public Access
Promotion and education of safe boating rules, regs and initiatives: safety checks, educational kiosks, brochures in area campgrounds, safe boating website page and social media posts. A one-on-one educational Vessel Safety Check is held in June in cooperation with the Greenwich Sail and Power Squadron. An examiner checks each participants vessels, educating as to equipment needs and ensuring all are seaworthy! Boating regulation, and vessel ID sticker are distributed. Open to general public and all ages and all vessel size and class.
Advocate for the safe use of the state boat ramp facility advocating for an attendant and patrolling of the ramp and the waterway by the state and town police departments.
Watershed Conservation/Beaton Farm Preservation
Purchase and preservation of 100 acres of significant watershed fields, forest and wetlands and important as a priority habitat for endangered species and to the water quality of Manchaug Pond located in the towns of Sutton and Douglas, Massachusetts. A working horse stable is used to provide education to community hobby farms and to ensure stable best management practices are employed to ensure no negative impact to lake water quality.
Water Quality Improvement: Phase 3 s.319 Stormwater/NPS Pollution Grant Program
Continuing to address stormwater and nonpoint source pollution, a third grant award has been awarded as part of a competitive Mass DEP/EPA matching grant program that will protect Manchaug Pond through installation of stormwater BMP's along roadsides, the state boat ramp and on small farms in the watershed. Further, an educational outreach component promotes NPS education and watershed awareness to the general public, farmers and horseowners.
Waterlevel & Dam
Through an Order of Conditions with the Sutton Conservation Commission set the optimum waterlevel and drawdown elevations for the town regulation of the waterlevel. Advise and advocate with the town of Sutton for the proper maintenance and regulation of the dam.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Acres of land leased, purchased, or put into easement
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth
Related Program
Watershed Conservation/Beaton Farm Preservation
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
100 acres of watershed land purchased and saved from development in order to protect lake water quality and preserve a habitat for endangered species, a coldwater fishery, scenic overlook and more.
Acres of land managed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Watershed Conservation/Beaton Farm Preservation
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Completion of a Stewardship Plan funded through a Mass Dept. of Conservation & Recreation grant for the proper management of 90 acres of forest and wetlands and 10 acres of agricultural lands
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
~Advocacy at the local, state, regional levels promoting the welfare and correct use of Manchaug Pond – from local municipalities to state regulators;
~ Stewardship of the lake and watershed for now and as investment in its future;
~ Advocate for the proper and safe regulation of the waterlevel on the local and state level to ensure healthy fisheries, connectivity with trout streams in spring, safe recreation, address flooding during rain events, serve as a reservoir for drier summer months;
~ Proper management and maintenance of the Manchaug Pond Dam;
~ Ensure the correct use of Manchaug Pond through the promotion of safe boating practices;
~ Safe and appropriate public access through the state boat ramp
~ Healthy fisheries and wildlife habitat.
~ Appropriate and safe public access and use of Manchaug Pond
~Protection and reduction in invasive species both aquatic and throughout the watershed
~ More climate resilient communities that address flooding, drought and heat.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our strategies for achieving the goals, are as follows:
~ Protect water quality through science, education, and advocacy initiatives;
~ Build climate resiliency around the lake and throughout the watershed to head off impacts to water quality through initiative that mitigate impacts of stormwater runoff and pollution in the watershed;
~ Inspire youth and community members through a growing education initiative, community outreach through citizen science and stewardship program, and participation in the local high school internship program;
~ Preserve lake habitat for healthy fisheries; connectivity with watershed streams for preservation of trout populations; neighboring coves and wetlands through advocacy for proper spring and summer waterlevels;
~ Protect priority habitat within the conservation property for endangered salamander species.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Highlights of our capabilities include:
~ Over 50 years serving in advocacy and action as the voice of Manchaug Pond;
~ Solid volunteer base to execute objectives;
~ Strong relationship with local municipalities leaders and boards;
~ Partnerships with regional organizations including Blackstone River Coalition, Blackstone River Watershed Association, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor; Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition, Central Massachusetts Coalition of Lakes and Ponds, and the North American Lake Management Society;
~ Partnerships with local schools: public, regional technical, and private;
- Ownership of the flowrights in both Douglas and Sutton;
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Dam & Water Level Preservation
Ongoing ~ MAINTENANCE: Working with the Town of Sutton as to the water level and dam needs to ensure public access and safety, flood control, invasive species control, recreation and aesthetics and healthy fisheries and ecosystems.
2012 ~ DAM OWNERSHIP: Successfully identified, negotiated, and secured an owner for the Manchaug Pond Dam ensuring the future preservation of Manchaug Pond, a public great pond of the Commonwealth. In August 2012, ownership of the dam was transferred to the Town of Sutton from Interface Global with a $350,000 donation to be held in a dam maintenance fund for future needs.
2010 ~ FLOW RIGHTS: Received the flow rights to Manchaug Pond in Douglas and Sutton from Interface Global with the deed now held by Manchaug Pond Foundation.
Water Quality
Ongoing ~ ON-LAKE TESTING AND MONITORING: In 2015 and 2020, renewed and expanded decades-long on-lake water quality testing program which now includes testing for water clarity, phosphorus, nitrates, and cyanobacteria.
Ongoing ~ WATERSHED TESTING AND MONITORING As part of the Blackstone River Coalition Watershed-Wide Volunteer Water Quality Testing with over a decade of data, we provide volunteers in the field and in the laboratory.
Ongoing~ WEED WATCHERS AQUATIC PLANT SURVEY TEAMS: A trained team of volunteers annually survey Manchaug Pond in a 50 plus point grid identifying all submerged aquatic plants. With non-native invasives, early detection, identification and eradication is the goal!
Ongoing ~ WATERSHED-WIDE CLEANUP EVENTS & SURVEYS: Every spring and fall, a cleanup event led by the Board of Directors with members and friends from the greater community is held cleaning the roadsides, state ramp and shoreline of litter and sources of further contamination.
2020 ~ EPA/DEP S. 319 NPS POLLUTION GRANT AWARD: Secured a third grant award of $225,190 to address sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus loading from the watershed and bacteria from hobby farms.
2014-2016 ~ EPA/DEP S. 319 NPS POLLUTION GRANT AWARD: Secured a second award of $208,525 to make water quality improvements and educate residents and users.
2007-10 ~ EPA/DEP S. 319 NPS POLLUTION GRANT AWARD: Secured and completed our first water quality grant of $219,370. Seven locations were addressed with stormwater BMPs at the public access boat ramp, along private and public roadsides.
Safe Boating & Public Access
Ongoing ~ VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS: Annual event held at the State Boat Ramp. A certified examiner provides one-on-one inspection of boats and education of boaters as to equipment needs, rules and regulations, as well as boating and navigating tips.
1990 ~ TOWN MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RAMP: Secured town management of the state-owned public access ramp.
Watershed Conservation
2013 ~ MANCHAUG POND OVERLOOK/BEATON FARM ACQUISITION: 100 acres of prime watershed property saved from development as part of a Chapter 61 acquisition with the town of Sutton and purchase from the owner.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
MANCHAUG POND FOUNDATION, INC.
Board of directorsas of 10/18/2023
Mrs. Phyllis Charpentier
Phyllis Charpentier
Paul Eklund
Joan McCowan
William Cosenza
Laura Burgess
David Schmidt
Martina Jo Henry
Brett Swenson
Pamela Nydam
Myrna Giberson
Rae Johnson
David Schwenke
Roger Peck
Linda Nunes
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 06/11/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.