Through the efforts of board members from Friends of Sengekontacket, 51 colorful new signs promoting Carry In/Carry Out policies at Sengekontacket Pond and State Beach are now posted along the roads and shores of those locations.

The posters were designed by students in the third through sixth grades at the Edgartown and Oak Bluffs schools and entered into a contest. Winning images were chosen from each class at both schools and then laminated as signs. In addition to being on view at the beaches, the posters are displayed in the town libraries, on the Steamship Authority ferries or at Friends of Sengekontacket events throughout the summer. Every student who made a poster received a coupon for one free hour of kayaking or paddleboarding from Island Spirit Kayaking, donated by Friends of Sengekontacket board member Chick Stapleton.

The Tisbury School, Chilmark School, West Tisbury School and the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School have all participated in extended Carry In/Carry Home Project activities, which has included board member Betsy Dripps visiting classrooms to engage students in a science lesson related to beaches and ponds. Discussions have included climate change, beach erosion and why carry in/carry out policies are important for all creatures.

This effort was supported by a grant from the Edey Foundation.