Author: Taryn McBryde

North Atlantic Right Whale
Island Science, Nantucket History & People

Standing up for the North Atlantic Right Whale

For more than 45 years Jean Rioux has advocated for the North Atlantic Right Whale and legislation to protect it. She has spent countless summers set up day and night on Main Street or Federal Street offering education, facts, and ways to help. Jean has collected thousands of signatures and shared her passion with each person signing. When COVID-19 struck the island last year, Jean was undeterred.

Culture Clash
Nantucket Essays

Culture Clash

The big red sign said “Stop! Don’t come in! Stay Outside!”

So she came in.

Lily was picking up sandwiches and drinks and cookies. Lily was wearing a darling beach coverup with tassels and little silvery beads. Her sandals didn’t exactly match, but they didn’t clash either. They were cute. And she was receiving a text.

Lily didn’t deserve to get yelled at. She thought.

Swamp rose mallow
Exploring Nantucket, Island Science

The Results Are In

The results of the 2021 Nantucket Land Council and Linda Loring Nature Foundation BioBlitz are in and we’re sharing some highlights and interesting observations from this highly successful exploration of nature on Nantucket!

For those who didn’t read the earlier article (yesterdaysisland.com/take-the- 2021-bioblitz-challenge/), a BioBliz is basically a mad dash in a specified area to catalog as many species as possible. The 2021 NLC/LLNF BioBlitz sought to document the biodiversity of Nantucket during the month of July—a perfect month for a BioBlitz.

Concerts to Make You Smile & to Rekindle Hope
Nantucket Events

Concerts to Make You Smile & to Rekindle Hope

Best of the Beach will bring some of the best moments from past Boston Pops on Nantucket concerts into the homes of viewers to enjoy this Saturday, August 14 at 8pm EST. Produced by Nantucket’s own Yellow Productions, the program will feature highlights from past celebrations of The Boston Pops […]

Nantucket Essays

The Oldest Member

They brought the Oldest Member down to the beach after his nap. He didn’t want to go.
They were all there and he knew why.
The Oldest Member was turning 98 today. The number was absurd, as is any number over 75. His mother had had the consideration to give birth during the month of August, so that his family always had a good reason to visit when the water was warm, the surf was high, and tomatoes were plump. Had the great blessed stork visited her a few months earlier, and had he been born in March, he suspected that his birthday would not be quite so well attended.

Escape to Nature and Find Serenity
Exploring Nantucket, Island Science

Escape to Nature and Find Serenity

According to the great authority known as social media, the Nantucket population at the onset of August was somewhere between 90,000 and 100,000 people. I cannot imagine that our island can hold that many people!

If you try finding a parking spot, a restaurant reservation, or a babysitter, you know that those numbers might be accurate. Reports of water use, electricity use, and empty shelves at the grocery store all point to lots and lots of people on the island.

Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket
Nantucket Events, What's New on Nantucket

Teaching Kids about Island Wildlife Rescue

There were some budding young marine biologists out on ‘Sconset Beach in recent weeks. Armed with binoculars, clip boards, and tape measures, they are learning how to collect and record data for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, assess the health of seals on the beach, and help the public understand the “do’s and don’ts” around marine mammals we share the shore with. And some of them are only five-years-old!!