Aquatic ecosystems are important regulators of global greenhouse gas budgets, comprising roughly half of the world's methane (CH4) emissions. Inland waters remain the largest uncertainty in global CH4 budgets, which is in part due to the large but variable proportion of CH4 emitted from small waterbodies, or ponds. Here, we tackle two major questions related to pond GHG budgets: (1) what is the seasonal variability in pond CH4 emissions, and (2) can carbon sequestration offset CH4 emissions? We studied GHG emissions and carbon burial in a set of experimental ponds at Cornell University. Despite high rates of carbon sequestration in their sediments, we found that ponds were net emitters of GHGs due to high CH4 emissions. To reduce GHG emissions from human-made ponds, future research should focus on factors that reduce CH4 production or release. This WRI-funded project has catalyzed new research grants to focus on GHG emissions and carbon sequestration in ponds and wetlands around New York State.