Acadia

https://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acadia_National_Park Acadia National Park is a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast recreation area primarily on Maine's Mount Desert Island. Its landscape is marked by woodland, rocky beaches and glacier-scoured granite peaks such as Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the United States’ East Coast. Among the wildlife are moose, bear, whales and seabirds. The bayside town of Bar Harbor, with restaurants and shops, is a popular gateway. Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million visits a year, it's one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. Visitors enjoy 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads. From Boston take I-95 north to Augusta, Maine, then Route 3 east to Ellsworth, and on to Mount Desert Island. For an alternate route, continue on I-95 north to Bangor, Maine, then take I-395 to U.S. Route 1A east to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take Route 3 to Mount Desert Island. Hulls Cove Visitor Center Located close to Bar Harbor off Route 3, the Hulls Cove Visitor Center is Acadia’s main visitor contact station and transportation hub from May into October. It is a popular, and often crowded, first stop for many visitors. It is adjacent to an entrance for the park's iconic 27-mile Park Loop Road and it serves as a key stop for several routes on the fare-free Island Explorer bus system. From a large parking lot, visitors must climb 52 steps to the main entrance. There is a separate accessible entrance. Located off ME 3 in Hulls Cove (just north of Bar Harbor) Hulls Cove Visitor Center is at the top of the hill above the large parking lots. An accessible entrance is also available. Islesford Historical Museum The Islesford Historical Museum is expected to reopen in 2021 showcasing both the upgrades and a community-curated exhibit helping to tell the stories of the Cranberry Isles. Accessible only by boat, Islesford Historical Museum is located to the left of the Town Pier in Islesford. Schoodic Institute Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall The Schoodic Institute Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall is located on Schoodic Peninsula off the one-way loop road. Exhibits about the old Navy base and park information can be found here. Rockefeller Welcome Center is located in the Schoodic District of Acadia. Follow ME 186 into Winter Harbor, and follow signs for the Schoodic Education and Research Center. Take Schoodic Loop Road to Arey Cove Drive, and take your first right onto Acadia Drive. Take your second left onto Atterbury Circle to park in the small parking lot. Schoodic Woods Campground Ranger Station Information, Camping, Island Explorer buses, and park passes. Located on the Schoodic Peninsula, this campground is 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Winter Harbor. Access to the campground is from Schoodic Loop Drive off ME 186. Sieur de Monts Nature Center Sieur de Monts Nature Center has visitor services, hiking information, and interactive exhibits. It acts as a trailhead for many hiking trails starting in the Sieur de Monts area. Park rangers are present during the spring, summer, and fall months. Sieur de Monts Nature Center can be accessed from Park Loop Road as well as ME 3 (Main Street) south of Bar Harbor. Follow park signs. Thompson Island Information Center Thompson Island Information Center is located off Route 3 on a small island between the mainland and Mount Desert Island. It is a small, seasonal facility usually staffed by a park ranger and local chamber of commerce representative. Park passes are available for purchase here. Thompson Island is located along Route 3 just south of Trenton. Take Maine Route 3 south from Ellsworth and follow signs on the causeway. The information center parking is on the right and picnic area on the left. Parking at this location is limited to 1-hour parking from the second weekend in May to the Sunday after Columbus Day in October. Overnight parking is prohibited year round. Village Green Information Center Village Green Information Center provides park information, park entrance passes, and access to Island Explorer shuttle buses in downtown Bar Harbor. Located near the Village Green in Bar Harbor, the visitor center is on Firefly Lane. Winter Information: Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce During winter and spring, the park shares winter visitor operations with the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 2 Cottage Street, at the corner of Cottage and Main streets (GPS coordinates = 44.398633, -68.204933). Hours are 8 am to 4 pm weekdays. There will be early closure at 3 pm the day before Thanksgiving Nov 22 and noon on Dec. 31, and full-day holiday closures on Nov 23, Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 26, and Jan 1. Telephone operations continue at (207) 288-3338 during regular hours, except holidays. 2 Cottage Street, at the corner of Cottage and Main streets (GPS coordinates = 44.398633, -68.204933). Blackwoods Campground Blackwoods Campground is located on the east side of Mount Desert Island, about 5 miles (8 km) south of Bar Harbor on Route 3. All sites at Blackwoods are wooded and within a 10-minute walk of the ocean. The majority of Blackwoods' sites are for small and large tents; other sites can accommodate travelers with RVs. Flush toilets, running water, and a dump station are provided, as are picnic tables and fire rings. Roads are paved. Group Tent Only Area - Non-electric 60.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for Group Tent Only Area - Non-electric sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. RV Non-electric 30.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for RV Non-electric sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. Tent Only Non-electric 30.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for tent-only sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. Blackwoods Campground Ranger Station A wooden building with a flag pole and signs Blackwoods Campground Amphitheater Wooden amphitheater stage with wooden benches Park rangers host programs at the amphitheater during peak season Island Explorer bus stop Wooden bus stop shelter Campers can ride free Island Explorer shuttle buses to access areas of the park Duck Harbor Campground Duck Harbor Campground is located on Isle au Haut, a rugged island off the coast of Stonington, Maine. This campground has five sites with lean-to shelters and is a great launch point for paddling excursions. Remote and inaccessible to automobiles, Isle au Haut is linked to the mainland by mailboat. Tent/Shelter Non-Electric 20.00 Fee/per night maximum number of people: 6 Isle au Haut Wayfinding Junction A park ranger and three other adults stand by a wood wayside with area information and directions You can paddle to your site, or walk in from this trailhead. Schoodic Woods Campground Schoodic Woods Campground is the newest campground in the park and located 1.5 miles (2.5 km) southeast of Winter Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula. It is approximately 60-70 minutes from Bar Harbor and other areas of Mount Desert Island. Hike-In Site 22.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for hike-in sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. RV Electric and Water 40.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for RV Electric and Water sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. Standard Electric 30.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for Standard Electric sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. Tent Only Electric 30.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for Tent Only Electric sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground Group Tent Site 60.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for Group Tent Only sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. RV Electric No Water 36.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for RV Electric No Water sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. Schoodic Woods Ranger Station A wooden ranger station building with an A-frame style entrance Campers begin their stay by checking in at Schoodic Woods Ranger Station Group Camping at Schoodic Woods Campground A grassy clearing with four tents and people gathered around picnic tables in the background Pitch some tents with your large group at Schoodic Woods group sites Parking Lot for hike-in campsites A gravel parking area Campers with hike-in sites can park and walk to their campsite Schoodic Woods Campground Restrooms Grey and brown building with restroom facilities One of the campground restroom buildings Seawall Campground Seawall Campground is located on the west side of Mount Desert Island about 4 miles (6 km) south of Southwest Harbor. The campground is approximately 18 miles from Bar Harbor. All sites at Seawall are within a short walking distance of the coastline. RV Non-electric 30.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for RV Non-electric sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. Buy your Acadia National Park pass online. Group Tent Only Area - Non-electric 60.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for Group Tent Only Area - Non-electric sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. Buy your Acadia National Park pass online. Standard Non-electric 30.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for Standard Non-electric sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. Buy your Acadia National Park pass online. Tent Only Non-electric 30.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for tent-only sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. Buy your Acadia National Park pass online. Walk-in 22.00 This is the nightly/daily rate for walk-in camping sites. Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. Buy your Acadia National Park pass online. Seawall Campground Ranger Station A wooden building with a flag pole and signs Seawall Amphitheater A group of people sit on benches facing a park ranger in front of a wood stage with a lit screen Attend an evening ranger program at the campground amphitheater. Acadia's rocky coastline Large puffy clouds dot a brilliant blue sky as wave crash against the rocky coastline of Acadia. Millions of people come to Acadia for our distinctive rocky coastline. Heavy snow-laden trees Hiking tracks carved through three feet of snow wind through a heavy snow-laden forest. During the colder months snows transform our landscape into a winter wonderland. Sunset atop Cadillac Mountain A brilliant sunset filled with hues of blue, red, orange, magenta, and purple highlight the sky. As the tallest point on the eastern seaboard Cadillac Mountain provides fantastic viewpoints. Climbing The Precipice Two hikers ascend a sheer cliff trail by way of historic iron rung ladders. Whether it's a stroll along Ocean Path or a difficult ascent up The Precipice, there are hiking trails for everyone! Riding the Winds: Hawk Watch in Acadia National Park 2019 Acadia National Park annually participates in a Hawk Watch to document the migration of raptors as they pass over Cadillac Mountain. The Hawk Watch is conducted in partnership with the Schoodic Institute and is one of over 300 sites across North America that identify and quantify migratory raptors including hawks, osprey, eagles and falcons. Invasive Plant Profile: Japanese Barberry Japanese barberry can create an environment that is perfect for the black-legged tick, or deer tick (Ixodes scapularis), the vector for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Japanese barberry is actively managed at Acadia National Park through removal from the landscape to help reduce tick numbers. Invasive Japanese barberry showing flowers and leaves Invasive Plant Profile: Glossy Buckthorn Glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula L.), is an invasive shrub species that has taken over the understories of many North American forests and wetlands. This prolific shrub has invaded several of Acadia’s diverse bogs, swamps, and forests. Mature plant with green leaves and berries Monitoring for Emerald Ash Borer in Acadia National Park Acadia National Park and adjacent landowners are monitoring for emerald ash borer (EAB) using girdled trap trees, a tool used to detect this highly invasive forest insect pest. Employee peels bark off ash tree to set a trap Invasive Plant Profile: Morrow's Honeysuckle Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) is an invasive plant species managed at Acadia National Park. Morrow’s honeysuckle is most problematic in old fields and new forests at Acadia including outlying islands, abandoned fields, and old waste sites. Orange fruits on an invasive plant History of Hulls Cove Visitor Center Hulls Cove Visitor Center, a familiar place for many, is a standing representative of the change Acadia has witnessed in the last three decades. Historic photograph of stone steps The Life of a Tide Pool in Acadia A story about the dynamic life of a tide pool at Acadia National Park. A tide pool in Acadia Explorers for Bats Most scientists are not rock climbers, and vice-versa, but the two groups work together to study a unique type of animal: bats! As white-nose syndrome spreads across the United States and impacts bat populations, rock climbers who visit national parks are becoming key members of the research teams tasked with protecting threatened and endangered bat species. View a 13-minute video which highlights these efforts. person climbs sheer rock face Planning for the Future of the Dragonfly Mercury Project Article on the 2019 Dragonfly Mercury Project steering committee meeting at Rocky Mountain National Park. People searching a pond with nets. Asian shore crab discovered by a middle school citizen scientist in Acadia National Park A middle school-aged citizen scientist made a grim, yet significant discovery in an intertidal area near the edge of Little Moose Island near Winter Harbor, Maine. It is believed to be among the first confirmed reports of an invasive Asian shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) within Acadia National Park. molted shell of an Asian shore crab Shark Awareness Before heading into the ocean, review some safety information to further minimize the chances of a shark encounter. Shark and fish in the blue ocean waters Behind the Scenes: Taking care of bats and park rangers Park rangers use this hollow bridge to practice effective and efficient evacuation of employees who might get injured performing work in a confined space. The park is also researching whether this confined space for humans is good habitat for bats. Working on a hollow bridge in Acadia National Park NETN Species Spotlight - Your Flowers, Shrubs, and Plants Native species - birds, insects, plants, etc - need our help. When planning your yard layout, consider adding some valuable native plants to the mix. Red maple flowers Essential Acadia: Top 5 Things To Know Before Visiting Whether this is your first visit to Acadia, or you've been coming with your family for generations, check out this list to learn the latest. Family standing on rocky shoreline with trees, a beach, and mountain behind them. NETN Species Spotlight - Wild Turkey Wild Turkeys are one of the most iconic species in America. They have a long, and as it turns out, mythic history. Wild Tom Turkey. Wayne Dumbleton. NETN Species Spotlight - Hermit Thrush The Hermit Thrush's ethereal song is a mainstay of summers in the Northeastern U.S. But climate change could mean its song will only be heard north of the border if warming continues unabated. A Hermit Thrush perches on the forest floor. Video: Landscape inspires Sue Charles to give something back to Acadia Sue Charles says she was first drawn to apply for the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park as a way to give something back to the park for its work to conserve a special landscape. “For a painter, it’s a really beautiful place to paint." Woman in apron and ball cap holds a paint brush while standing at an easel in a coastal landscape National Park Forests - More Than a Pretty Picture A study led by NETN shows that eastern National Park forests hold greater complexity and ecosystem function that the surrounding forest. A forest tech measures the size of a tree. Birthday Greetings On February 26, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson signed a Presidential Proclamation to establish Grand Canyon and Lafayette (now Acadia) as national parks. We celebrate the concurrent birthdays of two places that unite America, and the vision of her leaders ninety-nine years ago. A receding series of silhouetted cliffs and ridgelines bathed in late afternoon light. Species Spotlight - Red Crossbill The Red Crossbillis one of the most unique and specialized birds of North America. Learn about their traits and habits, and how you may encounter a flock of them during this irruption year. . A Red Crossbill sits on a conifer tree. State of Maine, National Park Service, and Local Partnerships Provide Community Wildland Fire Protection The highly collaborative fuels reduction work on Bakers Island, Acadia National Park, restored defensible space for the historic lighthouse and keeper’s house and created an aesthetically pleasing, historically accurate landscape. The successful outcome and excellent safety record of the project was a direct result of the planning that went into it. America’s National Parks Help Heal My PTSD Retired Airforce TSgt. Jennifer Norris recounts how her travels to national parks help her cope with PTSD. She shares her story so that you may also find ways to heal in national parks. Woman wearing a while floral dress and yellow sweater standing outdoors. Bat Projects in Parks: Acadia National Park Acadia National Park is playing a key role in the conservation of certain bat species. A panoramic view of Acadia National Park at sunrise Citizen Science in the Digital Age With well over 100 citizen-science based apps now available for smartphones, there is no lack of opportunity for people of all ages and affectations to significantly add to the collective knowledge base about many aspects of the natural world. The phrase “there is an app for that” has perhaps never been more true for natural resource monitoring. Students use microscopes to identify pond species at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP Bioblitz. National Park Service Visitor and Resource Protection Staff Focuses on Week of Leadership Staff from all levels of the National Park Service in law enforcement, United States Park Police, as well as fire and aviation spent a week learning leadership lessons from one another as well as from a diverse group of leaders during the last week of September 2019. A group of women and men on a rocky outcrop in high desert. Only Class 1 e-Bikes Allowed on Acadia's Carriage Roads Class 1 e-bikes are now allowed where traditional bicycles are allowed in Acadia National Park, consistent with NPS Policy Memorandum 19-01 on Electric Bicycles. The speed limit on carriage roads and Schoodic bike paths have been reduced from 25 mph to 20 mph to ensure the safety of all users. Island Explorer buses and Bike Express trailers are not transporting eBikes at this time due to load limitations. Graphic for eBike Around the country with the monarch butterfly It's about to begin! What parks will the monarchs amazing journey take them? A mock monarch selfie at Ozakrs National Scenic Riverways Video: Jenn Booher's Artist-in-Residency Helps Her Walk Entire Mount Desert Island Coastline Jenn Booher is in the midst of a multi-year, multimedia project to chronicle every step of her "Coast Walk," a quest to experience the entire coastline of Mount Desert Island, including vast portions of Acadia National Park. By summer 2018, she estimated she had covered about 20 miles of what will be a 120-mile journey. "The public access that the park provides is just an amazing resource." Woman crouching in green hoodie looks across island coastline Video: Harlan Butt suggests Artist-in-Residence programs can transform work of participants Harlan W. Butt is considered one of the world’s premier contemporary enamelists. Over the span of his forty-year career, his techniques have transformed expectations of the medium. "I just think the whole idea of the artist-in-residence program is an amazing opportunity for artists," he said during his stay at Acadia National Park in June 2018. "It can be a real fundamental part of how they're making their work, and what they're doing with it." Man sits at table with tools and art elements laid before him NETN Species Spotlight - Ruby-throated Hummingbird The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only bird of that species that makes its home east of the Mississippi. Learn more about this remarkable bird. A hummingbird feeds on a flower Park Air Profiles - Acadia National Park Air quality profile for Acadia National Park. Gives specific information about air quality and air pollution impacts for Acadia NP as well as the studies and monitoring conducted for Acadia NP. Scenic coastal view at Acadia National Park Army Couple Visits 59 National Parks When you’re a dual-military couple, it can be a challenge to try to find things to do together, especially when you’re at separate duty stations or on deployment. For one Army couple, what started out as a simple idea to get out of the house turned into a five-year adventure. Couple standing in front of The Windows at Arches National Park. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Acadia National Park, Maine Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. coastline and forest NETN Species Spotlight: Monarch Butterfly The monarch butterfly is a majestic insect. Mimicry, migration, and metamorphosis all help to make it the true king of butterflies. But it's numbers have been dropping dramatically in recent years. Learn more about this amazing species and how you can help to save it. Monarch butterfly on a Meadow Blazing Star plant NETN Species Spotlight: Japanese Knotweed Japanese knotweed is a very robust invasive plant species. Learn why it spreads so readily outside of its native Japan, and how the NPS and other groups are trying to control it. Japanese knotweed plant NETN Species Spotlight: Acorn Barnacle Barnacles may at first glance appear to have the most boring of lives. But dig a little deeper into these crafty crustaceans, and you'll learn they are among the most fascinating of seashore creatures. Barnacle feeding close-up NETN Species Spotlight - Northern Short-tailed Shrew The northern short-tailed shrew seems like an impossible mash-up of different creatures. From venomous saliva to echolocation, this tiny predator employs many tactics to satiate an endless appetite. Short-tailed Shrew PARKS...IN...SPAAAACE!!! NASA astronauts have quite literally an out-of-this-world view of national parks and take some pretty stellar pictures to share. Travel along with the space station on its journey west to east getting the extreme bird’s eye view of national parks across the country. And one more down-to-earth. View of Denali National Park & Preserve from space Repointing Acadia's Historic Carriage Road Bridges In 2019, masons from Acadia National Park and the NPS Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) worked to clean and repoint the historic carriage road bridges of Acadia National Park. Follow along as this article acts a diary of the project and the meticulous work by these talented men and women. green trees surround a stone arched bridge Citizen Science and the National Parks: An Old Idea is New Again Citizen scientists look for insects during a BioBlitz as they inventory biodiversity in Acadia National Park. NPS Photo Citizen scientists look for insects during a BioBlitz. Cultural Connections in the Park Though Acadia is well known for its landscapes and natural history, it also has many rich layers of significant cultural history. Wabanaki people have lived here for as long as 10,000 years, and many continue to call this place home, or feel connected to it from afar. The "Cultural Connections in the Park" program hosts free public events every Wednesday from late June through September that feature artists and performers from Wabanaki culture. Geo Neptune The Positive Side of Zero For something that essentially represents "nothingness", the number zero carries a lot of weight when collecting data. a stone zero What’s the Buzz? How Bees Interrelate with Birds, Wildflowers, and Deer Ecosystems are complex and intricate and sometimes have a surprising web of relationships. Learn how deer, bees, birds, and wildflowers connect in the park ecosystems of the northeast. A bee pollinates a wildflower Wild, Wacky, and Weird Weather. What the? A look at the difference between weather and climate. A Vermont blizzard. NETN Species Spotlight - Fisher The fisher is a very capable predator of northeastern forests. Learn about the ways this large member of the weasel family makes its living. A large male fisher sitting Species Spotlight - Crazy Snakeworm Because of the scouring action of the ice age, earthworms are not native to the northeast. One species in particular, the crazy snake worm, has the potential to greatly alter the natural forest ecosystems in our region. An earthworm held in a person's hand Species Spotlight - Giant Hogweed Giant hogweed is a particularly nasty intruder across much of the country. Find out how the NPS looks for it in parks, and what to do if you spot one in your yard. A person is dwarfed by a giant hogweed plant. Restoring and Maintaining Cultural Landscapes and Defensible Space with Fire From June 2012 to June 2013, Acadia NP fire staff performed mechanical and prescribed fire fuels projects on Baker Island to provide defensible space and restore and maintain the park's cultural landscape. The work provided the opportunity for the park, fire departments, and park partners to collaborate, communicate, and develop cohesive working relations that will prove valuable on future projects and wildfire response. NETN Species Spotlight - Eastern Coyote The eastern coyote is a new predator on the scene. But where did it come from and why is it so much larger than its western cousins? Learn about how this animal came to be and the important ecological niches it is filling in the Northeast. A coyote stares at the camera. Curriculum Connections: Making the Most of National Park Experiences Developing curriculum-based programs is the cornerstone for a solid foundation for park education programs. Providing relevant resource-based experiences for people of all ages will ensure a continuum of opportunities for citizens to support their own learning objectives through the national parks and to find meaning in their national treasures. Offering curriculum-based programs, especially for school age children will help foster stewardship. Carriage roads at Acadia National Park. NPS Photo Rehabilitating Historic Fire Pits at Acadia's Seawall Campground Learn about how the talented masons of Acadia National Park work to restore historic fire pits in Seawall Campground. A granite fire pit surrounded by tools Non-Invasive Archeological Investigations at Saint Croix Island International Historic Site During the first week of August 2017 the Northeast Region Archaeology Program (NRAP) joined staff and volunteers from Saint Croix Island International Historic Site (SACR) and Acadia National Park (ACAD) to conduct high resolution geophysical surveys across the actively eroding southern half of Saint Croix Island, the location of one of the earliest first French settlements in North America (1604). Staff and volunteers pose with archeological equipment, outdoors. Be an Acadia Bark Ranger The Bark Ranger program teaches dog owners about the importance of following the Rules of B.A.R.K. while visiting Acadia. Dogs completing this short program can be sworn in as Bark Rangers and their owners will be eligible to purchase a special Bark Ranger collar tag at the Eastern National Bookstore at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Park ranger and large dog sit together on a bench Indicators and standards of quality for viewing the night sky in the national parks Night skies are an increasingly important but rapidly disappearing resource in many national parks, and this article describes a program of research to guide formulation of visitor-based indicators and standards for managing stargazing at Acadia National Park. Image of dark night sky over Acadia National Park, Maine Video: Science inspires art by Elizabeth Hubler-Torrey As an artist who creates paintings and sculptures inspired by recent research in science, conservation, and climate change, Elizabeth Hubler-Torrey knew that participating in an Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park, with 60 miles of protected shoreline, would be a perfect fit for her. In the summer of 2017, she spent several weeks immersed in the surroundings at the Schoodic Institute. Elizabeth Hubler-Torrey National Park Getaway: Acadia National Park From the breathtaking, panoramic views atop Cadillac Mountain to the charm and mystique of the outer islands, Acadia National Park has something for everyone. Sun setting over flat water with rocks in the foreground and trees in the distance. Lessons Learned from a Decade of Forest Health Monitoring in NETN After more than 10 years of monitoring forest health in NETN parks, plant ecologist Kate Miller shares here knowledge and insights and current forest conditions and tips on long term forest management. A forest glade Acadia's Historic Carriage Roads Forty-five miles of rustic carriage roads, the gift of philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and family, weave around the mountains and valleys of Acadia National Park. Constructed from 1913 to 1940 Rockefeller's love of road building ensured a state-of-the-art system of roads with sweeping vistas and close-up views of the landscape. Renovations at Hulls Cove Visitor Center Hulls Cove Visitor Center, the main visitor contact facility at Acadia National Park, underwent big interior changes in the winter of 2019. Upgraded restrooms and a better arrangement for getting information, buying entrance passes, and learning about the park will help this 1960s facility better serve the public. The movie theater was removed and park store expanded. A person looks at maps and art on a wall; 'explore' sign above George Bucknam Dorr and Cultural Landscapes of Acadia National Park George B. Dorr first visited Mount Desert Island in Maine with his family in 1868. In his adult years, he devoted much of his time and personal wealth to the establishment, care, and expansion of what is now known as Acadia National Park. The Sieur de Monts Spring area is one of the landscapes that symbolizes his contributions and enthusiasm for the park's creation. A man in a suit and tie, with crossed arms, wears a thick mustache. Black and white image. Bat Population Monitoring at Acadia National Park Biologists at Acadia National Park are studying bats to better understand how white-nose syndrome is affecting local populations. A number of different techniques are used to monitor bats including radio-telemetry and the use of acoustic detectors. Monitoring since 2008 indicates that the disease has dramatically reduced the abundance of some species. Eastern small-footed bat emerging from a rock crevice. NETN Field Note: Deer, Worms, and Invasives When too many deer, earthworms, and invasive plant species work i concert, detrimental effects happen to the health of northeastern forests. Forest health monitoring NETN Species Spotlight - Turkey and Black Vultures Vultures have the thankless job of cleaning the environment up of dead animal carcasses. Learn how they are able to do it without getting sick from deadly bacteria. Close-up of a Black Vulture. Doug Greenberg. NETN Species Spotlight - Sharp-shinned Hawk About the size of a Blue-Jay, Sharp-shinned Hawks are aerial acrobats and are the smallest of three North American agile hawks known as the accipiters (ah-sip-it-ers). Learn more about this amazing and oft misunderstood hawk. Sharp-shinned Hawk perched on a branch A History of the Acadia's Island Explorer Implemented in 1999, the Island Explorer includes 17 clean-fuel, propane buses that run on seven routes and efficiently link the hotels, motels, and campgrounds of the area with park attractions and the Bar Harbor Airport. The shuttle buses have bicycle racks and provide full access for disabled passengers. The Island Explorer runs from the end of June through the middle of October, and each route runs on its own pre-established schedule. NETN Species Spotlight - Snowshoe Hare Snowshoe hare are perfectly adapted to their cold, snow environments. Even so, a warming climate and a complex predator/prey relationship has a large influence on their overall population. The enormous hind feet of snowshoe hare. Do Not Disturb: Please Enjoy Acadia's Snowy Owls From A Distance As exciting as it is to see these amazing birds, observers should keep in mind that a snowy owl has traveled thousands of miles to get to Acadia National Park. Birdwatchers and photographers should keep their distance to avoid stressing or flushing the bird. You will know you’re too close if the bird reacts to your presence in any way. Profile view of the head of a snowy owl Keep Your Distance: Porcupine Leaves Lasting Impression An unexpected encounter with a porcupine on Cadillac Mountain, and the response of the community afterwards, left an indelible impression on Alexandria Zboyovski and her husky Bane during a visit to Acadia in December 2018. Husky sits in foreground with early morning light on mountains in distance Were You in the Job Corps at Acadia National Park? 1966-1969 Job Corps was initiated in a few select parks with the goal of providing “a hand up, rather than a hand-out” to an underemployed, urban workforce from African American and other communities of color during the 1960s. Unlike the CCC, Job Corps was racially integrated and included the goal of providing education and vocational skills. 3 job corps workers installing directional sign, black and white image Here's Why Even Nice Dogs Must Stay On A Leash in Acadia The owner of two domestic dogs running off leash has taken responsibility for the death of a juvenile North America river otter (Lontra canadensis) in Duck Harbor on Isle au Haut in October 2018. Federal regulations require all pets to be restrained on a leash no longer than six feet (2 m). Three otters look out the entrance of a den along a shoreline on Isle au Haut NETN Species Spotlight - Ruffed Grouse Ruffed Grouse have evolved many effective and surprising traits that allow them to survive northeastern winters. Ruffed Grouse displaying Lucas Bobay Seals Need Their Space on Park Shoreline While it may look as if a lone seal is in trouble or has been abandoned, and needs human help, please do not attempt to handle, move, or force seals or seal pups to move. Disturbing or harassing a marine mammal is a federal crime. People who contact seals may be affected by diseases and parasites that are transferable to humans such as strains of herpes, influenza, and tuberculosis. Baby seal between rocks on a public beach in Acadia Wildland Fire: International Cooperation in North Country, Acadia Acadia National Park’s fire managers reached out to meet Roosevelt Campobello International Park’s need for both a wildland fire engine and expertise for its wildland urban interface challenge. The successful completion of a wildland fire engine loan from one agency to another was made possible by the collaboration of individuals from parks in the Northeast Region of the National Park Service. Briefing Statement: Browntail Moth in Acadia Browntail Moth (Euproctis chrysorrhea) caterpillars, now observed on Mount Desert Island, have poisonous hairs that can inflict a nasty rash when outbreaks occur. Report suspicious webs at the tips of branches of host species. Avoid places heavily infested by caterpillars, take a cool shower and change clothes after coming in contact with hairs. Do not dry laundry outside during June and July to avoid hairs that blow on the wind onto your clothing. Uniformed park employee uses pruning tool to trim infested branch Red Pine Scale kills red pine trees at Acadia The invasive red pine scale was detected in Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island in September, 2014. The invasive insect pest has spread throughout the island, killing thousands of red pine trees in its wake. A red pine branch with red pine scale insects. Portraits of Acadia: Dianna McKeage Dianna McKeage, volunteer coordinator at Acadia National Park. Woman in broad brim work hat and gloves holds the wood handle of a trail building tool Portraits of Acadia: Alanna McDonough Alanna McDonough, Friends of Acadia Summit Steward. Read about her work at the top of Cadillac Mountain. Woman in uniform stands in an open vista in falling light Portraits of Acadia: Gail Gladstone Gail Gladstone, cultural resource program manager Woman in uniform holds a tape measure to a stone wall Portraits of Acadia: James Zordan James Zordan, education ranger Uniformed park ranger crouches on grass next to a small pile of interpretive props Portraits of Acadia: Kirk Lurvey Kirk Lurvey, park naturalist Uniformed park ranger uses a laser pointer across night skies Portraits of Acadia: Chris Heilakka Chris Heilakka, biological technician Uniformed biological technician works with equipment at night Ticks in Acadia Through most seasons of the year, visitors taking part in most recreational activities throughout Acadia National Park need to be vigilant about avoiding the risks that ticks pose to them, and their pets. The park has partnered with researchers at the Maine Medical Research Institute, as well as graphic design students at the College of the Atlantic, to better understand and communicate about ticks as a serious public health concern. A small brown tick with black legs crawls beside the yellow head of a pin for size context NETN Species Spotlight - Short-tailed Weasel The short-tailed weasel is as energetic as it is resourceful. It has had a reputation of being both virtuous and vile over the centuries. Find out more about the amazing capabilities of this slender member of the weasel family An ermine in full white. Leaves of Three, Let Them Be Although uncommon, poison ivy is a native plant found throughout Acadia National Park. Usually confined to rocky outcrops, open sunny areas and disturbed sites, poison ivy can be seen in popular visitor use areas such as, the Ocean Path between Sand Beach and Otter Cliffs. gravel path with poison ivy Portraits of Acadia: Sue Violette Sue Violette, Island Explorer bus driver shares her favorite story. Bus driver smiles through windshield Portraits of Acadia: Therese Picard Therese Picard, deputy chief ranger Park rangerf stands beside patrol vehicle Portraits of Acadia: Patrick Kark Patrick Kark, ornithology ranger A bearded ranger wears a ball cap and binoculars Therese Picard, Chief Ranger for Law Enforcement, Acadia National Park Therese Picard is the Chief Ranger for Law Enforcement at Acadia National Park in Maine. Watch the video to learn about her career in the National Park Service. Recorded during the 2020 centennial of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women's access to the ballot, one of the things Therese talks about is how the suffragists inspire her in her work. Screen capture of Therese Picard in front of an emergency vehicle Portraits of Acadia: Irene Schlaefer Irene Schlaefer, maintenance worker at Acadia National Park Woman wearing blue work gloves holds rags and a spray bottle Bats in Acadia Bats are an important part of our ecosystem, providing many benefits for humans. Science helps us understand both resident and migratory bat species and the challenges they face. Update: This video contains sequences in which researchers catch, examine, tag, and release bats as part of ongoing inventory and monitoring studies. During the COVID-19 crisis, this practice has been suspended to avoid any chance of passing disease along to study subjects. A brown hairy bat clings to the bark of a tree trunk Researcher Uses Freshwater Puddles to Study Climate Change Chris Nadeau is a climate change biologist who studies puddles. Puddles of freshwater, known as freshwater rock pools, are an amazing scientific tool. Much like mice are used as a model to understand human medicine, the fascinating diversity of life in freshwater rock pools can serve as a model to understand how biodiversity will be affected by climate change. Foot in hiking shoe rests at the edge of a shallow puddle within large rocks NETN Species Spotlight - Paper Birch The Paper Birch is undeniably a tree of the north woods. Entwined in lore and legend, it has been a key part of ecosystems and cultures since well before the time of the Neanderthals even. Paper birch trees in winter. Video: A Conversation with Andrea Lepcio, Playwright-in-Residence In July 2019, Playwright-in-Residence Andrea Lepcio produced almost a dozen public performances of her site-based play, "What Do We See? What Do We Do?" along the Compass Harbor Trail in Acadia National Park. The piece makes use of the life and home of park founder George Dorr to explore issues surrounding climate change. Video produced by Joseph Philipson and Nathaniel Boechat, Friends of Acadia, NPS. Woman holding a clipboard rests her elbow on the shoulder of a man standing beside her. Jordan Pond House Cultural Landscape The Jordan Pond House site has been a scenic, recreational, and dining destination since the early nineteenth century. The current structure, built in 1982, replaced the original house constructed by the Jordan brothers in 1847. The features and views of the cultural landscape connect many of the distinctive historic characteristics of Acadia National Park. A view from the landscape includes the lawn, tree-encircled Jordan Pond, and the mountains beyond. NETN Species Spotlight - Serviceberry Though it goes by many names, the serviceberry tree is much loved by people and birds alike. Learn more about one of spring's first bloomers and why you should plant one in your yard. Serviceberries ripening. Women in Fire Science: Ellen Frondorf Ellen Frondorf has worked in fire effects monitoring for the National Park Service. She shares her story of work in fire science. A woman in a baseball cap stands in a meadow. Working together to understand change in Acadia Change happens. Seasons turn. Children grow. Technologies make life easier (or maybe more complicated). Friendships mature. Change is happening in our national parks, too. Some of these are good and easy to see, like improvements to trails, new exhibits, and restored streams and wetlands. But many of the changes are ones that can be tough to see or we would rather do without. Fungi on a log. Checklist of Common Native Plants at Acadia The diversity of Acadia is reflected in its plant life; more than 1,100 plant species are found here. This checklist groups the park’s most common plants into the communities where they are typically found. The plant’s growth form is indicated by “t” for trees and “s” for shrubs. To identify unfamiliar plants, consult a field guide or visit the Wild Gardens of Acadia at Sieur de Monts Spring, where more than 400 plants are labeled and displayed in their habitats. Coniferous trees with fog, photo: NPS/Kent Miller. Wetland Restoration at Sieur de Monts In late April through May 2019, Friends of Acadia and Atlantic Resource Co, LLC are assisting Acadia National Park with restoration of the site of a former septic system to a natural forested wetland near the restrooms in the Sieur de Monts parking lot area. The current project will improve the ecological integrity of the Great Meadow wetland complex and help to protect Sieur de Monts Spring. a wetland with large tree on right National Parks Defend America's Coast During World War II Many national park sites joined the war effort in World War II by erecting Aircraft Warning, radio and radar stations. Some historic forts came to life with coastal defenses ready to defend the nation. color photo of explosion atop a fort wall, ocean beyond Unwelcome Guests in Acadia The spread of non-native plants and animals is one of the biggest threats facing natural areas. Non-native species, especially those considered invasive, threaten rich communities of native plants and animals across the United States. In national parks, more than 2.6 million acres of park lands are affected by invasive plant species, and 234 National Park Service areas have invasive animals in need of management. Friends of Acadia volunteer helps remove invasive species. Pollinators - Bumble bee Get the buzz on bumblebees! There are approximately 46 species of bumble bees (genus Bombus) native to North America and 250 species worldwide—all dependent on flowering plants. A bumblebee lands on a white flower Unlikely Siblings February 26th is a day for celebration in Acadia, marking the historic transition of Sieur de Monts National Monument into Lafayette National Park, which eventually became the Acadia we know today. While it is a special day for Acadia, it shares the festivities with a twin in the bonds of "parkhood." Grand Canyon and Acadia national parks in fog. Outside Science (inside parks): Tidepools in Acadia National Park In this episode of Outside Science (inside parks), students explore the tidepools in Acadia National Park. A student holds a sea creature above a tidepool Sea Level Change Over Time on Mount Desert Island One of the most geologically remarkable sites along the Atlantic Coast, Acadia National Park owes it's stunning coastline and rocky, rounded mountain tops to climate change over geologic time. Sea level rise and fall, dictated by a multiple glaciations, helped to shape the park's unique features that serve as pieces of the past that we can explore today. A sea stack rock formation along a cobblestone beach Marine Animals on the Move You may be familiar with heat waves on land, but in a changing, warming world, heat waves are starting to become common in the ocean, too. These changes are bringing warmer currents into the area and, in turn, are shifting what animals we’re seeing inhabit the ocean waters around Acadia National Park. Come learn more about the changes that Acadia and other national parks are going through and what you can do to help. gray seal head in ocean water Invasive Plant Profile: Japanese Knotweed Of all the invasive plant species at Acadia National Park, Japanese Knotweed may be the most unique. Learn about its origin and management at Acadia. A tall stand of Japanese Knotweed by a roadside Acadia's Wildlife Need Dark Skies Around the globe, nocturnal animals are negatively affected by light pollution. The clear night skies in Acadia National Park provide refuge to wildlife who rely on darkness to survive. A starry night sky over a tree lined lake. Conifer Identification at Acadia Use this guide to help identify conifers (fir, spruce, and pine) found across Acadia. Detailed image of Jack Pine tree needles Artists Inspire Creation of Acadia Early artists from the Hudson River School started painting landscapes of this region in the mid 1800's. After exhibiting these paintings, tourists were first drawn to Mount Desert Island and what would eventually become Acadia National Park. Painting by Erik Koeppel Bird Migration and Acadia Learn about the phenomena of bird migration and Acadia National Park's roll in helping birds make their migrations year after year. A Yellow Warbler perched on a branch How Tides Work at Acadia Ever wonder how the ocean can go from deep to shallow in only a few hours? Gravitational force from the sun and moon cause tidal bulges on Earth Invasive Plant Profile: Canada and Bull Thistles Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) and bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), both invasive plants, can be difficult to differentiate to the untrained eye, as they both have those notorious spiked leaves. The Invasive Plant Management Team at Acadia works to remove thistles within the park. A bull thistle half going to seed Hemlock Woolly Adelgids: A New Threat to Acadia Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is a small, invasive pest has wreaked havoc in the forests of the eastern U.S. and Canada, damaging eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) populations, and in turn affecting entire ecosystems. Hand holding an eastern hemlock branch with small, white eggs on it Why do the granite blocks on Mount Desert Island have such rectangular shapes? Explore the several geologic processes that were involved in the creation of Mount Desert Island. pink granite cliffs above shoreline Lichen at Acadia National Park Acadia National Park has an astonishing diversity of lichen life. Multiple organisms living together form unique structures to survive in challenging conditions. Bright red and green british soldier lichen on log Moose and Bear in Acadia? It’s less likely than you think. Are there moose or bear in Acadia? Learn why it can be difficult to see either of these charismatic megafauna in the park. a young black bear peaking up from some shrubs Acadia's North American Beaver: The Ultimate Keystone Species Acadia National Park's North American Beaver: The Ultimate Keystone Species Front view of a beaver Beneath the Ice How do reptiles and amphibians live through Acadia National Park's harsh winters? view of the ocean coast through snow covered trees Gulf of Maine Acadia National Park protects coastal areas and islands in the Gulf of Maine. Learn how climate change is shaping the future of this diverse ocean ecosystem. Rocky forested coastline next to bright blue ocean What Am I Swimming With? What am I Swimming With? Have you ever wondered what might be living in the waters that you enjoy swimming in? Small Mountains, Big Dreams The granite mountains of Acadia National Park are a challenging place for life to flourish, but despite all the challenges, life still finds a way. A view from a granite mountain cliff overlooking a forest with mountains and water in the distance Ocean Sunfish: Gentle Giants now found in Acadia's Waters Learn more about the gentle giants moving into the Gulf of Maine due to warming ocean temperatures. ocean sunfish in the ocean Lupine, a controversial plant Native lupines were once a common sight in Acadia National Park, but these days the majority of lupine plants found within Acadia are non-native species. A field of flowering lupine plants Nesting Loons at Acadia The black head, blood red eyes, and striped collar are all prominent markers of some of Maine’s most famous residents -- the Common Loons (Gavia Immer). John Muir once claimed the call of the loon as “one of the wildest and most striking of all the wilderness sounds.” Learn more about the Loons of Acadia National Park. Black and white loon in the water with two people in canoe in background Jordan Pond Dips into Big Data A continuous water quality monitoring buoy in Acadia's popular Jordan Pond is helping the park gain new insights on the health of one of the parks crown jewels. water quality monitoring History of Botany in Acadia Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park have a rich history of plant study and cataloguing. People have been drawn to Acadia for many generations by the variety of plant life living here in harmony. A view from a granite mountain cliff overlooking a forest with mountains and water in the distance How the Earth and Moon Fell in Love A dramatized story brings to life the prevailing scientific theory of how our Earth got its Moon. Geared towards middle school, but also appropriate for all kids big and small. Smaller rock runs into larger rock in outer space while carrying a latte and cell phone Night Skies Word Activity In this activity, you will get the chance to create a new story for a group of stars that communities of people have told tales about for millennia. A watercolor painting of constellations making up the Summer Triangle Virtual Activity: Light Pollution and Art Reflection Connect with the night skies from anywhere! Learn about the past, present, and future of night skies and effects of light pollution in this art reflection activity. Best for children in 3rd to 8th grade or any Junior Rangers. Acrylic painting of the Milky Way arching across a purple and blue sky above a beach Riding the Winds: Hawk Watch in Acadia National Park 2020 Acadia National Park annually participates in a Hawk Watch to document the migration of raptors as they pass over Cadillac Mountain. The Hawk Watch is conducted in partnership with the Schoodic Institute and is one of over 300 sites across North America that identify and quantify migratory raptors including hawks, osprey, eagles and falcons. Virtual Activity: Geology and Art Follow the path a glacier took to shape Acadia's landscape over geologic time through a series of drawing activities. A glacial erratic balanced on the edge of a cliff At Home within the Heavens People and the Night Sky: The dark night sky has been an ever present facet over Acadia. People throughout the park’s history and in the present day find connections to the night sky. the moon rises over the ocean with stars overhead Carnivorous Plants at Acadia Behold the mini-monsters of Acadia's bogs and where to find these two carnivorous plants. A green and pink plant with small hairs with a sticky substance covering them Clues in the Landscape: Be a Geologist! There are many geological features at Acadia that are noticeable and identifiable. While you are out in the park, keep an eye open to discover ways the rock shapes our experience. A large boulder left by glaciers sits along a mountain ridge Moths of Acadia Do you know the difference between a moth and a butterfly? Learn about which fascinating and important moth species contribute to Acadia's ecosystems. Detailed image of How to Photograph Acadia's Night Skies Learn how to capture the beauty and awe of Acadia's night skies with these tips and tricks. A camera and tripod silhouetted by a sunset NETN Species Spotlight - American Woodcock The American Woodcock is a quirky bird. Learn about their habits. and why they are a welcome sight (and sound) each spring in the Northeast, An American Woodcock walks on the forest floor. Granite on Mount Desert Island A brief history and description of the use of various types of granite on Mount Desert Island. Granite with pink, green, and orange flecks Creature Feature: Sea Stars Explore a few fast facts about Sea Stars at Acadia National Park. an orange sea star with white spots Species Spotlight - Puffballs Puffballl mushrooms offer many joys - from stomping on them as children to eating them fried with butter. Learn more about this natural history of this fascinating fungi. Puffball emitting spores. Sargent Mountain Pond: Maine's First Lake For at least a hundred years before other lakes appeared, Sargent Mountain Pond sat alone in its granite bowl, collecting its autobiography from the surrounding landscape. Today this scenic and scientific gem continues to tell us a story. B&W photo of pond surrounded by evergreen trees with granite summit in background Studying Sargent Mountain Pond, Maine's First Lake Sargent Mountain Pond, located between the summits of Penobscot and Sargent mountains 1,200 feet above sea level, is believed to be the first lake that appeared on the Maine landscape after the last Ice Age some 16,600 years ago. Studying the sediment at the bottom of the lake helps researchers at Acadia to understand the relationship between climate, land cover, and water quality. alpine pond surrounded by evergreen trees Hannah Webber's Many Questions Tag along on a field day with Hannah Webber and learn about rockweed sampling and what it tells us about the intertidal zone. fog covers rocky outcrop and a forest Changing the face of science in Acadia National Park: warblers, coexistence, and hypothesis-driven ecology Robert H. MacArthur, who conducted research in Acadia National Park, would help change the way that ecologists conduct research. Light shines through a spruce forest Series: Parks in Science History Parks in Science History is a series of articles and videos made in cooperation with graduate students from various universities. They highlight the roles that national parks have played in the history of science and, therefore, the world's intellectual heritage. A woman looking through binoculars Series: Creative Teaching with Historic Places: Selections from CRM Vol 23 no 8 (2000) These articles are a selection from a special issue of CRM Journal, "Creative Teaching with Historic Places" published in 2000. They provide examples of teaching using historic places both in and out of the classroom, helping students connect with history using the power of place, as well as how to prepare lessons making those connections. Teaching with Historic Places is a program of the National Park Service. Cover of CRM Journal "Creative Teaching with Historic Places" Series: Park Air Profiles Clean air matters for national parks around the country. Photo of clouds above the Grand Canyon, AZ Frank Distefano is Acadia's "Moth Man" To find and photograph different moths, Frank DiStefanos travels to other places around the country besides Acadia, including Everglades National Park in Florida and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, and parks in Costa Rica. After more than one hundred thousand photographs, DiStefano claims to be no expert. His humility—and his enthusiasm—were on display as he stood before moths decorating the white sheet in the dark summer Acadia night. White, gray, black, and brown moth with folded wings against a white background How do Square Blocks become Round Rocks on Mount Desert Island? Learn about the powerful ocean effects on the weathering of iconic rock blocks at Acadia National Park. pink granite cliffs above shoreline Rehabilitation of the Islesford Historical Museum Rehabilitation of the Islesford Historical Museum started in November 2019 and continues through the 2020 season. Learn more about the rehabilitation of this historic structure. workers and equipment outside of brick museum building A Very Roosevelt Christmas In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt found his perfect Christmas tree from a tiny island in Maine, just two days after Pearl Harbor. Franklin D. Roosevelt and family in front of the Saint Croix Christmas tree in 1941. Growing a Network of Second Century Stewardship Parks The Second Century Stewardship initiative seeks to advance the next century of science and science engagement in the national parks. The initiative, a partnership of the National Park Service, National Park Foundation, and Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, began in 2016 in Acadia with support from the David Evans Shaw Family Foundation and aims to grow a network of Second Century Stewardship parks and partners. Historical Ecology and Intertidal Algae at Acadia Dr. Chris Petersen of College of Atlantic shares his algae inventory project in the park and how his students compare data to historic survey data beginning in 1928. drawn map of different sections of the intertidal zone at a single location on the coast Indigenizing Archaeology at Acadia National Park Dr. Bonnie Newsom, and graduate students Natalie Dana Lolar and Isaac St. John, carefully removed stone pieces, bone splinters, and baked clay fragments from their special archival plastic bags and spread them out on a table. They paused for a moment. Newsom, Lolar, and St. John are trained archaeologists and members of different Wabanaki tribes. They were the first Wabanaki people to see the objects since those who created them more than a thousand years ago. a light brown bone flute sits above a light brown piece of pottery 2021 Research Brief: Using Turtle DNA in Water to Find Turtles Scientists Greg LeClair from University of Maine - Orono is developing a new tool to find rare animals by finding their DNA in the water without having to actually see the animal. Check out this research brief to find out more about how Acadia National Park is a living laboratory for research and scientific discovery. a researcher measures a turtle in front of a lake, mountain in the rear Research Brief: Understanding Maine's Coastal Spruce-Fir Forests and their Sensitivity to Climate Change Information on ongoing research in Acadia National Park on the coastal spruce-fir forest that is present along much of the parks coastline. ocean view through the canopy of a spruce tree Research Brief: Historical and Short-term impacts of Fire on Tick-borne Disease Transmission in Acadia National Park Information on current research in Acadia National Park on how fire impacts prevalence of tick-borne disease transmission. small tick in a vial held by a person's hands Research Brief: How does climate change impact fall foliage and its affect on fall visitation Information on a current research project in Acadia National Park and how climate change is impacting leaf color change and how that might impact tourism and visitation to Acadia National Park. road crossing though a forest with fall colors dotting the landscape between green spruce trees Research Brief: Old Collections, New Analyses. A Study of Archaeological Sites in Acadia National Park Ongoing research project in Acadia National Park revisiting existing material from historic archaeological sites throughout the park. waves crashing on a forested coastline viewed from above on a hill Research Brief: Protecting lakes in Acadia National Park from the threat of harmful algal blooms Ongoing research in Acadia National Park on trying to protect Acadia National Park lakes and ponds from harmful algal blooms. aerial view of a lake between two mountains Who Wears the Pants Around Here? After a promising start in the early 1920s, only a handful of women were hired as park rangers and naturalists in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Carlsbad Caverns National Park and the national monuments of the Southwest became the new hot spots for women in uniformed positions in the 1930s. Women in skirts and pants Why Do Leaves Change Colors in the Fall Acadia National Park is known for having spectacular fall foliage. Learn more about why these leaves chance colors signaling the changing of the seasons. A view of leaves changing in a single maple tree Secrets of the Summit Physical change, a harsh environment, and historic human development may not be noticeable at a quick glance atop Cadillac Mountain, but the rich history of Acadia's tallest peak goes back thousands of years. Historic locomotive on tracks with riders Bumblebees of Acadia National Park: Then and Now Acadia National Park has a long history of documenting pollinator species in the park. Those surveys continue to occur throughout the park to help researchers better understand the health of bumblebee populations. closeup of bee pollinating flower Research Brief: Coastal spruce-fir forests in the face of sea-level rise and salt marsh migration Information on research in Acadia National Park on coastal spruce-fir forests impacted by sea-level rise and salt marsh migration. visitors walking across a gravel and stone along the coastline with a forested island behind them Research Brief: Conservation of Asterias sea stars in the North Atlantic Information on ongoing research to help conserve Asterias sea stars in the North Atlantic blue mussel attached to a rock covered by water Road to Recovery? Park Staff Assess and Repair Storm Damaged Historic Carriage Roads and Trails On June 9, 2021 a rainstorm dropped a record-breaking 5+ inches of rainfall on Acadia National Park in 3 hours. Park stream gauges showed flood heights of almost 10 feet at times. Acadia's 45-mile historic carriage road system suffered extensive damage, as did trails and paved roads. Upwards of 300-400 tons of carriage road surface material was swept into the woods. As climate change intensifies storms, can park staff keep up? gravel road in the woods washed out Celebrating 30 Years of Peregrine Falcons at Precipice Rangers reflect on the growth of the Peregrine Falcon Watch Program on the 30th anniversary of the successful reintroduction of peregrine falcons in Acadia National Park. A brown falcon flies toward a cliff with yellow talons outstretched “Wandering” Through Park Skies: How Peregrine Falcons Connect National Parks Peregrine falcons live across the world and can be found throughout the United States. Learn how four national parks are connecting visitors to these remarkable birds. A brown falcon sits on a green metal spike over water with a boat Species Spotlight - Cecropia Moth Cecropia moths are the largest moth in North America. Their fascinating one-year life cycle is one of the most amazing transformations known to nature. Face of a male cecropia moth. Alewives in Acadia Summer migration patterns of Alewives in Acadia National Park. Research being done on fish passage helps to determine best practice for a population of river herring in Maine. Getting on with the Show: Cadillac Summit Restoration Discover the remarkable research and restoration efforts that are occurring on top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. people tend plants on top of a mountain summit The Geologic Story of the Beehive Come learn about the ancient and ongoing geologic processes that formed Acadia National Park's Beehive Mountain. View of sandy beach with rounded mountain top above Research Brief: Salt tolerance in spotted salamanders Information on research in Acadia National Park on possible salt tolerant spotted salamanders. A salamander on large kelp leaves in the water Research Brief: Importance of invasive fish on aquatic food webs Research project on the importance of invasive fish on aquatic food webs school of fish swimming just below surface level of the water Research Brief: Impact of automobiles on spring breeding migrations of amphibians Information on research in Acadia on vehicle impacts on breeding migrations of amphibians. Multiple people wearing headlights on road Research Brief: Studying seaweed along Acadia's coast Information on seaweed research along the coast of Acadia National Park researcher collects specimens from seaweed using a rock as a table Precipice and Beehive: A History Learn about Rudolph Earnest Brunnow's engineering and construction of the Precipice and Beehive Trails in the early 19th century. Two of the most exciting and unique trails of the park, the Precipice and Beehive Trails are remarkable trail construction feats in recreation history in the NPS. iron rung work on granite cliff overlooking the ocean Waterfall Bridge Fast Facts Acadia's Carriage Road system is a fascinating way to explore and learn about the park. The carriage road system contains 16 historic and iconic stone bridges, including the Waterfall Bridge. Research Brief: Communication Strategies to Prevent Unintentional Feeding of Wildlife Information on a research project occurring in Acadia National Park on finding effective communication strategies to limit unintentional wildlife feeding. a seagull walks across sand at the beach Invasion of the Biome Bashers Invasive plants are a concerning and growing issue for eastern national parks. Learn what is spreading, and how some parks are seeing success in managing them. Glossy buckthron Wild Winter Weather During Jaunuary of 2018, Acadia National Park experiences a once in 500 year flooding event. Learn how this event impacted the Sieur de Monts Springs area of the park. a person in a canoe floating over a flooded bridge Research Brief: Surveying for Beech Leaf Disease Learn how the Forest Service is working throughout the country including Acadia National park to document beech leaf disease. people walking across gravel and stone path with water and coastline behind them Preserving Historic Buildings That Bats Call Home Acadia National Park is going to restore its historic Rockefeller gatehouses. Here’s how we’ll protect the imperiled bats that live there. Woman sitting on ground with ladder behind her next to stone wall with a wire running top to bottom Gathering Sweetgrass and Renewing the Past: How Science at Acadia Is Making a Course Correction Wabanaki ecologists and archeologists conducting research in Acadia National Park are reframing narratives and reclaiming culture. Park science is all the better for it. Sunset over a marsh with pockets of tall grass between expanses of open water 2021 Acadia Science Year In Review 2021 was a busy year for research in Acadia National Park. Together scientists worked on 84 research projects in the park, a near-record number for Acadia. This was a big rebound from 2020, when research was slowed by COVID-19. Of the 84 research projects, 37 (44%) were new, many by researchers new to the park. Learn more about the variety of research conducted in the park in 2021. two researchers in a boat on a pond with green mountains in the background The History of Motor Road Development at Acadia National Park Follow the three-decades long develop of the motor roads of Acadia National Park. B&W white photo of old cars on a rocky cliff Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios. Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background Seeking Sea Stars Researchers are hard at work finding sea stars along the coast of Acadia National Park. Finding these animals helps them protect these amazing creatures as they continue to study what is causing their disappearance along the coast. sea star attached to rock held by researcher Research Brief: What is Impacting Soft-shelled Clam Survival in Interidal Mudflats Information of a research project in Acadia National Park looking at factors impacting survival of soft-shelled clams in the intertidal zone. Wabanaki Life Thousands of Years Ago Native American peoples have inhabited the land we now call Maine for over 12,000 years. Acadia is located in the homeland of the Wabanaki. Explore a brief history of wabanaki life thousands of years ago. an artists depiction of Wabanaki men and woman harvesting a seal from the sea Commitment, Continuity, Characterize Carriage Roads Partnership For more than three decades, Friends of Acadia and Acadia National Park have deftly blended private-sector philanthropy with Congressional action and park management priorities to protect the 45-mile historic carriage road system, including its masonry bridges. In its latest incarnation, that cooperation achieved the complete restoration of the park’s carriage roads, which began in 1994 and culminated in 2021 with the reconstruction of the six-mile Eagle Lake loop.  three volunteers clean up a carriage road with rakes George Dorr and The Development of Sieur de Monts Spring In 1909, George B. Dorr, Acadia's first superintendent, built an octagonal tile-roofed structure over a spring at the south end of Great Meadow. On a nearby rock he carved "The Sweet Waters of Acadia." Dorr's work at Sieur de Monts Spring symbolizes the enthusiasm and spirit of many early 20th-century summer residents who worked to preserve and protect the natural and historic values of Mount Desert Island. In a sense, Sieur de Monts Spring has become a memorial to Dorr, for a red tiled roofed octagional springhouse building with greenery in front Timbering on Mount Desert Island From the very earliest days of European settlement on Mount Desert Island, pioneering families took advantage of rich forest resources to provide them with building materials and as a source of income. Can today's visitors to Acadia National Park picture the landscape with large swaths of trees removed and over 11 sawmill operations across the island? Learn more about the history of sawmills in and around Acadia National Park. B&W photo of sawmill above pond A History of Acadia A brief history of the colonization and settlement of Mount Desert Island and how that lead to the formation of Acadia National Park. color photo of hands holding a black and white photograph of park founder Sand Beach in Winter Sand Beach in Acadia National park is a "migrating beach". Learn how natural forces impact the look of sand beach year in and year out. crashing waves cover the entire beach Bird, Pollinator, & Wildlife Habitat Not Just for National Parks Anymore. Cultivating native plants and trees in your yard is more important than ever before to sustain our bird and pollinator species. Learn how you can do more. A song sparrow with a mouthful of insects. Self-Guided Winter Walk: Around Otter Point This self-guided walk -- written by Mary Ann Schaefer, an Acadia National Park volunteer -- is intended for visitors to hike, bike, or ski only while this portion of the Park Loop Road is closed to vehicle traffic in winter, typically from December 1 through April 14. The experience begins and ends at the Fabbri Picnic Area, which is accessible year round via Otter Cliff Road from State Route 3. A restroom is maintained at the site through winter. Map depicting locations of 16 stops along a self-guided walk around Otter Point. Species Spotlight - Eastern Phoebe The return of Eastern Phoebes early each spring is a soul-satisfying, calendar-turning event after a long northeastern winter. Eastern Phoebe I&M Networks Support Resilient Forest Management NPS Inventory and Monitoring Networks have been tracking forest health in eastern national parks since 2006. This monitoring information can guide resilient forest management and support parks in adapting to changing conditions through the actions described below. Forest health monitoring Resilient Forests Initiative - Managing Invasive Plants & Pests Park forests are threatened by invasive plants and pests. Strategically tackling invasive plants to protect park’s highest priority natural resources and planning around forest pests and pathogens are important actions in managing resilient forests. Forest Regeneration Managing Resilient Forests. A Regional Initiative Forests cover tens of thousands of acres in eastern national parks and these critical resources face a range of interacting stressors: over-abundant white-tailed deer populations, invasive plant dominance, novel pests and pathogens, among other threats. The Resilient Forests Initiative will help parks address these issue collectively. Forest health monitoring Resilient Forests Initiative - Forest Complexity Much of the forest in the eastern United States is around the same age, regrowing after widespread land clearing that peaked between the 1880's and 1920's. Throughout the twentieth century, forests began to regenerate, eventually spreading onto abandoned agricultural lands. Canopy gap Season of Science: Spring 2022 Spring 2022 science news you can use from Acadia National Park. Find out more about what new research has been posted and what's to come. a brown bat on a log Hike Safely in Acadia Check out this list of Top 10 Hiking Tips before you set out on the trails across Acadia National Park. All natural areas pose risk. Your safety depends on your own good judgement. A hiker wearing a backpack climbs a sheer cliff face fitted with iron rungs Nature Center Exhibit Videos This series of four video interview segments was produced by a student at the College of the Atlantic for an exhibit about climate change that opened in 2016 at the Sieur de Monts Nature Center. The videos are open captioned for public display on a digital touch screen. Audio description is also available. Man walks through a field toward a tractor Healthy Forests Are Messy Forests cadia’s forests is that they are in good condition. In fact, Acadia’s forests are in better condition than many national parks south of us, which are often seriously impacted by invasive plant species or overabundance of white-tailed deer—often both. But to the layperson's eye, the forests may look 'messy.' Learn more about how Acadia's messy forests are healthy. sgt mountain pond Species Spotlight - Deer Tick Deer ticks are an increasing problem in the northeast. Learn more about why they are increasing, the way they spread Lyme disease, and how to prevent getting a tick bite. And there are also lizards. Warm lizard. View From the Aerie: Peregrine Falcon Watch in 2022 Follow along with the peregrine falcons growing up on the Precipice cliffs here in Acadia National Park. Acadia's raptor intern writes weekly updates to keep you informed on this pair and they continue the success of nesting peregrines in the park after recovering from collapsed populations. falcon sits atop large rock at the top of a cliff The bioblitz: Good science, good outreach, good fun Part contest, part festival, part educational event, and part scientific endeavor, bioblitzes bring together naturalists, professional scientists, and the interested public, who canvass the area over a 24-hour period to find and document all plants and animals. young woman gathers flying insects from a backlit white sheet at night. Species Spotlight - Dragonflies Dragonflies have incredible powers of flight and vision. Learn how they use these to catch just about anything they want on the wing. Dragonfly nymph. Acadia Porcupines Learn about the second largest rodent in North America and how it lives in Acadia National Park. Learning How to Restore Mountain Summits How do you restore vegetation on a mountain summit? Chris Nadeau is looking for an answer on Cadillac. Sunrise and fog from a rocky summit Acadia Youth Conservation Corps Acadia Youth Conservation Corps (AYCC) is an 8-week summer work program open to individuals between the ages of 15 and 18. AYCC is designed to develop an appreciation for the nation’s natural resources and heritage through unique educational, recreational, and work experiences. Corps members are mentored by National Park Service staff as they build job and teamwork skills, gain confidence, and learn first-hand about the importance and challenges of conservation. A group of young people in work clothes and red hard hats jump and exclaim on a log in wooded area Video: Acadia #writeout Writing Prompt "Would You Rather Be A Fire Lookout Or A Lighthouse Keeper?" Acadia National Park is participating in the National Writing Project's "Daily Sparks: Writing Prompts With Rangers." Watch, write, and respond online or by postcard. Man in NPS uniform sits on rock covered with marine vegetation at low tide Species Spotlight - White Ash White ash trees are an integral part of the forests of the Northeast, and they are under grave threat of ceasing to exist as a mature canopy species in the near future. The culprit is a tiny invasive insect called the Emerald Ash Borer. Learn more about the current state of ash trees in the region, and learn how to help slow the spread of this destructive forest pest. White ash seedling Using population genetics to inform invasive species management: A case study of glossy buckthorn Researchers hope to identify the “source populations” for the invasive glossy buckthorn so park staff can target intervention strategies by focusing treatments on the populations that are the biggest contributors to re-invasion. a wooden and screen box in the grass Future Forest Trajectories in Acadia National Park: Identifying management priorities Previous studies of forest change in Acadia used data from all six New England states at a coarse resolution to examine forest change over time. A new research project will “zoom in” to 30 meter resolution, and incorporate more specific details about local soils, forest composition, management, and climate. man holds forest debris in hand next to small pine tree Importance of Invasive Fishes on Aquatic Food Webs Using traps, sweep-nets, and mist-nets, scientists are sampling insects as they hatch and emerge later in the season and taking blood samples from lakeside birds that may be eating the insects, to study the impact of invasive fish on aquatic food webs. nets in a lake Species Spotlight - Oaks Oaks appear so often in the story of humanity that it could scarcely have been written without them. Learn more about this amazing trees species and how it has shaped cultures across the world. A white oak branch with acorns Acadia Storm Safety As thrilling and beautiful as heavy seas can be along the coasts of Acadia, please approach the experience with respect, and give it space. Water rescue operations are not uncommon in the park, and fatalities are not unprecedented. Graphic with red background, NPS arrowhead and text Season of Science: Summer 2022 Summer 2022 science news you can use from Acadia National Park. Find out more about what new research has been posted and what's to come. Two women in uniform in an outdoor setting have a conversation holding an electronic device. Taking the Pulse of U.S. National Parks How do we know if parks are healthy? We measure their vital signs, of course! Across the country, there are 32 inventory and monitoring networks that measure the status and trends of all kinds of park resources. We're learning a lot after years of collecting data. Check out these articles written for kids and reviewed by kids in partnership with the international online journal Frontiers for Young Minds. A cartoon of a ranger taking the pulse of the Earth. Acadia Surveys an Area Four Times the Size of Jordan Pond for Invasive Plants in 2022 Acadia's Invasive Plant Management Team (IPMT) surveyed more than 780 acres, treated 1.82 infested acres, and visited 76 field sites over the 2022 season. Of the 25 species targeted, glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) accounted for about 75 percent of the total treatment. Two staff in NPS field uniform lean over a wooden grid to study small plants Species Spotlight - Flying Squirrels Tiny and cute, flying squirrels are efficient gliders with a few surprises tucked away under their furry sleeves. A Southern Flying Squirrel. Series: Managing Resilient Forests Initiative for Eastern National Parks Forests in the northeastern U.S. are in peril. Over-abundant deer, invasive plants, and insect pests are negatively impacting park forests, threatening to degrade the scenic vistas and forested landscapes that parks are renowned for. With regional collaboration, parks can manage these impacts and help forests be resilient. This article series explores tools available to park managers to achieve their goals. Healthy forests have many native seedlings and saplings. Restoring the Great Meadow Wetland Through a project funded largely by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the National Park Service, partner foundations, and individual donors, work is underway to restore the Great Meadow Wetland ecosystem for recreation and climate-smart management. Two people standing in waist-deep grass surveying wetland vegetation. The "Bug Lady" of Schoodic Point Learn how one volunteer at Acadia National Park found a passion for citizen science and how that has helped a national research effort. person along a wooded trail reaching towards a tree with a research tag affixed to the trunk Hollie Adams Hollie Adams, of Bangor, ME, is participating as a Resident Artist: Writer in the Artist-in-Residence Program at Acadia National Park in 2023. Woman with long brown hair sits in front of a blue cinderblock wall Adelheid Fischer Adelheid Fischer, of Phoenix, AZ, is participating as a Writer in the Aritst-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2023. Woman with might light hair and silver jewelry with mountain in background Mallory Zondag Mallory Zondag, of Schenectady, NY, is participating as a Visual Artist in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2023. Woman with light hair against a black background Mischa Ostberg Mischa Ostberg, of Ellsworth, ME, is participating as a Resident Artist: Visual Arts in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2023. Woman in wooded area holds up a fabric artwork Natalia Torres del Valle Natalia Torres del Valle's abstract and textural paintings are built on memories of landscapes and our interconnectedness with the natural world. Her work is created with foraged soils and rocks, earth-based pigments, and lake pigments from plants. Photo of painting, "Reciprocity." Jacqueline Weaver and Michael Cunningham Jacqueline Weaver and Michael Cunningham, of Forest Park, IL, are participating as Visual Artists in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2023. Woman and man stand in front of a stone wall Heartwood Willy Clemetson, Heidi Wilson, and Sarina Partridge of Heartwood are participating as At-Large Artists in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2023. A man and two woman sit along a rocky shoreline in bare feet Jason Myers Jason Myers, of Houston, TX, is participating as a Writer in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2023. Man wearing glasses and a light blue shirt with a clerical collar Rachel Singel Rachel Singel, of Louisville, KY, is participating as a Visual Artist in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2023. Woman in an outdoor setting leans over artwork in progress Acadia National Park Selects 13 Participants for Artist-in-Residence Program's 30th Year Thirteen artists will visit Acadia National Park during the 30th anniversary of its Artist-in-Residence program in 2023. Highlights among the selections this year include a trio of singers and composers, a producer of digital animations, and artists who create pigments from local soils and plants and paper from invasive plants. Artist speaks with visitors during a drawing class at Sieur de Monts Spring Emilio Sweet-Coll Emilio Sweet-Coll, of Los Angeles, CA, is participating as an At-Large Artist in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2023. Portrait of a person standing outdoors in front of a steamy body of water Research Shows a Decline in Acadia National Park's Winter Bird Populations Brand new research shows declining winter bird populations around Acadia National Park. Learn how Schoodic Institute and local volunteers have helped document these changes. small white bird with brownish red crown and eyestripe sitting on branch 50 Nifty Finds #9: Green Stamps Described by some as "the greatest propaganda campaign ever launched by the federal government to exploit the scenic wonders of the United States," the national park stamps issued by the U.S. Post Office Department in 1934 became one of the most recognized series of U.S. stamps. Despite being in the middle of the Great Depression, over one billion of the 10 national park stamps were printed in under two years. College of ten colorful national park stamps Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Confirmed in Acadia National Park Learn how park managers are working to protect Acadia's hemlock trees following the introduction of the hemlock woolly adelgid. Park ranger points at hemlock woolly adelgid wool on a hemlock branch A Tale of Two Lupines Can you tell the difference between Maine's native sundial lupine and the non-native roadside flower? At the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, a new native plant garden by the Bar Harbor Garden Club shares the history of these two species and their places in the Maine landscape. Sundial lupines blooming in a garden The Meaning of a Meadow Learn about the Great Meadow in Acadia National Park and the challenges it is facing in the 21st century. view from on top of a mountain over a meadow with tree leaves and grasses turning reddish brown Robin Brooks Robin Brooks participated as a visual artist in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2016. Abstract painting with a black tree shape in the lower left corner Brad Bennett Brad Bennett, an award-winning poet from Arlington, MA, captures scenes of Schoodic Peninsula in haiku while he was an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2021. Portrait of writer Brad Bennett Andrea Lepcio Playwright Andrea Lepcio wrote and produced a site-based play "What Do We See? What Do We Do?" during her time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2019. Portrait of playwright Andrea Lepcio Ingrid Hess Book designer and artist Ingrid Hess' poster series "ACADIA: Fascinating Facts for Curious Kids" was inspired by beauty and wonder she experienced as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2019. two sandwich boards with graphic posters stand along visitor center sidewalk Matthew Dickerson Matthew Dickerson shares excerpts of work from Acadia National Park that he published in a book, The Voices of Rivers (Homebound Publications, 2019). He participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia in 2018. Black and white portrait of writer Matthew Dickerson John Miller John Miller took great patience and well-timed visits to ever-changing tidal zones for inspiration during his time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2011. painting of rocky Atlantic tidal zone with ocean horizon in background Howie Motenko Howie Motenko, of Seal Harbor, Maine, uses moonlight to capture intimate portraits of his "backyard." He participated as Artist-in-Residence in Acadia National Park in 2019. Night scene of rocky atlantic coastline with white haze on surface of water Thomas Paquette Thomas Paquette, of Warren, PA, experiences "unshakably deep nature" while traveling the trails of Acadia National Park as an Artist-in-Residence in 1994. gouche painting of fir trees in forest with ocean peeking thru the branches in the background Robert Pollien His 1993 experience as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park drew Robert Pollien to relocate to Mount Desert Island. The painter returned to the program for a second residency in 2019 to express his deepened appreciation of the landscape. painting of a coastal shoreline featuring a single tree and ocean horizon in distance Mariah Reading Eco-artist Mariah Reading brings advocacy for public lands to the forefront during her time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2019. hand wearing glove with painted coastline landscape in front of actual coastline painted on glove Nancy Silvia Nancy Silvia seeks to represent the essence of landscapes in her plein air paintings. She participated in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2016. Woman in winter clothes sitting on rocks with drawing board next to Atlantic coastline Priscilla Whitlock Priscilla Whitlock taught students how to create a "visual language" through painting during her time as Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2007. painting of shoreline grasses and rocks with islands in distance Sara Tabbert Sara Tabbert, a printmaker and mixed media artist from Fairbanks, Alaska, found "magic in the landscape that often goes unnoticed" during her time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2021. Black and white portrait of artist Sara Tabbert Lyn Slade Lyn Slade, a needle felting artist and lifelong New Englander, was thrilled by crashing waves and darkened dampness along Schoodic Peninsula's rocky shores. She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2018. Felt and pastel image of trees with ocean and mountain sitting on skyline peaking between trunks Robert Root Robert Root was an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2006. His essay “Terra Cognita” was published in Colorado Review (Summer 2008) and “Time and Tide” was published in Ascent (2010) and recognized as a Notable Essay in The Best American Essays 2010. He included both essays in his collection Postscripts: Retrospections on Time and Place (2013). Portrait of writer Robert Root on granite peak with coastal view behind him Hannah Star Rogers Hannah Star Rogers promotes awareness of the natural world through poetry that was inspired by her time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2015. Portrait of writer Hannah Star Rogers Rachel Panitch Composer Rachel Panitch shares an audio recording of "Ambedo," which was inspired by time she spent at Isle au Haut. She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2018. Portrait of composer Rachel Panitch playing violin with music stand & bookshelves behind her Jill Haley Composer Jill Haley shares a video performance of her piece "Burst of Colors" outside the Sieur de Monts Nature Center. She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2021. Portait of composer Jill Haley holding oboe in front of pond with mountain views behind her Kim O'Connell Kim O'Connell shares an audio recorded reading of her essay about a zebrafish, a toenail, and a solo trip to a rustic cabin on Isle au Haut. She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2018. Portrait of writer Kim O'Connell G.C. Waldrep G.C Waldrep shares an audio recorded reading of his poem "Bell Buoy, Otter Cliffs," inspired during his time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2019. reading glasses sitting on top of a black straw hat on wooden bench Nancy Haver Nancy Haver uses her naturalist training and knowledge of wildlife biology to create seascapes of the rocky coast along Acadia National Park. She participated in the Artist-in-Residence program in 2015. woodcut depicting coastal rocks and trees along calm Atlantic shoreline Harlan W. Butt Among the world's premier contemporary enamelists, Harlan W. Butt found inspiration for his metal work in the isolated beauty of Acadia National Park. He participated in the Artist-in-Residence program in 2018. blue toned enamel vessel Johanna Finnegan-Topitzer Johanna Finnegan-Topitzer explores human experience in the natural world during her time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2018. relief of papercut painted bird on turquoise sky with clounds in dark green treeline shaped frame David Halpern David Halpern's photographs capture his love of nature in monochromatic portraits of Rockefeller bridges, carriage roads, and coastal scenes. He participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 1994. Photograph of stone and wooden bridges that cross wooded creek Sue Charles Through light and shadow, Sue Charles captures a purposeful connection between all natural things in her coastal landscape paintings. She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2018. painting of wooded scene with sunlight reflecting on creek Patricia Rottino Cummins Patricia Rottino Cummins creates landscapes that evoke a sense of depth and richness in simple joys. She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2013. Portait of Patricia Rottino Cummins next to red tulips Dan Grenier Dan Grenier, a Maine-based conservationist and photographer, photographed environmental portraits of park trail crew members during his time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2015. photograph of female trail worker crossing arms looking into camera with straight face Roxanne Everett Roxanne Everett creates work to communicate the importance of preserving intact ecosystems. She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2018. Bates Carin stands in barren landscape Hilda Green Demsky Nature and the cosmos inspire Port Chester, NY painter Hilda Green Demsky. She participated in the Artist-in-Residence Program at Acadia National Park in 2008. Painting of atlatnic coastline with whisps of grass, trees and mountain along water horizon line Siri Beckman Siri Beckman, of Stonington, Maine, explores the use of color in large-scale wood engravings of landscapes. She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 1997. Colorful woodcut depicting mountains and sky with clouds Sarah Faragher Born and raised on the coast of Maine, Sarah Faragher's painting encompasses a feeling of homecoming and being at home in nature. She participated as Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2015. painting of rocks in calm ocean Jennifer Booher Jennifer Booher, of Bar Harbor, Maine, takes viewers on a "Coastal Walk" of Mount Desert Island's shoreline during her time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2015. portrait of artist Jennifer Booher George-Ann Bowers Nature and its chaotic beauty inspire Berkeley, CA textile artist George-Anne Bowers during her time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2010. Textile depicting wooded scene with mushrooms and moss. Casey Barber Casey Barber, a food writer and artist based in Northern New Jersey, created “Maine Ingredients: Recipes Inspired by Acadia National Park” as a celebration of the ingredients and diverse natural surroundings she explored as an Artist-in-Residence at the park in 2022. Image of book cover entitled Maine Ingredients: Recipes Inspired by Acadia National Park Kathy Hodge Kathy Hodge, a painter from Providence, RI, discovers "strange human order" in the landscape of Acadia National Park during her time as an Artist-in-Residence in 1998. Representational abstract paintings of dead hemlock trees in green woods Imma Barrera Imma Barrera, a biologist and nature photographer from Metuchen, NJ, captures dark sky images of Acadia National Park during her time as an Artist-in-Residence in 2021. Night sky photography image of the milky way hovering above rocky atlantic coastline. Candice Salyers Dancer and multi-disciplinary artist Candice Salyers, of Hattiesburg, MS, shares a video she produced to explore seasonal transitions through dance and writings of John Muir. She participated in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2019. woman in long red dress dances on dark stage Elizabeth Hubler-Torrey Grand Rapids, MI, visual artist Elizabeth Hubler-Torrey draws upon memory, scientific imagery and micrographs to create encaustic paintings. She participated in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2017. Woman smiles next to a microscope Lorraine Lans Lorraine Lans, of Stonington, Maine, captures color and light in en plein air paintings during her time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 1996. Painting of purple and green mountainsides with ocean horizon in distance Gary Hoyle Gary Hoyle, of Swan Island, ME, expresses timelessness and spectacular views in his paintings of Mount Desert Island. He participated in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2013. sun glistens off ocean and rocky atlantic coastline with blue mountain in background Launi Lucas Launi Lucas, of Vancouver, British Columbia, finds "richness and vitality of life in a microscopic drop of sea water." She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2019. Abstract drawing with circular and seed shaped elements Jana Matusz Jana Matusz, of Arlington, MA, experienced peaceful hyper-awareness and tackles "plein airritations" during her third return as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2014. Representational Abstract painting of rocky coastline with treeline and light reflecting off water Kevin Mack Kevin Mack, a multidisciplinary artist from Pittsburgh, PA, was inspired by the serene and chaotic landscape of the Schoodic Peninsula during his time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2021. Circular representational color blocked painting of seascape with red figure painted on wood Margaret Leonard Margaret Leonard, of Harpswell, ME, "relied on nature to be her true teacher" during her time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 1997. Painting of pine trees with grass Joan Meade Joan Meade envisions natural landscapes without man-made structures in her sculptural acrylic paintings. She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2011. textural panting of rocky chasm along Atlantic coast with ocean horizon in distance Kaitlyn Metcalf Kaitlyn Metcalf, of Trenton, Maine, researched historically and locally relevant ships for inspiration during her time as Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2009. Painting of boat made on a map of Mount Desert Island 2022 Acadia Science Year in Review 2022 was a busy year for research in Acadia National Park. Together scientists from the park, universities, and other scientific institutions worked on 85 research projects in the park. Learn more about the variety of research conducted in the park in 2022. park researcher leans over a tree over a stream to collect samples from the water Jack Wilkins Jazz composer Jack Wilkins visited Acadia National Park as an artist-in-residence in 2022. Portrait of Jack Wilkins Justin Sherburn Justin Sherburn and members of the group Montopolis visited Acadia National Park as Artists-in-Residence in 2020. Portrait of Justin Sherburn John Bubar John Bubar shares poems from his time as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2015. Portrait of John Bubar Allison Hutchcraft Allison Hutchcraft, who teaches poetry and creative writing at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, participated as an artist-in-residence at Acadia National Park in 2022. Portrait of Allison Hutchcraft Kelly Collette Comedian Kelly Collette visited Acadia National Park as an Artist-in-Residence in 2022. Portait of Kelly Collette Dani Robbins & Zoe Huey Dancers Dani Robbins and Zoe Huey visited Acadia National Park as Artists-in-Residence in 2019. Portrait of dancers Robbins and Huey Natalie Andrew Biologist and visual artist Natalie Andrew participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2019. Woman crouches over artwork on floor Rachel Suzanne Smith Metalsmith Rachel Suzanne Smith creates work that reflects the human desire to connect with the outdoors and nature. She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2021. Portrait of artist wearing large green metal sculpture around neck on white background Sarah McCartt-Jackson Sarah McCartt-Jackson, poet, folklorist and oral historian, visited Acadia National Park as an Artist-in-Residence in 2021. Two women have a conversation while seated on a low stone wall. Ann Van Kuren Dancer Ann Van Kuren visited Acadia National Park as an Artist-in-Residence in 2019. Dancer on stage Species Spotlight - Red Fox Legendary for their cunning cleverness, red fox are equally at home in the trackless wilderness as they are in a tract-housing development. It has established itself world-wide, and it's very particular set of skills makes it a nightmare for hapless meadow voles. A Red Fox. Seeking to Lease Acadia National Park is seeking to lease one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and/or three- or more bedroom units fully or partially furnished) with full kitchens, bathroom(s), and living/dining space to house between 3 to 10 employees (one employee per bedroom). More than one lease may be negotiated from this announcement to meet the total need. 50 Nifty Finds #18: Portable Posters Many visitors to national parks today collect passport stamps, magnets, or other items to recall their trip and to show others where they’ve been. In the 1920s and 1930s the “must have” souvenirs weren’t created to be collected. National Park Service (NPS) windshield stickers served a practical administrative purpose; they were evidence that the automobile license fee drivers paid at some parks had been paid. Even so, Americans embraced their colorful, artistic designs. Four colorful Rocky Mountain National Park windshield stickers. Outside Science (inside parks): Young Scientists in Acadia National Park Follow along as young scientists study the phenology of plants and birds in Acadia National Park. a student examines a tree Milkweed and Monarchs Restoring native plants supports insects, birds, and other animals. A monarch butterfly lands on its larval host plant milkweed. Alan Nyiri: Acadia Volunteer Catches Light Through summer 2022, Alan Nyiri and his wife Angele worked as volunteers talking with visitors at Acadia National Park in Maine. On evenings and lieu days, this lifelong accomplished fine art photographer got reacquainted with a landscape that he first photographed professionally for a book more than 15 years earlier. Many of those new images he has since donated for use in park webpages and publications. Enjoy a selection of 30 here with commentary from the photographer. Pond with pink boulders, trees lining the shoreline, mountains and billowing clouds African Americans and the Great Outdoors There is the prevailing misconception that African Americans do not participate in outdoor recreation; however, this misconception is far from reality. While racially exclusionary practices attempted to impose limits on African American participation in outdoor recreation, African Americans participated in opportunities offered by the larger society and also carved out spaces of their own. African American Girl Scouts setting up tents for a day trip at Paradise Park Laura Von Rosk Artist Laura Von Rosk creates experiences of specific places in small scale paintings. She participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 1996. Sally Gierke Sally Gierke participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2014. photograph of tile mosiac depicting sealife, a ship, and a lighthouse Kristin Myers Kristin Myer is participating as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2023. Photograph of artist Kristin Myer pointing at drawing of shark posted on wall Ben Matthews Ben Matthews, of Pittsburg, PA, creates fictitious field studies that depict mysterious adaptations and inventions from this not-quite time or place based on current environmental concerns and social topics. He participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2022. photograph of drawing of lobster and artist paint palette Erin Currier Erin Currier participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in 2019. Portrait of Erin Currier sitting on chair in gallery with paintings on walls behind her Lisa Furman Lisa Furman, an artist and art therapist from New Haven, CT participated as an Artist-in Residence at Acadia National Park in 2022. Photograph of artist Lisa Furman Bats in Acadia: Facing Challenges but Hanging On Myotis bats experienced population declines after white-nose syndrome appeared in Acadia National Park in 2011–2012. The bats, however, are hanging on. You can read about (and hear!) these flying mammals, how they’re doing now, and park efforts to monitor them, including through the use of acoustic recordings. Illustration of Acadia at night, with a bat flying in front of the moon. Removing Invasive Plants from the Great Meadow Each year Acadia's invasive plant management team tackles invasive plants throughout the park. Learn how they have dedicated time to the Great Meadow wetland to make the Great Meadow a healthier wetland. park ranger in gloves bends over plants searching for invasive ones Upgrading Trails to Help the Great Meadow Learn about trail work that is occurring in the Great Meadow area to help restore the health of the Great Meadow wetland. flooded waters throughout a birch forest Video: A Conversation with Casey Barber, Food Writer-in-Residence Casey Barber, the first food writer to participate in Acadia's Artist-in-Residence program, describes how her residency gifted her with a deeper and richer connection to the park than she ever hoped possible. (Video by Sam Mallon, Friends of Acadia) Woman wearing apron arranges food on a tray in an outdoor courtyard setting Video: A Conversation with Kelly Collette, Comedian-in-Residence Kelly Collette, the first stand-up comic to participate in Acadia's Artist-in-Residence program, says she wants to put her spin on experiencing Acadia, especially since we all appreciate laughter more after the last few crazy serious years. (Video by Lily LaRegina, Friends of Acadia) Woman with long blonde hair laughs while sitting on a bench with a notebook on her lap Video: A Conversation with Lisa Furman, Art Therapist-in-Residence Lisa Furman, the first art therapist to participate in Acadia's Artist-in-Residence program, describes how art therapy can help you make connections to make changes in your life or learn more about yourself. (Video by Avery Howe, Friends of Acadia) Woman holds a paper with one hand and touches the top edge with the index finger on the other hand Restoring Native Plants in the Great Meadow Wetland Learn how the park is planning on increasing biodiversity and the overal habitat health of the Great Meadow during its major restoration project. a youth conservation corp participant hollds a seedling in their gloved hands. Essential Acadia: Spanish Bienvenido al Parque Nacional Acadia, la joya de la corona de la costa del Atlántico Norte. Obtenga más información sobre el parque y haga planes para su visita en nps.gov/acadia. NPS arrowhead with green background Essential Acadia: French Bienvenue au Parc National de l'Acadie, le joyau de la couronne de la côte de l'Atlantique Nord. Visitez nps.gov/acadia pour apprendre plus sur le parc et pour planifier votre visite. NPS arrowhead with brown background Essential Acadia: Hindi उत्तरी अटलांटिक समुद्र तट के ताज अकाडिया राष्ट्रीय पार्क (Acadia National Park) में आपका स्वागत है। nps.gov/acadia पर पार्क के बारे में अधिक जानें और अपनी यात्रा के लिए योजना बनाएं। NPS arrowhead with dark green background Essential Acadia: Simplified Chinese 欢迎来到阿卡迪亚国家公园，它是北大西洋海岸线上的皇冠瑰宝。请在  nps.gov/acadia 上了解有关公园的更多信息并制定游览计划。 NPS arrowhead with gold background Essential Acadia: German Willkommen im Acadia Nationalpark, dem Juwel der Nordatlantikküste. Erfahren Sie mehr über den Park und planen Sie Ihren Besuch unter nps.gov/acadia. NPS arrowhead with dark brown background Essential Acadia: Dutch Welkom in het Acadia National Park, het kroonjuweel van de Noord-Atlantische kust. Lees meer over het park en plan uw bezoek op nps.gov/acadia. NPS background with blue background Essential Acadia: Arabic Welcome to Acadia National Park, Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coastline. Learn more about the park and make plans for your visit at nps.gov/acadia NPS arrowhead with beige background Changing Acadia: Wetlands Large cedar-frame tripod waysides are telling visitors a story about innovative management strategies underway at two prominent destinations in Acadia – the summit of Cadillac Mountain and Great Meadow wetland. This web-based product is intended to make those displays more accessible for people who have mobility, visual, and cognitive impairments. It also documents the project for virtual visitors who may never have opportunity visit Acadia in person. Wood structure with three legs and display panels attached. Changing Acadia: Summits Large cedar-frame tripod waysides are telling visitors a story about innovative management strategies underway at two prominent destinations in Acadia – the summit of Cadillac Mountain and Great Meadow wetland. This web-based product is intended to make those displays more accessible for people who have mobility, visual, and cognitive impairments. It also documents the project for virtual visitors who may never have opportunity visit Acadia in person. Wood structure with three legs and display panels attached. View From the Aerie: Peregrine Falcon Watch in 2023 Follow along with the peregrine falcons growing up on the Precipice cliffs here in Acadia National Park. Acadia's raptor intern writes weekly updates to keep you informed on this pair and they continue the success of nesting peregrines in the park after recovering from collapsed populations. Ranger in a ball cap holds laminated images for a group of visitors gathered close around him Staff Spotlight: Brian Aviles Meet Brian Aviles, the Chief of Planning and Environmental Programs! Older Latino male smiling with white hair looking off to the side How to Save a Summit At the overlook off the Cadillac West Parking Lot, the group noted fresh areas of erosion in and around stands of rare alpine blueberry and blooming pin cherry. A popular place for watching the sunset, the bedrock slope is also vulnerable to rain storms of increasing intensity. Once plants are damaged, an inch of rain can easily wash away what took decades or centuries to build. A park ranger kneeling next to a squared off section of soil. Get to know Acadia's Precious Pollinators Get to know Acadia's Pollinators A beetle, one of Acadia's pollinators, sits on a flowery toilet. Monitoring Sea Level Rise What do the highest tides of the year tell us about future sea levels, storms, and vulnerability of coastal locations? We monitor the highest tides of the year (sometimes called “king tides”) because they represent the “average” high tides of the future and their potential impacts on park resources. Resource managers use the data to understand the vulnerability of locations in the park to storms and floods and make decisions about park management. Waves crash against a rocky coastline. Extreme Trees - How do you manage the future forest? Maine’s forests have had an abundance of natural regeneration - the process by which older trees provide seeds that fall, germinate, and ultimately restock the site. A recent study of regeneration in eastern U.S. national park woodlands found that Acadia’s forests are in a “secure” condition. But, with the rapidly rising rate of extreme climate events like heat waves, drought, and mid-winter thaws, we don’t really know what our future forests will look like. Researchers examine a tree sapling in front of a planter. Research Brief: Tracking the spread of the Southern Pine Beetle Many mountains in Acadia National Park, including Cadillac and Dorr mountains, are covered in forests of pitch pine. These trees, growing at the northernmost edge of the pitch pine’s range in unique association with other plants and animals, are vulnerable to a recently spreading pest, the southern pine beetle. A young green pinecone growing at the end of a branch. Research Brief: Small Mammals and their response to Disturbance Red squirrels, chipmunks, ermine, and other small mammals are part of Acadia’s community of wildlife. Encounters between wildlife and human activity, including park management, may be stressful for animals. Dr. Brittany Slabach, a lecturer of biology at Trinity University in Texas, has been studying how landscape ecology and park management affect biodiversity of small mammals. A smiling researcher holds up a small mouse by its scruff. Species Spotlight - Black Bear Bears have endured a paradoxical reputation for centuries. At once being associated with cuddly teddy bears and the helpful Smokey Bear, as well as a ferocious, blood-thirsty beast. As we learn more about their mind-boggling biology however, they may start to occupy a new niche in the popular mind - that of a natural marvel. A sitting black bear Acadia National Park Maintenance Facility The National Park Service (NPS) is constructing a new maintenance facility at Acadia National Park. This new facility will provide park staff with enhanced facilities to better serve visitors and protect park resources. Funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, the new facility will provide maintenance shops, equipment support space, restrooms, offices, meeting rooms, parking, and an updated septic system. Artistic rendering of the outside of a building. How Worm Harvesters Are Helping Acadia Understand Its Declining Coastal Fisheries Acadia National Park is working with local communities to study the park’s changing coastal environment. There’s a lot at stake. Woman holds up a long worm while standing on a beach. When Communities Lead the Way Community (led) science takes scientific research outside park boundaries and into people’s lives. The effects can be transformational. Three women, one wearing a NPS uniform, stand smiling in front of a projector screen. If Seaweed Could Talk Renowned phycologist and marine ecologist Susan Brawley discovered that even the simplest organisms can teach us profound lessons. Two women, one older, one younger, speak as they stand outside on a rocky shore at low tide. Bats Are in Danger. Here’s How and Why We’re Helping Them. Bats are amazing animals and a formidable force against insect pests, but a nasty fungal disease is killing them. A coordinated national response brings hope. GIF of a bat with big ears in a gloved hand, rotating its head and opening and closing its mouth. Acadia National Park: Schoodic District Water and Wastewater Systems Rehabilitation The Schoodic District’s water and wastewater systems are comprised of aging infrastructure that must be updated to ensure the protection of adjacent waters and lands. The project is funded by the Great American Outdoors Act and will address $6.4 million of deferred maintenance. Construction workers at Acadia National Park. Project Profile: Acadia National Park Salt Marsh Restoration The National Park Service will integrate traditional Indigenous knowledge and climate-smart techniques to remove invasive plants, restore native plants, and enhance a significant Indigenous cultural landscape in Acadia National Park. The project will result in a restored, climate-resilient salt marsh ecosystem and will support traditional harvesting of sweetgrass. a man in an orange safety vest navigates through thick vegetation Project Profile: Restore Great Meadow Integrity and Improve Access The National Park Service in partnership with Friends of Acadia and Schoodic Institute will restore the ecological integrity of the Great Meadow wetland and improve the recreational trail network accessing the wetland in Acadia National Park. a woman and a girl take photos of fall foliage from a boardwalk in a forested wetland area Project Profile: Restoration to Improve Trail Use in Acadia National Park The National Park Service will restore the highly visited 100-acre Great Meadow wetland of Acadia National Park by replacing or installing culverts, building raised boardwalks, managing invasive plants, planting native plants, and remediating man-made landscape alterations. The project will also improve fish passage and restore and measurably reduce flooding of trails. Two scientists stand in a wetland meadow examining the vegetation Access: Audio Description Tour of Acadia Artwork More than a dozen visual art pieces from the Artist-in-Residence program currently are displayed in public spaces in Acadia. To make the gallery experience more inclusive for people who have visual impairments, a recorded audio description and transcript are offered at the top of each artwork's entry in the program's online catalog. In this tour, each displayed artwork is presented in sequence along with directions to navigate the physical space. Woman in white dress wears metal artwork around her neck Tidepool Tuesday For a series of Tuesdays in summer of 2023, help Acadia celebrate its resident tidepool dwellers. Large and small, four legged or hundred-legged, squishy or rock solid, there's a place for them all! Two crabs embrace at the bow of a ship. Riding the Winds: Hawk Watch in Acadia National Park 2023 Acadia National Park annually participates in a Hawk Watch to document the migration of raptors as they pass over Cadillac Mountain. The Hawk Watch is conducted in partnership with the Schoodic Institute and is one of over 300 sites across North America that identify and quantify migratory raptors including hawks, osprey, eagles and falcons. Mountain summit with islands in distance and a large wooden sign displaying a chart in foreground My Park Story: Megan Spina Read Megan's park story of interning with the Student Conservation Association at Devils Postpile National Monument and later as a Scientists in Parks at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. A woman looking through binoculars. In the Pines with Caroline Kanaskie I looked around at my surroundings. The sun reflected off the granite, hugging me with its warm rays. The pitch pine trees around me stood tall and firm. I thought about the southern pine beetles crawling up the northeastern coast towards me, towards Acadia, towards the park’s trees. I felt helpless. Waiting for the beetles to come, maybe years from now, maybe more. Species Spotlight - Woodland Box Turtle Box turtles have evolved the familiar turtle shell to near perfection, holding the ability to close of its head and legs within its hinged under shell. A turtle supports the Earh on its back Enjoy the View Like Jeffrey Malone “You can hear the waves on the rocks, the wind blowing, the seagulls crying, and the sound of the fog bells dinging offshore. You can smell the salt from the ocean and the pine trees that grow right up to the oceans edge.” This is how Jeffrey Malone describes his favorite view at Acadia National Park. a rocky cove surrounded by evergreen trees. How to Collaborate with a Scientist (or Park Interpreter), Illustrated We teamed up with park rangers and researchers to increase opportunities for sharing science. Humorous illustrations show what we learned in the process. Drawing of a woman carrying an alligator. A boy points. A woman holding his hand looks shocked. Strong Visitor Support for Steps to Limit Light Pollution In a world where excess light is wiping out our views of the stars at a startling pace, parks can protect natural darkness. But do nighttime visitors support the changes parks must make to bring back dark night skies? We didn’t know until we asked them. A group of people with red lights and telescopes under a starry night sky with the Milky Way visible The Devoted People behind Big Data in National Parks Citizen science volunteers collect massive amounts of crucial scientific information. They gather it from sources as varied as oceans, mountainsides, and historic archives. Smart new tools are making their contributions even more powerful. Two smiling women stand in front of a national park sign. Acadia Volunteer Impact Volunteers are an integral part of our Acadia Team. They bring energy, passion, and new ideas to the table. Working in partnership with our staff, volunteers enable us to provide the most engaging, educational, and safe experience for our visitors possible while helping us protect the invaluable natural and cultural resources that make this such a special place. Trail crew in woods Species Spotlight - Moose Moose have long been revered animal by native peoples. In recent decades it has been suffering from a combination of warming winters, parasitic brainworms, and winter ticks. Biologists across its range are working on ways to hwlp. A moose in thick forest. Beavers create habitat diversity in Acadia Mount Desert Island is a watery place, thanks in part to the presence of beavers. Today, few visitors are likely to encounter a beaver. But many visitors –- as they experience a watery landscape vibrant with life -- enjoy the influence of beavers in Acadia. Beaver swimming through brown water Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) on the Horizon: Protecting Lakes in Acadia National Park from the Threat of Harmful Algal Blooms Toxin-producing cyanobacteria can form HABs in lakes, leading to unfavorable impacts on drinking water, recreation, tourism, and ecosystem structure and function. Lakes in ANP have excellent water quality, but in the last decade several Maine lakes have experienced unprecedented and costly HABs, as have lakes in other National Park Service (NPS) units. Pond reflecting the treeline above it Richard Huck Richard Huck, of Northeast Harbor, ME, is participating as a visual artist in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2024. smiling man white short white hair, glasses, and a dark blue shirt Lorraine Bubar Lorraine Bubar, of Los Angeles, CA, is participating as a Visual Artist in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2024. Smiling woman with short white hair, dark eyeglasses, and a lace blouse Vanessa Blakeslee Vanessa Blakeslee, of Melbourne, FL, is participating as a Writer in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2024. Woman with red hair wearing a dark velvet jacket and a white patterned scarf around her neck Mike Bove Mike Bove, of Portland, ME, is participating as a Writer in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2024. Smiling man with short gray-speckled hair and beard wearing a green hoodie Caleb Worcester Caleb Worcester, of Kansas City, MO, is participating as an At-Large Artist in the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park in 2024. Smiling young man with strawberry blond hair wearing a white sweater Monitoring the Sand Beach Shipwreck In addition to causing significant damage across the park, back-to-back storms in January 2024 uncovered the Tay, a shipwrecked Canadian lumber schooner. These wooden sailing vessels carried lumber and coal between New Brunswick, Portland, Boston, and other ports. A park ranger works on a part of a shipwreck 2023 Acadia Science Year in Review Another banner year for science in Acadia National Park! Researchers worked on 85 different projects, many of them forward-looking to help us understand how the park’s natural and cultural resources are changing and how we can best manage them to ensure that they remain healthy for future generations to enjoy. Researchers examine a small rodent Research Brief: Exploring landscape change in Acadia with historical aerial imagery and modern photogrammetry In order to prepare for the future, it is essential to look to the past. The story of northern forests is one of change. Whether analyzing rapid changes in land use or more subtle responses to climate change, truly understanding the way these ecosystems act and react to the world around them requires a deeper historical perspective. Historic photos mapped over a map of the midcoast Research Brief: Informing Management of Amphibian Road Crossings in Acadia National Park From the sound of a spring peeper’s chirping to a glimpse of a brilliantly colored red eft, amphibians are an irreplaceable part of experiencing the northern forest. At least 11 species of amphibians live in Acadia, where they play a role in food webs, nutrient cycling, and other ecosystem processes. Acadia Science Fellow and University of Maine graduate student Marisa Monroe hopes to gain a deeper understanding of amphibians and the risks they face. a brilliant orange salamander with red spots walks across leaf litter Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park Service To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Research Brief: Surveying Purple Sandpipers through the Decades Researchers are repeating surveys of purple sandpipers, migratory shorebirds that spend their winters along the coast of Maine. The species has been in decline in recent decades and Acadia's protected shorelines continue to provide important habitat. Purple Sandpiper perched on a seaweed-covered rocky Atlantic Ocean shoreline in Acadia National Park View From the Aerie: Peregrine Falcon Watch in 2024 Acadia's Peregrine Falcon Watch Follow along with the View from the Aerie 2024 for weekly updates on the growing peregrine falcons along the cliffs of the precipice here in Acadia National Park. SCA Intern Sara monitors a visitor looking at a peregrine falcon fledgling.