Fall/Winter 2013 Volume 18 No. 3

A Magazine about Acadia National Park and Surrounding Communities

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 1 Purchase Your Park Pass! Even in winter, your park pass purchase helps make possible vital maintenance projects in Acadia. Eighty percent of all fees paid in the park stay in the park…and park passes make a welcome holiday gift!

The Acadia National Park $40 annual pass and $20 weekly pass ($10 in the shoulder seasons) are available all winter at the Acadia National Park Winter Visitor Center at Park Headquarters on the Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor.

In addition, annual passes are offered for $20 each in the month of December only at these locations:

Acadia National Park Winter Visitor Center Town Office of Mount Desert Town Office of Tremont Town Office of Gouldsboro

For more information visit www.friendsofacadia.org President’s Message

Shut Down but Not Out

“ ’m sorry,” the Bar Harbor resident told While several meetings, events, and visits Acadia’s chief ranger Stuart West at a were cancelled, one important gathering public forum during the government did proceed on schedule. On October I th shutdown that forced Acadia’s closure in 7 , Friends of Acadia convened an initial early October, “but I can’t stay out of the conversation among 50 or so local residents park. It is part of who I am.” She contin- and organizations concerning how to help ued, “I am not taking my daily bike ride out celebrate Acadia’s centennial in 2016. On a of disrespect for you or the law. I am not dark and drizzly morning during the height making a political statement through an act of the political standoff in Washington, of civil disobedience. I just need Acadia to we were overwhelmed with the energy make me whole as a person, as a mom, and and ideas in the room, the creativity and as a teacher.” optimism, and most importantly, the sense Yes, the shutdown caused confusion, of pride and ownership that our community frustration, and real economic impact here feels for Acadia. Stay tuned and look for in our community during the two-week pe- opportunities to join the planning for what riod that saw our trailheads, parking lots, should be a historic celebration of Acadia’s and motor roads gated off while the autumn first one hundred years, and the launch foliage peaked under brilliant sunny skies. of a second century of conservation and But it was also a time of rare and vivid Yes, the shutdown caused inspiration. clarity as to the importance of Acadia to confusion, frustration, and A few weeks later, that same palpable many people’s lives and livelihoods. real economic impact here in sense of community stewardship was evi- Another community member wrote on dent at our annual Take Pride in Acadia Facebook: “Thank you George Dorr! With our community . . . . But it event. The park was open by this time, and the government shut down, I can now was also a time of rare and while the shutdown was barely mentioned imagine what this wonderful island would if at all, there was a sense of increased ap- feel like if you and your colleagues had vivid clarity as to the impor- preciation for the magnificent setting in not purchased all that private land that tance of Acadia to many peo- which the nearly 400 volunteers worked, as would become ours, in the form of Acadia ple’s lives and livelihoods. well as a collective but unspoken message National Park. We would never have such to the carriage roads, to the park founders, easy access to the shoreline, the mountains, and to the park staff: Don’t worry, we’ve got the lakes and streams of Mount Desert fully without our essential partners at the your back. Island. Thanks, too, to our National Park National Park Service. And as the first snowflakes fall on Aca- Service stewards and Friends of Acadia, The skeleton crew of a dozen or so rang- dia this week and our volunteers shift their who have provided access to Acadia for ers who stayed on duty to ensure public attention from raking the carriage roads to nearly a century.” safety did an exemplary job in the unenvi- grooming them for cross-country skiing, all Here at Friends of Acadia, one of the able task of politely asking people to stay out of us at Friends of Acadia want to express advantages to being a an independent and of their beloved park. They interpreted the our appreciation for the commitment and nonprofit organization was that none of our orders from Washington with a healthy dose support that all of you provide to make our employees were furloughed—in fact, our of common sense, respect for the surround- work possible. � office ranks swelled as we provided extra ing communities, and appreciation for what desk space for several of FOA’s seasonal em- makes Acadia so unique. I heard from many ployees who could not report for their usual visitors who reported enjoying their time in duties within the park. the park more than ever during the shut- But at a critical time of year for wrapping down, due to the absence of motor vehicles up fieldwork, planning and budgeting for and a quieter, more peaceful atmosphere in the coming year, and serving the visiting which to enjoy Sand Beach or Otter Cliffs— public during the increasingly popular fall as well as the satisfaction from having to season, it was impossible to do our jobs work just a bit harder to get there! —David R. MacDonald

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Edward L. Samek, Chair John Fassak, Vice Chair Michael Cook, Treasurer Emily Beck, Secretary

Fred Benson Brownie Carson Gail Clark Hannah Sistare Clark Andrew Davis Nathaniel Fenton Chris Fogg Fall/Winter 2013 Jill Goldthwait Volume 18 No. 3 C. Boyden Gray Anne Green A Magazine about Acadia National Park and Surrounding Communities Cookie Horner Jan Kärst Jack Kelley Meredith Moriarty Lili Pew Donna Reis Jack Russell Hank Schmelzer Nonie Sullivan Christiaan van Heerden Dick Wolf Bill Zoellick

HONORARY TRUSTEES Eleanor Ames Robert and Anne Bass Curtis and Patricia Blake Robert and Sylvia Blake Frederic A. Bourke Jr. Tristram and Ruth Colket Gail Cook Shelby and Gale Davis Feature Articles Dianna Emory Frances Fitzgerald 8 Exciting Partnership with Canon U.S.A. Enables Lisa Horsch Clark Sheldon Goldthwait Neva Goodwin Inaugural Projects for a Wild Acadia Paul and Eileen Growald A committed corporate sponsor steps up for Acadia’s natural resources John and Polly Guth Paul Haertel Lee Judd 10 Rehabilitating the Sieur de Monts Spring Pool Rebecca Cole-Will and Debby Lash Where natural and cultural resources intertwine Judy Hazen Connery Linda Lewis Liz Martinez Gerrish and Phoebe Milliken 12 My Summer as a TRT DeLene Hoffner George J. and Heather Mitchell Joseph Murphy A Teacher-Ranger reflects on a once-in-a-lifetime experience Janneke Neilson Nancy Nimick Jack Perkins 14 Managing Invasive Plants in Acadia’s Gateway Communities Anna Adams Nancy Pyne A new volunteer liaison tackles problem plants on MDI Nathaniel P. Reed Ann R. Roberts David Rockefeller 16 What Is Happening to Bats on Mount Desert Island? Bruce Connery Jeannine Ross We all can help these important mammals to survive Howard Solomon Erwin Soule Diana Davis Spencer 32 Why I’m a Friend of Acadia Nate Levesque Julia Merck Utsch Lessons and Connections in Acadia EMERITUS TRUSTEES W. Kent Olson Charles R. Tyson Jr. Activities and Departments 1 President’s Message Shut Down but Not Out FRIENDS OF ACADIA STAFF Theresa Begley, Projects & Events Coordinator 3 Superintendent’s View Acadia’s Night Sky Rediscovered Mary Boëchat, Development Officer 5 Special People Priscilla and Jack Hirschenhofer Sharon Broom, Development Officer Aimee Beal Church, Communications & Outreach Coordinator 7 Where in Acadia? Stephanie Clement, Conservation Director Lisa Horsch Clark, Director of Development 21 Updates Sarah Curts, Accounting & Administrative Associate 27 Advocacy Corner An Active Fall for Acadia’s Advocates David R. MacDonald, President & CEO Diana R. McDowell, Director of Finance & Administration 28 Book Reviews Mike Staggs, Office Manager 31 Chairman’s Letter­ “Don’t it always seem to go . . .”

2 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal Superintendent’s View Acadia’s Night Sky Rediscovered

urious visitors to Acadia sometimes tember, it offers more than 40 programs for ask, “How big is the park?” The all ages and interests, including stargazing Cstraightforward answer would be programs, lectures, films, hikes, and art nearly 48,000 acres, but you could also say exhibits. It is steadily attracting more and it’s as big as the universe—just look up on a more visitors to the area during the fall clear night. For decades, the scenic beauty shoulder season: this year, around 4,600 of Acadia’s landscape has attracted visitors, people from New England and beyond par- but in recent years the night sky has re- ticipated in the 5th Annual Acadia Night Sky ceived increasing attention. Festival. Many were excited to see the Milky Once just a backdrop, the National Park Way in its full splendor for the first time. Service (NPS) now considers the night sky Another important step is to retrofit an integral part of the park and is taking outdoor lights on park facilities to reduce steps to preserve and interpret this redis- light pollution. In 2009, the NPS received covered resource. The current NPS man- a grant from the National Park Foundation agement policies, adopted in 2006, state for to assess the park’s outdoor lighting and the first time that “the Service will preserve, complete a demonstration project. That

to the greatest extent possible, the natural Peter Travers summer, Christine Kercell, an intern from lightscapes of parks, which are natural re- tory is the critical first step toward sound, Slippery Rock University, inventoried all sources and values that exist in the absence science-based decisions. We measured light 829 outdoor lighting fixtures in the park of human-caused light.” pollution throughout the park to provide a and determined that 340 (or 41% of total) Protecting Acadia’s night sky is particu- baseline; currently, Acadia’s night sky rang- met the desired lighting standard as fully larly important because it is the only na- es from a Class 3 to 4 on the Bortle scale shielded. tional park in the Northeast that, like more (a measure of the night sky’s brightness, This was followed by generous dona- remote national parks in the West, provides ranging from 1 to 9, with Class 1 being the tions from Musco Lighting (an outdoor the opportunity to enjoy natural darkness brightest and least impaired). lighting company) and the Yawkey Foun- and a high-quality night sky. Visitors can Recognizing that Acadia’s night sky has dation through FOA to replace more than be awed by outstanding views of the thou- no boundary line, we then worked with 40 non-compliant lights at Blackwoods sands of stars of the Milky Way arching over the surrounding communities to develop campground, with Musco Lighting provid- the park from horizon to horizon, a sight an understanding of the night sky’s value ing fully shielded light fixtures and techni- that two-thirds of all Americans cannot see and ways to preserve it. As a result, in 2008 cal support, and the Yawkey Foundation at home due to light pollution. the Bar Harbor Conservation Commission funding their installation. When the project As development continues to increase in led the town to adopt new outdoor lighting is completed next year, visitors will enjoy a surrounding communities, Acadia’s night standards in its land use ordinance. Mount markedly more starlit camping experience. sky is threatened. Over the past seven years, Desert and Tremont soon followed with With the great cooperation of partners we have made an effort to measure, pro- their own lighting ordinances. All three or- and surrounding communities, we are mote, and protect the quality of the night dinances require that outdoor light fixtures making significant strides to slow—and in sky, working with gateway communities, be “fully shielded” or “full cut-off” so that all some cases reverse—the impacts of light local businesses, and other partners includ- light is directed downward, greatly reduc- pollution. The next time you are in Acadia ing Friends of Acadia. The forecast for in- ing light pollution. under a clear dark sky, don’t forget to look creased light pollution is alarming, yet there We then partnered with FOA, the Bar up—the park is bigger than you think. � are identifiable solutions and a growing Harbor Chamber of Commerce, and many number of success stories in protecting and other businesses and organizations in 2009 restoring night skies. Unlike many resource to inaugurate the Acadia Night Sky Festi- management challenges at Acadia, light val, a five-day “community celebration to pollution is one of the easiest environmen- promote the protection and enjoyment of tal problems to fix, and the natural night Downeast Acadia’s stellar night sky as a sky is 100% recoverable. valuable natural resource through educa- As with other park resources, an inven- tion, science, and the arts.” Held each Sep- —Sheridan Steele

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 3 Notes from Friends

Family Fun Day Fun A Great Quest We had a nice day walking the bog path. Thanks so much for another great FOA ac- We stopped at the glacier station, my son tivity. Acadia Quest: a vacation with a pur- Fall/Winter 2013 Volume 18 No. 3 had his photo taken, and we continued pose! Seriously—we loved it all, even miss- along the boardwalk. We saw three owls ing the tide timing on the way back from A Magazine about Acadia National Park in the trees with Ranger Joanie. What a Bar Island, a memory that will go down in and Surrounding Communities great day to experience the great outdoors!! family history. Friends of Acadia preserves, protects, and Thanks to all who volunteered to make our On to next year and another great Quest. promotes stewardship of the outstanding vacation such a wonderful time in Acadia With many thanks for all you do for our natural beauty, ecological vitality, National Park. best place on Earth— and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and surrounding —Laurie Bernard (via Facebook) —“Team Bennett” communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and Andy, Beth, Ethan, and Fiona future generations. A Bridge of Appreciation Walnutport, Pennsylvania Gratitude to the trail folks for so quickly The Journal is published three times a year. and beautifully putting a new bridge in Thank you for organizing this program Submissions and letters are welcome. See over Kebo stream, at the entry to the “new” [Acadia Quest]! It was such a fantastic way http://friendsofacadia.org/news-publications/ path—so named as it was the last and new- for us to come and explore Acadia. We re- friends-of-acadia-journal/submissions/ for guidelines. est link on the Great Meadow Loop. ally appreciated the hiking guide and just My dog Sylvie and I use this path almost had an amazing experience. Acadia’s now Opinions expressed are the authors’. daily and appreciate its beauty and its di- one of our favorite places! We definitely rectness to both the GML and all our walks plan to participate next year. Thanks again! EDITOR in the park every early a.m. I’m sure count- Aimee Beal Church less folks are grateful! —The “Daring D’s” DESIGN —Sandy Haggett Sarah Dirndorfer Mahan Graphics Bar Harbor, Maine Mt. Airy, Maryland PHOTOGRAPHER AT LARGE Tom Blagden Making the Best of the Shutdown Taking Pride PRINTING Our Sierra Club Service outing was supposed Thank you so much for hosting our stu- Penmor Lithographers to camp in Blackwoods and work in Acadia dents on Saturday [Take Pride in Aca- National Park the week of 9/30–10/4. We did dia Day, November 2]. Bringing all those PUBLISHER David R. MacDonald work Monday; Ben Dunphey and Ari Gillar- people together from all over the state is Leinwohl, two of your seasonal employees, a monumental task. Add in a government worked with us. Jonathan Gormley, volunteer shutdown and that equals a load of stress. coordinator for Acadia National Park, worked Our students love to visit Acadia, and I the telephones and got us other arrange- love to put them to work! The weather was ments due to the government shutdown. We perfect. The food was great. And they had went to work for and with Billy Helprin, re- a great time. Thank you for organizing a gional steward at Maine Coast Heritage Trust great event! on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. He also —Lisa Morin, Coordinator worked the telephones and found us private The Bodwell Center for Service camping at no additional charges. Ben and Ari and Volunteerism continued to work with us. There are two nice University of Maine young men, sharing and enthused about their Orono, Maine Jordan Pond and Sargent Mountain by Tom Blagden work. Our service outing was a success thanks to Correction the good communicating and organizational In the summer 2013 issue of the Friends of Aca- skills of Jonathan, Billy, Ben, Ari, Michelle (our dia Journal, a contributor was incorrectly listed This Journal is printed on paper made with 100% Sierra Club leader) and others. Thank you! in the Table of Contents, page 2. The author of recycled fiber and 60% post-consumer waste, processed “Acadia as the Embodiment of a Japanese Gar- chlorine free, and manufactured in the USA with —Anne F. Berlin and Robert T. Bell den” is Cora Olgyay and her correct profession is 100% Green-e certified renewable energy. Printed with Germantown, Ohio landscape architect. We regret the error. soy-based ink, using wind power. 4 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal Special People Priscilla and Jack Hirschenhofer: Building Bridges of Friendship in Acadia

sk Jack Hirschenhofer about his cording to Jack, “We volunteered for Take favorite volunteer job on the trails Pride in Acadia Day in November 2004, Aof Acadia National Park and he will and I especially enjoyed working with reply with a smile, “Rebuilding trail bridg- people who turned out to be leaders of vol- es—because the results are very tangible.” unteer trail crews in the park. They took But Jack will also tell you that as a volun- me under their wing and told me about the teer in Acadia he does whatever is needed, opportunity to volunteer in the park on a including routine tasks like raking leaves regular basis.” Jack began volunteering the from ditches along the park’s carriage following year, and four years later he took roads. “It may sound dull, but we know the on the responsibility of being a volunteer work is important because it’s part of wa- trail crew leader. ter management, and managing the flow of From June through October, Jack and Jack Hirschenhofer water is one of the most critical aspects of other crew leaders direct the work of vol- Priscilla at the FOA membership table at the Jordan Pond House. taking care of Acadia.” unteers who help with outdoor projects Jack and his wife, Priscilla, are among in the park. Anyone who is interested can Priscilla and Jack agree that there are two the volunteers who resolutely devote thou- join the crews each Tuesday, Thursday, and compelling reasons why they volunteer in sands of hours to Friends of Acadia and the Saturday morning, for one day or for the the park: their love for Acadia and the close park each year. The couple live in Wyo- entire summer. Trail volunteers may find friendships they have formed with other missing, PA during the winter but are al- themselves cutting back vegetation along volunteers. ways eager to return to their summer home the trails and carriage roads, rebuilding “Every time I’m in the park, it’s an inspi- in Hancock. Both began volunteering to rock retaining walls or drainages, maintain- rational experience,” Jack says. “Volunteer- work on Acadia’s trails and carriage roads ing historic vistas, or closing “social” paths ing in Acadia gives me a sense of ownership in 2005. When Friends of Acadia created to preserve natural areas. A favorite project and I feel like I’m part of the park.” a volunteer membership table program in is “flossing Mr. Rockefeller’s teeth”—clear- Priscilla adds that although she grew up 2007, Priscilla was one of the first to sign ing vegetation around the granite coping in Gardiner, ME, she had only visited Aca- up and she has continued to volunteer ev- stones that line the carriage roads, affec- dia once until she and Jack started spend- ery summer. tionately named for John D. Rockefeller Jr, ing their summers in Hancock ten years Priscilla and Jack say it was the enthusi- who gave Acadia its carriage road system. ago. Now she and Jack make numerous asm and commitment of other volunteers For Priscilla, the new membership table round-trips between Hancock and Acadia that convinced them to come aboard. Ac- was a welcome opportunity to continue each summer to volunteer in the park. To volunteering when physi- moderate their use of vehicles, Jack usually cal challenges began to carpools; Priscilla rides with other volun- make trail work difficult. teers to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, then With her warm welcome takes the Island Explorer bus to the Jordan and friendly smile, Pris- Pond House. cilla usually finds a com- Both enjoy the wide spectrum of people mon interest with visitors they have come to know as volunteers: at the membership table Acadia and FOA staff, other crew leaders, at Jordan Pond House, regular volunteers, and spouses. “We have whether they are from made many friends,” Priscilla says, “and Moscow, Micronesia, or they are lasting friendships.” Machias. She explains To anyone who is considering volunteer- how they can help pre- ing, Jack says, “Go try it!” � serve the park by joining Jack Hirschenhofer Jack (left) working on Acadia’s trails with the Hirschenhofers’ children, FOA and quite often they Kim and Kurt. decide to join on the spot. —Sharon Broom

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 5 Nan Sawyer In Memoriam Ernest Schieferstein We gratefully acknowledge gifts received in John W. Schillinger memory of: Annie Schneider William Amos Calling All Artists and Graphic Designers! Trudy Schwartz Minnie Mary Ascolese Patricia Scull Winnie Atkins Jeanne B. Sharpe W.C. Ballard Nancy Silverman Entries are invited for the Malcolm Blanchard Dr. Carlita Snygg Karen K. Bridge April Sponaugle Acadia National Park Francis H. Brooks Walter St. Peter Dick Cossaboon Scott J. Stevens Centennial Celebration Chakra Nancy Sweeney Robert Crabb Ivan Szanto Charles Cunningham Logo Contest Eileen Tateo Beebe Phillip DiSalvo Tristan and Madeleine C. Arthur Dodge Chrysandra L. Walter George B. Dorr Hugh White Kiel S. Dudley Acadia’s Centennial: J.J. Wieckowski Elizabeth Epp Lilian Dorr Willey Richard and Linda Foster Celebrate our past! Inspire our future! Sek Wing Eng Lois Frazier Reverend George Dana Younger Jr. Richard Frost Margaret Gean In 2016, Acadia National Park will be celebrating its John and Oleta Hallett In Nomine Centennial. The park’s 100th Anniversary will be promoted Helen Heath We gratefully acknowledge gifts received Lorraine Horsch and celebrated throughout the park and surrounding com- in honor of: Jo Ann Johnson Dan Arnold munities starting in the fall of 2015. Acadia National Park’s Shirley F. Johnson Brett and Cheryl Scudder’s 20th Anni- Centennial will encourage people to celebrate Acadia Na- Bernadette Kenney versary John E. Kirby Quinn and Gabi Castelli tional Park’s rich natural and cultural history, and inspire Bob S. Kluger Lisa Horsch Clark and Bob Clark people to make a personal connection with the park and Fay Krawchick Barbara Cole work for the best possible future for this national treasure. Gertrude Lamoureaux Gail and Kevit Cook Ted Lange Christine Cordova Frederick F. Lawman The G. Family In order to put those plans in motion, a logo is needed for Peg Lawson Maddie Field educational, promotional, and marketing pieces. To that Shari Lynn Peter Fleisher Allen Mactier Tom Futrell end, the Acadia Centennial Task Force, which includes Suzanne A. Mauer Gail and Marvin Hill Valerie McAdam Acadia National Park, Friends of Acadia, and other Dr. Leon and Gail Amalia Katz partners, is sponsoring the Acadia Centennial Celebration Nancy B. McBride Beatrice Killian Joe McGlone John Markowitz Logo Contest. Mary Mead Marion and Stan Mason James R. Miller Jacki and Frank McCreary Keith E. Miller Nancy Osgood Prize: $3,000 for the winning design Lynn S. Mocarsky Lili Pew David Moore Polly and Dan Pierce Deadline: February 28, 2014 Elinor F. Moore Carrie Rorer and Bear Pratt Richard N. Morgan Deborah Rich Marie Murphy John D. Rockefeller Jr. Entry Fee: $30 for up to three designs by one entrant David Nalle Jane and Robert Sanderson Robert Palmer Diane Steele Mary C. Philbrick Julie Banzhaf Stone and Steven Stone Judging: The contest will be judged by a panel of Friends Dora Pierce The Lorax of Acadia and Acadia National Park staff. Entries will be David L. Rabasca Janna Weisfeld Harold Reynolds reviewed anonymously. James P. Roberts June 1–September 30, 2013 Marie E. Russell Restrictions: Board, staff, and immediate family members of Friends of Acadia may not enter the contest. Employees and immediate family members of Acadia National Park may not enter the contest. Entrants must be 18 years old.

For complete rules, creative brief, and entry form, visit http://friendsofacadia.org

Questions? Contact Friends of Acadia at [email protected]. Friends of Acadia/Aimee Beal Church Great Meadow in autumn. 6 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal Where in Acadia?

Canon, a leading provider of consumer, business-to- business and industrial digital imaging solutions, is committed to giving back to the communities in which we live and work. Whether it’s supporting youth initiatives or sustaining the environment, Canon is dedicated to creating programs and products that aim to make a positive difference for our planet.

Where in Acadia? This is not a hidden spot, but you might not recognize it from this Learn more at unusual angle and covered with ice, as it tends to be in the colder months of the year. If www.usa.canon.com/ you know where this is, email us at [email protected] and include a personal environment story or memory from this place if you can! We’ll print our favorite response along with another “Where in Acadia?” photo in the next issue of the Journal.

Summer 2013 Where in Acadia? Your summer 2013 edition has a picture of what we locals call Jimmy’s Wharf. It is actually located in Otter Creek about a five-minute walk from my house. ©2013 Canon U.S.A., Inc. It was a pier for the quarry stone that was mined from the ledges All rights reserved. Canon U.S.A., Inc. not far away, which are still evident today. As kids we would swim One Canon Park, Melville, NY 11747. from the pier on incoming tides as the water would be much warmer from the sun beat- Canon is a registered trademark ing on the mud flats. It is still a place that I visit today. of Canon Inc. —Rick Higgins, Otter Creek, Maine Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 7 Wild Acadia

Exciting Partnership with Canon U.S.A. Enables Inaugural Projects for a Wild Acadia

By Lisa Horsch Clark

f Mr. Dorr were coming to your house for plants and trees, and clean air and water? dinner tonight, what would you tell him “Our company commitment To this end, Friends of Acadia and the park Iabout Acadia National Park? Certainly to the environment is an in- established Wild Acadia, a set of restoration, the deep forests, clear waters, and beloved tegral part of our corporate outreach, and research initiatives that will trails he knew still exist, but clearly the park ensure the park is protected for today’s visi- isn’t the same as it was almost one hundred philosophy,” said Kotaro Fu- tors and the many millions who will visit in years ago. With an increase of 540% in kushima, senior director and the years to come. park visitation during his lifetime, George These protection measures come at a cost. B. Dorr likely knew that visitors to the new general manager, Corporate Happily, Friends of Acadia had the great for- park would have a dramatic impact on its Communications Division, tune early this year to establish a new part- resources. But he and other park founders Canon U.S.A. “We are excit- nership with Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in couldn’t have predicted climate change and digital imaging solutions. Canon was eager the impacts it would have on the water, air, ed to be partnering with the to make a significant and lasting difference and land of Acadia. The 21st-century Acadia Wild Acadia program so that for natural resource protection in Acadia, is still enchanting but it is different, due pri- future generations can enjoy and stepped up to help the park to tackle marily to these two significant factors: visi- two of Wild Acadia’s most pressing issues: tors and climate change. the Park and its beauty for invasive species management and water- Acadia is one of America’s most visited years to come.” quality monitoring. A fitting partner for re- national parks, drawing more than 2.4 mil- source protection, Canon identifies its cor- lion visitors each year to its relatively small Journal, David Manski, former chief of re- porate philosophy as that of Kyosei, which 35,000 acres. Friends of Acadia recognizes sources at Acadia National Park, discussed they define as “all people, regardless of race, the fine balance the park staff maintains the case for Wild Acadia and shared the goal religion, or culture, harmoniously living between providing access to these millions of “a more intact and functional natural and and working together into the future.” Their and protecting the spectacular natural and cultural landscape, where people can come dedication to Kyosei guides their tradition cultural resources of Acadia. and be inspired for the next 100 years and of commitment to protect and preserve our In the last issue of the Friends of Acadia beyond.” As we approach the park’s cen- most precious of resources and landscapes. tennial in 2016, we—park staff Invasive Species Management and FOA leader- As time and conditions allow, certain exotic ship—constantly plants will take over landscapes, wiping ask ourselves, out native flora and with them the complex How can we best community of life dependent on those na- prepare Acadia tive plants. With Canon U.S.A.’s generous for the next 100 funding, Acadia National Park expanded years? While the 2013 exotic plant management team strategic goals (EPMT), enabling the park to treat 27 of the are still being de- most highly aggressive exotic plant species fined, at the heart that threaten natural habitats and alter natu- of preparations is ral scenes in Acadia. The team protected the resource protec- park’s biodiversity, restored wetlands and tion—for what other important habitats, and improved the Friends of Acadia The exotic plant management team, led by Frank Archuleta (on right), worked is Acadia without visitor experience by enabling people to en- with several volunteer groups to remove a 2-acre infestation of bush honeysuckle in public access to joy native park landscapes. Acadia. the land, native This year’s achievements of the EPMT 8 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal were beyond all expectations. The team treated more than 97 acres and surveyed an additional 305 acres for invasives in Acadia National Park, documenting the plants re- moved, number of acres restored, and meth- ods of management for use as a historical reference and also to share with other parks managing invasive species. The team updat- ed the exotic plant management plans for all 27 major exotic plant species and the team leveraged 200 volunteer hours to maximize efficiency, leading volunteers in the (non- technical) hand-pulling of invasive plants on 17 acres of park land. All efforts led to a more natural, wild ecosystem.

Water-Quality Monitoring Integral to ecosystem health, the waters that dominated the landscape of Acadia also provide a variety of recreational pursuits in- cluding fishing, sightseeing, canoeing, and swimming. Protection of the health of Aca- dia’s lakes, streams, and wetlands, and their Courtney Wigdahl use as a source of public drinking water, Dr. Courtney Wigdahl (left) and ANP employees Alyssa Reischauer (right) and Bill Gawley (hiding behind) were significant factors in the park’s estab- prepare to launch the new water-quality measurement buoy in Jordan Pond. lishment in the early 1900s. Jordan Pond, the clearest lake in Maine, The outcome was an exponential increase Division. “We are excited to be partnering has been experiencing decreasing clarity in in water-quality measurements. More than with the Wild Acadia program so that future recent years. The cause and—more impor- 7,700 measurements were taken with the generations can enjoy the park and its beau- tantly—the effect on the broader ecosys- new monitoring system from July through ty for years to come.” tem and what can be learned about climate September 2013 compared to the 219 mea- Restoring Acadia’s landscapes and water- change and visitor impacts, is unknown. surements taken in Jordan Pond since 1942 sheds to a Wild Acadia standard would ben- Canon U.S.A.’s partnership enabled Acadia using the old monitoring system. The more efit the long-term health of the park under to establish a formal, continuous water qual- robust measurements enabled the partners even the best of circumstances. However, ity monitoring program at the lake in 2013. to join the Global Lake Ecological Observa- we now know that climate change will bring This automated monitoring will produce a tory Network (GLEON), an international sea level rise, larger and longer storm events, more comprehensive picture of water con- coalition documenting changes in lake eco- and changes in temperature. These factors ditions, which will enable park staff to bet- systems. Dr. Wigdahl presented a project heighten the stresses on Acadia’s living sys- ter understand these troubling changes and overview and preliminary findings at the tems. We have hope that a more natural make better decisions about lake protection public meeting of the Acadia Advisory Com- habitat—a Wild Acadia—will allow them to measures. It quickly became clear in project mission and hopes to present at the 2014 endure these changes. � planning that without the funding opportu- meeting of GLEON, to be held in Montreal nity offered by Canon’s partnership this im- in October. Lisa Horsch Clark is the director of portant monitoring program simply could Friends of Acadia is fortunate to be part- development and donor relations at Friends not happen. nering with Canon U.S.A. The company’s of Acadia. Acadia’s resource protection staff built gifts to preserve and protect Acadia enable their capacity by partnering with Univer- growth in capacity and good, data-driven sity of Maine scientists Dr. Jasmine Saros decision-making. We look forward to con- and Dr. Courtney Wigdahl to select, launch, tinuing and growing our partnership with Videos, blog posts, and links and monitor a NexSens CB-400 data buoy Canon U.S.A. to tackle additional challenges to additional resources for the moored at the heart of Jordan Pond. The facing Acadia. “Our company commitment inaugural Wild Acadia projects data buoy was synced with a weather station to the environment is an integral part of our can be found on our website: installed at the Jordan Pond House, both corporate philosophy,” said Kotaro Fukushi- http://friendsofacadia.org/ transmitting near-real-time data via phone ma, senior director and general manager of what-we-do/wild-acadia/. line to the project computer. Canon U.S.A.’s Corporate Communications

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 9 Wild Acadia

Rehabilitating the Sieur de Monts Spring Pool By Rebecca Cole-Will and Judy Hazen Connery

f George B. Dorr visited Acadia’s Sieur de Monts area today, he might be jus- Itifiably confused by his surroundings. Sixty-nine years after his death, Mr. Dorr’s beloved Sieur de Monts has changed con- siderably. The great fire of 1947 burned through, sparing only the spring canopy and the Abbe Museum. The National Park Service rebuilt the Nature Center in 1949, the Wild Gardens were created in 1961, and new access roads altered circulation patterns in the early 1990s. But Mr. Dorr might soon be able to see the Spring Pool looking very close to his original design. Constructed shortly after he acquired the property in 1909, the Spring Pool was a central feature of Dorr’s designed landscape. Early photographs show the rock-lined pool in the center of an open, grassy glade, surrounded with low-growing plantings. Acadia National Park archives George B. Dorr holds a cup of spring water in front of the Sieur de Monts Spring Pool, ca. 1917. But over time, shrubs and exotic invasive plants formed a tall, dense screen, complete- CLI research process documented the signif- tained. For the Sieur de Monts Spring Pool, ly obscuring the historic pool. Freezing and icance of the Spring Pool to Mr. Dorr’s plans this means that changes made between thawing dislodged some of the stones ring- for the designed landscape and provided 1909 and 1949 would be identified and ing the pool, and they slipped out of place baseline information of changes over time. preserved. For example, the Dorr memorial into the water. The pool filled with leaves The CLI determined that the period of his- plaque and plantings around it, installed in and silt, burying gravel spawning beds of torical significance for Sieur de Monts was 1947, would be retained. brook trout. And with those gravels bur- from 1909 to 1949, spanning the period Of course, Acadia’s cultural resources ied, abundant native brook trout that once from the land acquisition to rebuilding after are complexly intertwined with its natural delighted visitors became a rare sight in the the fire of 1947. resources, and any rehabilitation project Spring Pool and under the canopy. The CLI also recommended rehabilita- requires close attention to its potential ef- One of the first steps in managing the tion as the appropriate treatment. For cul- fects—both positive and negative—on the Spring Pool was to understand its signifi- tural resources, the distinction between associated natural landscape. Rehabilitating cance and context. The National Park Ser- rehabilitation and restoration is important. the spring pool gave managers an oppor- vice’s (NPS) Olmsted Center for Landscape Cultural resources managers seldom choose tunity to improve wildlife habitat—specifi- Preservation (OCLP) provided this infor- restoration for preservation treatment of cally, replace fish spawning gravel—as well mation in the form of a cultural landscape historic properties because it implies that as remove exotic invasive plants and replace inventory (CLI) of the Sieur de Monts area the resource would be returned to the ex- horticultural varieties with native plants in 2009. The CLI is a critical management act conditions when it was first created. similar in form and flower but with less im- tool for cultural resource preservation. It in- Cultural landscapes are incredibly dynamic pact on habitat. ventories and documents landscape charac- places and it would be nearly impossible to In 2010, the park’s exotic plant manage- teristics, including the condition, integrity, “turn back the clock,” in this case to 1909, ment team began removing Japanese barber- and character-defining features that make when the pool was constructed. Rehabilita- ry, Oriental bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, landscapes historically significant (and thus tion, by definition, means that the property and glossy buckthorn that had invaded the eligible for listing in the National Register is repaired, historic character is preserved, Spring Pool and surrounding forests, as well of Historic Places). For Sieur de Monts, the and changes made over time may be re- as tall winterberry bushes that obscured the

10 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal fire engine operator, Fred Mason, both the Spring and canopy pools were drained, re- quiring generators, pumps, yards of hoses, more silt fences, and sand bags. A crane was set up and fencing was placed to secure the work site and protect visitors and staff. Working in earnest to reset the stones before the October 1st deadline, the crew closely followed the historic photos, match- ing the shapes and alignments of massive granite boulders much like a jigsaw puzzle. They leveled stone stairs and removed a set of granite steps added sometime in the recent past, and made other adjustments to slope and angle to ensure that the rocks would not again slip down into the pool. The upper banks were stabilized, and the lawn extended to minimize future mainte-

Acadia National Park nance and match the original plan. And on In 2010, the pool was choked with overgrown and invasive plants, and the stones ringing the pool had September 30th, the day before the govern- slipped out of place. ment shutdown, the equipment and dams Pool. In 2011 and 2012, in addition to con- heavy stone work was completed. were removed, water-level restored, and this tinued exotic plant management efforts, two Timing is important for work in and second phase of the project was completed. seasonal gardeners, supported by NPS proj- around water. To protect aquatic organisms, The final step, if funding can be found to ect funding, weeded the historic plantings such as fish, and their habitats, by law in- support the work, will be to replace historic around the Dorr Memorial, Spring Pool, stream work may be conducted only be- and appropriate native plants such as ferns, and Nature Center, and installed silt fencing tween July 15th and October 1st. Immediately blue flags, and marsh marigolds. Perhaps by and wood chips to protect the stream from before the work began after Labor Day, park Acadia’s centennial in 2016, Sieur de Monts siltation while the next phase of work was wildlife biologists Bruce Connery and Bik will look as it once was intended—a fitting planned. An NPS arborist evaluated trees Wheeler electro-shocked brook trout and monument to George B. Dorr, “Father of for hazards and removed several large, de- released them downstream from the work Acadia.” � fective branches that posed a threat to visi- area. The trails crew of David Schlag and tors and staff. Meanwhile, in consultation Brad Ryan, led by Jeff Chapin, had a narrow REBECCA COLE-WILL is the cultural re- with environmental protection staff, includ- work window that was almost immediate- sources program manager at Acadia National ing FOA’s environmental protection intern, ly shortened by heavy and sustained rains Park. JUDY HAZEN CONNERY is a natural Hilary Krieger, plans were drawn that pro- in September. With help from the park’s resources specialist at Acadia National Park. tected natural and cultural resources dur- ing rehabilitation, and wetland permits ob- tained for the work that was to come. By this summer, the park’s trail crew was eager to begin the work resetting the historic stones around the Pool. With years of ex- perience as master stoneworkers, trail crew staff bring a deep understanding of history, respect for resources, and a light touch to their rehabilitation work. Trails foreman Gary Stellpflug and work leader Chris Barter consulted historic photographs and plans, and met on-site with Judy Hazen Connery, a natural resource specialist, as they outlined the next phase of rehabilitation work. Aca- dia National Park and Friends of Acadia staff salvaged historic plants—perhaps some that

came from Mr. Dorr’s own garden—saving Friends of Acadia them to be replanted along the pool after the The ANP trails crew reset the historic stones around the pool.

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 11 Tomorrow’s Stewards

My Summer as a TRT By DeLene Hoffner

never imagined what an amazing world national treasure. I gained new knowledge, of discovery would open up when I ap- experienced insightful lessons, and grew as Iplied to be a Teacher-Ranger-Teacher at a teacher so much last summer. I will always Acadia National Park! I pinched myself every be grateful for this amazing opportunity. day I was at Acadia, thinking, “Is this really Some of my top experiences include: happening? Am I really here, doing all this?!” • Attending numerous ranger-led pro- It brings tears to my eyes to think of the ways grams and trainings, on the ocean, Acadia National Park has filled my heart with shore, and mountains wonder and enriched my world of teaching. • Seeing wildlife I’d never seen. Puffins, My TRT experience surpassed all my ex- whales, a bobcat, unusual birds, and pectations, in so many ways. As a child, I even a porcupine! visited many national parks but I had never • Learning and co-leading the Super attended a ranger-led program. Can you be- Sand Sleuth program lieve that? My first ranger-led program was • Attending trainings specific to leading “Super Sand Sleuths” on Sand Beach. programs and working with children I’ll never forget the first time I saw the • Receiving my “Leave No Trace” cer- view of Sand Beach from the top of the stair- tification training (and I climbed way leading to the beach. The bright blue Schoodic Mountain—it was so hard!) sky contrasted with the sparkling gray ocean • Creating activities for an ANP Chil- and the fascinating rocks hugging each side. dren’s Map (my assigned TRT project) Friends of Acadia The beach was bare except for a few visi- • Creating a lesson plan about topog- DeLene Hoffner at Acadia this summer. tors; then, our group of rangers and teachers raphy for use on the National Parks headed to the sand for our class. Learning website on the beach? I have to say, as a landlubber, The TRT Program has • Attending SEA Teachers, a 5-day I was bedazzled with excitement. I rarely get changed my view of nation- training at Schoodic to be on a beach by the ocean and have nev- • Participating in the 2013 Family Fun er been trained on a beach. Alongside more al parks, inspired my use Day—fabulous! than 15 children, we became detectives of the natural world as my • Sharing the wonders of Acadia with working to uncover the mysteries of Sand classroom, and transformed numerous visitors Beach. This was my first experience hearing Along with my own new education, I a national park ranger give their interpre- my teaching with rich, new have been inspired to create an adventure of tive program. I was surprised by the finely ideas. discovery for my students. Learning should tuned components of her hour-long lesson. be an exploration, where discoveries spark We had games, made models, and created tions, and work involved in bringing Acadia’s the curiosity to want to learn more! I’m ex- our learning with the ranger’s guidance. My natural resources to life for visitors. I learned cited to share my experiences and my learn- favorite discovery was that the sand is not so much from many rangers. I want to thank ing with my students, colleagues, and com- only rock bits but tiny pieces of shells, ur- them all for sharing their knowledge and tal- munity through lessons, a classroom unit on chins, green mussels, and crab shell. I didn’t ents with me. the national parks, presentations to staff and know that and probably would not have fig- Our TRT supervisor, Cynthia Ocel, was conferences, and our spring field trip. ured it out on my own. “Taking a closer look an exceptional leader who set up many phe- I am already using the teaching techniques to discover more” became my theme for the nomenal experiences for us. I really admire and games I learned from the park rangers summer. What fun! her professionalism, wisdom, talents, and and teaching my students about “Leave No Now I have attended more than fourteen hard work, and she was key to the success Trace” principles. In September, all of our ranger-led programs. I was impressed with of the TRT experience for me. I enjoyed the fourth graders took a field trip to the top the incredible ANP interpretive rangers and trainings, hikes, cruises, history, nature, of Pikes Peak as part of our “Life Zones of enjoyed working with them. I discovered the and other opportunities, where I was im- Colorado” study. When we returned, I was high caliber of training, research, prepara- mersed in everything that makes Acadia a proud to be able to teach the topography

12 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal lesson I designed as part of my TRT experi- ence, in which students learn about topo- graphical maps then create their own map using a 3-D model. Throughout this year I am teaching my na- tional parks unit. Students will have the op- portunity to create a presentation about a na- tional park with their team; these teams will then present at local libraries for our com- munity. The unit will culminate in a spring field trip (funded by Acadia’s TRT program) to Florissant Fossil Bed National Monument or Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site. Along with my own class of 26 students, I teach science to two other fourth-grade class- es (78 students in all). As a presenter, I will share my TRT learning at local and national teacher workshops. When I teach one teach- er, I imagine the 27 students this may influ- ence. When I reach 300 teachers, I estimate my TRT experience might impact over 8,000 students this year alone! Multiply that times seven to show the collective impact of myself and the six other TRTs alongside whom I had the great pleasure of working: Romy Arm- strong, Kate Drummond, Teri Green, Karen Lingly, Judith McConnell, and Melissa Mc- Acadia National Park Donald. Clearly, the Teacher Ranger Teacher Program is a gift that gives exponentially. I am forever grateful to Friends of Acadia for funding the TRT Program at Acadia Na- tional Park, and I admire the insight shown by FOA members through their continued support. I truly am so honored to have been selected for this once-in-a-lifetime experience! It has changed my view of na- tional parks, inspired my use of the natural world as my classroom, and transformed my teaching with rich, new ideas. Thank you, Friends of Acadia, for inspiring students and touching the future through the Teacher Ranger Teacher Program. �

DeLene Hoffner is a 4th grade teacher at School in the Woods in Academy School District 20, Colorado Springs, Colorado. She has been a teacher for over 25 years, and was honored by President Clinton with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teach- ing Science.

The sand of Sand Beach is made up of tiny pieces of shells, urchins, green mussels, and crab shell in addition to grains of sand. INSET: DeLene collects beetles at the 2014 Acadia

National Park Bioblitz. Friends of Acadia

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 13 Stewardship Volunteers

Managing Invasive Plants in Acadia’s Gateway Communities By Anna Adams

xotic invasive plants know no bound- aries. They do not differentiate be- Etween park and private lands. Invasive plants can choke out existing flora, disrupt natural habitats, and affect human experi- ences. Many of the most threatening exotic invasives on Mount Desert Island were origi- nally brought here for landscaping purposes but have escaped into surrounding natural areas, including Acadia National Park. Car- ried by birds, animals, wind, or the hands, clothing, or machinery of humans, they spread freely back and forth across property lines. In order to fight the spread of exotic invasives in the park, we must also look to treat them in the surrounding communities.

Much as invasives disregard park bound- Friends of Acadia Exotic plant management community liasion Ari Giller-Leinwohl (left) works alongside volunteers to cut aries, so too have Friends of Acadia volun- glossy buckthorn on National Public Lands Day. teers this season. With a grant from Nature Valley, via the National Parks Conservation lic mustard at Manset Field. For National get people more engaged as land stewards in Association (NPCA), Friends of Acadia hired Public Lands Day in September, volunteers their communities.” an exotic plant management community worked to remove glossy buckthorn on Using volunteer power and Ari’s expertise liasion, Ari Giller-Leinwohl, who worked to Jackson Laboratory property where it abuts meant that large areas of invasive popula- identify locations of problem plant species the Bear Brook picnic area of Acadia. And in tions were controlled in a relatively short outside Acadia’s boundaries and help volun- late October, representatives from both Na- time. Adds Ari, “I think that the ecosys- teers to remove them appropriately. ture Valley and NPCA made a field visit for a tem and diverse habitats on Mount Desert A portion of the Nature Valley funding special invasive work project to remove Jap- Island, be they public lands or private, all supported the production of a map of inva- anese knotweed and Japanese honeysuckle benefitted from the exotic plant volunteer sive species (at right) by Ari and FOA crew on the Great Meadow Loop. Immediately projects of this season. Treating exotic plants leader Ben Dunphey. Using a Garmin hand- following the volunteer project, Ari lead as a population versus on certain parcels of held GPS unit, they mapped invasive plant the group along the Duck Brook Connector land just makes sense. I truly appreciate the infestations along public roads and trails and identified more than 12 invasive plants opportunity to work with Friends of Acadia, on MDI. No information was obtained by growing along the trail. Both Nature Valley the National Park Service, and the wonder- entering private property so the map does and NPCA were pleased with the field visit ful volunteers, and look forward to more not give a complete picture of the problem and expressed interest in a continued part- projects in the future!” on MDI; however, it’s an important start nership with Friends of Acadia on future It is a never-ending battle, but with the to the development of a comprehensive projects. help of mapping, identification, and team- approach to managing invasive species in Says Ari, “I thoroughly enjoyed working work, Friends of Acadia, the National Park the communities around Acadia. in Mount Desert Island this season. So many Service, and other partners can help raise Ari helped lead several volunteer events volunteers were eager to get their hands awareness about this issue. � throughout the summer and fall, imple- dirty and made a huge impact in tackling menting the best management practices major projects. Many events also helped fa- for invasive removal on private lands. cilitate discussions on what everyone can do Anna Adams is the senior field crew lead- Volunteers removed Japanese knotweed to help on their own properties and com- er at Friends of Acadia. at Charlotte Rhoades Park in Southwest munity. I think these projects are rewarding Harbor, Japanese barberry at the Cooksey and empowering for everyone involved, and Friends of Acadia programs and events coordi- Drive Preserve in Seal Harbor, and gar- first-hand experience with exotic plants will nator Terry Begley contributed to this article.

14 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal Invasive plants in MDI communities surround Acadia National Park. This map was produced by Ari Giller-Leinwohl and Ben Dunphey of Friends of Acadia, with funding from Nature Valley. It shows locations of problem exotic plant species along public roads and trails of Mount Desert Island.

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 15 Wild Acadia

What Is Happening to Bats on Mount Desert Island? By Bruce Connery

he natural history of bats directly translate to significantly in Acadia National Park higher numbers of insect pests Tis not well known, hav- surviving in agricultural areas, ing only been documented by a forest and wetland habitats, and few studies (Zimmerman 1997, in many urban and rural land- Divoll 2013) and the occasional scapes used by humans. These observations of attentive natu- concerns are valid for Acadia ralists. Ostracized by long-held and for all of Maine, making the and falsified fears, these little loss of bats much more serious ecosystem managers of most than just the loss of species and of Mount Desert Island’s (MDI) biological richness. habitats have gone on about In the last five years, doz- their ecological duties without ens of research efforts have our support or caring since the searched for answers to the life departure of the glaciers. But history of the fungus, how it

their work and our concern Acadia National Park affects bats, how it has spread changed recently when a fun- Small-footed Myotis found in May 2013. Note the scars in the wing membrane. so quickly in North America, gus (Pseudogymnoascus destruc- and how it might be controlled tans, the cause of “white nose or eliminated. These findings syndrome”) introduced to North America in winter. Using ultra-sonic detections and have helped us understand the disease and 2006, spread to Maine in 2010. In a little trapping efforts conducted early in the spring increased our understanding about bats im- over a year it had reached Hancock County; and again in mid to late fall, Tim Divoll of the mensely (see reference sources at the end of its presence was confirmed by diagnostic Maine-based Biodiversity Research Institute this article), but have found no solutions to testing on several deceased little brown bats and park staff have shown that small-footed stop the declines in bat populations. During (Myotis lucifugus) found in and outside the and big brown bats may winter on MDI, and this time, biologists and scientists have iden- park. During the next few months, the park that little brown and northern long-eared tified ways to protect remaining individuals and Acadia Wildlife Foundation would re- bats may roost in one or a few locations very and entire populations by applying the same ceive or document more than 100 deceased close to the Island. These study findings also safeguards used in any disease outbreak. individuals at more than 70 sites on MDI, showed that at least the small-footed Myotis While some of these wouldn’t apply to MDI illustrating both the extent of the outbreak use the Island to give birth and raise their or Acadia, others such as carefully timing and its wide distribution in a season when pups. the construction or remodeling of roofs and these insect-eating predators should have Since the original discovery of the fungus, attics and access to these areas are seen as been in their sleep-like state of hibernation. surveys by park biologists and Divoll have an important step in limiting the possible Several species of bats have been documented drastic declines in the popula- transfer of the fungus’ reproductive spores documented on MDI or in the area, but tions of little brown and northern long-eared to new populations. only five are thought to have been common bats across MDI. The fungus also appears Much remains to be done on MDI, in Aca- summer residents before the outbreak. to have infected a significant number of dia, and across Maine. Anyone can be part The most common of these species was the small-footed Myotis (see picture of damaged of the effort to help bats by doing one or little brown bat, thought to have comprised wing membrane), although the effect on the more of the following: approximately 40% of the bats observed population is unclear. If the declines found every summer. The others were the northern in these studies are real, biologists expect Natural areas: long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), the significant ecological changes in most of the 1. During late fall (November), through small-footed Myotis (Myotis leibii), the big forest, marsh, and shrub-land habitats that the winter, and into the spring (April), brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), and the red could become apparent in many direct and report to the park biologist (find con- bat (Lasiurus borealis). Although they were indirect effects on Maine’s economy (e.g., tact information at the end of the ar- known to spend the summers here, little was tourism, forest products, and agriculture). ticle) any observations of bats that are known of where they hibernated for the Less natural control of insects by bats would outside, whether flying or on buildings

16 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal or on the ground. These observations will help park and Maine state biolo- gists map the location of bats appar- ently affected by the disease, and can be used to pinpoint possible summer or winter roosts that may be infected with the disease. Remember to record date, time of day, activity of the bat(s), and the specific location. Don’t try to cap- ture or collect the bat unless you have talked with the park or Maine state bi- ologist or someone at Acadia Wildlife Foundation. If pictures are possible, please take one or more and send these to the park biologist. 2. If you find a bat on the ground or on the lower levels of a building wall, ex- terior or interior, please contact the park biologist or someone at Acadia

Wildlife Foundation for information or Acadia National Park directions on what can be done. Don’t Bat house located on MDI. disturb or handle the bat unless you be- lieve it is in danger, and then only with ties should be conducted. Avoiding the gloved or covered hands to a safe, dark, weeks before and after the young are and more protected location. born but before they learn to fly gives Information on young bat pups a better chance to Pseudogymnoascus Buildings, whether home, storage, or survive once they leave their maternal destructans (formerly work: roost and become independent. All of known as Geomyces destructans): 1. Consider putting bat houses near your Maine’s bats have only one pup a year, home, business, or any areas you main- and not necessarily every year, meaning http://whitenosesyndrome.org/ tain. The current thinking is that bats rebuilding Maine’s bat population will http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ that have survived in an infected area take many years—likely decades. For endangered/mammals/nlba/ may have or develop some immunity these reasons, Maine DIFW has regu- index.html to the fungus. Providing them with lations that prohibit contractors from http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/ new roost locations will give these re- doing this type of work during late disease_information/white- maining individuals a safe and unin- May to mid-July, and Maine towns are nose_syndrome/ fected area to roost in during the sum- to enforce this regulation by not issu- mer. Follow guidelines (see reference ing building permits during this time. Information on bats: sources at the end of the article) about Do-it-yourself homeowners should also http://animaldiversity.ummz. the design and construction of the bat follow these construction and remodel- umich.edu/site/accounts/ house; its color and placement on the ing dates. information/Chiroptera.html http://www.batcon.org/ exterior of a building, pole, or tree; and 3. Equally important is to limit activity in its orientation to the sun, height above an attic or upper loft of garages or other http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ the ground, and placement in a habitat. storage buildings during the maternity endangered/mammals/nlba/ The park and other federal agencies, period. By staying away from possible index.html Maine Department of Inland Fisheries roosts from late spring through mid-Ju- & Wildlife (DIFW), and many private ly, you will again be supporting the well- Information FOR MAINE: bat organizations have information to being and recovery of Maine’s bats. � Maine Department of Inland help you with all of these consider- Fisheries & Wildlife: ations. http://www.maine.gov/ifw/ wildlife/disease/white_nose_ 2. If you are planning siding or roof fixes to your house, storage area, or any Bruce Connery is the park biologist at syndrome.htm building, or considering other substan- Acadia National Park. He can be reached at Acadia Wildlife Foundation: tive or cosmetic fixes, please contact 288-8726 or [email protected] to call 288-4960 Maine DIFW about when these activi- report bat-related information.

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 17 New Members

We are pleased to welcome our newest Gerard Bosco Brian Costello Henry W. Fischer III friends: Cathi and Larry Bost Pennie and Gregory Cotter Emily Fitzpatrick The Boston Foundation James and Diane Coyle F.L. Putnam Investment Management Chehale Alexander Mary Botti Eddie Crawford Company Vicki and Ron Alexander Denis Bouffard and Monica Moeller Barbara Crowell Carla Fleisher Helen Allen Jean and James Bourdon Nancy and Perry Crowl Lisa Fleury-Ibrahim and Kim Ibrahim Bruce and Joy Allen Kathy Boyd Anne and Arthur Crumlish Whitney Fogg Terese Allen Elizabeth and Scott Boyle Beauty and George Crummette Gayle and Robert Forster Michelle and Eric Allvin Robert Boyle, Saunder Boyle, and Connie and Tom Curtin Isabelle and Justin Foster Albert Alschuler Lynne Richards Eva Cusack Cathy and Eduardo Fox Robert F. Anderson Richard Bradford Ann D’Amore Gordon Freed Elaine Appellof and Jerry Saunders Bob and Lynn Brennan Suzan and Bill Dahl Gail Frethem Bo and Anthony Argentino Jason Briggs Patricia Dalzell Bridget Frey Sergio Armani Nancy and Don Brown Steven Darr Laura and Bill Friedrich Ara Arslanian Anne Brune and David Conway Jennifer and David Datush Brenda Fryland Eric James Astor Tom Bruyere Matthea Daughtry Rebecca Gale Brooke Atkinson Don Bundren Natalie DeLuca Gary Garfield Douglas Augspurg Kathleen Burger William Dennis Michael Gautsch Charlotte and Brooks Aukamp Reverend and Mrs. Laurence Byrne Jeanne Denny Rob Gavin and Lauren McFalk Bonnie and Russ Ayer Charles Cairns Paula and Russell Denton Eugene Geiger Candace and Robert Bachorik John Cameron Ruth Dewton Aimee Gibbons and Daniel Zanovello Patsy Baeckert C.C. Cameron Amy Dion Lois Gifford Christian Bailey Randall DiPalo Catherine Gillespie Sue and Ray Baker Ellin Dixon Miller Susan Gimilaro Mida Ballard Joanne Dodge Deborah Glotzer Diana and Robert Bangert-Drowns Lisa Dodrill Hoppy Goddin Peter Barberie and Virgil Marti Anne Donovan Ellen Goldstein Laura and Kevin Barnaba Rick Draper Paul Goodenough Tom Barnett Marcia Dudley Michael Gordon Elizabeth and Christopher Barnett Ida Dugas April Goss-Baker Nancy and Charles Barry Paul and Rose Duquette Gotwald Family Cathy Hill Batista Edward Dusek Madelyn and Robert Gould Carol Baumerich Ellen Egley Frank Grablutz Rachel Baumgarner Holly and Joe Eiden Bob and Sue Graham Rebekah Baumgarner Eighteenth of April Foundation Mary Grassi Pixie and Dennis Beck Elias Einhorn Dana Gray Robert Belkin Bruce Eisenhut and Janet Soma Sarah and Jeffrey Greaser Adrian Bellinger Elizabeth and Kirk Emge Greater Houston Community Linda Bennett Noreen and Ted Endriss Foundation Denise and Richard Bernardo Carla Eng-Kohn Suzanne Green Bill Bezenson Annette Campbell Di Erwin Zebulon Green Leslie and Michael Bissaillon Thomas and Irene Caniano Gidon Eshel Matthew Greeson Sarah Blagden Charles Capron Ellsworth Evans Shapley and Steve Gregg Jody Blake Jan Carlson Beverly and Alan Ewing Jeff Griffor William Blakeney Michael and Lisa Castelli Fackler Family Betty and Brian Grimmett Peggy Gregan-Blanchard and Robert Anne-Marie and Grant Castleberg Eleanor and Harold Fairbanks Len Gulino Blanchard Sheri and Randall Chalnick Stephie Falberg Peter Gunnlangsson Ruth and Benjamin Blaney Jill Charney Drs. Nick and Linda Faraci Susan and John Halberstadt Art and Pam Chaves Jim Feeser Linda and Robert Hale Sharon and Phillip Chiang Toby Ferdyn and Kristen Deshaies Colleen Halfpenny William Chiartas Anne Hall Dave Chooljian John Hallett Tami Christopher Greg Hamilton Laura Ciampini Tanya Hanke and Jeff Logee Patricia Ross and Jean Ciano Andrea Hartwell Sam Clark Marialice Harwood Trish Clausen John Hastings Sarah Emily and Calen Colby Deron Hathaway Cathy Cole and Michael Feiss Rebecca Hauben Kenneth Coleman Lori and John Hawkins Ann Collins John Hearnsberger Anthony Blasi and Rebecca Dillon Darthea Collins Cynthia Hendrix Maria Bleier Martha Connell Stephen Herholtz and Carol Miller- Toni and Bob Bliss Richard Connolly Herholtz Andrea and Brian Blood Sharon and Charles Conover Rose Ann Hermann Kathryn Blood Meredydd Cooper Cathy Hiersteiner Patricia Viau and Éric Boisvert Sharon Coose Jean Hiersteiner Elizabeth Bollt William Coppola Todd Ferillo Linda Hiler David Bor and Robin Barnes Tammy Costa Lisa Ferrisi Gail and Marvin Hill Eric and Aline Borduas Carole and Doug Costa Sharon and Jeffrey Fiarman Jan Hine

18 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal Elizabeth and Jon Hinebauch Jay and Laura Larkin Linda Miller Christine Rosenwasser Andrew Hinkens Linda and Bruce LaRoche Melanie Millner Patricia Ross Wiebke and Jan Hinsch Diane Lawman Lynn and Brian Mitchell Rick and Jean Ross Sarah Hodder and Peter Allen Kate Lawrence James Mittelberger James Rubens Naomi and Michael Hoffman Catherine and William Lawrence Tom Moncada Mitchell Rubenstein David and Susan Holcomb Paul Lazarr Mike Moneypenny Brian Rubino John Holley Lauren Leahy Tamira Montorsi Mike and Nancy Rudolph Monique and Eric Holloway Helen and Dan Lee Glenn Moody Jenifer Russell Janel Hopper Barbara Lerch Catherine Moore Lewis and Jackie Ryan Lynn Horowitz Celeste Leveillee Lisa Munderback and Susan Paris Allison Ryder Talitha and Kenneth Horst David and Valerie Levy Celso and Deborah Munoz Rhonda Ryznar Theodora and Robert Hottentot Steve and Terry Lewis Paul Murawski Danilo San Jose John Houpt Koyu Lin Kyle Murphy Felicia and Ed Santillan Wallace N. Hubbard Eric and Mary Anne Linde Murray Family Arlene Sarappo Jean and Eugene Hudnall Sara Lindsly Susan and David Murrill Nicole Sargent Scott Hughes Nancy and Russell Little Tracy Myers Sandra and William Savage Tom Hughes Amanda Lo Scott Nadboy Sara Savage Craig Iovino Keith Lobert Kathleen and Jeffrey Neff Jonathan Saxton Irving Foundation Andrea Lodovice Nicole Nelson Anthony Schaeffer Bob Israels Elaine Loehr John Nesheim Lisa Schieferstein Karen Jackson Mark Long Diane Nevins David Schiller M. Jaeger Sue Lorimier Judith and Paul Newman Brian Schillinger Margaret James Jill and Bill Louv Rick Newman Josh Schlageter Logan Janiak John Lowe Lauren and Steve Nicholson Stephanie Schley Gayle Jefferis Susan Lowery Reade Nimick Jr. Della Schmid Robert Jeffers Anna and Michael Lowit Phyllis and Ken Nobel Catherine Schneider Marianne Jeffreys John Loynes Sister Mary Norberta Jeffrey Schoenfeld Barbara Johnston Ginny Lucido Mr. and Mrs. P.T. Northrop Laura Schofield Kate, Alex, and Olivia Johnston Ron Lucier John O’Hara and Lindsey Robinson Amy Schottenfels Beth Ann McAbbee Jones and Richard and Lora Lunt Janet Oistad Kurt Schulthise Justin Jones Evonne Lutkus John Organ Nancy and Brad Scott Kathryn Jones Daphne Lyman Marie and David Ouellette Sarah Scott Barbara Jones Nancy Mace Richard Owens John Scott Sherry and Ralph Jones Kathy and David Mack Jennifer Paine Emily Scribner Rebecca Jordan-Young Jan Mactier Joseph Palumbo Brett and Cheryl Scudder Anvat Kalimov Jenn and John Madden Eleanor Papaccio Christopher and Elisa Scully Alan and Carol Kamin Barbara Maddocks Susan Partyka Vicky Sedgwick Lorraine Kamm Zach Magoon Joanne and Joseph Patti Doug and Jan Segal Mary Kapalo Linda and Timothy Majewski Judith S. Perkins Harry Seherr-Thoss Scott Katra Mary Maloney Richard Perlman Gerald Seinwill Christine and Peter Keaveney Dennis and Rose Ann Manzella Stephen Petraglia John Sener Dorothy Keim Roxanne Mariani-Prau Francis Phillips Patricia and Christopher Severson Jen and Greg Keim Paula Markowitz Amy Phillips Joe Shandlay Kevin and Jane Kell Alexandra Marks and Martin Sheridan Ellyn Phillips Warren Sharp and Louise Laufersweiler Caitlin Kelly Mary Martin Lewis and Joan Phillips Tom Sheahan Mr. and Mrs. F.D. Kenney Randy Martin Larry and Stephanie Pine Elizabeth and Sean Sheeran David and Susie Kenny Tomas Martinez Patrick Pisani Pamela and Ron Sheff Sarah Garraty and Jeffrey Kerr Robert Mathis Margaret Pitney Morton Shemluck Tammie Keslake Kim Matkovsky Jennifer Pizzo Christopher Shepherd Andrew and Bonnie Kimball Rosie Mauk Hadley Planting Adam Sherson Linda Kimbrell Susan Maxwell Susan and Steve Ploughe Dr. and Mrs. Jordan Shubert Donald Kirby Charlotte McAdam John Pomfret Dr. Sarah Shubert Kirch Family Doug McAvay Julia Pratt Robert Shukwit Peg Kirkpatrick Carrie McBride Neil and Trudie Prior Shulman Family Jolin Kish Charles McCabe Donald Provencher Peter Shults Mareva and Christopher Kitalong Liza and Tim McCahan Lorna Puiia Helen Silver Hans Klein Ann McCann Mr. and Mrs. Roger E. Purvee Betty and Ted Simanek Audrey Klein Kate and Doug McCarty Steve and Joan Putnam Sandra Simpson Kleine Family Jeanne and Jerome McClellan Carolyn and Michael Quinn Alfred Sive Evangeline Kleinot Matthew and Kelly McClure Deborah Rand Annemarie Smith Martin Kluger Martha McCluskey and Megan Randall Patti and Scott Smith John Knott Carl Nightingale Tanya Rapacz Jennifer and Ryan Smith Susan Koski Scott McConnell David Ratzer Lisa and Don Smith Jennifer Kozik Susan McDonald Wendy and Kirk Rau Dan Crandall Smith Archana Krishnan Janice McDowell Marnie and Hank Read Robert Smith Allen Krouse Kathy and James McGarr Theresa Redmond Stevens Katherine Snell Will Kuckro Patricia McGlone Monica Reiter-Wong P. Joseph Sorg Daniel Kurtzman Janis and Peter McKnight Anne Rhode and Ned Johnston Colleen and Craig Sperry Judi Lafferty Sally McLendon Donna Rhodes Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Splan Peter LaFrance Creighton and Louise McShane Ellen and James Rice Jenn and Steve Sprenger Jane Lally Denise Merritt Myrna Robinson Springfield Foundation Eric Lamoureaux Jake and Daphne Meyer Kellie Rock Richard and Ruth Squillace David Lane Aaron Miles Deborah Rogers Kathy Stark Mary Langhauser Anyce and Mark Miles Robert Rosenbaum Michael and Carla Stasko Lisa Laplume-Morton and Daniel Miller D. Kyle Rosenblum Mr. and Mrs. Edward I. Steckel Scott Morton John Miller Herbert Rosenthal Cheryl Steele Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 19 Stephanie and Jeff Steigerwalt Robert Van Hise Charlotte Sterk Jo-Anne and Arthur Vaughn John Stevens David Vedder Chaleen Stevens Cynthia Vitere and William Van Vort Ann Stevenson Susan Vogel Margaret Stewart John Waler Zeph Stickney Eileen Brody, Tom Walter, and Bridget Walter Blaine Stoner Wasman Family Steven and Cathy Stranne Watson-Voparil Family Johanna Strobel Christopher Way Nancy Suchman Stephanie Weaver Surgent Family Jenifer Webb and Joe Frank Norm Sutaria Laura and Eric Webster Heidi and Patrick Swanick Joanne and Doug Weisenauer Mary and Kevin Sweeney Kate Welch John Sweeney Rand Wentworth Robert Sweet Steve Wessler Phillip Sykes Sue White Heidi and Jim Symonds Bob Whited Gary Tappan Linda Whitehouse and Richard Hayward Amigos del Parque. Alina Taylor Robyn Whittingham since 1994 Dr. Kima Taylor and Ani Cleary Michael Thibodeau X Therese Thibodeau Y Gary Thomas Z restaurant

serving food of the mexican interior end of Bennett Lane Manset reservations 244-5221

■ ClassiC

classic styles, comfortable living… window panes I HOME & GARDEN 207 288 9550 n 166 Main street, Bar Harbor Marian and Paul Wiener Myrna Wierenga Kathy and Rodger Wilcox Nicholas Wild Lisa Thomas and Alistair Raymond Nathan Wild Charlie and Vail-Marie Thoren Collin Wild Bonnie MacAdam and Doug Tifft Robert Wild Lisa Tilluckdharry and Patrick Magnus MaryEllen Wilde Tim’s Cove Property Owners Association Inc. Jonathan Williams Ara Tourian Lincoln Williams Lisa Towle Erin Wilson Lea Tracy Wendy Wise Kelley and Harper Trammell Margaret and Douglas Witherspoon Renate Trapkowski Kathy Wohlhieter Tom Traynor Jennifer Stuart Wong Theresa Treeck Angela Wong C. Thomas Trocki Sean Wright John Trotka Mark Wuenstel Donna Trout Joel Wuesthoff and Valerie Guillet Ann Tucker Dana Younger Denise Tyler Steven Zick Christine and William Tylutki Solomon Zimm Timothy Uehlinger Doris and Benjamin Zinkin Umission Christina and Michael Zittle Sandy and John Unger Sam and Amelia Updike June 1 – September 30, 2013 Jennifer Urlaub Charles and Anne Valentine Landis and Alexander Van Alen Carole Van de Velde

20 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal Updates

Acadia Youth Conservation Corps With a full crew of 16 rugged teens, the 2013 Acadia Youth Conservation Corps kept busy this summer. While the group worked throughout Acadia, most of the focus of the work was on trails, and three trails in particular: the Deer Brook and Ma- ple Spring Trails and the Quarry Path. Friends of Acadia The 2013 Acadia Youth Technology Team, atop The AYCC’s work on the Deer Brook Trail Cadillac Mountain. included highlining large stones, bench- cutting to relocate a section of trail, and tors—who may be planning a trip to Aca- revegetating the trailside. In contrast, the dia or may never even make it here—with work on the Maple Spring Trail was the re- time-lapse videos and an ambitious online habilitation of a historic trail. Some of the “virtual museum” of 3-D images of Acadia’s work was similar to Deer Brook but no new historical artifact collection. trail was cut. By summer’s end the AYCC The “virtual museum” will be housed on team had enhanced both trails by creat- the Friends of Acadia website starting some- ing tread, beautifying the trailsides, halting time in 2014. Several time-lapse videos are erosion, and handling a variety of laborious already available through the Friends of tasks so the ANP trail crew could work on Acadia channel on Vimeo at http://vimeo. the more technical aspects of trailwork. com/friendsofacadia, alongside FOA videos Over in Otter Creek, the AYCC worked on about other projects and events. the Quarry Path. When complete, this excit- Equally significant was the hiring of an ing new connector trail will run from Black- evaluation fellow to develop and imple- woods Campground to Otter Cove, across ment tools for measuring the success of the causeway, and to the Gorham Mountain the AYTT’s projects. For an innovative and parking area. The teens spent the summer ground-breaking program like the AYTT, WINE & CHEESE evaluation is a crucial step in understand- grubbing, bench-cutting, and graveling. 244-3317 ing its effectiveness—to inform both the

Acadia Youth Technology Team design of future projects and the creation 353 Main Street, Southwest Harbor, Maine 04679 A small sign with a QR code atop Cadil- of similar programs in other national parks, lac Mountain allows visitors with smart modeled on the AYTT. phones to view a time-lapse video of a Cadillac sunrise—no matter what the hour Stewardship Volunteer Program or weather. A small child uses an iPad to Thousands of volunteers and dozens of correctly identify a hemlock tree at Sieur groups, led by Friends of Acadia crew de Monts. A large school group watches leaders Anna Adams and Ben Dunphey together as fluffy peregrine falcon chicks as well as a small cadre of volunteer crew blink sleepily from a large video screen far leaders, were kept quite busy during the below their cliffside nest. 2013 season. In their third year, this innovative team Volunteers worked on dozens of proj- of teens and young adults took the pro- ects in Acadia this season; some highlights gram to a new level, completing and refin- include replacing bridges on the Great ing several ongoing projects and tackling Meadow Loop and the Acadian Ridge Trail, a few new ones. Some use technology to both of which are Friends of Acadia village allow Acadia visitors to enhance their time connector trails; grubbing, bench-cutting, here—like the digital media interpretation and graveling on the new Quarry Trail in kit, which allows many people to watch Otter Creek; and “flossing” (clearing leaves the peregrines simultaneously, rather than and vegetation) between coping stones and limiting viewers to one at a time as the old clearing drainage ditches on the carriage spotting scope setup did. And some of the roads from the south end of Eagle Lake team’s projects reach out to virtual visi- towards Jordan Pond—an area that had

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 21 Friends of Acadia Acadia’s roads maintenance crew set new coping stones above the Eagle Lake watershed’s new culvert.

not been worked on in years. Volunteers One such culvert, accommodating a boarded boats and headed out to outer is- small stream on the east side of Eagle Lake lands on several occasions (always a special where it flows under the carriage road and treat!) to spruce up the Islesford Historical into the lake, got an extreme makeover this Museum and do trail work on Isle au Haut. fall. With funding from Friends of Acadia, Finally, volunteers put in hundreds of park maintenance staff replaced the under- hours working with the Acadia National sized culvert with a new one made from Park vegetation crew to control the spread corrugated metal. With a fish-friendly flat of invasive plants—including Japanese bottom and a generous diameter, the new knotweed, Japanese barberry, garlic mus- culvert will be able to accommodate even tard, and honeysuckle—in the park and the largest storms and should last 50 years. the surrounding communities. Hilary Krieger, employed by FOA as the park’s environmental compliance/rec- Exciting Changes for a Small reation management intern, managed the Tributary project from start to finish. She notes, “The As masterful as was the construction of Aca- new culvert will enhance the Eagle Lake dia’s carriage roads—state-of-the-art in the watershed by facilitating fish spawning and early 1900s—the roads’ engineers didn’t recruitment to the next generation. The de- know everything that Acadia’s natural re- crease in stream sedimentation will foster source managers know today about water good water quality and a healthier water- flow, and in any case they could not have shed.” Observing that good communica- anticipated the current increase in heavy- tion between divisions was essential to the rainfall events caused by climate change. project’s success, she adds, “This project So it’s no surprise but no bad reflection on taught me that a bit of ingenuity and team- those early engineers that several culverts work can help negate the need for compro- in the carriage roads’ drainage system are mise. With this one project, we were able critically undersized, causing problems to protect Acadia’s cultural resources, de- from flooding and repeated washouts to crease maintenance costs, and promote a hurdles for spawning brook trout and other healthier environment simply by changing native fish. the shape of a culvert.” 22 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal Friends of Acadia Guests at the George B. Dorr Society’s annual outing in July.

Let’s Go to the Hop the cliffs of Long Porcupine. The annual George B. Dorr Society outing Lisa Horsch Clark, FOA director of de- is a chance for Friends of Acadia to connect velopment and donor relations, reminds with and thank a dedicated group of FOA members that “anybody can join the Dorr supporters who have included Friends of Society by including a gift to Friends of Acadia in their estate plans. In late July, Acadia in their will or estate plan, then Dorr Society members met at the Bar Har- documenting the planned gift with us. It’s bor town pier and embarked on the Bar actually quite easy to do.” For more infor- Harbor Whale Watch’s Miss Samantha with mation on planned giving or the George B. Acadia National Park’s cultural resources Dorr Society, contact Lisa at 207-288-3340 program manager Becky Cole-Will and nat- or [email protected]. uralist Zack Klyver. And what destination do you pick for a group of lifelong Acadia Membership Table’s Record lovers who likely know the park inside and Year out? A place rarely found on the maps. Friends of Acadia’s membership table at The Hop is a small islet just a “hop, skip, Jordan Pond House had a record-breaking and a jump” from the north end of Long season in 2013, with more than 450 new Porcupine Island. The two are joined at low members joining at the table—nearly 100 tide by a stony beach with striking views of more than the previous highest number Mount Desert Island. A launch transported in 2012. The achievement of the 22 mem- guests to the beach, where Becky presented bership table volunteers was especially re- a short history of Native American habita- markable given that 15 scheduled days at tion of Acadia’s outer islands. In particular, the table were canceled due to rain. she emphasized that the coast was a winter Since it was established in 2007, the (not summer!) home for native peoples, membership table has gained approximate- with milder temperatures and more de- ly 2,000 new members for Friends of Aca- pendable food sources in wintertime than dia. The volunteers talk about Acadia with the inland forests. visitors, sharing their love for the park and After her presentation and some explora- their enthusiasm for FOA’s role in protect- tion along the beach and rocks of the Hop, ing its natural beauty. The volunteers make guests reboarded the Miss Samantha for a it easy for visitors to join or renew their delicious lunch catered by the Jordan Pond membership. House and continued interpretation by For more information on volunteering at naturalist Zack Klyver. He pointed out har- the “MT,” contact development officer Sha- bor porpoises, seals, an immature eagle in ron Broom at 207-288-3340 or sharon@ its nest, and an exquisite natural arch along friendsofacadia.org. Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 23 sored a cookout for the volunteers at the Seal Cove boat ramp as they returned from the islands. The Clean Water, Clean Shores project is designed to create awareness of pollution and its effects on the shorelines of Mount Desert Island and neighboring islands and communities. The cleanup is organized by the combined efforts of Acadia National Park, Friends of Acadia, the Island Insti-

Nathaniel Snow tute, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Maine Clean Waters, Clean Shores volunteers from Island Trail Association, MDI Paddlers, the Serving the Downeast community since 1883 Gotts Island aboard the Miss Chif, captained by Nathaniel Snow. Nature Conservancy, the Town of Tremont, Tremont Harbormaster, US Fish & Wild- Clean Water, Clean Shores: life, and Western Mountain Mapping. A Great Day on the Ocean th Barry K. Mills • Melissa M. Hale On Saturday, September 7 , community Starry Skies Above Acadia members of MDI and neighboring islands With clear skies and thousands of par- Justin M. Bennett • Sally N. Mills were invited to volunteer to clean up coast- ticipants, the 5th Annual Acadia Night Sky Alison M. King al shorelines in the fourth annual Clean Festival, held September 26th–30th, was an 4 State Street • Ellsworth, ME 04605 Water, Clean Shores cleanup. More than 75 incredible success. From the keynote pre- 207.667.2561 • FAX 207.667.8790 volunteers collected 120 bags of trash as sentation by Nobel Prize-winning physi- www.halehamlin.com well as two chairs, the bow of a small skiff, cist Dr. Alex Filippenko, to solar viewing dock materials, and dozens of salvageable at Sieur de Monts springs, three nighttime HANNAFORD buoys off Black, Eagle, Lamp, Pond, and star parties in the park, boat cruises, out- SUPERMARKETS Sheep lslands, as well as the MDI shoreline door movies, arts events, and lectures, the of Acadia National Park. festival attracted its biggest crowd ever 86 Cottage Street Volunteers were directed to the outer and inspired countless exclamations at the islands via boats from Clean Water, Clean wonders of Acadia’s heavens. Friends of Bar Harbor Shores partners including Maine Coast Acadia is a co-sponsor of this festival, con- Where Shopping is a Pleasure. Heritage Trust, Maine Island Trail Associa- tributing critical funding to support festival tion, US Fish and Wildlife, as well a private programs and engaging volunteers to assist ATM Major Credit Cards boat captained by Nathaniel Snow of Gott’s throughout the festival. The ultimate goal Island and MDI. Friends of Acadia spon- of Friends of Acadia’s participation is to Earl Brechlin Even though it was pitch dark most of the time during the Star Party atop Cadillac Mountain, each passing light painted a piece of this one-hour time exposure by Mount Desert Islander photographer Earl Brechlin. Stars moving as the Earth turned created the star trails in the sky. Passing planes made the vertical streaks.

24 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal “Buildings, too, are children of Earth and Sun.” -Frank Lloyd Wright Friends of Acadia ANP volunteer coordinator Jonathan Gormley welcomes volunteers to Take Pride in Acadia Day.

encourage festival participants to work in Acadia Quest their own communities to eliminate light Nearly 200 families signed on to the 2013 pollution and protect precious dark skies. Acadia Trail Quest—the most registered Festival posters featuring the Milky Way teams since the Quest began in 2008. Teams emerging from the ocean near a park trail represented 15 states, plus two teams from sign are still available at www.acadianight- Canada, one from England, and one from skyfestival.com. The dates for next year’s Germany, as well as dozens of local teams celebration are September 25–29, 2014. and teams from throughout the state of Maine. The 2013 Trail Quest was an experi- Take Pride in Acadia Day ential scavanger hunt designed to encourage Friends of Acadia and Acadia National Park teams to explore Acadia’s trails. Teams were hosted more than 350 enthusiastic volun- given a Quest card, a park pass, and a map teers on Saturday, November 2nd, together; and asked to complete 12 hikes in Acadia, they raked the leaves and cleared drainage including trails on Isle au Haut and at Sc- ditches from 8.8 miles of carriage roads in hoodic as well as Friends of Acadia’s village preparation for winter. The well-coordi- connector trails. As in past years, all teams nated volunteer effort, now in its 23rd year, completing the Quest were entered in a focused on areas where clogged drainage drawing for three grand prizes. This year’s ditches and culverts could result in sig- winners were Team Forst from East Hamp- www.nelsongoodwin.com nificant damage to road surfaces during the ton, New York; Team Capuano/Stiver from freeze-and-thaw cycles of a coastal Maine Ypsilanti, Michigan; and Team Ploof from Custom Homes winter. After the morning’s work, crews Essex Junction, Vermont. returned to park headquarters for a hot Cabinetry lunch—the event’s traditional “CCC” meal renovations of chili, cornbread, and cider (plus an extra “C” of cake—thank you Janet Anker!). The additions event is made possible by financial support from area businesses, including Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Birch Bay Village, The Blue- nose Inn, The First, Galyn’s, The Knowles Company Real Estate, and Window Panes. Other businesses, including Coastal Kaya- king, Downeast Transportation, MDI YMCA, National Park Sea Kayaking Tours, National Park Tours, the Quietside Café, building ContraCtor and Wallace Tent and Party Rental, donated 207 276.5238 | Seal Harbor, Maine Family Watership vans or busses for transporting volunteers, Team Watership wears their Acadia Quest patches Established 1986 food, and more to make the day a success. with pride!

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 25 Centennial Planning begin sharing ideas and plans for how each While 2016 may seem far in the future, organization might uniquely celebrate the community excitement over Acadia Na- Centennial with programming that is ap- tional Park’s Centennial is gaining steam. propriate to their organization. The ACPs At the helm of planning and organizing is will meet at least twice a year to continue the Acadia Centennial Task Force, which sharing ideas, and the Centennial Task includes six FOA board members, four Force plans to develop a website to facili- community members, two FOA staff, and tate communication among ACPs. the park superintendent and interpretation Acadia was founded by philanthropists chief. The task force has been meeting reg- who donated lands and fortunes to create ularly to brainstorm event ideas, reach out a national park for the American people. to community partners, and develop a uni- That rich history continues today with fying theme and image for the Centennial. over forty organizations working together The first project the Centennial Task to plan a yearlong celebration honoring the Force undertook was to identify a Cen- heritage of that gift and to inspire the next tennial tagline. Combined with a logo, generation of park stewards. the tagline will convey the overall theme of the celebration and be used by partner New Member on the Board organizations and businesses to identify af- At the Friends of Acadia 2013 Annual filiated products and events. The task force Meeting in July, Hank Schmelzer was elect- solicited input from Acadia National Park ed as the newest member of FOA’s Board and Friends of Acadia staff before select- of Directors. A resident of Mount Desert, ing the final slogan: “Acadia’s Centennial: Hank was the president and CEO of the Celebrate our Past! Inspire our Future!” A Maine Community Foundation from 2000 working group has initiated a nationwide to 2008. Prior to entering the field of phi- logo design contest (see page 6 for more lanthropy, he practiced corporate and se- information) to solicit the visual image to curities law for many years in Boston, be- accompany the tag line. coming Vice President and Counsel of New The Task Force also immediately formed England Mutual Life Insurance Company. two other working groups. The first re- He transitioned from law to business man- searched best practices and lessons learned agement and from 1991 to 1998 served as from other national parks that have or are president and CEO of the New England about to celebrate their centennials. In Mutual Funds. particular, Rocky Mountain National Park Hank’s motivation for serving on the (2015 centennial) presented excellent in- FOA board is clear: “because the Park has formation online that helped guide the task been so important to me for almost my force in putting together the logo contest. entire life (70 years now) and because of Another working group has begun think- the fabulous work that FOA does to ensure ing about how Friends of Acadia might Park’s preservation and successful future.” license the Centennial logo to nonprofit He has been on many corporate and non- organizations and commercial retailers for profit boards over the years, including the use in product development, fundraising, Board of Trustees of Maine Public Broad- and merchandising. Additional working casting Network, the Board of the College groups will be formed around topics such of the Atlantic, and the Board of Overseers as how to involve the arts community, how of the University of Maine. Hank was a to market the Centennial locally and far- Captain in the U.S. Army (military intel- ther afield, and how to reach out to the ligence) and served in Vietnam, where he statewide community of organizations, received a bronze star with oak leaf cluster agencies, and businesses. and the Vietnamese cross for gallantry. He In October, the Centennial Task Force is an avid skier, hiker and student of Italian rolled these ideas out to a group of commu- language and culture. His favorite activities nity organizations who have expressed in- in Acadia include “hiking on the moun- terest in participating in the Centennial in tain trails and carriage roads, as well as the some fashion. These organizations, called splendid coastline and islands.” � the “Acadia Centennial Partners” (ACPs),

26 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal Advocacy Corner An Active Fall for Acadia’s Advocates

he Friends of Acadia Advocacy work with the Park Service to re-open indi- Committee has been active in the vidual national parks if state governments Tlate summer/early fall on several were willing to fully fund the costs of re- issues. At various times during the Au- opening for up to four consecutive days. gust Congressional recess, FOA President The estimated cost of re-opening Acadia David MacDonald, Acadia National Park was $27,700 per day. FOA discussed this leadership, and FOA Board and Advocacy possibility with the State of Maine, the Bar Committee members toured the park or Harbor Chamber of Commerce, and local met with Representative Jim Moran, rank- park officials, but elected not to pursue this ing member of the Interior Appropriations option because of the fundamental desire Subcommittee, Senator Angus King, and not to replace Congressional responsibility Ben Goodman from Congressman Michael to fund the national parks. Additionally, Michaud’s staff. Topics discussed included the potential for visitor confusion and in- the effects of the Sequester on Acadia Na- efficiencies surrounding opening the park tional Park and the surrounding communi- and then closing it again after just a few ties and the need to re-authorize the legis- days went into the joint decision. lation that enables national parks to charge On the positive side, the bill that ended and retain entrance fees. the government shutdown included a pro- On October 1st, Acadia National Park and vision to extend the Federal Lands Recre- the 400 other units of the National Park ation Enhancement Act by a year. This bill System closed due to a partial government enables national parks to continue charg- shutdown. Friends of Acadia prepared an ing their entrance fees through December advocacy alert asking members to urge 8, 2015. The entrance fee program is criti- Congress to pass a comprehensive budget cal to reducing the backlog of maintenance and re-open the national parks. FOA also projects at Acadia, as the park is authorized worked with the Bar Harbor Chamber of to retain up to 80% of entrance fees for Commerce to distribute informal petitions projects such as rehabilitating trails, replac- throughout local communities, to give visi- ing water lines, and maintaining buildings. tors and residents the opportunity to add A national coalition led by the National their names to the call to Congress. Almost Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) 2,900 names were collected. Petitions were is compiling ideas for improving the rec- hand-delivered by an FOA member to Sen- reation fee program in preparation for a ator Collins’ and Congressman Michaud’s longer-term reauthorization. offices in Washington so that they could Over the winter, Friends of Acadia will share the urgent message with Congressio- continue to work with community part- nal leadership. ners such as the NPCA and the Bar Harbor CLAREMONT HOTEL FOA also partnered with the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce to urge Congress For over 119 summers upholding the traditions Chamber of Commerce and the Acadia Na- not to cut national park budgets further. of hospitality and leisure on the coast of Maine. {www.theclaremonthotel.com} tional Park Advisory Commission to hold a FOA will also work with the park and the 1-800-244-5036 public forum for citizens to ask questions Chamber to make the park’s budget pro- FINE DINING - COTTAGES- SUMMER HOTEL about and comment on both the govern- cess and challenges more transparent to ment shutdown and the award of the the public. We owe thanks to all who have Acadia concessions contract to Dawnland weighed in with Congress to let them know Enterprises in place of the longtime con- how important national parks are to the lo- cessioner, the Acadia Corporation. More cal and state economy, as well as the gen- than 75 people attended the meeting, and eral welfare of residents and visitors. FOA shared the notes with the Maine Con- gressional delegation. During the shutdown, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell provided authority for states to — Stephanie Clement

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 27 Foresight & Generosity Aimee Beal Church Wild blueberries and red oak leaves on Dorr Mountain. Ways You Can Give “One of the greatest satisfactions in doing any sound work for an institution, a town, or a city, or for the nation, is that good work done for the public lasts, endures through the generations; and the little bit of work that any individual of the passing generation is enabled to do gains the association with such collective activities an immortality of its own.” —Charles W. Eliot, Sieur de Monts Celebration, 1916 Please consider these options for providing essential financial support to Friends of Acadia: Gift of Cash or Marketable Securities. Mail a check, payable to Friends of Acadia, to P.O. Box 45, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, or visit www.friendsofacadia.org/support.shtml to make a secure gift using your credit card. Call 800-625-0321 or visit our website for instructions on giving appreciated securities, which can offer income tax benefits, as well as savings on capital gains. Gift of Retirement Assets Designate FOA as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement asset, and pass funds to Friends of Acadia free of taxes. Gift of Property Give real estate, boats, artwork, or other property to Friends of Acadia and you may avoid capital gains in addition to providing much-needed funds for the park. Gift Through a Bequest in Your Will Add Friends of Acadia as a beneficiary in your will.

For more information, contact Lisa Horsch Clark at 207-288-3340 or 800-625-0321, email [email protected], or visit our website at www.friendsofacadia.org. Thank you for helping to support Friends of Acadia’s work to preserve and protect Acadia National Park.

28 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal Book Reviews

A Natural History Guide to Birds of Mount The College of the Atlantic Guide to the Lakes Desert Island, Maine & Ponds of Mt. Desert by Anna K. Stunkel By Bill Newlin Self-published, 2013 College of the Atlantic Press, 2013 96 pp, Softcover 336 pp, Softcover

Mount Desert Island has a rich ornithologi- The sea around us forms an ancient cal history with notable footnotes including boundary to an unknown we ponder bones found in the middens left by paleo- from island heights. The lakes, ponds and Indians, Samuel de Champlain’s comment streams of Acadia are waters we know that waterfowl were abundant in the vicin- intimately as the heart and soul of all island ity of Île des Monts Déserts, and the multiple life. The College of the Atlantic Guide to the editions of the Native Birds of Mount Desert Lakes & Ponds of Mt. Desert begins with this Island and Acadia National Park family of dual sense we feel on our sea-bound but books authored variously by Carroll Tyson, well-watered island. James Bond, and Ralph Long. Added to this Bill Newlin, a champion of our lakes and rich history are the seemingly innumerable ponds, asserts in the very first sentence of contributions by the faculty and students of this second edition that our freshwaters College of the Atlantic. “get short shrift.” No longer. In this second The latest COA contribution—Anna edition, his wonderful book remains the Stunkel’s A Natural History Guide to Birds of essential volume on its subject. Here Mount Desert Island, Maine—does not disap- we learn to enjoy Acadia’s freshwater point. This book was prepared as Stunkel’s endowment through the counsel of a wise senior project, the culmination of four years man and wily angler who has loved the of active bird study on and around MDI. places of which he writes for eight decades. More than a bird book, this work also serves We are offered overviews of how and where as a portfolio of Anna’s artistic abilities. to boat, swim, fish, hike along, and picnic You can almost sense the motion in her near our lakes and ponds. Twenty-one Red-eyed Vireo which looks as though it lakes and six small ponds are celebrated for is about to leap into flight. You can see in their distinct virtues. her Black-capped Chickadee the fruits of Bill Newlin learned his way through our countless hours of observation as she cap- waters from a father who loved their magic. tures every primary feather, every one of the The son has become a practical guide, fierce rectrices (tail feathers), and the multi-lay- protector and ardent poet of our freshwa- ered down of its chest. Her American Robin ters and the wildlife they sustain. He is looks as though it has just molted into the also a seasoned historian of this place, as rich orange breast of the breeding season. we learn from his epigraphs and references The American Redstart captures the won- to past lake lovers. We follow Wabanaki derful contrast between the male’s black portages, learn where waterpower turned plumage and orange highlights. Pine Siskin mills, and hear the rasp of saws harvesting FOA Journal Ad_Layout 1 2/16/2011 1:44 PM Page may be among the best I have seen. lake ice for city markets to the south. Anyone with a collection of natural histo- This book is a fitting premier for the Col- ry books of MDI, or, for that matter, anyone lege of the Atlantic Press. The co-authors who appreciates bird art will want this book of this now-collaborative work include for their library. � COA faculty Ken Cline and graduates Ra- chel Briggs, Addison Namnoum, and Brett RICHARD MACDONALD is a local orni- Ciccotelli. COA President Darron Collins thologist who runs The Natural History Cen- provides a graceful foreword. Those who Proudly serving Northeast ter, featuring nature and bird tours, found treasure dog-eared copies of the 1989 edi- Harbor since 1883. in downtown Bar Harbor on Firefly Lane.A tion will find 116 fresh new pages, glorious Serving from noon to close daily. Natural History Guide to Birds of Mount Desert additional illustrations, welcome sidebars, Island, Maine is available at Rich’s store. and an updated bibliography. Tel: 207-276-3344 www.asticou.com Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 29 The College of the Atlantic Guide to the to nature and to future generations of our Lakes & Ponds of Mt. Desert is a book for own species—among others. To love the all seasons. Readers who paddle to the end lakes, ponds and streams of Acadia must will enjoy hundreds of excursions. One mean serving as stewards of her water- may plan a summer family outing or turn sheds. We have work to do, as friends, to to it on a winter evening, toss a last log on return Acadian watersheds toward their the fire, and summon a reverie of Acadian wild state and help them flow resilient waters. through the challenges that climate change Those who know Acadia’s freshwaters will bring. well are well served by Bill Newlin. A son As we work together, we may love the of this island, I have lived my own lake- natural gifts we protect and those rare cycle from the small child who discovered books, such as this, that are acts of conser- the world at the north end of Echo Lake to vation. In final pages of Lakes & Ponds, we the elder now returned for his final years to hear the call of common loons who win- the same house, the same sunrises on sho- ter at sea but return to their home lakes reside century pines, and the same sunsets in spring within a day after ice-out. They above the north end tree line. know. So does Bill Newlin. � This is also a timely book. As we look back to appreciate what our freshwaters Tours Daily at 10:00 a.m. have meant to our island and to us, we JACK RUSSELL is a member of the Friends and 2:00 p.m. are also invited to look forward, as human of Acadia Board and a regular Journal 207-288-0300 ecologists, to embrace our responsibilities contributor.

In Gratitude

In-Kind Donors Suzanne Green Jenn Brandt The Bagel Factory Margot Haertel Randy Ewins Kathy and Joe Bonaventura Priscilla Hirschenhofer Bob Hartley Camp Beech Cliff Susie Hokansson Mike Hays Canon U.S.A, Inc. Anne Hopkins Doug Heden Downeast Transportation Harold Johnson Jack Hirschenhofer Iron Slipper Farm James Kaiser Cookie Horner Joe Pagan Marti Klein Steve Johnson Margot Kohorn Don Lenahan Wild Gardens of Acadia Alison Lawrence Keith Martin Plant Sale Donors Barbara Loveland Cliff Olson A.C. Parsons Landscaping and Georgia Munsell Donna Reis Garden Center Judy and Peter Obbard Betsy Roberts Asticou Garden Rita and Mel Timmons Bob Sanderson Atlantic Landscape Sara Yeterian Roger Thompson Construction Diane and Frank Zito Rita Timmons Chris’s Farm Stand Kip Warren Tris and Ruth Colket Estate Silent Auction Dublin Gardens Volunteers Emeritus Crew Leaders Fernwood Catherine Allen Bruce Blake Home Depot Helen Allen Maureen Brooks Islandscaping Marshall Ginn Carol & Don Sessions J & P’s Farm Stand Marycarol and Don Lenahan Julia Schloss, Crew and Emeritus Miller Gardens Dee Lustusky Leader & Committee Chair Mount Desert Land & Sara Lustusky and Adam Penn Dee Solomon Garden Preserve Peggy and Roger Marks Marilyn and Al Wiberley Ann B. Smith Adrienne Redhair Sweet Pea Farm Jane and Robert Sanderson Take Pride in Acadia Day Thuja Garden Rita and Mel Timmons Sponsors Sara Yeterian Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Membership Table Diane and Frank Zito Birch Bay Village Volunteers Julia Zito The Bluenose Inn Helen Allen The First Pam Bowie Volunteer Crew Leaders Galyn’s Jill Brown Don Bell Knowles Company Real Estate Peg Emple Bruce Denny Brown Window Panes Mary and Phil Galperin Bucky Brooks

30 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal Chairman’s Letter “Don’t it always seem to go…”

he classic Joanie Mitchell song con- the Hancock County Trustees for Public tinues, “. . . you don’t know what Reservations’ commitment to protect MDI’s Tyou’ve got till it’s gone.” I imagine pristine lakes and ponds. And it was the that more than a few Acadia visitors were threatened revocation of the Trustees’ state unconsciously humming that tune as they charter that finally sent Dorr to Washing- considered the “park closed” signs posted ton, DC to pursue federal protection for this at all Acadia entrances for the first 16 days place he loved so dearly. in October. Likewise, I know that the cutbacks on Obviously, we haven’t “lost” Acadia, but seasonal openings and services due to the we did get a peek into a possible future of federal sequester last spring, followed by a much less supported and less accessible the government shutdown and shuttering Acadia National Park. And it is a future that of America’s national parks in October, will none of us want! The good news is that now, serve as a wakeup call to many Americans with heightened awareness of what might and especially to those of us who love and be, Friends of Acadia, with your help, can value Acadia National Park, to renew our ap- do a lot to avoid such a future state. preciation for these treasures and our com- By and large, I believe that those who mitment to protecting them for all to enjoy. read this Chairman’s Letter do know what Bad things can happen, but they don’t we have here at Acadia National Park. Why As new and greater concerns have to. For example, we once thought that else would four hundred of you get up early arise, Friends of Acadia surrounding plant life on Acadia’s carriage on a Saturday in November to rake leaves roads might grow in until the carriage roads on Acadia’s carriage roads? Why else would remains the best agent became nothing but walking paths, or we send the FOA president to testify before to respond on behalf of that public transportation couldn’t make Congress on the importance of federal a dent in MDI’s summer traffic. Thanks support for America’s national parks? our members, volunteers, to the timely actions of Friends of Acadia, Why else would the Acadia Winter Trails supporters, and all those we’ve seen a better outcome! Working with volunteers climb on their snowmobiles who love and care for Acadia thoughtful donors and supporters, we after every snow storm—often before created the carriage road endowment and sunrise, spending hours working in frigid National Park. Thank you for the Island Explorer, and we now have the temperatures— to groom Acadia’s carriage being among them. tools to manage those threats. As new and roads for skiing? Why else would thousands greater concerns arise, Friends of Acadia of individuals, couples, and families remains the best agent to respond on behalf support the FOA Annual Fund and send in Acadia gives, and gives, and gives. And we, of our members, volunteers, supporters, their FOA membership gift every year? the members, volunteers, and supporters of and all those who love and care for Acadia Friends of Acadia’s members, volunteers, Friends of Acadia, know that the more we National Park. Thank you for being among and supporters appreciate the matchless give back to Acadia, the more it will shower them. We are important, significant, and gift of Acadia. We recognize the many ways us with gifts anew . . . today, tomorrow, and relevant! � Acadia enriches our lives—as a peaceful for the generations to come destination for family picnics and quiet Still, there’s nothing like the threat of irre- contemplation, as a beautiful view every deemable loss to move one to action. When day as we commute to work, as an end- George B. Dorr was working to protect these less source of recreational opportunities lands almost a century ago, it was the im- for generations of summer and year ’round minent purchase of Sieur de Monts Spring residents and decades of visitors from away, by a water bottling corporation that pushed as an economic engine for surrounding Dorr to acquire the property himself. It was communities, as a draw for our friends and the start of construction of a large estate on family to come visit, and so much more. the eastern shore of Eagle Lake that led to —Ed Samek

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall/Winter 2013 31 Why I’m a Friend of Acadia

Lessons and Connections in Acadia Nate Levesque

am not a poet and I do not be- from the hustle and bustle of life, lieve I could do justice to the and connect with nature. There Ibeauty of Acadia with my writ- were mornings when I was the only ing, nor will I attempt to. I could fill person on Boulder Beach for two to this page with a long list of adjec- three hours, and there was a sense tives that might describe Acadia to that everything was there just for a potential tourist, but I’m sure that me. I have also spent a lot of time most people reading this are quite hiking the trails of Acadia and have familiar with the park and do not climbed each mountain, some more need words like “serene” and “tran- than once. It was during these mo- quil” to paint a mental picture. To a ments that I learned the importance casual visitor, Acadia might be little of living in the moment and appre- more than a place on a map and Nate Levesque, Self Portrait ciating the small things that sur- perhaps a check on a bucket list. To rounded me, not only the large view me, and most of you, Acadia is far much this newborn hobby would change from the top. more than that. me. I bought my first DSLR and was clueless I know that Acadia provides me with more Roughly two years ago I took on the en- on how to use it. I had seen photos of the than $40 worth of fun, excitement, joy, and deavor of becoming a landscape photogra- sunrises from Acadia on photo sites such as happiness (a yearly fee, which I gladly pay). pher. In that moment, I didn’t realize how Flickr, and I wanted to take on the challenge Acadia National Park provides me with the of capturing a sunrise for perfect practicing ground for photography, myself. I awoke early one it has connected me with nature in ways morning and headed to unforeseen, and most importantly it has Schooner Head Over- transformed the way I see things around me. look, overcome with ex- All of which are invaluable. I’m sure many citement at the thought of you have your own stories and feelings of producing a great about Acadia. Imagine if we could all pile photograph. In case you our stories together—forget about a check are wondering: no great on a bucket list. The bucket would be past photographs were pro- overflowing, buried deep by our collected duced that morning. memories and affection for this remarkable However, it was not park. That, aided by its scenic and natural a wasted trip. It was riches, is what makes Acadia so much more the first time I had ever than a mere “place.” seen the sunrise from I think it is important to recognize the the coast of Maine, and people who care for this area, and I would that morning I was trans- like to end this essay in doing so. Without formed. I had witnessed the hard work of the National Park Service the beauty of nature in a and Friends of Acadia, we would not have way that I had never seen such an amazing place to share. Thank you before. I felt connected. for all you do! � Over the past 12 months I have witnessed over 10 Nate Levesque is a photographer sunrises, and every one based in Hampden, Maine. He hopes that still blows me away. his photography will inspire other people It was during these to get outdoors and witness the beauty of early mornings that I Maine firsthand. His work can be seen at: “Acadia Flowers Sunrise” by Nate Levesque was able to disconnect www.natelevesquephotography.com.

32 Fall/Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal Share Acadia with Someone You Love

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Friends of Acadia preserves, protects, and promotes stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations.

FriendsFriends of Acadia 4343 CottageCottage Street Street PO PO Box Box 45 45 Bar Bar Harbo Harbor,r, M MEaine 04609 04609 207-288-3340 207-288-3340 800-625-0321800-625-0321