Fall 2014 Volume 19 No. 2

A Magazine about Acadia National Park and Surrounding Communities

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 1 Purchase Your Park Pass! Whether driving, walking, bicycling, or riding the Island Explorer through the park, we all must pay the entrance fee. Eighty percent of all fees paid in Acadia stay in Acadia, to be used for projects that directly benefit park visitors and resources.

The Acadia National Park $20 weekly pass and $40 annual pass are available seasonally at the following locations: Sand Beach Entrance Station Hulls Cove Visitor Center Bar Harbor Village Green Thompson Island Information Center Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds

Acadia weekly passes are also available seasonally at: Cadillac Mountain Gift Shop Jordan Pond Gift Shop Some area businesses; call 207-288-3338 for an up-to-date list of locations

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

Acadia’s Excellence

t the Friends of Acadia Annual Meet- remarkable relationship with the surround- ing in mid-July, Acadia National ing local communities. Acadia’s boundary APark Superintendent Sheridan Steele weaves in and out of more than a dozen shared the impressive news that Acadia had small fishing harbors, historic villages, recently earned top honors in a USA Today summer colonies, bustling sea-ports, tour- poll that asked readers to choose the best ist destinations, and offshore islands. This national park in the country. Just a few days porous, crooked boundary and Acadia’s re- later, we learned that Good Morning America lationships with its countless neighbors are conducted another poll in which Acadia complex—as is the charge to manage natu- again emerged on top—not only among ral and cultural resources across the check- national parks, but as “America’s Favorite er-board ownership—but ultimately, they Place.” We should not have been surprised are a large part of what makes the Acadia when the New York Times followed with its experience so rewarding and memorable. own feature a couple of weeks later, high- I often think about how lucky I am to live lighting Acadia’s trails on the front page of in a place that has Acadia National Park as its travel section. its backyard, and how different my home-

Among FOA’s board, staff, and member- Friends of Acadia town would be if it were not for the park. ship, many people have felt pride in this I also believe, however, that the benefit is well-deserved recognition; an equal num- We hope that Acadia will mutual, and that Acadia is just as fortunate ber, however, have expressed a concern: do set the standard in terms of to have such a diverse and caring commu- we really need this kind of national press youth engagement in parks nity and thousands of engaged neighbors at a time when Acadia’s parking lots are al- and friends who give back so generously to ready overflowing and the park can feel at and thoughtfully managing the park. Indeed, this synergy has defined risk of being “loved to death”? the delicate balance between Acadia from its earliest days and continues Over the course of the summer, I had the to be its hallmark, whether described on the opportunity to visit with hundreds of park an outstanding visitor experi- front pages of our national press, or in quiet visitors and FOA supporters, and almost all ence and the need to protect trailside or kitchen table conversations. shared this same schizophrenic response Acadia’s natural and cultural Here at Friends of Acadia, we will em- to Acadia’s recent media prominence. Ev- brace the challenge of making “the best” eryone agreed with the top rankings but resources. even better. We certainly don’t need to be in they worried about how they might impact the headlines, but hope that Acadia will set Acadia’s future. They wished Acadia’s merits entire northeastern United States? Because the standard in terms of youth engagement might stay a bit more below the radar. Friends of Acadia has helped add a margin in parks and thoughtfully managing the del- This kind of modesty is not unusual among of excellence to park resources and opera- icate balance between an outstanding visitor Mainers. But it is not realistic to think that tions for nearly thirty years? experience and the need to protect Acadia’s we can keep Acadia a secret. Nor is it practi- Yes to all of the above! People feel pas- natural and cultural resources. With the cal to wish for more days of rain or fog as a sionately about Acadia, and often come support of an engaged membership and strategy to discourage more visitors; during back again and again over the years. Places creative and committed partners through- her August visit here, U.S. Secretary of the as diverse as Cadillac Mountain, Ship Har- out the park and community, it is an excit- Interior Sally Jewel spoke of a day in Acadia bor, Schoodic, and Isle au Haut stay with ing time indeed as we approach the park’s nearly forty years ago, eating lobster in a tiny you long after you are there. Our love for centennial in 2016. We appreciate your in- tent in the pouring rain, as among her most this place is profound, often personal, and terest and hope that the following pages will memorable national park experiences! as varied as the many different trails in Aca- inspire even greater involvement. ❧ Why does Acadia rate so high among so dia. However, I believe that the reasons be- many different audiences? Because it is a hind Acadia’s sweep of this summer’s popu- family-friendly park? Because its staff is ab- larity contests run still deeper. solutely committed to the park and its visi- What makes Acadia absolutely unique tors? Because it is within a day’s drive of the in my (admittedly biased) experience is its —David MacDonald

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 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 Bill Eacho Nathaniel Fenton Chris Fogg Fall 2014 Jill Goldthwait Volume 19 No. 2 C. Boyden Gray Anne Green Cookie Horner A Magazine about Acadia National Park and Surrounding Communities Jan Kärst Jack Kelley Rob Leary Story Litchfield Meredith Moriarty Lili Pew Donna Reis Jack Russell Hank Schmelzer Nonie Sullivan Christiaan van Heerden Julie Veilleux 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 Feature Articles Shelby and Gale Davis Dianna Emory 8 Acadia Quest: Uniquely Acadia Paige Steele Frances Fitzgerald Sheldon Goldthwait Exploring the places that make Acadia so special Neva Goodwin Paul and Eileen Growald 9 Friends of Acadia Celebrates Stephanie Clement John and Polly Guth Five Million Island Explorer Riders Paul Haertel Many records and milestones in 2014 Lee Judd Debby Lash Linda Lewis 11 Old Roads to New Trails Julia Walker Thomas Liz Martinez Inaugurating a new connector in Otter Creek and Aimee Beal Church Gerrish and Phoebe Milliken George J. and Heather Mitchell Joseph Murphy 12 Preserving a Resilient Acadia Abe Miller-Rushing, Becky Cole-Will, Janneke Neilson A watershed-based approach and David Manski Nancy Nimick Jack Perkins 15 A Ten-Bridge Summer Mark Munsell Nancy Pyne Nathaniel P. Reed A special assignment for a dedicated volunteer Ann R. Roberts David Rockefeller 16 Migration Is for the Birds Rich MacDonald Jeannine Ross Watch for feathered friends in Acadia this fall Howard Solomon Erwin Soule Diana Davis Spencer 32 Why I’m a Friend of Acadia Susannah Jones Julia Merck Utsch Living on Beauty EMERITUS TRUSTEES W. Kent Olson A ctivities and Departments Charles R. Tyson Jr. 1 President’s Message Acadia’s Excellence FRIENDS OF ACADIA STAFF 3 Superintendent’s View Fostering Stewardship and Promoting Science Literacy Mary Boëchat, Development Officer Sharon Broom, Development Officer 5 Special Person Doug Monteith Aimee Beal Church, Communications & Outreach Coordinator 7 Where in Acadia? Stephanie Clement, Conservation Director 20 Updates Lisa Horsch Clark, Director of Development Sarah Curts, Accounting & Administrative Associate 27 Advocacy Corner­ Working Together for National Parks Shawn Keeley, Senior Development Officer 28 Reviews David R. MacDonald, President & CEO Reflection and Foresight Diana R. McDowell, Director of Finance & Administration 31 Chairman’s Letter­ Mike Staggs, Office Manager Paige Steele, Conservation Projects Manager 2 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal Superintendent’s View Fostering Stewardship and Promoting Science Literacy

n my work as superintendent of Acadia dents to the scientific process, learning re- National Park, one of my key goals is search methods, and sharing the inspiring Ito engage youth of all ages in Acadia interconnections of Acadia’s ecological and National Park and to inspire many of them cultural components. At the same time, a to become park rangers or conservationists constant goal for park ranger-educators is or just ordinary citizens who have positive fostering a learning environment that al- memories about nature and national parks. lows students to explore nature and devel- One important way to engage today’s youth op their own sense of wonder. is through educational activities, intern- Each year the program hosts Maine stu- ships, and special initiatives aimed at young dents (including some who have never seen people. Acadia, like all national parks, is an the ocean), and through the combined ef- outdoor classroom for experiencing living fort of partners Friends of Acadia and Sc- things in their natural environments and hoodic Institute, we are able to provide a reflecting on the human history that has world-class educational experience with shaped our landscape. Children of all ages funding for transportation and other costs— discover the wonders of nature and com- Peter Travers without which many of these schools would plexities of science as they explore Acadia not be able to participate. Similarly, the National Park. Acadia, like all national parks, Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program sponsors In late August, we at Acadia had the plea- is an outdoor classroom for ex- summer residencies in Acadia for public- sure of hosting Secretary of the Interior Sal- periencing living things in their school teachers every summer, then follows ly Jewell and National Park Service Director, up by bringing their students to visit Acadia Jonathan B. Jarvis, in a visit that highlighted natural environments and re- or another park during the school year (See scientific research and youth partnerships flecting on the human history Updates, page 21). at the park. Secretary Jewell has launched During her visit, Secretary Jewell re- an ambitious youth initiative at the Depart- that has shaped our landscape. marked that “as human beings we need na- ment of the Interior to inspire millions of ture to be whole. We need nature to feed young people to play, learn, serve, and work participate in Acadia Quest see more of the our souls.” The important work we are do- in the great outdoors. Acadia National Park park and perhaps pay just a bit closer at- ing with our partners in Acadia, like Friends is playing an important role in providing tention than they might have. Young vol- of Acadia and Schoodic Institute, increases educational, volunteer, and engagement unteers, Acadia Youth Conservation Corps our capacity every day to accomplish the opportunities to young people. members, and Ridge Runners out on the mission of the National Park Service to both While at Acadia, Secretary Jewell spoke trails and carriage roads of Acadia have a preserve and provide for public enjoyment about her own lifelong relationship with service-learning experience that combines of our park’s resources so that we and future nature and learning, saying, “These are the a beautiful setting, age-appropriate physical generations will have access to the natural kinds of things we remember as children: effort, and a clear sense of accomplishment. world Jewell evoked so eloquently. We remember being out. We remember sci- At the Schoodic Education District, you We know that engaging the next genera- ence because we saw it actually in action…. may see kindergarteners humming to peri- tion is key to park stewardship, and that The best classroom is the one without walls.” winkles and excitedly exclaiming as snail continuing our efforts in science is what Acadia National Park is just that sort of antennas emerge from an opening shell; will help us—and tomorrow’s stewards— classroom. Through ranger-led programs, seventh-grade investigators determining to make informed decisions about how to kids and their families peer closely at the wind speed, measuring seawater salinity, manage Acadia National Park. These inter- sand on Sand Beach or invertebrate insects and counting organisms as they conduct a connected goals are critical to our success in Cromwell Brook, discover geological his- habitat survey and graph tide pool popula- as we move into the next hundred years of tory laid bare on Acadia’s mountaintops, tion changes by water depth; or high school managing our national parks. ❧ and experience awe under Acadia’s remark- students mapping the GPS coordinates of able night sky. They see peregrine falcon crab carcasses along the upper shoreline. chicks in the nest with the help of spotting The Schoodic Education Adventure (SEA) scopes connected to a digital screen, and and other education programs focuses on —Sheridan Steele our friendly raptor intern. Families who building science literacy, introducing stu-

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 3 way to help us in his personal time and at his Notes from Friends expense. What a fantastic ambassador for Acadia National Park and the Island Explorer More on Park Passes bus service. I just read the interesting article by Aimee —The Weir family from South Africa Beal Church tiled “Acadia Takes a New Fall 2014 Look at Park Passes” [spring 2014 FOA Trail Crew Leader Shines Volume 19 No. 2 Journal]. I was pleased to learn about the My name is Peter Goff and I was the co- A Magazine about Acadia National Park positive initiatives to raise revenue for the leader (along with fellow Vermont Com- and Surrounding Communities park and to have all visitors pay their fair mons School faculty, Christie Beveridge) of share. The article did not mention the our school’s annual visit to Acadia National Friends of Acadia preserves, protects, and Golden Age Passport, which is available for Park. VCS has been coming to ANP for promotes stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, senior citizens. I feel that the article would more than 15 years, and we spend a half have been more complete had the passport and distinctive cultural resources of day working with FOA every trip. Com- Acadia National Park and surrounding been mentioned together with a request munity service is a hallmark of VCS’ cur- communities for the inspiration for a volunteer donation for those seniors riculum and our time with FOA is central and enjoyment of current and using the park. While I certainly appreci- to this trip’s success. Last week marked the future generations. ate the Golden Age Passport, the lifetime third time we’ve been lucky enough to be The Journal is published three times a year. charge (it was $10 when I got my card) is paired with Anna Adams. ridiculously low. Submissions and letters are welcome. See We’ve had some amazing crew leaders http://friendsofacadia.org/news-publications/ Friends of Acadia is a great organization. before: retired professors, professional for- friends-of-acadia-journal/submissions/ for Keep up the good work. esters, etc. However, we have never worked guidelines. — Bill Davidson with anyone with Anna’s mix of profession- Opinions expressed are the authors’. Brookfield, CT alism, ability to inspire, sense of humor, and teaching ability. Anna is unfailingly respect- EDITOR A Letter of Gratitude ful of the group’s needs and abilities, and the Aimee Beal Church I wanted to share our story with you and to first one to jump into the muddy ditch to demonstrate how to safely use a tool. She DESIGN give credit to one of your bus drivers. Mahan Graphics My husband and our two children (age 8 never underestimates the abilities of our PHOTOGRAPHER AT LARGE and 9) went hiking up Cadillac Mountain students (a sure way to turn them off from Tom Blagden today. However, the weather turned and it any activity), and constantly (by example) started pouring with rain. We were drenched inspires them to push their own limits. PRINTING Penmor Lithographers by the time we got down and back to the Visi- My only regret is that I haven’t taken the tor Center. Once there we saw the “Camp- time to write this letter in past years, but PUBLISHER grounds” bus and we jumped on, thinking this year our kids spoke so highly of her David R. MacDonald

it would bring us back to the Village Green. that I had no choice! After an hour in heavy traffic we asked the —Peter Goff bus driver, Sheldon, when the bus was going Vermont Commons School to the Village Green—to which he replied it South Burlington, Vermont was not but rather terminating at the Acadia Gateway Center [in Trenton]. He said we 2013 Annual Report Correction must not worry; there would be other buses We make every attempt to provide an accu- and he would try to get us on one. The traffic, rate listing of donors in the Friends of Aca- however, had caused chaos with the sched- dia Annual Report, published each summer. ules and seeing how cold and wet we were he In July we released the 2013 edition, which Otter Cove at low tide said we should wait at his car. He dropped off sadly included several errors. Please note the Cover photo by Tom Blagden the bus and then very gave us a ride back to following corrections: our campground, Smuggler’s Den. We offered Liz and Arthur Martinez are members of to pay him but he refused. This was the kind- the Pemetic Society; Nora and Rob Leary are est gesture and he went far beyond the call of members of the Parkman Mountain Society; duty. Thank you for your amazing bus service Priscilla and John Hirschenhofer are members This Journal is printed on paper made with 100% and for the fantastic people you employ. of the George B. Dorr Society. recycled fiber and 60% post-consumer waste, processed Please convey our sincere thanks and grati- To view a corrected PDF of the 2013 Annual chlorine free, and manufactured in the USA with 100% Green-e certified renewable energy. Printed with tude to Sheldon, as he really went out of his Report, visit www.friendsofacadia.org. soy-based ink, using wind power.

4 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal IN NOMINE Special Person We gratefully acknowledge gifts received in honor of:

Acadia National Park Barbara A. Baeckert Bar Harbor Brass Week Special Person: Doug Monteith Len Bobinchock Tim Boggs Doug Brian Kyle Brown Suzanne Bush Alan C. Chapman Aimee Beal Church Barbara C. Cole David Donovan Samuel Hallock du Pont Sr. Family camping Walton & M. Family, Texas Beatrix Farrand Rodney Fox W. West Frazier Carlita Georgia-Snygg Wally Gray Ronald Green Anne B. Green John H. Hirschenhofer Lisa Horsch Clark David Katona Jason and Amanda Keel Jennifer C. Kennedy Robert Knutson Ernest I. Kohorn Maia Madison Stan Mason Frank E. McCreary Julia H. Merck Utsch My kids: Austin, JE, and Annabelle Tad Ogden Margaret Pearson Simon Perez Elisha Pratt

Doug Montieth Edward L. Samek Doug Monteith relaxes on Penobscot Mountain, with a classic Bates Cairn for support. Lynnae Schwartz Joseph R. Simpson Marilyn Travis ten-year career with the USDA cairns in Acadia according to the design Laurence Turka Forest Service nurtured Doug created by pathmaker Waldron Bates in the Quinton Valentine Ruth Valenzuela Monteith’s love for natural beauty early 1900s. Cindy Whiting A Wild Gardens of Acadia Doug has been active in the Footloose and outdoor activities. As a weekly vol- Henry J. Winn unteer in the Friends of Acadia office, he Friends hiking group. He has also done Charlotte and Nat Worthen understands that all of the many different some work on Acadia’s trails and is a volun- tasks he accomplishes contribute in some teer “loon observer” with the Somes-Meynell March 1 – July 31, 2014 way to protect the natural beauty of Aca- Wildlife Sanctuary. Additionally, Doug vol- dia National Park. unteers weekly as a valet parker at Maine Any Thursday morning might find Doug Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth so on a Friends of Acadia computer indexing patients and their families can avoid long articles in the Friends of Acadia Journal, clip- walks to the hospital entrance. ping and copying newspaper articles, or “I’ve been very fortunate in life,” Doug helping to prepare a mailing. He is valued by comments simply. “Volunteering is one of the staff as a volunteer who is willing to do the ways I can give back.” whatever is needed and who can be counted Doug explains that he gained a public- on to volunteer a few hours every Thursday. service orientation from day one at the For- The staff can schedule projects knowing that est Service, and that has guided many of his Doug will be in the office that day to pitch decisions about volunteering. “I’m delighted in. for a way to give back that fits with my in- Doug and his wife, Mary Allen, moved terests and abilities,” he says. “FOA is a fas- to Mount Desert Island about 15 years ago, cinating and wondrously effective organiza- when Doug retired. In addition to volun- tion, and it has been fun seeing some details teering at Friends of Acadia since 2012, he of how it operates.” ❧ is one of the original “Waldron’s Warriors,” Aimee Beal Church a group that works to maintain the Bates —Sharon Broom Herb-robert Geranium at Ship Harbor. Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 5 Acadia Night Sky Festival Events September 25–29, 2014 Since 2009, Friends of Acadia has partnered with Acadia National Park and other area organizations to host the Acadia Night Sky Festival, a community celebration to promote the protection and enjoyment of Downeast Acadia’s stellar night sky as a valuable natural resource through education, science, and the arts. Events are free unless otherwise indicated. For full event descriptions, fees (where applicable), and locations, visit www.acadianightskyfestival.org

ALL FESTIVAL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 10:00 am–5:00 pm Build Your Own 11:00 am–1:00 pm Solar Viewing, Bar Night Sky Family Ornament for kids, Harbor Bar Harbor (fee) 2:00–3:30 pm Talk: Dr. Rich Wolfson 10:00 am–2:00 pm Exhibit: Jane Run- “Wild Sun: A Drama in Three Acts,” yeon, SERC Bar Harbor 7:00–9:30 pm Bioluminescent Night 2:00 pm Film: “Close Encounters of the Paddle, Castine (fee) Third Kind,” Bar Harbor 4:00–5:30 pm Talk: Wally Funk “My THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Life as a Mercury 13 Astronaut Candi- 3:30–5:30 pm Panel: “Looking Beyond date,” Bar Harbor the Edges of Our Vision,” Bar Harbor 6:15–9:15 pm Astro-Landscape Photo 7:00–8:30 pm Keynote Presentation: Workshops with Brent L. Ander, SERC Paul Bogard “The End of Night,” Mount (fee) Desert 6:30–9:30 pm Photography Workshop Canon, a leading provider 8:00–9:00 pm Stars Over Sand Beach with Bob Thayer, ANP Headquarters of consumer, business-to- (fee) business and industrial FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 7:00 pm Champlain Mountain Night 9:00–10:30 am German Paper Star Hike, Bar Harbor digital imaging solutions, is Workshop, Bar Harbor (donation re- 8:00–10:00 pm Star Party on Cadillac committed to giving back to quested) (parking at Hulls Cove Visitor Center) the communities in which we 12:00–1:00 pm Talk: Dr. Colleen Mc- live and work. Whether it’s Clung “Biology of Light,” Bar Harbor SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 supporting youth initiatives or 5:30 pm Talk: Tyler Nordgren “Stars 11:00 am–2:00 pm Celebration of the sustaining the environment, Above, Earth Below: Astronomy in Na- Sun, Sieur de Monts Canon is dedicated to creating tional Parks,” Southwest Harbor 2:30 pm Talk: Jon Thomas “Why Is the programs and products 5:30–7:30 pm Talk: Bert Probst “To- Sky Dark at Night?”, Bar Harbor that aim to make a positive night’s Sky: What to Look for at a Star 2:00 pm Film: “The City Dark,” Bar difference for our planet. Party,” Southwest Harbor (donation Harbor requested) 2:00–3:30 pm Talk: Dr. Julie Rathbun Learn more at 6:15–9:15 pm Astro-Landscape Photo “A Spacecraft to Study an Ocean on www.usa.canon.com/ Workshops with Brent L. Ander, SERC Another World,” Bar Harbor (fee) environment 3:30 pm Talk: Bob Reichman “Plutoids, 6:30–9:00 pm Film: Outdoor Celestial Dwarf Planets and other Transneptunian Cinema “Zathura,” Bar Harbor Objects, Oh My!”, Bar Harbor 6:30–9:30 pm Photography Workshop 6:30 – 9:00 pm Night Sky “Under the with Bob Thayer, ANP Headquarters Stars” Boat Cruise, Bar Harbor (fee) (fee) 6:30–9:00 pm Night Sky “Under the MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 ©2013 Canon U.S.A., Inc. Stars” Boat Cruise, Bar Harbor (fee) 5:55 am Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain All rights reserved. Canon U.S.A., Inc. 7:00 pm Acadia Sea Cliff Night Climb, One Canon Park, Melville, NY 11747. Bar Harbor Canon is a registered trademark 8:00–10:00 pm Star Party at Seawall of Canon Inc.

6 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal Where in Acadia? Aimee Beal Church

Where in Acadia? Tides are an amazing natural phenomenon. Four times daily, the land along Acadia’s ocean margin changes dramatically as the water rises and falls, then rises and falls again, tugged by the moon and the sun. Averaging between ten and eleven feet in Bar Harbor, local tides can be 15 feet or more during a new moon, when the moon’s and the sun’s gravitational forces pull in the same direction. That’s 15 vertical feet—the actual water line can travel hundreds of yards or more where the ocean bottom slopes gently away from the land. You’ve probably seen this particular bit of Acadia coast, but you may not have seen it quite like this. An unusually low tide allowed the photographer to reach an uncommon vantage point. As a hint, everything you’re looking at is within the boundary of Acadia National Park. If you think you can name the two landforms pictured here, email us at [email protected] and include a personal 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.

Spring 2014 Where in Acadia? This vernal pool, with its blue flag iris, is one of the great treats on top of Champlain every spring. I am, and have been for about the last ten years, a Waldron’s Warrior, one of the many volunteers who maintain trails in the park. My trails, Beechcroft and Bear Brook (now called Champlain North Ridge), go up and down Champlain and I hike these at least once a week from early spring until the trails become icy in the early winter. Starting in late spring, I always detour past the top of Champlain, going down the South Ridge toward the Bowl, watching first the green sprouts, then the fat buds, and finally the beautiful blue iris as they open. This is one of nature’s gifts to us on the mountains. And for those who love finding these beautiful blooms, there is another area on Champlain that also has lots of iris. It’s on the Beechcroft Trail, at the bottom of Huguenot Head as you are rounding it to go up the last steep part of Champlain. On the left, the vernal pool is quite large, and in recent years there have been truly hundreds of the blue flag iris. Enjoy!! — Ellen Dohmen, Bar Harbor, Maine

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 7 In Memoriam The Island Explorer

We gratefully acknowledge gifts Candace Meads received in memory of: Elizabeth Meiklejohn Virtual Traffic Jam Keith E. Miller Frank Adler William J. Mills Robert D. Anderson Lynn S. Mocarsky Bridget Anibal Richard N. Morgan Barbara Arrington Richard H. Muellerleile Winona Atkins Kenneth Nord Elizabeth B. Atterbury Eunice Thompson Orr Amy Barraj Elizabeth Owens Prudence B. Beal David Patterson Bob Beallor Dorothy N. Pearson Billy B. Robert Pemberton Keith Birks Rob Perry Leo Blanchard Lucille Pfister Wilmer Bradbury Mary C. Philbrick Dorothy and John Brooks Dora Pierce Elizabeth Bybee Mary Pomerleau Ettorina Carioti Steven Roy Prest Dow L. Case David Pryor Jason Chyi David L. Rabasca Muriel Clement Frances W. Raymond Doug Coleman Patti Reilly David and Kitzi Crofoot Katherine Richards Charles Cunningham Paxton Roberts Emma J. Curry Katherine Roberts Don Delano Robert Rosander he environmental benefits of the Island Explorer George Dover Dana Roxi Bus System have been extensive. Since its inception George Dryhurst Patricia Scull T Floyd L. Dunn Maury L. Seavey in 1999, the buses have eliminated more than 1.88 mil- Virginia du Pont John M. Sevem W. E. Eaton Hannah L. Shaw lion private vehicle trips and prevented emissions of more Ivan H. Enstrom Otto M. Siegrist than 17 thousand tons of greenhouse gases and 26 tons Dani Faramelli Nancy Silverman of smog-causing pollutants. Every year Friends of Acadia Anders F. Feyling Rosemary Steele Cathleen Fioravanti Edward W. Stool estimates a “virtual traffic jam” that would be created by Richard M. Foster Eileen Tateo Beebe placing back-to-back all the cars and RVs that Island Ex- Frederick Wilfred A. Thomas Richard Frost Amory and Betty Thorndike plorer passengers chose not to drive. Each year, this figure Karen Gardner David A. Timmons is added to the cumulative total to see how far the traffic Jeannette Gerbi Virginia R. Tomasi Levy Donald Gray W.M. von Hagen jam stretches. John T. Hardin Tom Walsh In 2013, the Island Explorer carried 423,998 passen- Thomas K. Haverstock Chrysandra L. Walter Robert W. Horn Ed Wells gers and we estimated that another 373 miles would have Mark Horner Hugh White been added, taking the traffic jam 3,263 miles from Aca- David Keister J.J. Wieckowski Lamia H. Khairallah Henry J. Winn dia National Park: south past Freeport, Maine to Long Key John E. Kirby Thomas J. Witt Park in the Florida Keys, back up the west coast of Florida, Fay Kruener Wayne L. Worrell Edward W. LaBonté Yulie Yang past Yankeetown, then west to Freeport, Florida, and on Gertrude Lamoureaux Peggy Strout Young through the Gulf states, then clear across Texas to the com- J. Wayne Lee Paul Leonard munity of Esperanza, which in Spanish means hope. We March 1–July 31, 2014 Ed Lightcap hope you ride the Island Explorer many times this year! John Llaurado Fred Manzella Bob Massucco Boyd McFarland Douglas McKenzie

8 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal The Acadia Experience

Friends of Acadia Celebrates Five Million Island Explorer Riders By Stephanie Clement

isitors are flock- by Acadia National Park, ing to the fare-free, the U.S. and Maine De- Vpropane-powered partments of Transporta- Island Explorer transit sys- tion, contributions from tem in droves this year as L.L.Bean and Friends of they look for ways to enjoy Acadia, local municipal the park without having appropriations, fees from to hunt for parking. Fresh businesses that receive off of accolades from Good front door service, and Morning America viewers passenger donations. A who acclaimed Acadia as portion of every weekly America’s “favorite place” and annual Acadia Na- and from USA Today read- tional Park entrance fee ers who named Acadia the is dedicated to funding “best” national park, park the Island Explorer’s op- visitation was up 4.7% by erations. The bus system the end of July. The Island partners are currently

Explorer showed even Friends of Acadia discussing ways to fund greater growth during the Friends of Acadia president David MacDonald congratulated Marisa Gray on being the the replacement of the same time period, up 15% 5-millionth rider of the Island Explorer, saying, “This is a widely loved system and we are deeply current aging bus fleet. over 2013, and the bus appreciative of the public’s engagement. It wouldn’t work without people like Marisa deciding to The National Park Service system posted two 8,000- get on the bus and make it work.” and Maine Department of plus passenger days in July—the earliest date and gift card from L.L.Bean and a Friends of Transportation have identified funding to be- on record to top this threshold. On Monday, Acadia gift membership. The Island Explorer gin replacing four buses per year beginning in August 4th, Island Explorer ridership sur- partners thanked her for choosing environ- 2017, but growth of the fleet will also be neces- passed 9,000 passengers in one day for the mentally friendly transportation. sary once the Acadia Gateway Center opens. first time in the bus system’s history; and on At the event, Acadia National Park plan- Overall, the Island Explorer continues to Thursday, August 14th, cumulative ridership ner John Kelly commented that “The Island be a significant contributor to the quality of for the season surpassed 300,000, the earliest Explorer is key to helping people enjoy the life on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic date this mark has ever been reached. park and reducing congestion in Acadia. We Peninsula. The annual rider surveys con- In addition to these record-breaking pas- receive about the same visitation as Yellow- ducted on board the Island Explorer prove senger numbers, the Island Explorer passed stone National Park, but Yellowstone is about year after year that people are thankful for a major milestone at the beginning of the 60 times the size of this park. [Acadia is] a the service and would like to see it extended season. On June 30th, local resident Marisa very small, concentrated park, and the more in length of season and area covered. In July, Gray disembarked from the Sand Beach route opportunities people have to get on alterna- the service was named to Down East Maga- at the Bar Harbor Village Green to the news tive transportation and relieve congestion in zine’s “Best of Maine” list in the “Community” that she was the 5-millionth Island Explorer the parking lots and roads, the better visitor category. Bus service continues on all routes passenger. Ms. Gray boarded the bus in the experience for everyone.” Each year, approxi- through August 31st and then on a reduced village of Otter Creek and was on her way to mately 22% of the Island Explorer’s ridership basis through October 13th. Information and her summer job at Hannaford grocery store in are local residents who are commuting to schedules are available online at www.explo- downtown Bar Harbor. Representatives from work, accessing lakes and trailheads for rec- reacadia.com. ❧ Acadia National Park, L.L.Bean, the Maine reation, or simply using the bus system as a Department of Transportation, Friends of hassle-free way to get around the towns bor- STEPHANIE CLEMENT is the conservation Acadia, and Downeast Transportation greeted dering Acadia. director at Friends of Acadia. her at the Village Green with a goodie bag The Island Explorer is supported financially Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 9 Tomorrow’s Stewards

Acadia Quest: Uniquely Acadia

By Paige Steele

1 3 7 All photos courtesy of the Acadia Quest teams

or the seventh year, Friends of Acadia in partnership with Acadia National FPark issued a challenge to families to participate in Acadia Quest. Acadia Quest is a season-long program designed to encour- age families and young people to develop a greater bond with the park through fun outdoor activities. This summer, the Quest was redesigned as the “Uniquely Acadia Edition” and 143 teams are exploring the carriage roads, cultural destinations, trails, 8 and waters of Acadia National Park. Teams who complete the quest will receive a 2015 4 Acadia park pass as their prize. Those teams will also be entered into the Grand Prize drawing, to be held at Take Pride in Aca- dia Day on November 1st. Teams are posting photos of their adventures on Facebook at www.facebook.com/friendsofacadia, and of- ten express their appreciation for the variety and types of activities offered in this year’s 9 Quest.❧ 1. Team Tangled of Seal Cove, Maine, meets Ranger David Donovan at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. PAIGE STEELE is the conservation projects 2. Team Tally Ho of Blue Hill, Maine, finds the manager at Friends of Acadia. 5 geological survey medallion atop Flying Mountain. 3. Team Svor of Chalfont, Pennsylvania, enjoys an ocean sail. 4. Team Adventure Capitalists of Bar Harbor, Maine, explores Acadia’s carriage roads. 5. Team Adventure Capitalists of Bar Harbor, Maine, at the Gorham Mountain summit. 6. Team DeRevere of Mount Desert, Maine, shows off their “favorite rock” at Hunters Beach. 7. Team Bobiak of East Windsor, New Jersey, at the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. 8. Team Svor of Chalfont, Pennsylvania, heads up the Bar Island Trail. 9. Team Haney of 2 6 Mount Desert, Maine, about to dive into the Bowl.

10 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal Acadia Trails Forever

Old Roads to New Trails: Inaugurating a new connector in Otter Creek By Julia Walker Thomas and Aimee Beal Church

ne of the joys of back- ever since.” Smith was inter- country camping is that viewed for a Friends of Acadia Osimple act of unzipping video about the trail (it can be your tent in the morning and step- viewed at vimeo.com/friends- ping out into nature, knowing that ofacadia) in which he noted that anywhere you wish to go that day his grandfather used the Quarry will be reached on your own two Road when cutting firewood in feet. Acadia is too small a park for the park—an activity frowned backcountry camping, but starting on by George Dorr, much to this past June a new set of trails the grandfather’s disgust. Smith near Blackwoods Campground chuckled at the memory, recog- now offers visitors that same joy nizing that although past gener- of finding adventures afoot. The ations had to give certain things brand-new Quarry Trail and Ot- up when the park was formed,

ter Cove Trail—connecting Black- Friends of Acadia/Aimee Beal Church today’s generations can easily woods Campground with Ocean ANP Volunteer Coordinator Jonathan Gormley, FOA President David see all that has been gained in Drive and the Ocean Path through MacDonald, and ANP Trails Foreman Gary Stellpflug cut the ribbon on the return. Otter Cove—were opened on Na- new trails in Otter Creek. It is a miracle of good plan- tional Trails Day, Saturday, June 7th, ning and fiscal resourcefulness with more than 40 trail enthusiasts turning in Otter Cove. Acadia’s Trails Foreman Gary that the 10-year trail building and renewal out to watch the ribbon-cutting and take Stellpflug explains that this kind of trans- objective of the Acadia Trails Forever (ATF) part in an inaugural hike. Construction of formation is not new in Acadia: “We used Partnership is now in its 15th year and still these trails was in large part funded through a whole section of the Quarry Road and going strong. Every year, park planners and Friends of Acadia’s Acadia Trails Forever en- turned that into our hiking trail. Which is trails personnel consider proposals to add or dowment, and the Acadia Youth Conserva- a nod to history; in our rehabilitation pro- restore historic and connector trails using a tion Corps and some 200 Friends of Acadia gram we’ve done that in any number of comprehensive and well-rationalized set of volunteers helped National Park Service trails. We’ve reopened some trails that were guidelines addressing historic, recreation crews build them. abandoned in the 1940s and 1950s, partially value, and other concerns. With dependable The trails open some fantastic new op- because they’re part of the cultural landscape funding from Friends of Acadia’s ATF En- tions for hikers and opportunities for car-free but partially because they really made sense dowment, trail crews don’t have to wait to exploration of the park. Visitors camping at to the integrity of the trail system. That’s one find funding once priority projects have been Blackwoods can now access the very popular of the things that the Quarry Path does.” identified. The result: hiking in Acadia just and scenic trails on Gorham Mountain, the Many Otter Creek residents can remember keeps getting better and better. And that’s Beehive, Champlain, and beyond, without taking the old Quarry Road to the shore for one of the joys of Acadia! ❧ getting in a car nor even walking along the fishing, swimming, or just an enjoyable walk. Loop Road. The new trails complete the last In the Winter 2013 Friends of Acadia Journal’s JULIA WALKER THOMAS was the seasonal link in a “super-loop” with Blackwoods at one “Where in Acadia?” feature, resident Rick communications assistant at Friends of end, Bar Harbor at the other, and the Cham- Higgins remembered childhood swims from Acadia this past summer. She is a freelance plain and Cadillac mountain ranges offering Jimmy’s Wharf as the tide came in, because photographer based out of Sarasota, Florida myriad possibilities for the out and back legs. “the water would be much warmer from the and Bar Harbor. The Quarry Trail can also make a special sun beating on the mud flats.” Fifth-genera- claim to promoting a car-free Acadia experi- tion resident Dennis Smith recalls that some AIMEE BEAL CHURCH is the communica- ence, as it was built using an old road, which of his first memories are of walking down to tions and outreach coordinator at Friends of dates back to the era when granite quarried the causeway with his babysitter and fishing Acadia. in Otter Creek would be loaded onto ships for pollack—he says he’s “been a fish fanatic Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 11 Wild Acadia Preserving a Resilient Acadia

Abe Miller-Rushing, Becky Cole-Will, and David Manski

apid environmental change. It is hap- rank among the country’s natural treasures. A change in approach pening and the consequences are Rather, we encourage you to take the The National Park Service is charged Rsignificant, even though it is tough current situation as a call to action. We on with “preserving unimpaired the natural to see as you enjoy Acadia’s trails, carriage the park staff and throughout the National and cultural resources and values of the roads, and coastlines, or explore natural ar- Park Service certainly are, as are many of national park system for the enjoyment, eas in other parts of the country or world. our partners such as Friends of Acadia. education, and inspiration of this and future In the past few issues of the Friends generations.” In the 1960s this mission of Acadia Journal, you was interpreted to mean may have read about that we should preserve some of these changes. national parks as “vignettes They include warming of primitive America,” temperatures, increases in keeping the natural and large rainfall events, longer cultural resources in parks growing seasons, losses of static and unchanging. some native species, gains That approach, however, in some invasive non- which resulted in a hands- native species, blockages off management approach of fish passageways, and to resource protection and increases in air and water conservation, has proved pollution. unworkable. Ecosystems The environment has in Acadia and other parks changed throughout his- are changing, and our park tory. The shifts we are managers cannot stop seeing now, though, are many of the changes that exceptionally big and are underway. widespread. And although Instead, we are shifting many of these are hap- our approach to one in pening over decades or which we try to stop the centuries—slow by the changes we can, but also standards of our day-to- work to increase and day lives—many are hap- maintain the resilience pening more rapidly than of our forests, streams, they have in thousands, wetlands, and lakes to the hundreds of thousands, or changes taking place and millions of years. In some changes that may come in cases the pace and magni- the future. That is, we are tude of change is unprec- working to recover and edented. maintain the ecosystem’s Please, though, do not natural ability to bounce surmise that the situation back after severe storms, is helpless. Acadia’s pollution, pest outbreaks, ecosystems have changed, or other disturbances. often in ways we would Friends of Acadia rather they had not, but Acadia National Park trail crews and natural resource managers worked together on the 2009 Improving and they are still dynamic and restoration of the historic Jesup Path. The elevated boardwalk allows water to flow freely while maintaining resilience vibrant ecosystems and keeping hikers high and dry during the wet spring season. Just what does this look

12 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal Tom Blagden Tom The glowing colors of autumn highlight the magnificent natural resource that is the Cromwell Brook Watershed. like in the field? We are removing invasive downstream and affect forests, streams, or It is ecologically important—it hosts fish species, replanting native vegetation, lakes lower down. By taking a holistic and runs, a large wetland, old forest stands, and replacing culverts and removing obstacles systematic approach to tackling many of important wildlife populations including to fish passage in streams, and reducing the problems facing a given watershed, we bat populations that are quickly declining sources of pollution. We are studying and can help all of the habitats and ecological from disease and other threats. The Sieur monitoring air and water quality, results communities it contains become more de Monts area is recognized as a nationally of which help other agencies, such as the resilient to climate change, pollution, and important cultural landscape, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, set other rapid environmental changes. encompassing watershed served as a major appropriate standards for pollutants that component of the oldest section of the might come from fossil fuel emissions or Cromwell Brook Watershed park—the original Sieur de Monts National other sources. We are also working to tell We have identified several priority Monument, established in 1916. George B. the story of the changes taking place and watersheds where there is much work to be Dorr, the “father of Acadia,” considered this how people can help mitigate the most done—places such as the Marshall Brook, area the hub of his envisioned park, and he damaging aspects of those changes. In many Northeast Creek, Otter Creek, and Stanley did considerable trail and road construction cases, interpretation and education are our Brook watersheds. We will continue to and other landscape development here. most important management tools. support research and management activities Today, the watershed is a popular place We are beginning to focus this approach in these places. However, we are starting for park visitors and local community even more, by targeting much of our work our targeted resilience-building work in members, with access to trails, the Nature to particular watersheds. Watersheds are the Cromwell Brook Watershed, which Center, the Wild Gardens of Acadia, and the areas of land in which all of the water drains runs roughly from Dorr Mountain and the Abbe Museum. to the same place. Water draining through Tarn, through the Sieur de Monts and Great Many of the challenges in the Cromwell a watershed connects all of the habitats Meadow area, and into Cromwell Cove in Brook Watershed stem from past it passes through—pollution or other Bar Harbor. development and are interrelated—so tightly problems up high in the watershed can flow Why the Cromwell Brook Watershed? linked they are best addressed together. The

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 13 easiest place to see these connections is in projects to ensure that the watershed has on the expertise of the Schoodic Institute, Cromwell Brook itself. Many old culverts clean water, natural flowing streams, healthy U.S. Geological Survey, University of Maine, beneath roads and trails are too small to forests and wetlands, a balance between and other federal and state agencies to help handle the large rainfall events that are now the natural and cultural landscapes, and us with the science and technical expertise becoming more common. Resulting floods sustainable facilities that minimize their necessary to plan and implement an effort (exacerbated by both beaver dams and small impacts on natural and cultural resources. like this. And we will rely on volunteers to culverts) can submerge the parking lot and help with some restoration activities such other developed areas at Sieur de Monts, Partnerships are key as removing invasive species and replanting polluting the brook. Those same culverts, The work that we have done to enhance natives, and citizen-scientists to help dams, and other alterations to the water’s and maintain the resilience of Acadia’s monitor the effectiveness of our actions. It natural flow also block fish movements to ecosystems to date, and the work that we will take a lot of collaboration to make this upper and lower reaches of the brook. plan for the future, rely on partnerships. In approach a success. Over the past few years we have begun the Cromwell Brook Watershed we relied on work to address many of the challenges in funds, staff, and volunteers from Friends of What the future holds the watershed. After we replaced a major Acadia to plan and construct the Jesup Path We are excited about this change in our culvert beneath the road entrance to the boardwalk. We worked closely with experts approach to improving and maintaining Sieur de Monts parking area, fish began at the U.S. Geological Survey, University of the resilience of our natural and cultural passing upstream and flooding apparently Maine, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey, and resources in Acadia, and hope that this diminished. We have also removed hundreds Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and will give us the best chance to preserve of invasive plants—particularly glossy Wildlife to plan the replacement of culverts them for this and future generations. We buckthorn—from the watershed, creating and other actions to restore fish passageways will undoubtedly learn along the way an environment where more native plants and the hydrology of the watershed. and are setting up mechanisms through can thrive. We have elevated the Jesup Path Going forward we are working closely with monitoring and assessments to ensure that by building a boardwalk that preserves the Friends of Acadia to plan and implement we do. As we learn, and as our rapidly historic trail and at the same time helps to future restoration activities, and will also changing environment presents us with new restore the natural hydrology to the wetland. work with the Town of Bar Harbor, Jackson challenges, our approach may change. But We plan to continue and expand this work Laboratory, and other stakeholders in the that is to be expected. in the coming years, taking on a series of Cromwell Brook Watershed. We will rely As we make progress in our work in the Cromwell Brook Watershed, we plan to shift our focus to other priority watersheds where similar work is needed, such as Marshall Brook, Stanley Brook, Otter Creek, and Northeast Creek. We look forward to working with many of you as we take on this work. And we hope that it helps to inspire more environmental stewardship in this region and throughout the country. ❧

ABE MILLER-RUSHING is the science coordinator for Acadia National Park. BECKY COLE-WILL is the park’s chief of resource management. DA- VID MANSKI is currently Acadia National Park’s acting deputy superintendent, after serving as chief of resource management for the past 20

Friends of Acadia/Aimee Beal Church years. This undersized culvert, located where Cromwell Brook passes under the Park Loop Road, is the sole drainage for the entire Great Meadow wetland. When the Loop Road was constructed in the early decades of the park’s existence, it significantly altered the natural hydrology of the area. 14 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal Acadia Trails Forever

A Ten-Bridge Summer By Mark Munsell

had been volunteering on Acadia Na- tional Park’s trails for three years, work- Iing with ANP trails foreman Gary Stellp- flug, trailwork supervisor Christian Barter, and the park trails crew to restore trails as varied as the Goat Path, Shiff Path, and the abandoned Canada Cliffs connector, when a unique opportunity presented itself. Gary asked if I would like to work with senior crew member Brad Ryan to rebuild ten dete- riorating bridges within the park. It took me about a second to say yes. Most of the bridges in the park are constructed with eastern cedar and, depending on location, typically last between 15 and 25 years. During that lifespan, minor maintenance of railings and decking keep the bridges safe. At some point, that is no longer possible and the entire bridge needs to be replaced. The replacement list for the summer was a combination of long bridges and short bridges, arched bridges and straight bridges, rustic bridges and more manicured bridges—all depending on the historic style of the bridge and the trail it supports. Bridge building is more than plopping down a couple of stringers and nailing some decking, as I soon learned. First the sleepers, or bridge anchors, must be excavated and Rich Spinelli Park volunteer Mark Munsell and Dudley relax on the bridge at the north end of Lower Hadlock Pond. positioned on the opposing banks of the brook or stream. Brad, a master of rock work, the bridge or the height above the water, a This is a very sweet, arched bridge with a made sure that all of our sleepers—whether handrail may be attached. matching handrail. He told us to just stand cedar timbers or rock abutments—were By late summer, we had built our there until we got the “Zen” of that bridge. stronger than the original. His comment to ten bridges on time and under budget. His instructions further noted: don’t start me was, “It only takes a little longer to make Volunteer labor helps. We were also aided the new bridge until you get that Zen. We a perfect foundation.” considerably by FOA-sponsored Acadia got it—and the new bridge has the Zen, Next, the two stringers, 8-to-12-inch Youth Conservation Corps crews, who looks great, and is stronger than the original. diameter cedar logs that span the water and carried all of the sleepers, stringers, and It was a wonderful outcome in a wonderful will support the decking, are attached to the decking from the trailhead to the bridge summer of working in the Acadia National sleepers. But now the real work begins. The sites. The 60-plus-year-old builders would Park that we all love. ❧ stringers must be shaped by chainsaw until not have been able to complete the project they are perfectly level from side to side without this help. MARK MUNSELL, his wife, Georgia, and (sadly, they don’t grow that way). Finally, But the project’s most memorable lesson their yellow lab, Dudley, live in Lamoine. the decking must be notched and fitted to came at the very beginning. At the outset, Mark was recognized as the Volunteer of the be both level and consistent across the arch Gary told us to go out and look at the bridge Year for Acadia National Park in 2012. of the bridge. Depending on the length of at the north end of Lower Hadlock Pond.

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 15 Park Natural Resources

Migration Is for the Birds By Rich MacDonald

s summer wanes, tourists and sum- A mer folk are not the only ones winging their way to milder climes. Most birds will undertake their semi-annual peregri- nation, too. Fall migration is particularly dramatic because it is not just the adult birds vacating our northern landscape—the young-of-the-year follow on the feathered heels of their parents. The net result is millions of birds passing through Maine. Migration is that semi- annual phenomena where animals, especially

birds, move en masse Rich MacDonald from one locale to an- Yellow warbler other. The driving force behind migration is generally less an escape Males establish territories, preen and straggle through well into June. from cold and more the pursuit of adequate croon to attract a mate, help to raise their In the midst of summer, migration may food resources. Examples of migration can young (or not—as with the common ei- not be in the forefront of our minds…but be found in nearly every class of animal. der—as the case may be). Come late sum- it is already underway. By mid-July, ones Caribou migrate from feeding ground to mer, birds begin their southern sojourn as and twos and tens of shorebirds—especially feeding ground in the northernmost reaches they seek environments that can provide a semipalmated and least sandpipers—are of North America. The humpback whales steady supply of food all winter. routinely observed on flats exposed at lower we see during whale-watches in the Gulf For many people, fall migration is more tide levels (a rising tide at Ship Harbor is an of Maine over-winter on their breeding elusive: time passes and suddenly it dawns excellent place to search), on tidal creeks grounds northeast of the Dominican Repub- on you there have been no (insert the name of such as those at Bass Harbor Marsh and lic. Even the delectable American lobster your favorite migrant here) in several weeks. Northeast Creek, or flying fast along our migrates in the spring from deeper offshore That said, there are certainly autumnal con- rocky coastline. Shorebird migration peaks waters inshore. gregations of birds that draw our attention. the third week of August (to truly experi- We generally think of migration in terms The northern flicker comes to mind. As Sep- ence the magnitude of their exodus, visit of the obvious arrivals and departures of our tember wanes into October, they are most in Mary’s Point, New Brunswick, where thou- feathered friends in the spring and fall, re- evidence along roadsides and in meadows, sands of these sleek fliers can be observed). spectively. In the Acadia region, we note the flashing their white rumps as they leap-frog Many species of birds make incredible mi- arrival of large numbers of American robins ahead of us, hopefully not darting in front gratory flights. Most of “our” (in quotation in early April; harbingers of the rebirth of the of our cars. marks because these birds spend most of landscape. Various species of birds trickle in Both spring and fall migration go on for a the year on their winter grounds rather than over the coming weeks and months; then, long time; probably a lot longer than most here in the north, where we fondly think one day toward the end of May, seemingly people realize. In the spring, rusty black- of them in the possessive) warblers are mi- magically, dozens of species of our brightly birds come through MDI in peak numbers grating to points south of the United States. colored feathered friends have appeared. at the end of March while blackpoll warblers The majority of migrants follow major fly-

16 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal ways, which, in turn, follow significant geo- On the other side of the avian coin, May to that eat millions of birds each year. All of this graphic features such as coastlines, rivers, October is the rainy season in much of Latin has resulted in significant declines in three- and mountain ranges. The Atlantic Flyway America. Lots of rain equals reduced plant quarters of North American bird species spans the East Coast and is an efficient fun- growth, which means fewer insects and over the past 50 years. nel moving migrants south. fruit. Food becomes scarce for the billions of While many species are still seeing pop- Blackpoll warblers, those high-pitched birds looking for a meal. Over the millennia, ulation declines, people are waking up to songsters with the chickadee-like cap, do it a as many went in search of food, they found the effects our behaviors have on the natu- bit differently: they leave their northern for- it to the north. Successive years of following ral world. Increasingly, communities such est breeding grounds and fly southeast, well this pattern led to a genetic memory of food as Bar Harbor are incorporating dark skies out over the Atlantic Ocean, sometimes not availability being tied to latitude…and thus initiatives into local ordinances. Protected touching ground for days. They eventually migration was born. landscapes such as Acadia National Park, turn southwest to arrive in South America Migration does not come without costs, coupled with the network of lands con- thousands of miles later, having burned half if you are a bird. There are predators along served by local land trusts such as Maine their body weight or more. your path. If food to rebuild vital fat reserves Coast Heritage Trust, afford refueling stops The hands-down migration champion is is scarce, you may not have the energy to for “our” birds and protection from preda- the arctic tern. This species, which can be complete your migration. And storms are al- tors. found nesting on nearby Petit Manan Is- ways a hazard, too. This system likely went The long-term prognosis for many spe- land in the Maine Coastal Islands National along fairly smoothly for thousands of years. cies is unclear, but as we continually work Wildlife Refuge, is a bird of extreme lati- Then we humans started changing the to reduce our negative impacts on the en- tudes: they summer on offshore islands of landscape. We cleared forests for agriculture vironment, the birds can only benefit. In the North Atlantic and winter in the Ant- and genetically modified foods to be pesti- the meantime, look and listen for migratory arctic. The linear distance is nearly 11,000 cide resistant, effectively sterilizing the land- birds of Acadia National Park this fall. ❧ miles but their actual flight path takes them scape of insects and native fruits. Our love around the perimeter of the ocean, with of asphalt is slowly turning America into RICHARD MacDONALD is a local ornithol- some individuals flying upwards of 43,000 a giant parking lot, fragmenting the open ogist who runs The Natural History Cen- miles per year! space so vital to most birds. We erected tall ter, featuring adventure and nature tours, Acadia National Park runs a fall hawk- buildings and towers of every sort, virtually found in downtown Bar Harbor on Firefly watch atop Cadillac Mountain, where peak impossible for nighttime migrants to see. Lane. Join Rich for Wednesday and Satur- flights for broad-winged hawks typically We lit the landscape, making it difficult for day morning bird-walks to learn more about occur around September 25th. Hundreds of birds to see the stars, which are important bird identification and the ecology and life these medium-sized buteos can be observed navigation cues. We turn out unwanted cats history of our feathered friends. daily, winging it toward South America. In fact, a record 3,014 broad-winged hawks were observed on September 21st, 2011 by Cadillac Mountain hawk-watchers! Some young birds, most notably the long- legged waders such as great and snowy egrets, commonly head north—a behavior known as post-nesting dispersal—before heading south for the winter. During August and September, look for these stunningly white birds that boldly stand out on the landscape at Thompson Island, Northeast Creek, and Bass Harbor Marsh. Why do birds migrate? The answer is actually fairly simple: reliability of food sources. First, consider that the majority of “our” birds migrate. If you are a bird in South America, food is abundant November through March and life is good. This spans the dry season, when foliage is adding sub- stantially more new growth. This, in turn, provides food up and down the food chain:

more insects and more fruits equates to the Rich MacDonald ability to support more birds. Magnolia warbler

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 17 New Members

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Carlson Alexis Groves Jane Kriebel Katrina and Todd Milanese Derinda and David Carpenter Terry Dimick Patricia Guyette Michael Krieger John Mills Michael Carr Robert Donnelly Mary Hampton Susan Krieger Ruth Moore Kimberly Cashin Anne Downs Randy Hancock Debbie and Tony Krysak Matthew Moretti Patricia Centola Maureen Driscoll and Mark Christina Hansen Barbara Laane Jay Moriarty Travis Chambers Hoffman Roger and Michelle Harris Thomas Ladd Catherine Morse Kyle E. Chapin Maureen Drouin, Matt Scease, Patti Hart Jailue Lai Jennifer Munro Neena Chaudhry and Lily Drouin-Scease Jack Hartman Peter Lamothe Robert Murphy I-Ping Chen Samuel du Pont Jr. Jerry Hartz June and David Laplante Jill Murray Bonnie Mason and Alfred Nguyen Van Duan Marcia Hatch Judy Larsen Eric and Mary Muth Chock Kelly and Eduardo Duarte Dixie Hathaway Meg Lassar William Myers Catharina Chou Elena Duma Julie and Jerris Hayes Terry Laub Clara Nall

18 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal LEAD

Susan Nash Jay K. Seawright Randy Vinson Nature Bridge Margaret Sevem VOYA Foundation Dan Nemeczek Jitendra Shah Mary Ellen Nepps Ellen Shapiro Sarah and Grover Nevells Charles L. Sheetz Thao Nguyen M.L. and C.T. Shen precise Maureen O’Brien Cynthia Shephard Discovering Ocean Reef Community Dennis Shepler genomic solutions to disease Foundation Inc. Sherman Fairchild Foundation Tad and Susan Ogden John Shipman Reggie Oldak Hotien Shu Eileen O’Neil Kathy Shultz Alice and Thomas Paff Robert Shurilla Nicholas and Shelagh Pappas Patricia Silberman Stephen Payne Michael Sillery David Peak Willys Silvers Barbara Walls Heidi and Duncan Perry Jane and Jim Sinclair Angela Walsh Melonie and Donald Petersen M.C. Slater Kelly Walton Emily Phipps Camp and Barry Peter Smart Patricia Warner Camp Nancy and Nick Smedira Melissa and Reeve Waud Kurt Picel Cindy Smith Shane Wedel Penelope Pierce Laura Smith Linda and Charles Weeks Robert Pietroski Lisa and David Smith Jennifer Wellington Mr. and Mrs. Paul Pomerleau Elizabeth Sommers Ellen Wells Melanie Pope Barbara and Donald Speranza Marcia and Thomas Wessels Jennifer and Kemp Potter Ellan Spring Danielle West Timothy Pruchnic Alexandra Stark WGUY Jim and Pat Purcell Matthew Steeves Constance and Don Whalen Dore and Tom Quinn Amy Steffen and Linda Stern Linda Whalen Susan and Steven Rakel Jane Story Cheryl White Ateptaya Rakpraja Diana Strange Robert Whitman Debra Redman Nanette Straw Elena Whittaker The Jackson Laboratory Lily Reece Barbara Stubbart Dorothy and Frederick Whitton is a nonprofit institution Robin Reed John Sullivan Dean Williamson Niles Reese Mark Sullivan Katrina Winfield-Howard with 85 years of experience Tom Reeve Thomas Sullivan Alice Winn in genetics research. Our Brian Reilly Max and Anne Swann Nancy Withbroe discoveries are leading to Chuck and Melanie Rhoades Jennifer and Kevin Swanson Bolivia and Arthur Wolski precise genomic solutions to Holly Rich David Swetzoff MingJer Wu David Richards Michael and Lisa Swiniarski Sontra Yim cancer and other diseases. Marci and Harold Richardson John Szoke Our vision is to improve care, Mark Rieder Douglas Taatjes lower costs, and increase life Nancy Rieser and Paola Mangia Catherine Tabor span and health span. Katherine and Michael Robbins Kerri Tarmey Miles Rodelsheimer Susan Tarmy John and Jennifer Rohde James Tchobanoff Follow our work by Sarah Rose Thomas Termyna subscribing to our free Denis Rousseau Rachel Lee Thai e-publications: William Rowe Dean Thomas www.jax.org/subscribe Christopher Ryan Diane Tormey Ann and Michael Sabia Tim Tracy Alexander Saint-Amand Chung-Mei Tsai Melinda Yoder Salesforce.com Foundation Yuan Hwang and Ying Tish Tsai Carolyn and Winston Young Jennifer Salko Catarina Tully Chiann Young www.jax.org Matthew Sanders Margaret Turner Joe Zaleski 600 Main Street, Felicia Sandoval Robert Turner Nan Zhang-Da Bar Harbor, ME 04609 Lisa Santasiero Deborah Ullman Rachel Zukrow Jennie Scalisi Patricia Urso Julie Schneider Harlan Bratcher and Toby Usnik Deborah and Karl Karen Valeri Schwiegershausen June Varcoe March 1–July 31, 2014 Linda Scott Angelic Vetter Kristen Seaman Karen Vincent

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 19 Updates

duced on event publicity materials as well “Buildings, too, are as merchandise such as t-shirts, calendars, children of Earth and Sun.” and more. The contest called for entries represent- -Frank Lloyd Wright ing the centennial slogan of “Celebrate our past; Inspire our future” and also includ- ing an iconic image of Acadia. Featuring a historic Bates cairn and a distant view from one of Acadia’s mountain-summit hiking trails, along with native blueberries that are so closely associated with Acadia and the Maine coast, the winning logo gives a nod to past, present, and future. Winner Catherine Breer wrote of having Acadia Centennial Logo Selected her design selected: “I have been coming Catherine Breer of Freeport, Maine, was the to Acadia since my children were small, al- winner of the nationwide Acadia Centen- ways camping at the same campground on nial Logo Contest sponsored by Friends Somes Sound. We have hiked the Bubbles, of Acadia and Acadia National Park. Her eaten popovers at the Jordan Pond House, design was selected anonymously by a listened to the waves crash at Thunder judging panel of representatives from ANP, Hole, swum at Echo Lake, and taken in the FOA, and the Centennial Task Force that view from the top of Cadillac Mountain. has been planning for Acadia’s 100th anni- The natural beauty and diversity of Acadia versary in 2016. Breer received a prize of never ceases to amaze me, and has always $3,000 for her winning design. The logo been an inspiration to me as an artist. To will serve as the visual signature for the be part of the preservation of this magical yearlong celebration and will be repro- place is both an honor and a privilege.”

www.nelsongoodwin.com

Custom Homes

Cabinetry

renovations

additions Friends of Acadia More than 70 representatives from Acadia-area organizations and businesses turned out for the spring meeting of the Acadia Centennial Partners, held at the Ellsworth City Hall. Pictured are: (front, from left to right) Maine State Representative Louie Luchini, Maine State Representative Brian Hubbell, Maine State Senator Brian Langley, Acadia National Park Superintendent Sheridan Steele, and Ellsworth City Manager Michelle Beal; (back) Friends of Acadia President David MacDonald, Ellsworth City Planner Michele Gagnon, and Mount Desert Elementary School Principal Scott McFarland. building ContraCtor The Acadia Centennial Partners (ACPs) will be at the heart of the 2016 centennial, generating and orchestrating a year-long celebration that will celebrate 100-plus years of world-class conservation, inspire | 207 276.5238 Seal Harbor, Maine and launch the next century of stewardship at Acadia, and model a strong relationship between a national Established 1986 park and its surrounding communities. To learn how to get involved as an ACP, visit the Friends of Acadia website and follow the link at the bottom of the home page.

20 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal Blackwoods Lights Rehabbed Acadia National Park is renowned along the East Coast as one of the best places to view dark, starry skies. To enhance this visitor experience, park maintenance staff have been working on converting the light fixtures at Blackwoods Campground to Shops night-sky-friendly fixtures that provide il- Downtown Bar Harbor lumination only where needed and shine downward to prevent brightening the sky Serving Acadia’s Visitors with artificial light. since 1932 The project was funded by a $25,000 grant to Friends of Acadia from the Yawkey Foundation. Musco Lighting donated tech- nical expertise and the light fixtures, which were installed at the restrooms, amphithe- ater, and entrance station at Blackwoods.

An added bonus is that the new lights are Green Teri LEDs, which will reduce the park’s energy Students of TRT Teri Green from Cave Hill School in Eastbrook, Maine, explore the stream outlet at bills. The project is expected to be com- Sand Beach. plete this fall, and additional fixtures will be purchased from Musco to start a similar Resources to present the program “Scales retrofit at Seawall Campground. Thanks to and Tales” at her school, due to a travel ban this public-private partnership, Acadia is that prevented her from taking her class on setting an example for other national parks field trips. and local communities that aim to improve • Karin Lingley, from the Robbinston and preserve dark, starry skies as an impor- Grade School in Downeast Maine, brought tant natural resource for all to enjoy. her entire school to St. Croix Island In- ternational Historic Site and later traveled Teacher-Rangers Bring Parks to to Acadia National Park with grades 3–8 Students, and Students to Parks for field experiences at Cadillac, Thunder In 2013, Friends of Acadia provided fund- Hole, and Sand Beach. Tours Daily at 10:00 a.m. ing that enabled Acadia National Park to • Ronny Armstrong, from Boswell High and 2:00 p.m. increase the number of Teacher-Ranger- School in Fort Worth, Texas, took his stu- 207-288-0300 Teachers (TRTs) at the park from four to dents to the Fort Worth Nature Center, a seven. These teachers spent six weeks in city-owned nature center with trails and Acadia attending ranger-led programs, education programs, which was named a sharing field teaching techniques, creat- National Natural Landmark by the Nation- ing lesson plans, and communicating with al Park Service in 1980. visitors. As part of the program, the teach- • Kate Drummond, physics and chemis- ers commit to sharing their experiences at try teacher at Skowhegan Area High School Acadia with their schools, and they commit in Maine, brought her students to ranger- to bringing their classes back to Acadia or led educational programs in Acadia Na- another public land closer to their school. tional Park. FOA Journal Ad_Layout 1 2/16/2011 1:44 PM Page Among the teachers last year: • Teri Green, from the Cave Hill School • Melissa McDonald, from the Gilboa- in Eastbrook, Maine, brought her entire Conesville Central School in New York school (pre-K through 8th grade) to explore State, brought 31 middle-school students and learn about Sand Beach and Great and chaperones to the Schoodic Education Head on Mount Desert Island. Adventure, an overnight residential educa- • DeLene Hoffner, 4th-grade teacher at the tion program at the Schoodic Education School in the Woods in Colorado Springs, and Research Center. CO, took her entire school to Bent’s Old Proudly serving Northeast • Judith McConnell, from the Owings Fort National Historic Site, which features a Harbor since 1883. Mills Elementary School (Maryland), in- reconstructed adobe fur trading post where Serving from noon to close daily. vited the Maryland Department of Natural Native Americans and trappers, travelers, Tel: 207-276-3344 www.asticou.com Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 21 Bar Harbor Bank & Trust salutes Friends of Acadia for helping preserve the Park for the enjoyment of future generations. Friends of Acadia/Julia Walker Thomas Friends of Acadia/Julia Walker Standing in the Acadia trails workshop, volunteer Mel Timmons demonstrates how light, indeed, is the www.BHBT.com park’s new, state-of-the-art rock gurney. 1-888-853-7100

and traders exchanged goods along the pounds. Morris Yachts donated some of the mountain branch of the Old Sante Fe trail. materials and all of the time, shop equip- The work of these TRTs and the follow- ment, and expertise that made it possible. up visits to national park sites and pre- That’s a real gift to the folks who work hard served lands is inspiring a new generation to care for Acadia’s trails. of students to appreciate and care for na- ture and our national parks. Thanks to all Jordan Pond Parking FOA donors who help make these experi- Many visitors noticed several changes to the ences happen. parking arrangements in the Jordan Pond area this summer. By placing granite coping The State of the Art for Acadia’s stones along the roadway, park road crews Trail Crews intend to prevent roadside parking along A rock gurney is a handy tool for trail crews the Park Loop Road—greatly improving Bank locally, and Ridge Runners, who often need to safety in this congested area. To offset 40 bank responsibly. carry large native rocks to build retaining spaces lost by closing the shoulders, the When you invest with walls, bridge footings, or Bates cairns. Two park reconfigured the three lots around the Bar Harbor Savings and Loan, or four people working together can carry a Jordan Pond House. you are investing in the future of our community. boulder weighing up to 400 pounds using The restaurant lot gained spaces for 6 a gurney, which—up till now—has typi- cars, 4 ADA-compliant vehicles, and 3 cally been constructed of 2x6 lumber with buses; the north lot gained spaces for 42 a basket woven of metal straps. cars but removed 4 bus spots; and the boat 103 Main Street, Bar Harbor • 288.3685 That lumber adds up to 45 pounds, ramp area gained spaces for 33 cars and www.bhsla.com Member FDIC which isn’t much compared to a boulder 3 RVs—for a net gain of 36 car spots, 4 but makes a tiring burden to lug up and ADA spots, and 4 Bus/RV spots. Of course, down Acadia’s mountain trails. With this in riding the Island Explorer or your bicycle is mind, FOA volunteers Mel Timmons and still the best way to avoid parking hassles at Jim Linnane worked last winter with boat- this very popular destination! builders at Morris Yachts to come up with a better design. Using carbon-fiber fabric, New Friends We are proud to support fiberglass, and vacuum-infused resin in a Two new full-time staff members have Friends of Acadia process more commonly used to construct brought diverse skills and experience to Fresh Maine lobster and seafood on the pier, or shipped to your home year round. luxury yachts, the team designed and built the FOA office in recent months. We wel- Boaters welcome! Tie up and refuel while you eat. a rock gurney that can carry half a ton come Shawn Keeley, who joined the devel- 182 Clark Point Rd, Southwest Harbor Open 11:00am - 9:00pm | bealslobster.com without even flexing, yet weighs a mere 16 opment department as senior development

22 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal officer; and Paige Steele, who joined the conservation staff in the newly-configured role of conservation projects manager.

PAIGE STEELE grew up near Tulsa, Okla- homa, where her love for the outdoors was fueled by family vacations to many national parks and her career in conservation began as a volunteer naturalist at Oxley Nature Center. Acadia National Park drew her to College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, where she met her husband, Zack. She particu- larly loved exploring Acadia’s trails and the surrounding islands, working summers as a registered Maine sea kayak guide. Paige Friends of Acadia/Aimee Beal Church comes to Friends of Acadia from the Wells Shawn Keeley National Estuarine Research Reserve in the Institute for Sustainable Communities Wells, Maine, where she was the interpre- (2011–2014) and the director of develop- tive education associate (2009–2013). Says ment at the Green Mountain Club (2006– Paige, “I believe that creating a culture of 2011). Shawn graduated from College of conservation in modern society benefits the Atlantic in 2000 and worked for the humanity just as much as the communi- college from 2003 to 2006 as the alumni ties of flora and fauna in need of protec- relations and development coordinator. As tion. Whether it is teaching students about a former MDI resident, Shawn knows Aca- wildlife habitats, leading sea kayaking dia well and looks forward to reintegrating tours along the coast of Maine, or training with the community. He notes that “Aca- volunteers to lead interpretive programs, dia’s mountains, lakes, trails, and ocean each experience is rewarding to me as par- have provided me with adventure, inspira- ticipants see the world in a new light. I am tion, and a strong connection to nature. I so excited to share my passion for people feel incredibly fortunate to join the team at and nature at Acadia National Park through Friends of Acadia to help ensure the park Friends of Acadia!” Paige and Zack recently remains a magical place for those of us who married atop Cadillac Mountain and visited love Acadia and those who have yet to dis- three national parks on their honeymoon. cover it.” Shawn lives in Bar Harbor with his wife, Sarah, and two children, Noah and Aliyah.

The Friends of Acadia Board of Directors welcomed three new members at their annual meeting in July: Bill Eacho, Story Litchfield, and Julie Veilleux. If you’re noticing many of these “new board mem- ber” notices in recent issues of the Journal, you’re not mistaken; the board is temporar- ily increasing their numbers to accommo- date increased demands on their volunteer a fine art and quality craft gallery responsibilities during the Acadia National in the village of Corea, on Park 2016 centennial and related events. Acadia’s Schoodic Friends of Acadia/Julia Walker Thomas Friends of Acadia/Julia Walker BILL EACHO comes to Friends of Acadia Paige Steele Peninsula from a career in business and diplomacy. From 1999 to 2009, he oversaw a diverse 611 Corea Road SHAWN KEELEY is returning to MDI af- portfolio of investments as CEO of Carlton Corea, Maine, 04624 ter a nine-year stint in Vermont, where he 207-963-7269 Capital Group in Bethesda, Maryland. Pre- [email protected] was the manager of private philanthropy at viously he was CEO of Atlantic Food Ser- www.chaptertwocorea.com

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 23 Courthouse GalleryIn Gratitude

Representing (abridged) R. Scott Baltz Philip Frey Volunteer Field Crew Wild Gardens Plant Sale Event Sponsors John Heliker (1927–2002) Leaders In-Kind Gifts Acadia Mountain Guides William Irvine Jean and Don Bell A.C. Parsons Landscaping and Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Joseph Keiffer Jenn Brandt Garden Center Beal’s Lobster Pier Emily Muir (1904–2003) Bruce Denny-Brown Atlantic Landscape Construction Birch Bay Village John Neville Randy Ewins Chris Keith The Bluenose Inn Colin Page Bob Hartley Ruth and Tris Colket Burdick & Associates Landscape Jesse Salisbury Mike Hays Dublin Gardens Design Stephen Pace (1918–2010) Doug Heden Fernwood Chapter Two Jack Hirschenhofer Greenrock Company The First Cookie Horner Penelope Harris Galyn’s Steve Johnson Home Depot of Ellsworth The Knowles Company Don Lenahan Islandscaping Window Panes Jim Linnane J&P’s Farm Stand Courthouse Gallery offers a wide range of Keith Martin Land & Garden Preserve (Thuya In-Kind Gifts contemporary fine art and selected estates Cliff Olson and Azalea Gardens) The Bagel Factory handsomely displayed in Ellsworth’s historic Donna Reis Miller Gardens BerryDunn courthouse (1832), a beautiful Greek Revival Betsy Roberts Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden Canon U.S.A. building with over 4500 feet of exhibition Bob Sanderson St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church Dawnland LLC space. Sculpture park on the lawn. Roger Thompson Ann B. Smith Jordan Fernald Funeral Home courthousegallery.com Sunflower Gardens and Green- L.L.Bean Emeritus Crew Leaders houses Machias Savings Bank 6 COURT ST ELLSWORTH, ME 207 667 6611 Bruce Blake Sweet Pea’s Farm Reel Pizza Maureen and Bucky Brooks Betty Tiedemann Julia Schloss Carol and Don Sessions Dee and Howard Solomon Rita Timmons Marilyn and Al Wiberley

Acadia Forever Estate Planning: Peace of mind that your legacy will live on in Acadia

Preserving and protecting those things you hold dear—the integrity of Acadia’s natural wonders, the park’s unique opportunities to connect with nature, the loving care of Acadia’s matchless trail and carriage road systems—is a wise investment. The easiest way to leave a lasting legacy for the benefit of Acadia National Park is to include Friends of Acadia in your will.

It’s simple. Add only one of the following sentences to your will or a codicil: • I give, devise, and bequeath _____ % of the remaining assets of my estate to Friends of Acadia, a Maine charitable corporation, for its charitable purposes... • I give, devise, and bequeath the sum of $______to Friends of Acadia, a Maine charitable corporation, for its charitable purposes… • I give, devise, and bequeath the following property to Friends of Acadia, a Maine charitable corporation, for its charitable purposes… [Description of property]. The You are strongly urged to discuss your gift intentions with Friends of Acadia at an early Gallery at stage in your planning. Please call the Friends of Acadia office, or have your attorney or financial advisor call, if you have any questions or require additional information. If you Somes Sound have already included Friends of Acadia in your estate plans, please contact Lisa Horsch Clark, Director of Development, at 800-625-0321 or [email protected] Fine Art and Handcrafted Furniture to document your plans and be recognized as a member of the George B. Dorr Society. Your gift, regardless of size, will be both welcome and important to Friends of Acadia. 1112 Main Street | Somesville, Maine Thank you. www.galleryatsomessound.com 207.244.1165

24 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal vices and Chairman of UniPro Foodservice, FOA.” Bill lives with his wife, Donna, and a $20 billion revenues foodservice distri- three sons in Seal Harbor and Chevy Chase, bution cooperative. From 2009 to 2013, Maryland. Warm Your he served as U.S. Ambassador to Austria, where he led the multi-agency U.S. govern- STORY LITCHFIELD was born and raised Home and Hearth ment presence and was very involved in the in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. Her State Department’s efforts to enhance Euro- career as a professional photographer took pean energy security. Bill received a Mas- her all over the world, including a historic ter’s degree in Business Administration with trip to China in 1979 as photographer for x Distinction from Harvard Business School the Boston Symphony. Other photography and a B.A. combining Political Science and commissions included the Red Sox and Economics from Duke University. He cur- publications such as Architectural Digest, Eastern Maine’s largest rently serves on the board of the Salzburg Time, Newsweek, National Geographic, Yacht- selection of wood, Gas and Pellet Global Seminar, the Austrian American ing, Cruising World, the New York Times, and stoves and Fireplaces Foundation, and the International Founda- the Wall Street Journal. tion for Electoral Systems. After raising two sons in Maine, Story Bill says, “Our family has enjoyed Acadia now lives year round in Northeast Har- for twenty years, so it is the place where our bor, where she is the principle broker in boys grew from tiny toddlers in backpacks the LandVest, Christie’s Great Estates of- 2.25” on the trail to 6’3” tall young men who I fice. She says, “My work allows me the op- Ellsworth- 403 high st., 667-4122 BrEwEr- 603 wilson st., 989-0077 can barely keep up with. We love the trails portunity to work with exceptional people of Acadia, and are grateful to the wonderful and to visit magnificent places; my ‘office’ www.mainestoves.com staff who maintain them. While we enjoy is often the verdant woods, a spruce clad them most in summer, we also have cross island, or beautiful rocky beaches. Acadia’s country skied here in winter, an amazing trails are adjacent to my home, and I walk experience. It is a special place, and we are them often, always appreciating the views, grateful for the opportunity to help preserve the wildlife, and the peaceful presence that it for future generations though the work of is found there.”

3.925” Friends of Acadia/Julia Walker Thomas Friends of Acadia/Julia Walker The Friends of Acadia “Imprecision Drill Team” was formed in the 1980s by a dozen fun-loving FOA stewardship volunteers. The team was the brainchild of volunteer Howard Solomon, who had noted several faux-military-type drill teams marching in Washington, D.C. parades. One such group of lawyers walked while opening and closing briefcases. Another drill team flipped lawn chairs as they went. This year some 30 Imprecision Drill Team members proudly marched down the streets of Bar Harbor on July 4th and in the Southwest Harbor Flamingo Festival parade the following weekend.

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 25 JULIE VEILLEUX grew up in Hingham, She adds that she is “proud of the work Massachusetts and graduated from Whee- that FOA does. I want to make sure that we lock College in Boston with a BA in early continue the stewardship of this incredible childhood education. Her first teaching jewel!” job was on Little Cranberry Island, Maine, teaching five students in a one-room school- Take Pride in Acadia Day house. Years later and with a child in tow, Come one, come all to celebrate Acadia’s she and her husband, Greg, returned to carriage roads and prepare them for winter! this area and settled in Bar Harbor. In 1994 Saturday, November 1, 2014 is Take Pride they opened up Window Panes Home and in Acadia Day, when hundreds of volun- Garden retail store, now in its 20th year. Ju- teers (truly hundreds—it’s awe-inspiring) lie’s community involvement is significant. will gather at park headquarters and join Serving the Downeast community since 1883 She helped the Bar Harbor Chamber of work crews to journey into the park and Commerce to establish the successful Early rake leaves from the carriage road ditch- Bird PJ Sale, has served on the Bar Harbor es and culverts. The goal of the day is to Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors clear the drainage systems of leaf dams and Barry K. Mills • Melissa M. Hale and the MDI YMCA Board of Directors, blockages, to prevent erosion during win- Justin M. Bennett • Sally N. Mills founded and served as president of the Bar ter’s freeze-thaw cycles, spring ice melt, and Harbor Merchants Association, and with seasonally high run-off. 4 State Street • Ellsworth, ME 04605 her husband helped to establish the Eden Volunteers can register online at friend- 207.667.2561 • FAX 207.667.8790 www.halehamlin.com Farmers Market. Currently, she sits on the sofacadia.org/events/take-pride-in-acadia- Women’s Health Center Advisory Commit- day, or contact Paige Steele, FOA Conser- tee and chairs the Products Working Group vation Projects Manager, at 207-288-3340 HANNAFORD of the Acadia Centennial Task Force. or [email protected]. Groups are In their spare time Julie and Greg spend welcome to register to work as a team. All SUPERMARKETS as much time as possible in what she re- volunteers are treated to a “CCC” lunch of fers to as “her backyard,” Acadia National chili, cornbread, and cider (plus a fourth 86 Cottage Street Park, “hiking, biking, cross-country ski- “c” of “cake”), and the Acadia Quest grand Bar Harbor ing, snowshoeing, kayaking, yoga, pho- prize winners will be selected that after- tography, and enjoying quiet time on the noon. It’s a wonderful opportunity to spend Where Shopping is a Pleasure. coastline listening to the surf while being time in the park, working together with grateful for the beauty that surrounds me.” park enthusiasts to protect a resource that ATM Major Credit Cards we all enjoy. ❧ Friends of Acadia Friends of Acadia once again teamed up with Friends of Blue Hill Bay in July, for a shoreline cleanup of Long Island. Parts of the island are protected by Acadia National Park conservation easements. 26 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal Advocacy Corner www.sealcoveautomuseum.org Celebrating the cultural and industrial innovations of the earliest Working Together for National Parks automobiles. Located on Mount Desert Island bordering Acadia he National Parks 2nd Century Ac- Natural Resources Committee and has been National Park Open Daily 10am - 5pm tion Coalition has been working in forwarded to the House Subcommittee on May 1st - October 31st Washington on behalf of national Conservation, Energy, and Forestry, as the bill T 1414 Tremont Rd Seal Cove, ME 207.244.9242 parks in four areas: advocating with Con- would also affect national forests, which are gress for adequate National Park Service overseen by the Department of Agriculture. (NPS) operational funding, reauthorization The bill would extend the fee legislation for of fee legislation for national parks and other five years and is generally supported by the federal agencies, wildfire funding, and park 2nd Century Action Coalition, but with a few roads and transit systems. Friends of Acadia recommended changes. is a member of the coalition, which is an af- To encourage more funding for park filiation of conservation and tourism orga- roads and transit systems, the coalition sent nizations organized by the National Parks letters to the chair and ranking members Conservation Association. of the Senate Committee on Banking, Congress has not yet passed the Interior Housing, and Urban Affairs; the Committee Appropriations bill for FY 2015. The on Environment and Public Works; and House bill, which has passed through the Committee on Finance to encourage the Appropriations Committee, includes the reinstatement of the Transit in Parks a modest increase in funding for park (TRIP) program and to lay out the need for operations, but level funding overall for additional funding for federal roads inside the NPS. It also recommends a one-year national parks. The TRIP program was extension of the legislation that enables the eliminated when Congress reauthorized NPS and other federal land management the federal transportation bill. The TRIP agencies to charge and retain fee revenues. program had provided critical capital The draft Senate version of the bill also funding for the Island Explorer. includes this provision, and recommends The 2nd Century Action Coalition has not higher funding for national park operations only been busy with legislative advocacy; and programs like the Land and Water they have also been working to familiarize Conservation Fund by shifting $470 million members of Congress and their staffs with that was in the House bill for wildlands the significance and extent of the National firefighting to disaster funding accounts. Park System. The first activity was a Both the House and the Senate bills familiarization trip in late August from recognized that the National Park Service’s Capitol Hill to Harper’s Ferry National centennial is approaching. In addition to Historical Park. Additional trips may be recommending more operating funds, planned to other sites near Washington. both chambers suggested establishing a Friends of Acadia is fortunate to be able “Centennial Challenge” with $10 million to work with highly professional colleagues to enhance operations, matched by private in Washington who share an interest in the philanthropy. In the administration’s budget, protection of national parks as important President Obama also asked to increase the destinations that preserve some of America’s funding available for a centennial initiative greatest scenic lands, historic sites, and by $400 million per year. To date, no bill has natural and cultural resources. The National been introduced in Congress. Parks 2nd Century Action Coalition and its In addition to the one-year extension of member organizations provide a critical link the fee legislation for national parks that for legislative updates, access to Capitol Hill, is included in the FY 2015 appropriations and expertise in the political process. Many bills, Representative Rob Bishop (R-Utah) thanks to all involved! ❧ introduced HR 5204, the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization —Stephanie Clement Act of 2014. It was passed by the House Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 27 Reviews

Schoodic Point: came with assistance from well-financed History on the investors who could conceive of new ways Edge of Acadia to use the land and who had the means to National Park develop such uses. By Allen Workman’s history of Schoodic Point Workman also stimulates reflection about the role and The History shifting goals of conservation organizations. Press, 2014 It serves as a case study of the way that 160 pages, conservation programs are often not clearly Softcover planned and understood in advance, but instead emerge provisionally, as opportuni- There are a number of good reasons to read ties arise. For example, the Navy’s arrival at Allen Workman’s Schoodic Point. If you live Schoodic Point initially might have been a around Schoodic Point or visit it, Workman’s sacrifice of conservation values at Schoodic history will help you see the landscape in Point in the service of developing the Ocean new ways, attending to traces of the chang- Drive road on Mount Desert Island, but it es it has experienced since the arrival of also turned out that the Navy’s investment European settlers. For example, if you have in roads and other infrastructure enabled ever wondered about the apple trees that the development of Acadia National Park as show up in this part of Acadia, or about the we now know it at Schoodic. Schoodic Point origin of the flat, open area near Schooner follows this story of finding a balance be- Commons on the Schoodic Education and tween use that preserves the land and use Research Center campus, Workman’s book that depletes it up to the present day, look- will provide the background you need. But ing at the recent acquisition by conservation Schoodic Point goes beyond the important interests of Schoodic Woods, just north of work of researching and bringing together Acadia National Park, protecting it from maps, records, and interviews that charac- threatened overdevelopment. Workman terizes many local histories; Allen Workman succeeds in leaving his readers with a sense has a story to tell. Like any good story, it that his book brings them up to date on an resonates with ideas and concerns that ex- ongoing story. tend far beyond the details of its setting. The book is a treasure. We are very fortu- One idea has to do with the interaction nate to have Allen Workman and other lo- between people and the land in what Work- cal historians like him, who take the time to man calls the “precarious balance” that learn about and retell stories like this. emerges when the land is only marginally suited for human habitation and agricul- BILL ZOELLICK is the director of educa- tural use. Schoodic Point’s history alternates tion research at the Schoodic Institute, and CLAREMONT HOTEL For over 120 summers upholding the traditions between relatively short periods of human a member of the Friends of Acadia Board of of hospitality and leisure on the coast of Maine. activity and longer periods when it was ig- Directors. He lives in Prospect Harbor. {www.theclaremonthotel.com} 1-800-244-5036 nored and forgotten. Sometimes a period FINE DINING - COTTAGES - SUMMER HOTEL of activity ended when a resource (timber, soil) was used up; other times the aban- Summer Colony: donment was brought about by changes in A History of Northeast Harbor, Maine human systems beyond Schoodic, such as By Jeremy Lunt general economic collapse or the shift from Narrated by Steve Zirnkilton salted fish to fresh fish shipped on ice. The 2013 CNF Productions, 103 Minutes decades of abandonment between periods of use provided time for the land to recover, Summer Colony explores the past, pres- but also opened opportunity for damaging ent, and possible futures of the village of use of land that had no apparent value and Northeast Harbor. Jeremy Lunt, creator of that no one cared about. Delivery from such this robust documentary film, is a son of periods of abandonment and risk typically the village: his father served for nearly two 28 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal or, at least, the convivial communication between year-rounders and summer peo- ple who were, after all, mutually depen- dent. But there is counterpoint. We hear two voices say that the swimming club be- came a clear class divide. We are reminded that briefly, in the 1920s, churches and the Neighborhood House hosted gatherings of the Klu Klux Klan—as, also, in Bar Harbor. As Summer Colony comes to the present a tension develops in the narrative. Pride is taken in stable summer colony families and village resistance to casual tourism—in The First is a proud pointed contrast to post-1947-fire Bar Har- supporter of bor. However, concern grows over changes Friends of Acadia. decades as a selectman and is now the town in the commercial strip, with more galler- manager. Lunt is thus well positioned to ies and fewer stores for the needs of daily weave together resources that tell the story life. Storytellers recognize the fundamental of this remarkable place: vintage and con- force driving this change: as rising real es- temporary photographs, paintings, a few tate values encourage sales from year-round 800.564.3195 • www.TheFirst.com • Member FDIC film clips, a pleasing musical background, residents to folks from away, more village Celebrating our First 150 years! and voices—current and historical, cel- homes go dark for nine months. 1864 - 2014 ebratory and critical, summer colony and A village with an $800-million tax base native. can pay its bills and afford amenities but Deft editing of interviews is a grace may become impossible as a home for of Summer Colony. Lunt builds the story those whose services are needed by sum- through a chorus of many storytellers, mer residents. As Summer Colony suggests, whom we meet repeatedly as they speak the descendants of native settlers and early to diverse themes. As Durlin Lunt, Wini rusticators who seek a viable community Smart, Harland Carr, Peter Godfrey, Fred in the 21st century must now rediscover Rogers, Mike Kennedy, Terry Renault, Gun- the mutual dependence that created their nar Hansen, and Bob Pyle talk with us, dis- happy village. tinctions of “from here” and “from away” tend to blur, as Jeremy Lunt probably in- JACK RUSSELL is a historian, a Friends of tended. (Special commendation must go Acadia Board member, and the author of to Bob Pyle, Northeast Harbor’s longtime a forthcoming collection of essays on the Real Estate Sales & Vacation Rentals Since 1898 head librarian. He is invaluable here as a natural history of Acadia National Park. He local historian with welcome anecdotes lives in Mount Desert. and clear analysis.) These living voices are joined by some from the past, as nar- rator Steve Zirnkilton speaks as Samuel de How to Get Kids Offline, Outdoors, and Champlain and Bishop William Doane. Connecting with Nature: 200+ Creative View all of our listings at Summer Colony is good history. From first Activities to Encourage Self-esteem, Mindful- www.KnowlesCo.com settler John Manchester, it tracks the ar- ness, and Wellbeing 1 Summit Road, Northeast Harbor | 207-276-3322 rival of Harvard president Charles W. Eliot, By Bonnie Thomas Bishop Doane, and others, who seeded a Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2014 summer colony more cerebral and clerical 272 pages, Softcover than that of Bar Harbor. The middle pas- Will you have a house full of children this sage of the video characterizes the develop- weekend? Unsure what to do to keep them ment of this distinct community through busy? Resist the electronic gadgets and in- perhaps three generations from 1880 stead use Bonnie Thomas’ great new book, through World War II. How to Get Kids Offline, Outdoors, and Con- Both native and summer colony voices necting with Nature, as a guide to explore na- affirm the relatively egalitarian ethic of the ture and the outside world. The book starts Northeast Harbor summer community— with several chapters designed for mental

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 29 health practi- The book includes many new nuggets of ■ CLASSIC tioners using gold, like humming for a periwinkle. Place art and nature a live periwinkle snail in the center of your in their prac- palm and rest your chin on the base of your tice. But much hand. You should be eye to eye with the per- classic styles, comfortable living… of the book is iwinkle. As you start to hum “your voice will devoted to a reverberate through your hand and entice window family audi- the periwinkle to come out of its shell. Some panes ence, chocka- snails are shyer than others but if you hum a I HOME & GARDEN block full of little song and be patient, it will come out to www.windowpanesmdi.com 207 288 9550 n 166 Main Street, Bar Harbor visual, artistic, say hello.” Thomas challenges us to explore educational, and create during the dark hours, too, with and fun out- everything from making tin-can or snow door activities for all seasons and geogra- lanterns, going on owl walks, or hunting for phies, from national parks to urban settings. bioluminescent mushrooms. Amigos del Parque. As the mother of a 4-year-old, I am con- Whether the ideas are revelations or gentle since 1994 stantly looking for meaningful ways to en- reminders, How to Get Kids Offline, Outdoors, X gage my daughter in outdoor activities. and Connecting with Nature is a must-have for Y Thomas includes detailed instructions for your bookshelf. I can’t wait to get out with Z restaurant classic activities like building with found my daughter and decorate our surrounding serving food of the mexican interior end of Bennett Lane Manset objects, including acorn-cap finger pup- forest with some of Thomas’ great ideas. reservations 244-5221 pets, fairy houses, and driftwood boats. But Thomas also reminds us to bring the inside LISA HORSCH CLARK is the director of de- world outside—a bistro or bakery with old velopment at Friends of Acadia. She and her kitchen items reminds me of my mud-ham- daughter, Grace, can often be found hiking burger stand back in the Maryland moun- Acadia’s trails and biking or skiing on the tains of my childhood. carriage roads.

Foresight & Generosity

Giving to Friends of Acadia can take many forms. Please consider these options for providing essential financial support for vital programs and operations that benefit Acadia National Park every day: Gift of Cash or Marketable Securities. Call the Friends of Acadia office 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 tax-free. 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 Leave a lasting legacy for the benefit of Acadia National Park.

For more information, contact Lisa Horsch Clark at 207-288-3340 or 800-625-0321, email [email protected],

Aimee Beal Church or visit www.friendsofacadia.org. Drainage rock work along Jordan Pond Trail.

30 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal Chairman’s Letter Reflection and Foresight

remember when my wife and I took trails and carriage roads, but dismayed our first trip to Europe. We were in our not to hear seasonal warblers singing in Itwenties and wide-eyed. We passed a Acadia’s forests or puzzled as to why, when second-hand furniture store in London and I the opportunity was there, we did nothing exclaimed, “I see that what we call antiques in about congestion in the park? Will they America they call used furniture here!” A little have to reserve in advance to drive up later we were sitting in a city park—Hyde Cadillac? Or might they see no children Park, I think—and gazing up at the tower- or young families visiting the park? No! If ing trees that had obviously been in place for we, as today’s stewards of Acadia National many decades, if not a century or more. I re- Park, have the foresight to anticipate the alized how fortunate we were to be enjoying challenges and the opportunities around these trees, and that those who planted them the bend and tackle them as effectively as were in an important way our benefactors. the challenges we’ve already faced, then Both of these experiences were moments we can feel confident our beneficiaries will of reflection—stepping back and seeing enjoy the same Acadia experience that we things in a wider perspective than just the do—and will be inspired to pass along that current moment. Reflection helps inform Friends of Acadia/Aimee Beal Church gift. And a great gift it is, indeed. human vision and foresight. That is, looking Many of our readers know that Friends back helps us to look ahead. If we, as today’s stewards of of Acadia is developing programs to Sitting under those magnificent trees, Acadia National Park, have support a carefully thought-out strategic the light went on! It became clear to me the foresight to anticipate plan, focusing on the role we can play to that much of our experience, for better the challenges and the help our partner, Acadia National Park, or for worse, is significantly the result of seize opportunities and minimize threats the works of those who came before us, opportunities around the to the park. We will work on protecting, each building one upon another on the bend and tackle them as preserving, and enhancing the visitor accomplishments and achievements (or effectively as the challenges experience at Acadia. We are reaching out mistakes and disasters!) that came before we’ve already faced, then to America’s youth to engage and inspire them. we can feel confident our them with the park’s many wonders. We We are truly part of a continuum. We are conscious of many threats to Acadia’s are the beneficiaries of those who preceded beneficiaries will enjoy the natural resources and we are committed us and, whether we are conscious of it or same Acadia experience that to understanding and helping the park not, we are the benefactors who will create, we do—and will be inspired minimize and mitigate them. And we modify, ignore, damage, enhance, influence to pass along that gift. will continue to support the significant and, I hope, improve in so many ways the achievements that our benefactors left us— world that those who will follow us—our such as Acadia’s beautiful hiking trails and beneficiaries—will experience. Then our of land, resources, money, time, and love; well-maintained carriage roads—and will beneficiaries will become the benefactors, and the many who continued to support, remain mindful of the generations that and so it will continue on and on. protect, and preserve the park. Those who follow us, as we take the long view in our Today, as a part of Friends of Acadia, I have cared and care about the trails, the carriage work to help care for this remarkable place. joined in the task of caring for this special roads, the plant life, the clean air and waters, ❧ place as someone once cared for that park the peaceful nooks, the majestic vistas, and in London. I—along with everyone who the myriad other resources we appreciate so enjoys, lives near, visits, recreates in, and deeply. is inspired by Acadia National Park—am A decade or a century and more from now, the beneficiary of the inspired individuals how will Acadia look to our beneficiaries? —Edward L. Samek who created Acadia, who gave generously Will they be grateful for the gift of fine

Friends of Acadia Journal Fall 2014 31 Why I’m a Friend of Acadia

Living on Beauty By Susannah Jones

hy is it important to be married in Maine and for me to give to dreamed of Acadia National W Friends of Aca- Park. I was thrilled to offer as dia? I am an octogenarian and a wedding gift the little house a long-time, very modest giver. where she had spent her earli- I had always felt that a small est years. Her mother, who had gift was almost meaningless in started as a renter and had be- such a big enterprise, but at come a true friend, having ac- least it was a gesture. It you live quired her own little house on long enough, small gifts mount MDI, offered to do the flowers up, and one can take real pride for the wedding. Imagine my in having become a friend over amazement to look out of the time. window in late March and see I live primarily on Social Se- this gardener-friend removing curity and Beauty. If you think weeds from my long-neglected that one takes care of my imme- garden. “Doing the flowers” diate needs and the other feeds meant so much more than pro- my emotional wants, you are viding a vase of roses on the day. mistaken. They both do both. I All spring she worked, and I rel- am able to garner enough from ished the summer-long thrill of Social Security to contribute to a garden breaking into bloom. Maine Public Broadcasting and The wedding is the bride’s enjoy beautiful orchestral and and the groom’s, and it is not chamber music concerts on the for me to describe it except to radio or watch a stunning na- say that it was exquisite be- ture program on TV. Likewise yond words. But when the my annual donation to Friends bride wrote me to send me of Acadia (more on this in a photographs of one of the most bit). wonderful days of my long life, Beauty plays its own practi- I was compelled to add a third cal role in significant ways. My word to the list of what I live

husband and I had the shell Friends of Acadia/Aimee Beal Church on: Gratitude. of a little guest house put up Susannah Jones at her home in Bernard. I am old with all the limita- when we moved permanently tions of age. I can no longer to Mount Desert Island in 1987. We finished ful the twentieth time as it is the first be- drive. Yet even that is less provoking when the interior ourselves. There is scarcely a day cause the park is never less than at its best. If one is already in the very place one wishes that this little cottage has not been occupied you are reading this, you understand. to get to. Giving to Friends of Acadia is the by renters or by family members or friends. Last summer a momentous thing hap- best way I know to care for and enjoy such a Not a season passes when long-time visitors pened. A young woman who had spent the bounty of beauty as that provided by Acadia or ones who have yet only heard or read earliest years of her life in our guest cottage National Park and Mount Desert Island. ❧ about Acadia National Park come to climb with her mother and sister had grown up, the mountains, swim in the lakes, sail the had moved to the West Coast, had built a SUSANNAH JONES lives in Bernard, Maine. ocean, and visit the islands. It is as wonder- life, and had become engaged. She wanted

32 Fall 2014 Friends of Acadia Journal Be a Friend of Acadia! Our 3,700 members from all over the world help to fund essential park projects and new initiatives, benefitting trail and carriage road maintenance, youth programs in the park, land and resource conservation, and much more.

Member benefits include a subscription to the Friends of Acadia Journal, published three times annually, plus the satisfaction of knowing that you’re a vital part of FOA’s work to preserve Acadia for this generation and for all time.

Help us to protect Acadia by joining Friends of Acadia. To renew your membership or become For more information visit a new member, use the envelope provided in this magazine, call the Friends of Acadia office at www.friendsofacadia.org 1-800-625-0321, or visit our website.

scan to join or renew online PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEWISTON, MAINE PERMIT #82 The End of Night By Paul Bogard Little, Brown and Company, 2013 336 pages, Hardbound

In The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light, au- thor Paul Bogard invites us to accompany him on a journey to “know the night,” to use the words of Wendell Berry. He urges us to reconsider the association of lightness, safety, and peace versus darkness, fear, and evil. In chapters numbered in reverse order along the Bortle Scale (used to index light pollution) he escorts the reader from the glaring bright lights of Las Vegas through urban, suburban, and rural skies into the comforting world of the dark night—an intrinsic part of the natural world until the relatively recent development of electric lights. Along the way, he provides with re- markable depth and clarity a guided tour of the many scientific, sociocultural, biomedi- cal, ecological, and aesthetic facets of our relationship with light and dark. Ultimately, he visits our own Acadia Na- tional Park, where he emphasizes the im- portance of dark sky conservation in and around this park in particular. He recog- nizes that Acadia is unique among the dark sky parks because it is positioned in close proximity to the urban centers of the east- ern United States, where residents may be n

able to see only a handful of stars, let alone Blagde m most constellations and the Milky Way. This To allows the park to provide the first experi- ence of a truly dark night to the millions of visitors who come from heavily light-pollut- ed skies. Bogard truly earns the word am- Julia Walker Thomas Julia Walker Paddlers enjoy a fall day on Northeast Creek.

bassador, remindingMission those of us who have the privilege to live under Acadia’s dark Friends of Acadia preserves, protects, andskies pr aboutomotes the stewar lifelessnessdship of of artificially the outstanding lit natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources ofenvironments Acadia National and inviting Park andthose sur whoro undingdon’t communities for the inspiration to discover the sights and sounds of the liv- and enjoyment of current and future generations. ing night. In a book that could easily serve

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