13_507_29_1762_INS.qxp 4/11/13 7:22 AM Page Cvr1 Spring 2013 Volume 18 No. 1 A Magazine about Acadia National Park and Surrounding Communities 13_507_29_1762_INS.qxp 4/10/13 1:44 PM Page Cvr2 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 the park stay in the park, to be used for projects that directly benefit park visitors and resources. The Acadia National Park $20 weekly pass ($10 in the off-season) and $40 annual pass are available at the following locations: Open Year-Round: ~ Acadia National Park Headquarters (Eagle Lake Road) Open Late May through November: ~ Hulls Cove Visitor Center ~ Thompson Island Information Center ~ Sand Beach Entrance Station ~ Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds ~ Jordan Pond and Cadillac Mountain Gift Shops For more information visit Tom Blagden Tom www.friendsofacadia.org Osprey above Somes Sound 13_507_29_1762_INS.qxp 4/10/13 1:44 PM Page 1 President’s Message ADVOCATING FOR ACADIA ALL YEAR LONG lthough spring comes slowly to high point of that day for many of those offi- Acadia, a bit less ice shines on cials and staffers! ASargent’s dome these days and hik- The messages we were delivering, howev- ing boots have replaced winter boots out- er, were anything but bright. With flat or side my mudroom door. This is a wonderful decreased funding for parks in recent years time of year for quieter visits to the park, with and the constant increase in the cost of doing the rush of a trailside stream more likely than business, Acadia has been forced to down- the sound of traffic, and pedestrians and bik- size—not through one dramatic set of layoffs, ers outnumbering cars on Ocean Drive. It is but rather by incremental cuts, hiring freezes, not, however, a time of rest and relaxation at and consolidations. Meanwhile, visitation to Acadia National Park’s headquarters or the Acadia is increasing, as are the expectations offices of Friends of Acadia. of visitors. Many people have asked me: is there a Just days after my visit, the situation actu- quiet season at Friends of Acadia? The answer ally darkened when the federal sequester took I am learning as I come out of my first win- effect on March first. These mandated cuts ter as president here is “no!” affect Acadia at the most basic operational Year-end is of course our busiest time for level—they will prevent the park from hiring donations—and for that we are very grateful. Friends of Acadia core positions for visitor services, air and We are also helping to plan and hire the many water quality monitoring, and even mechan- seasonal positions that help make Acadia tick, We often use the word “pro- ics and plumbers to keep the systems work- evaluating the programs we supported ing. Just as damaging, however, is their crip- through almost $1 million in grants to the tected” to describe park lands pling impact on the park’s ability to plan park last year, and thinking proactively about strategically for projects two or three years new initiatives launching in the coming and resources. While the word out—given the complete unreliability of months. Our staff is in high demand for funding, as the federal budget limps from one workshops and conferences from local rotary implies something completed, “continuing resolution” to the next. As Acadia clubs to national park groups; we value these gears up for the summer season, already the leadership opportunities, as well as the chance all of us at Friends of Acadia impact of the sequester is becoming painful- to learn from others in our community. ly evident, as the park extends winter clo- Perhaps most importantly, Friends of know that the work is ongoing sures of the Loop Road and other facilities Acadia’s role in serving as a voice for our thou- and announces cuts in seasonal staffing and sands of constituents and an advocate for and is only accomplished with ranger-led programs. Acadia requires constant vigilance, whether It has ever been part of Friends of Acadia’s spring, summer, winter, or fall. This advoca- the active engagement of mem- core values that we enhance—not replace— cy role is something that sets Friends of federal support for the park. Still, the Acadia apart among many other friends’ bers like you. inevitable fallout from sequestration will groups around the country. impact the direction and urgency of our We often use the word “protected” to ship, volunteering in the park, or speaking work. We will need to be more nimble, more describe park lands and resources. While the up with elected officials. creative, and more focused if we are to help word implies something completed, all of us In February I visited members of Maine’s Acadia through this challenging time. The at Friends of Acadia know that the work is congressional delegation in Washington, DC. efforts of Friends of Acadia have never been ongoing and is only accomplished with the I was fortunate to be accompanied by sever- more important, nor has the voice and sup- active engagement of members like you. A al FOA volunteers who added their voice to port of each and every one of our members. boundary line drawn on a map or a set of reg- the message that Acadia is a natural, cultur- Thank you for your commitment to ensur- ulations within state or federal law will only al, and recreational gem, a source of inspira- ing that Acadia continues to thrive through- do so much; the rest is up to us—to stay con- tion for millions of visitors each year, and an out the seasons. l nected with our parks by enjoying them in economic powerhouse for the people of every season, and to act on our love for this Maine. I may be biased, but it seemed as if —David R. MacDonald place by giving back through FOA member- thinking and talking about Acadia was the Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2013 1 13_507_29_1762_INS.qxp 4/10/13 1:44 PM Page 2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Edward L. Samek, Chair John Fassak, Vice Chair Ed Lipkin, Treasurer Emily Beck, Secretary Fred Benson Brownie Carson Gail Clark Hannah Sistare Clark Michael Cook Andrew Davis Spring 2013 Nathaniel Fenton Volume 18 No. 1 C. Boyden Gray Anne Green Cookie Horner Jack Kelley A Magazine about Acadia National Park and Surrounding Communities Barbara McLeod Meredith Moriarty Lili Pew Donna Reis Jack Russell Michael Siklosi Nonie Sullivan Christiaan van Heerden Dick Wolf Bill Zoellick HONORARY TRUSTEES Eleanor Ames Robert and Anne Bass Curtis and Patricia Blake Robert and Sylvia Blake Frederic A. Bourke Jr. Tristram and Ruth Colket Gail Cook Shelby and Gale Davis Dianna Emory FEATURE ARTICLES Frances Fitzgerald Sheldon Goldthwait 6 Painting Bridges Heidi Stanton-Drew Neva Goodwin Creating art and community in Acadia Paul and Eileen Growald John and Polly Guth Paul Haertel 9 The Colemans and the Wild Gardens Anne Kozak Lee Judd A renowned scientist and dedicated docent volunteers in honor of his late wife Debby Lash Linda Lewis Liz Martinez 10 Acadia Field School Tutku Ak & M. Margaret Bryant Gerrish and Phoebe Milliken Documenting the carriage road landscape George J. and Heather Mitchell Joseph Murphy Janneke Neilson 12 Summer Construction in the Park Len Bobinchok Nancy Nimick Jack Perkins Keeping Acadia’s roads in tip-top shape Nancy Pyne Nathaniel P. Reed Ann R. Roberts 14 The Apples of Acadia Todd Little-Siebold, Rebecca Cole-Will, & David Manski David Rockefeller Conjuring forgotten agricultural landscapes Jeannine Ross Howard Solomon Erwin Soule 32 Why I’m a Friend of Acadia Dolores Kong Diana Davis Spencer Seeing Acadia for the first time—again Julia Merck Utsch EMERITUS TRUSTEES ACTIVITIES AND DEPARTMENTS W. Kent Olson Charles R. Tyson Jr. 1 President’s Message Advocating for Acadia All Year Long 3 Superintendent’s View A Place at the Heart of Learning FRIENDS OF ACADIA STAFF Theresa Begley, Projects & Events Coordinator 5 Special Person Joe Pagan Mary Boëchat, Development Officer Sharon Broom, Development Officer 17 Where in Acadia? Aimee Beal Church, Communications & Outreach Coordinator 19 Advocacy Corner Sequestration Concerns at Acadia Stephanie Clement, Conservation Director Lisa Horsch Clark, Director of Development 20 Updates Sarah Curts, Accounting & Administrative Associate 26 Book Reviews David R. MacDonald, President & CEO Diana R. McDowell, Director of Finance & Administration 29 Chairman’s Letter Now, More than Ever Mike Staggs, Office Manager 30 In Memoriam Trishie Scull & Carrie Witt 2 Spring 2013 13_507_29_1762_INS.qxp 4/10/13 1:44 PM Page 3 Superintendent’s View A PLACE AT THE HEART OF LEARNING n the summit of Cadillac one day outdoors, The annual BioBlitz builds citi- last summer, I overheard a young zen-scientists who are trained observers Ogirl exclaim to her mother, “this and recorders of nature’s patterns and place is awesome!” Acadia National Park species. Students who participate in the has a way of making real connections with widely acclaimed Schoodic Education people and affecting them in ways that cre- Adventure (SEA) program get a blend of ate great opportunities for learning. experiences encouraging discovery, inspi- Acadia is an exceptional outdoor class- ration, and innovation using science and room and a wellspring of outdoor, lifelong technology. learning experiences for the next genera- At the highest level of learning, we aim tion just as this amazing place has been for to build environmental leaders. We work the generations since 1916, when Acadia with local high schools to provide park- was first established. Working with Friends based programs for service learning, which of Acadia, we have shaped a series of pro- encourage them to create projects designed grams intended to nurture familiarity and “by youth for youth” such as an outdoor love for nature—and cultivate future park science trail at MDI High School.