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Message from the President
Hello friends,
It's a busy news month! Look below for a joint statement from David Macdonald and me welcoming Acadia's new Superintendent, Kevin Schneider; the announcement of our latest venture, the Schoodic Marine Center; and the upcoming Acadia Winter Festival, along with updates from some of our science and education programs.
You make exciting news possible every day through your support of Schoodic Institute. We have much to be grateful for here, and feel an obligation to strive to ensure that future generations are armed with the skills and connection to the land that will allow for stewardship of Acadia and our planet for a long time to come.
Thank you,
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Joint Statement from Schoodic and FOA:
Welcoming Acadia's New Superintendent
Two local organizations with strong interest in Acadia’s next superintendent say that they are very pleased with both the process undertaken by the National Park Service and the result of the search announced today, with the appointment of Kevin Schneider, who will take the helm at Acadia in late January 2016.
Representatives from Friends of Acadia and Schoodic Institute were both invited by National Park Service Northeast Regional Director Michael Caldwell to participate in the interviews with finalists for Acadia’s top post last month.
“The opportunity to serve as Acadia’s next superintendent attracted outstanding applicants, but Kevin stood out,” said Mark Berry, President of Schoodic Institute. “I am confident that park staff, partners, and community members will enjoy meeting and working with him, and his experience with partnerships will be a great asset as Acadia enters its second century.”
Friends of Acadia’s president, David MacDonald, added that being involved with the interviews deepened his understanding of the role of superintendent and the great interest in the Acadia post from throughout the Park Service. “Mark and I are grateful to Regional Director Caldwell for inviting us to have a seat at the table and for selecting Kevin Schneider to lead Acadia.”
READ MORE and see the official NPS Press Release
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Announcement
Schoodic Marine Center, LLC
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park announced this month that it is leasing the current Winter Harbor marina to create the “Schoodic Marine Center”. Schoodic Institute has executed a 20-year lease of the property, with options to renew for an additional 20 years. The lease is dependent upon successful completion of due diligence by the Institute, including environmental and structural engineering assessments.
Alan Goldstein, Chairman of Schoodic Institute, said, “We have created a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Schoodic Marine Center, LLC, to improve and operate the facility.”
“The Schoodic Marine Center will support the science and education goals of Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, by providing long-term access to and from the ocean and the opportunity to fully develop Schoodic Institute’s marine research & education program,” said Mark Berry, President and CEO of Schoodic Institute.
Sheridan Steele, who recently retired after 12 years as Superintendent of Acadia National Park, will volunteer as Interim Executive Director of the Schoodic Marine Center. READ MORE
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HawkWatch
Acadia's Cadillac Mountain Hawkwatch Part of Continental Success
Seth Benz, Director of Bird Ecology, Schoodic Institute, explains, “The Cadillac Mountain Hawk Watch is important because it is situated at the headwaters of migration monitoring in the eastern US, detecting raptors flowing out of eastern Canada.” In 1994 an interpretive hawk watch effort was initiated in Acadia National Park on Cadillac Mountain and is now the park’s longest running Citizen Science program. Long-term monitoring provides valuable data on population levels – species decline, increase or stability.
“Hawk watching, at Acadia National Park, is a real partnership,” Benz added. “ Each autumn, park interpreters, Schoodic Institute staff and volunteers provide daily coverage counting migratory hawks, while engaging thousands of park visitors in the phenomenon of hawk migration”. The data are reported to HMANA’s online database at HawkCount.org.
First-ever sighting of a Swainson's Hawk in Acadia National Park.
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Eek of Ecology!
Schoodic Institute Celebrates Halloween
Sea Creatures, woodland animals, insects and more came together at Schoodic Institute to celebrate Halloween - Environmental Style! On October 24, 2015, 81 children enjoyed games, art and activities focused on ecology. Visitors traveled from as far away as Bangor. We would like to extend a warm thank you to Rangers from the National Park Service who led the event, and to the 24 volunteers from the Gouldsboro Historical society, the local community and the institute staff for the added assistance. A special thank you to Bar Harbor Bank and Trust for your sponsorship support.
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Acadia Winter Festival
After the fun of last year's Schoodic Winter Festival, we're bringing back the concept and helping to kick-off the Acadia Centennial year with the new Acadia Winter Festival. By joining with Camp Beech Cliff, we're expanding the festival and extending it to 10 days, starting at Schoodic and moving to Mount Desert Island mid-week. Mark your calendars now, and click here for frequent updates!
Fri. Feb. 26 - Tues. Mar. 1: Schoodic
Wed. Mar. 2 - Sun. Mar. 6: Mount Desert Island
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We have begun adding events, tours and workshops to our 2016 calendar. Registration is now open on many favorites! Check our website often for updates, and remember, they make great gifts for friends and family!
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