Schoodic Institute

What Drives Early-Career Environmental Science Professionals?
2024-10-01 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual Program on Zoom
Why do we do this work?

What are the driving forces behind the enthusiasm of early-career environmental science professionals? Join us virtually on Tuesday, October 1st from 12:00pm – 1:30pm for our 2024 Acadia National Park Science Symposium opening event! Gain insight from our early-career science professionals as they share their inspirations in a series of 10-minute lightning talks.
Featured speakers for this year’s livestream (download the PDF here):
Becca Stanley – Recreation Technician Lead, Friends of Acadia
Jack Byrley – Preventative Search And Rescue Ranger, North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park (former Visual Information Specialist, Acadia National Park)
Chris Silcox – Education Ranger, Schoodic Education Adventure
Hanae Garrison – Stewardship Manager, Royal River Conservation Trust (former Schoodic Institute Ecology Technician)
Marisa Monroe – Graduate Research Assistant and Acadia Science Fellow, University of Maine
Will Greene – Research Associate, Perry Institute for Marine Science (former biological field technician and science communicator, Friends of Acadia)
Hosted by Schoodic Institute and the National Park Service, the Acadia National Park Science Symposium provides a forum to learn about science taking place in the region and to interact and build collaborations with scientists, educators, students, park staff, and others working in a range of fields. You can learn more about the science symposium here.
The theme of this year’s symposium is 25 Years of Impactful Research in Acadia National Park. The symposium will highlight some of the most influential science, science communication, and education that has happened in Acadia National Park since the start of the Research Learning Center (RLC) 25 years ago. In 2000, the National Park Service began working with community members to create an RLC on the campus of the former Navy Base in Winter Harbor. The goal of Schoodic Institute (Acadia’s Research Learning Center) is to help grow science in national parks and better connect science with management, education, and communication. Since the establishment of Schoodic Institute, the amount of annual research in the park has increased more than threefold. This year’s science symposium will highlight some of the most influential examples of research, education, and communication that has happened over that time.
If you are interested in being a speaker and sharing your early-career insights during this presentation, please contact Trevor Grandin at tgrandin@schoodicinstitute.org.
This presentation will take place online via Zoom.

Science for Natural Resource Stewardship with Dr. Ray Sauvajot
2024-10-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
The Key Role of Partnerships and Collaboration in National Parks
Join us Wednesday, October 9th from 7:00pm – 8:30pm for the 2024 Acadia National Park Science Symposium evening lecture, featuring keynote speaker Ray Sauvajot, Ph.D., Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science for the National Park Service.
During his presentation, Dr. Ray Sauvajot will highlight some of the major natural resource challenges and concerns facing the National Park System and how our response to these challenges requires embracing scientific partnerships and working together at broad scales. He will discuss climate change, landscape and seascape conservation, and the critical role that parks play as catalysts for stewardship solutions and collaborative science – a collaboration that is essential for the National Park Service to succeed in its conservation and preservation mission.
ABOUT RAY SAUVAJOT
Dr. Ray Sauvajot serves as Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science for the National Park Service (NPS), where he provides leadership and direction for natural resource management and science programs of the NPS. As Associate Director, Ray oversees national programs in biology, air and water resources, climate change response, geology, natural sounds and night skies, environmental quality and compliance, ecological inventory and monitoring, and science communication. Ray leads a diverse team of scientists, policy experts, planners, program managers, administrators, and technicians at offices in Washington, D.C., Colorado, and other locations to help advance the mission of the NPS. Ray has served in positions with the NPS for over 30 years and has also held adjunct faculty appointments in biology, ecology, and environmental science at UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, and California State University Northridge. Ray received a B.A. degree in biology from UC San Diego (1987) and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees (1993, 1997) in ecology from UC Davis.
ABOUT THE 2024 ACADIA NATIONAL PARK SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM

Hosted by Schoodic Institute and the National Park Service, the Acadia National Park Science Symposium provides a forum to learn about science taking place in the region and to interact and build collaborations with scientists, educators, students, park staff, and others working in a range of fields. You can learn more about the science symposium here.
The theme of this year’s symposium is 25 Years of Impactful Research in Acadia National Park. The symposium will highlight some of the most influential science, science communication, and education that has happened in Acadia National Park since the start of the Research Learning Center (RLC) 25 years ago. In 2000, the National Park Service began working with community members to create an RLC on the campus of the former Navy Base in Winter Harbor. The goal of Schoodic Institute (Acadia’s Research Learning Center) is to help grow science in national parks and better connect science with management, education, and communication. Since the establishment of Schoodic Institute, the amount of annual research in the park has increased more than threefold. This year’s science symposium will highlight some of the most influential examples of research, education, and communication that has happened over that time.
The symposium will take place in-person at Moore Auditorium on the Schoodic Institute campus (Winter Harbor, ME) and online via Zoom. This virtual option is open to speakers and attendees alike. Please note that there will be overnight accommodations available. Lunch will be included in registration, as well as coffee and morning snacks.

Acadia's Winter Birds with Wendell Gilley Museum
2024-11-09 10:00 - 12:00 | ME
On Saturday, November 9 from 10am – 12pm, join Seth Benz (Schoodic Institute’s Director of Bird Ecology) and the Wendell Gilley Museum to learn about Acadia’s Winter Birds! This event will consist of a brief indoor presentation followed by an easy “Causeway Forest Stroll”. We’ll review resident bird survival strategies, and discuss which species come from away to spend winter in Acadia.
Bring your binoculars and curiosity, and please remember dress for the weather! If you don’t have binoculars, a loaner pair will be available from the museum with advanced notice.
Registration is required for this event. Please register online here: https://www.wendellgilleymuseum.org/events/241109-AcadiasWinterBirds-SB

Welcome to the Milky Way
2025-08-21 19:30 - 22:00 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Less than half of the world’s people can see the Milky Way—our home galaxy—because of urban light pollution. But here in Acadia it shines brightly on clear, moonless nights. The collective glow of its 200+ billion stars arches from horizon to horizon throughout the summer.
Amateur astronomy Richard Luecke will explain our current understanding of the Milky Way, our place in it, and how you can view and appreciate its splendors. His image-enhanced, indoor presentation will acquaint you with some of our galaxy’s most stunning features.
We will meet in Moore Auditorium on Schoodic Institute’s campus from 7:30pm – 8:30pm on Thursday, August 21st. Weather permitting, attendees will be invited outdoors for a laser-guided tour of Maine’s stunning night sky and viewing of star clusters, nebulae and far distant galaxies through a large astronomical telescope (8:30 – 10:00pm). Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress warmer than you’d think necessary!
Cost: $15.00/person or $50.00/family of up to four
Banner Photo by Harley Grady

Stars Over Schoodic
2025-08-23 19:30 - 22:00 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
As darkness falls over the Schoodic Peninsula, the Milky Way arches across the sky from horizon to horizon. Late summer’s most prominent constellations are suspended within its pale glow.
Amateur astronomer Richard Luecke will take you on an indoor, 50-minute image-enhanced journey along that river of starlight and introduce you to summer’s most prominent constellations. You’ll learn to identify Perseus, Cassiopeia and Andromeda, Cygnus the Swan, and Aquila, Zeus’s pet eagle. Your journey will end in the constellation Sagittarius, which marks the heart of the Milky Way Galaxy. It glistens with star clusters and glowing clouds of interstellar gas that even our naked eyes can perceive in the Schoodic’s dark sky.
We will meet in Moore Auditorium on Schoodic Institute’s campus from 7:30pm – 8:30pm on Saturday, August 23rd. Weather permitting, we’ll venture outside for a green laser tour (8:30 – 10:00pm), where you’ll meet these sky wonders face-to-face – and likely see a few flashing meteors! A large astronomical telescope will provide stunning views of the ET Cluster, the Great Andromeda Galaxy, the Dumbbell Nebula and more. Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress warmer than you’d think necessary!

Of Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors... and Close Encounters
2025-08-25 19:30 - 22:00 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
There are more things in our solar system than the eight planets and their moons. Millions of small bodies of rock, ice and metal – asteroids, comets and meteors – orbit the Sun. Many are awesome to behold against the dark night sky, but some are potential threats to our planet. Amateur astronomer Richard Luecke will offer an indoor, image-enhanced introduction to these celestial neighbors, how to observe them, and the risks they pose when their trajectories cross the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
Join us in Moore Auditorium on the Schoodic Institute campus from 7:30pm – 8:30pm on Monday, August 25th. Weather permitting, attendees will be invited outdoors for a laser-guided tour of Maine’s stunning night sky and viewing of star clusters, nebulae and far distant galaxies through a large astronomical telescope (approximately 8:30pm – 10:00pm). Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress warmer than you’d think necessary!
Space is limited! Please register below.
Cost: $15.00/person or $50.00/family of up to four
NASA Photo / Comet NEOWISE 2019

Welcome to the Milky Way II
2025-08-26 19:30 - 22:00 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us for this second offering of Welcome to the Milky Way!
Less than half of the world’s people can see the Milky Way—our home galaxy—because of urban light pollution. But here in Acadia it shines brightly on clear, moonless nights. The collective glow of its 200+ billion stars arches from horizon to horizon throughout the summer.
Amateur astronomy Richard Luecke will explain our current understanding of the Milky Way, our place in it, and how you can view and appreciate its splendors. His image-enhanced, indoor presentation will acquaint you with some of our galaxy’s most stunning features.
We will meet in Moore Auditorium on Schoodic Institute’s campus from 7:30pm – 8:30pm on Tuesday, August 26th. Weather permitting, attendees will be invited outdoors for a laser-guided tour of Maine’s stunning night sky and viewing of star clusters, nebulae and far distant galaxies through a large astronomical telescope (8:30 – 10:00pm). Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress warmer than you’d think necessary.
Cost: $15.00/person or $50.00/family of up to four
Banner Photo by Harley Grady

Of Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors… and Close Encounters II
2025-08-28 19:30 - 22:00 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us for this second offering of ‘Of Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors… and Close Encounters’!
There are more things in our solar system than the eight planets and their moons. Millions of small bodies of rock, ice and metal – asteroids, comets and meteors – orbit the Sun. Many are awesome to behold against the dark night sky, but some are potential threats to our planet. Amateur astronomer Richard Luecke will offer an indoor, image-enhanced introduction to these celestial neighbors, how to observe them, and the risks they pose when their trajectories cross the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
Join us in Moore Auditorium on the Schoodic Institute campus from 7:30pm – 8:30pm on Thursday, August 28th. Weather permitting, attendees will be invited outdoors for a laser-guided tour of Maine’s stunning night sky and viewing of star clusters, nebulae and far distant galaxies through a large astronomical telescope (approximately 8:30pm – 10:00pm). Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress warmer than you’d think necessary.
Space is limited! Please register below.
Cost: $15.00/person or $50.00/family of up to four
NASA Photo / Comet NEOWISE 2019

Stars Over Schoodic II
2025-08-29 19:30 - 22:00 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us for this second offering of ‘Stars Over Schoodic’!
As darkness falls over the Schoodic Peninsula, the Milky Way arches across the sky from horizon to horizon. Late summer’s most prominent constellations are suspended within its pale glow.
Amateur astronomer Richard Luecke will take you on an indoor, 50-minute image-enhanced journey along that river of starlight and introduce you to summer’s most prominent constellations. You’ll learn to identify Perseus, Cassiopeia and Andromeda, Cygnus the Swan, and Aquila, Zeus’s pet eagle. Your journey will end in the constellation Sagittarius, which marks the heart of the Milky Way Galaxy. It glistens with star clusters and glowing clouds of interstellar gas that even our naked eyes can perceive in the Schoodic’s dark sky.
We will meet in Moore Auditorium on Schoodic Institute’s campus from 7:30pm – 8:30pm on Friday, August 29th. Weather permitting, we’ll venture outside for a green laser tour (8:30 – 10:00pm), where you’ll meet these sky wonders face-to-face – and likely see a few flashing meteors! A large astronomical telescope will provide stunning views of the ET Cluster, the Great Andromeda Galaxy, the Dumbbell Nebula and more. Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress warmer than you’d think necessary!

Schoodic Marine Touch Tank and Art Program
2026-04-21 13:00 - 15:00 | ME
Join Acadia National Park and Schoodic Institute educators at Dorr Hall on Schoodic Institute’s campus (Winter Harbor, ME) on April 21st for a fun and interactive event!
What happens to marine animals when the tide goes out? Learn about the challenges that these animals face at low tide and how their adaptations help them to survive. Then, create a print to bring home as a reminder of your favorite creature’s adaptation.
All ages welcome! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Learn more here.

Welcome to the Milky Way
2026-09-04 19:30 - 22:00 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us September 4 for Welcome to the Milky Way with Richard Luecke!
Only one-third of the world’s people can see the Milky Way—our home galaxy—because of urban light pollution. But here in Acadia it shines brightly on clear, moonless nights. The collective glow of its 300+ billion stars arches from horizon to horizon.
Amateur astronomer Richard Luecke will explain our current understanding of the Milky Way and our place in it. His image-enhanced indoor presentation will acquaint you with some the galaxy’s most stunning features and what we are learning about newly discovered planets—currently numbering 4,300–orbiting other stars.
We will meet in Moore Auditorium on Schoodic Institute’s campus first. Weather permitting, you will be invited outdoors for a laser-guided tour of Maine’s stunning night sky and viewing of star clusters, nebulae and far distant galaxies through a large astronomical telescope.
REGISTER HERE
Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress warmer than you’d think necessary.
