Thinking in Place: Maps, Layered Landscapes, and Historical Time in the Schoodic Region with Dr. Libby Bischof
2024-05-14 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Thank you for your interest! This event has reached capacity for in-person attendance, but we encourage you to join us remotely via Zoom.

Join us in person at Schoodic Institute or online via Zoom on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 7:00pm for Thinking in Place: Maps, Layered Landscapes, and Historical Time in the Schoodic Region, a special evening lecture with Dr. Libby Bischof.
Coast of Maine- From Frenchman’s Bay to Musketo Island including Mount Desart and Deer Islands, and Penobscot Bay, 1777.
How do we come to know a place? How do we come to call places by particular names? How do we come to know and understand those who have called a particular place, “home?” Join visual historian and Executive Director of the Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education, Dr. Libby Bischof, for an evening of close looking in community. In her richly illustrated lecture, Bischof will work with the audience to read maps, charts, photographs, postcards, and other visualizations of Downeast Maine and the Schoodic Region. Together we will unpack layers of historical time as we work towards acknowledging and understanding the complex pasts that inform our present.
Dr. Libby Bischof is Executive Director of the Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education and Professor of History and University Historian at the University of Southern Maine. A visual and cultural historian of the 19th and 20th centuries, Bischof is interested in the ways in which friendship informs cultural production, especially in relation to landscape and place. A public historian, Bischof believes deeply in site-based, hands-on education, and the ways in which teaching local and regional history can lead to deeper civic engagement. She frequently lectures to public audiences throughout New England, and serves on the board of the New England Historical Association and as President of the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium. She lives with her husband and children in Gorham, Maine, and when she’s not working, she’s either swimming, reading, or sending postcards.
Image courtesy of the Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education, University of Southern Maine

Schoodic Institute’s 2024 Summer Lecture Series is made possible by our generous sponsor, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.

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.

MDI Science Cafe: Exploring Future Sea Levels with Science, History, and Art on Mount Desert Island
2025-06-09 17:00 - 18:00 | ME
How do we document the changing coastline of Mount Desert Island? How can history, science, and art come together to help us understand and prepare for the future?
On June 9, join MDI Biological Laboratory Science Cafe panelists Raney Bench (Executive Director at Mount Desert Island Historical Society), artist Jennifer Booher, Catherine Schmitt (Science Communication Specialist at Schoodic Institute) at this hybrid event to discuss how the “Coast Lines” project uses community art, and science to track sea levels & storm surges.
Part of the Landscape of Change initiative, Coast Lines is a public science-history-art project focused on documenting past, present, and future storm surges and sea levels on Mount Desert Island. In 2024, this work took on new and greater relevance as multiple record-setting winter storms impacted waterfronts and ecosystems all around the island.
Join us for an update on installations of the “Coast Lines” stencil that involved community partners, teachers, and students, as well as how sea level observations contributed by volunteers have informed scientific models of future sea levels and storms.
The panel will also share some lessons learned from engaging the community in thinking about the coastal landscape and how it is changing, both subtly and dramatically, and where we’d like to go from here.
To register, please click here.

What "Maine Won't Wait" Looks Like in Action feat. Ivan Fernandez, Maggie Kelly-Boyd, and Parker Gassett
2025-06-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us for our 2025 Summer Lecture Series premiere event!
Join us in person at Schoodic Institute or online via Zoom on Tuesday, June 10 at 7:00pm for What “Maine Won’t Wait” Looks Like in Action, our Summer Lecture Series opening event featuring Ivan Fernandez, Ph.D, Maggie Kelly-Boyd, and Parker Gassett, Ph.D.
During the lecture, the panel will discuss Maine’s updated 2024 climate action plan that builds upon the award-winning 2020 “Maine Won’t Wait” climate action plan, addressing climate change impacts, building resilience, and meeting statutory emission reduction targets. This was the first integrated climate action plan for Maine, encompassing mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Developed through extensive collaboration with over 200 working group members, more than 1,000 survey responses, and multiple public engagements, the plan outlines strategies for individuals, communities, and businesses.

Ivan J. Fernandez, Ph.D, is Professor Emeritus and Climate Research Scientist in the School of Forest Resources, Climate Change Institute, and School of Food and Agriculture at the University of Maine, and Director of the Maine Climate Science Information Exchange. Among other awards, he was made a Distinguished Maine Professor in 2007, CASE/Carnegie in Washington DC named him Professor of the Year for Maine in 2008, he was named a fellow in the Soil Science Society of America in 2010 and was the 2018 President’s Public Service Achievement Award recipient at the University of Maine. He has served on various U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board committees in Washington DC since 2000 and has led the Maine’s Climate Future assessments in 2009, 2015, and 2020. In 2019 he was appointed to the Maine Climate Council, serves as co-Chair of its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, and is a member of its Natural Working Lands working group. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Schoodic Institute.
Maggie Kelly-Boyd is the Natural Resources Climate Policy Advisor with the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. In this role, she supports state policy and programs related to natural resources, climate change issues, and climate adaptation for Maine’s natural resource industries and communities. Maggie helps Maine implement the state’s key climate action strategies, such as supporting farming, forestry, and fisheries industries in Maine in adapting to climate change, and improving monitoring of inland, coastal and marine ecosystems to increase resilience.
Parker Gassett, Ph.D, is the Assistant Director of the Maine Climate Science Information Exchange at the University of Maine, where he coordinates climate science initiatives in support of the Maine Climate Council and State Climate Action Plan. With a Ph.D in Environmental Science from the University of Maine and extensive experience in climate resilience and adaptation, Parker bridges the gap between scientific research and community action. As a member of the Maine Climate Council’s Community Resilience Working Group and co-coordinator of the Maine Climate Change Adaptation Providers Network, he works to strengthen Maine’s response to climate challenges. His research focuses on coastal environmental monitoring and restoration, community science, and climate adaptation strategies, with numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals addressing coastal acidification, community resilience, and state-level climate action. Parker’s background includes leadership roles in outdoor education with Outward Bound and conservation work with AmeriCorps, demonstrating his commitment to both environmental stewardship and community engagement. His contributions have been recognized through various awards, including the Outstanding Service Award from the Maine Fishermen’s Forum and the EE360 Fellowship from the North American Association of Environmental Education.

No Time to Wait: Science Organizations as the New Adaptation Leaders feat. Doug Parsons
2025-07-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us for our 2025 Summer Lecture Series!
Join us in person at Schoodic Institute or online via Zoom on Tuesday, July 8 at 7:00pm for No Time to Wait: Science Organizations as the New Adaptation Leaders featuring Doug Parsons, Director of America Adapts Media and host of America Adapts – The Climate Change Podcast.
Doug Parsons is the Director of America Adapts Media and host of America Adapts – The Climate Change Podcast.
As the federal government steps back from climate leadership and science comes under increasing attack, the role of science organizations has never been more critical. At the local level, these groups are essential in not just advancing climate adaptation but also creating widespread awareness of its urgency. Too often, adaptation is overlooked in climate discussions, yet it is vital for protecting communities and ecosystems. In this talk, Doug Parsons, host of America Adapts – The Climate Change Podcast, will explore how research institutions can lead the way in bridging the gap between science, policy, and public understanding. With real-world examples and insights from his global storytelling, Doug will highlight why now is the time for science organizations to step up, ensuring that adaptation becomes a central focus in the climate conversation.
Doug Parsons is the Director of America Adapts Media and host of America Adapts – The Climate Change Podcast. A recognized leader in climate adaptation, Doug has worked at the intersection of science communication, policy, and media for over a decade. He has traveled the world telling stories of adaptation, highlighting the people, policies, and innovations shaping our climate future. His career includes roles with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Park Service, as well as adaptation work in Australia. Doug is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and storyteller, helping organizations and audiences understand the urgency and opportunities in climate adaptation.

Chebacco Author Program: Gifts from Former Shores with Bonnie Newsom and Catherine Schmitt
2025-07-09 17:30 - 19:00 | ME
Shell mounds—rich in clam and oyster shells, animal bones, tools, and pottery—reveal the long-term, year-round presence and sophisticated stewardship of marine resources by Wabanaki people. A 1993 underwater discovery of oyster shells, dating back 9,000 years, supports evidence of ancient coastal living when sea levels were lower. Today, while warming waters are enabling the return of oysters, rising waters and storms threaten the integrity of cultural heritage sites. Preserving shell mounds and the Wabanaki knowledge they hold offers vital lessons for sustainable living in a changing world.
Join Bonnie Newsom and Catherine Schmitt as they journey through thousands of years of dynamic coastal transformation and enduring human presence. Through the lens of ancient shell mounds, they will explore the sophisticated foodways, seasonal movements, and environmental stewardship of Wabanaki people, past and present. This program is based on the 2025 Chebacco article Gifts from Former Shores.
This program is a collaboration between the MDI Historical Society and the Northeast Harbor Library. It will be offered in person at the Northeast Harbor Library (1 Joy Road Mount Desert, ME, 04662) and remotely via Zoom, and it will be recorded for later viewing.
Please Register at: https://nehlibrary.libcal.com/event/13287794
Dr. Bonnie Newsom is a member of the Penobscot Nation and an archaeologist who is interested in the pre-contact lifeways of the Wabanaki peoples. She is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Faculty Associate in the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine. She and her husband Les are both military veterans, and they live in Eddington, Maine. They have four children and three grandsons.
Catherine Schmitt is a science communication specialist with Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, and previously served as a science writer and communications director for Maine Sea Grant at the University of Maine. She is the author of the books Historic Acadia National Park, The President’s Salmon, and A Coastal Companion: A Year in the Gulf of Maine from Cape Cod to Canada, as well as articles and essays for varied publications. She lives in Bangor.

Be a Climate Muskox: Fighting Defeatism with Ice Age Resilience feat. Jacquelyn Gill
2025-08-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us for our 2025 Summer Lecture Series!
Join us in person at Schoodic Institute or online via Zoom on Tuesday, August 19 at 7:00pm for Be a Climate Muskox: Fighting Defeatism with Ice Age Resilience featuring Dr. Jacquelyn Gill, Professor of Paleoecology and the Director of the BEAST Lab at the University of Maine.
Climate change is already reshaping our world. Yet as the impacts accelerate, global action continues to lag behind the scale of the crisis. This growing mismatch between urgency and response has fueled a rising sense of climate despair. In this hopeful talk, paleoecologist Dr. Jacquelyn Gill traces the evolution of the climate conversation—from early warnings to the emotional turning point of 2018, when public discourse began to shift toward anxiety and even doom.
But what if we looked to the past to guide our response to an uncertain future? Enter the muskox: a shaggy Ice Age survivor and powerful symbol of collective, justice-driven resilience. We’ll explore why being a climate muskox can help us transition from grief and despair to action, from the world-saving impact of the Montreal Protocol to recent climate victories led by youth in the courts.
Dr. Jacquelyn Gill is an internationally recognized paleoecologist and multiple award-winning science communicator. She is a Professor of Paleoecology and the Director of the BEAST Lab at the University of Maine. In addition to her passion for research and teaching, Dr. Gill is also dedicated to sharing science with the public. She was the co-creator of one of the first climate podcasts Warm Regards, as well as the forthcoming show Jax & Phoebe Make a Planet.

Don’t Fence Us In: New Ideas to Protect Acadia’s Forests feat. Chris Nadeau, Lauren Gibson, Jesse Wheeler, and Lauren Knierim
2025-09-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us for our 2025 Summer Lecture Series!
Join us in person at Schoodic Institute or online via Zoom on Tuesday, September 9 at 7:00pm for Don’t Fence Us In: New Ideas to Protect Acadia’s Forests, our Summer Lecture Series closing event featuring Chris Nadeau, Ph.D, Lauren Gibson, Jesse Wheeler, and Lauren Knierim.
From the tiniest seedling bursting through the moss covered floors, to the chorus of birds at the tops of the tallest trees, the forests of Acadia National Park are some of the healthiest in the eastern United States. But, their exceptional health is no accident. A team of forest managers, scientists, and local communities have worked diligently for decades to reduce the negative impacts of invasive species.
During this presentation, you’ll hear four encouraging stories of the ever-evolving strategies to manage invasive species in Acadia’s forests, and learn how you too can contribute to these efforts.
Chris Nadeau, Ph.D, has been a Senior Scientist at Schoodic Institute since 2022. He studies how ecosystems in Acadia National Park are changing and what we can do to ensure they continue to thrive.
Lauren Gibson is Friends of Acadia’s Wild Acadia Coordinator. She works closely with Acadia’s Resource Management Team and partners at Schoodic Institute to coordinate and communicate restoration projects happening in Acadia National Park.
Jesse Wheeler is Acadia National Park’s Vegetation Program Manager. He is responsible for stewarding plant resources at the park including native plant protection, invasive plant management, and forest pest monitoring.
Lauren Knierim is Acadia National Park’s 2025 Climate Community Volunteer Ambassador. Her work connects volunteers and community members to science happening in and around Acadia in the hopes of improving ecosystem resiliency in the face of climate change.

Our 2025 Summer Lecture Series events are free, thanks to support from our generous sponsor, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.
