Schoodic Institute

Bird Carving with Wendell Gilley Museum
2026-07-21 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-04 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-18 09:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
See how it’s done! Join us at Schoodic Institute with special guest carver Jim Vekasi from the Wendell Gilley Museum for hands-on bird carving demonstrations outside the Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall (9am – 12noon, and 1pm – 4pm).
Visit with Jim and pick up a carving knife yourself – there is no charge to give it a try! Then visit the display of bird carvings from the Wendell Gilley Museum inside the Welcome Center.
Jim is a longtime carver with the Gilley, as well as being a retired Acadia National Park employee who was deeply involved during the establishment of Schoodic Institute 25 years ago.

Designing Plastic Out of the Ocean Economy feat. Abby Barrows
2026-07-21 19:00 - 20:30
Photo by Mat Trogner
Join us in person at Schoodic Institute or online via Zoom on Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00pm for Designing Plastic Out of the Ocean Economy, featuring Abby Barrows, Principal Investigator for the Global Microplastics Initiative with Adventure Scientists and marine scientist, researcher, and oyster farmer.
Register Here
After years documenting microplastic pollution worldwide, marine researcher Abigail Barrows turned her focus toward prevention. This talk traces the journey from measuring plastic contamination in marine ecosystems to redesigning aquaculture systems that eliminate plastic gear entirely. Featuring field-tested innovations from Maine oyster farms, the presentation explores how practical design changes can reduce pollution, protect marine life, and create more resilient coastal economies.

ABOUT ABBY BARROWS
With a BSc from the University of Tasmania and a Master of Philosophy in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic, Abby has been at the forefront of global microplastic pollution research since 2013. She has built the most extensive and diverse dataset on microplastics available to date, shaping international understanding and action on plastic waste in marine environments.
Beyond research, Abby is a hands-on field scientist and educator, committed to raising awareness about plastic pollution and advocating for sustainable solutions. Currently, she is reimagining the future of aquaculture by designing and developing plastic-free gear for oyster and seaweed cultivation, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future for our oceans.
Schoodic Institute’s 2026 Summer Lecture Series events are free, thanks to support from our generous sponsor, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.
Register Here

Observe to Conserve: Learning iNaturalist in Acadia (7/24)
2026-07-24 13:00 - 15:00
Help inform our science!
Join us 7/24 for a hands-on introduction to the iNaturalist mobile app, an online tool for exploring and documenting plants, animals, fungi, and overall biodiversity.
Connect with nature and learn how to use iNaturalist to share your observations! By submitting everyday sightings of plants, animals, and other wildlife, you’ll contribute to a global database that scientists around the world, including those at Schoodic Institute and Acadia National Park, use to monitor biodiversity.
During this 2-hour program, you will be introduced to iNaturalist and its role in citizen science efforts. You’ll learn the basic functions of the app on your smartphone and use it to engage in a bioblitz, a community event where participants record as many species as possible within a specific area and time frame.
Free to sign up! Please scroll down to register.
This program blends a mix of outdoor exploration with indoor classroom time. All outdoor activity will be on easy, paved walking paths, with optional off-trail activity based on participants’ comfort level. Please dress accordingly – we recommend sunscreen, light layers, and sturdy shoes. We also suggest bringing water, snacks, and your smartphone with iNaturalist downloaded (if possible); all other gear will be provided by Schoodic Institute. If you need to borrow a smartphone, please indicate so during registration.
Please note, this program is for ages 15 and up, unless accompanied by an adult. For those under 15, the ratio must be 1:1 with a parent/guardian over 15 years old. At this time, group sizes will be limited to 14.

2026 Observe to Conserve: iNaturalist Training in Acadia (7/24)
"*" indicates required fields

RegistrationName*

First

Last

Email*

Address*

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

ZIP / Postal Code

AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo, Democratic Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzechiaCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyria Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, the United Republic ofThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUS Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaViet NamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland Islands
Country

This program requires use of a smartphone or smartdevice. Will you need to borrow a device for this program?*

No, thanks - I'll bring my own.

Yes, please - I'll need to borrow a phone/device.
How many devices will you need to borrow?Do you plan to bring any guests?*No, I do not plan to bring any guests.1 guest2 guests3 guests4 guests5 guests6 guests7 guests8 guests9 guests10 guestsPlease indicate in the drop down how many participants you're registering. Would you like to sign up to receive monthly updates about what is going on at Schoodic Institute?*

Yes

No, thank you

I am already signed up!
How did you find out about this event?*

Monthly eNews

Website

Email

Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn

Friends and family

Colleagues

Partner organization

Other
Would you like to make a donation to Schoodic Institute at this time?

Yes
Donation amount

Billing InformationCredit CardCard Details

Cardholder Name

Is the billing address different than that listed above?

Yes
Address

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

ZIP / Postal Code

AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo, Democratic Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzechiaCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyria Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, the United Republic ofThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUS Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaViet NamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland Islands
Country

Total

Observe to Conserve: Learning iNaturalist in Acadia (8/7)
2026-08-07 13:00 - 15:00
Help inform our science!
Join us 8/7 for a hands-on introduction to the iNaturalist mobile app, an online tool for exploring and documenting plants, animals, fungi, and overall biodiversity.
Connect with nature and learn how to use iNaturalist to share your observations! By submitting everyday sightings of plants, animals, and other wildlife, you’ll contribute to a global database that scientists around the world, including those at Schoodic Institute and Acadia National Park, use to monitor biodiversity.
During this 2-hour program, you will be introduced to iNaturalist and its role in citizen science efforts. You’ll learn the basic functions of the app on your smartphone and use it to engage in a bioblitz, a community event where participants record as many species as possible within a specific area and time frame.
Free to sign up! Please scroll down to register.
This program blends a mix of outdoor exploration with indoor classroom time. All outdoor activity will be on easy, paved walking paths, with optional off-trail activity based on participants’ comfort level. Please dress accordingly – we recommend sunscreen, light layers, and sturdy shoes. We also suggest bringing water, snacks, and your smartphone with iNaturalist downloaded (if possible); all other gear will be provided by Schoodic Institute. If you need to borrow a smartphone, please indicate so during registration.
Please note, this program is for ages 15 and up, unless accompanied by an adult. For those under 15, the ratio must be 1:1 with a parent/guardian over 15 years old. At this time, group sizes will be limited to 14.

2026 Observe to Conserve: iNaturalist Training in Acadia (8/7)
"*" indicates required fields

RegistrationName*

First

Last

Email*

Address*

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

ZIP / Postal Code

AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo, Democratic Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzechiaCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyria Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, the United Republic ofThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUS Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaViet NamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland Islands
Country

This program requires use of a smartphone or smartdevice. Will you need to borrow a device for this program?*

No, thanks - I'll bring my own.

Yes, please - I'll need to borrow a phone/device.
How many devices will you need to borrow?Do you plan to bring any guests?*No, I do not plan to bring any guests.1 guest2 guests3 guests4 guests5 guests6 guests7 guests8 guests9 guests10 guestsPlease indicate in the drop down how many participants you're registering. Would you like to sign up to receive monthly updates about what is going on at Schoodic Institute?*

Yes

No, thank you

I am already signed up!
How did you find out about this event?*

Monthly eNews

Website

Email

Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn

Friends and family

Colleagues

Partner organization

Other
Would you like to make a donation to Schoodic Institute at this time?

Yes
Donation amount

Billing InformationCredit CardCard Details

Cardholder Name

Is the billing address different than that listed above?

Yes
Address

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

ZIP / Postal Code

AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo, Democratic Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzechiaCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyria Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, the United Republic ofThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUS Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaViet NamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland Islands
Country

Total

Trees of Acadia: The Past, Present, and Future of Park Forests feat. Catherine Schmitt and Panel
2026-08-11 19:00 - 20:30
Join us in person at Schoodic Institute or online via Zoom on Tuesday, August 11 at 7:00pm for Trees of Acadia: The Past, Present, and Future of Park Forests, featuring author and Science Communication Specialist Catherine Schmitt with Matthew Duveneck (forest ecologist and Schoodic Institute Second Century Stewardship Fellow), Kate Miller (quantitative ecologist with the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Division), and Allen Workman (author and historian).
Register Here
From the sharp spires of spruce and fir at the edge of ocean cliffs, to mountain forests, cedar swamps, maple meadows, and pine barrens, Acadia National Park would not be Acadia if not for the trees. The most common ecosystem across the park, forests support a diversity of wildlife, protect lakes and streams, and clean the air. These forests are special for many reasons.
Located in a transition zone between warm temperate forest and cool boreal forest, between mountains and the sea, Acadia’s trees support a unique assemblage of plants, animals, lichen, and moss. Under Wabanaki care for millennia, trees inspired action that resulted in conservation of what became Acadia National Park.
Today, Acadia hosts some of the oldest and healthiest woodlands in the Eastern United States, but their future is uncertain. Schoodic Institute Science Communication Specialist Catherine Schmitt discusses her new book, Trees of Acadia, with a panel of experts: author and historian Allen Workman on Schoodic Peninsula’s logging history; National Park Service ecologist Kate Miller on the current state of Acadia’s trees, and Second Century Stewardship Fellow Matthew Duveneck on the future of the forest.

About Catherine Schmitt and panel — Matthew Duveneck, Kate Miller, and Allen Workman

Catherine Schmitt writes about science in and beyond Acadia National Park for Schoodic Institute, with stories also published by the National Park Service, Friends of Acadia, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Maine Audubon, National Parks Traveler, Island Institute, the Center for Northern Woodlands Education, and other websites, magazines, newspapers, and journals. Trees of Acadia: The Past, Present, and Future of Park Forests, published by Down East Books in Spring 2026, joins other books, Historic Acadia National Park, The President’s Salmon, and A Coastal Companion. She earned an MS in ecology and environmental science from the University of Maine and a Stonecoast MFA, and she has experience studying wetlands, beaches, lakes, streams, and forests across the Northeast.
Matthew Duveneck is a forest ecologist and Schoodic Institute Second Century Stewardship Fellow whose work bridges the gap between complex forest modeling and education. He currently serves as a member of the Liberal Arts faculty at the New England Conservatory, while also maintaining a role as a research associate at Harvard Forest. His research primarily focuses on simulating future forest trajectories, examining how climate change, land-use regimes, and disturbances like wildfire and insects will reshape the landscape. A former wildland firefighter, Duveneck brings a practical perspective to his academic scholarship, which has informed conservation strategies for various land management organizations like The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service.
Kate Miller is a quantitative ecologist with the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Division. For 20 years she has led forest health monitoring for 21 parks from Maine to Virginia, along with freshwater wetland monitoring in Acadia National Park. Her MS and PhD are from the University of Maine and BS is from Northland College. She is a founding member of the Resilient Forest Initiative, a regional NPS initiative to increase capacity for forest management in eastern national parks.
Allen Workman is the author of Schoodic Point: History on the Edge of Acadia National Park. He writes and edits the publications of the Gouldsboro Historical Society, including a book on Gouldsboro’s early history, and has presented or hosted numerous lecture programs on historical and ecological changes in the Downeast region, based on over 80 years getting to know the forests and shores of the Schoodic Point region that surround his family home.
Schoodic Institute’s 2026 Summer Lecture Series events are free, thanks to support from our generous sponsor, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.
Register Here

Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park with Earthwatch II
2026-08-23 - 2026-08-29
Join Earthwatch in Acadia National Park to help scientists uncover the impacts of climate change on one of New England’s most iconic and biodiverse landscapes, contributing to crucial conservation efforts for its future.
The granite mountains and craggy coasts of the islands that make up Acadia are famous for their beauty and wildlife. This is classic, unspoiled New England. Our partner, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, is based near the tip of Schoodic Point, feet away from the crashing surf.
Acadia is home to a stunning diversity of wildlife. It is on a bird “superhighway,” a route heavily traveled by birds that migrate between Canada and South America. Researchers have recorded 23 species of warblers alone here. The park’s lakes and coastal waters also provide a home for 30 fish species and a wide array of invertebrates, such as sea stars and urchins.
But global changes–like warming temperatures and ocean acidification–are significantly impacting the park, threatening the diversity of wildlife within. Acadia’s scientists have compiled over 120 years of detailed natural history observations to compare current patterns to. On this expedition, you’ll help collect similar data that can be compared to this extended time-series data set, revealing how a changing climate influences Acadia. Few places in the country have such a rich pool of observations to draw from and make comparisons to.
Join us in helping scientists tell the story of how humans are transforming Acadia. Your efforts will contribute to research to inspire management strategies to protect this unique and vital national treasure. This is your chance to impact the future of one of the nation’s most beloved parks.
Find more information, including registration and full daily itinerary, here.

2026 Maine Outdoor Film Festival at Schoodic Institute
2026-08-27 19:00 - 21:00
Get your tickets today!
The Maine Outdoor Film Festival returns to Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park on August 27, 2026 for an evening of outdoor adventure and conservation films under the stars!
Tickets Here
The Maine Outdoor Film Festival is an outlet for Maine filmmakers’ creativity. By attending a Maine Outdoor Film Festival screening, thousands of Mainers get the chance to see specially curated outdoor adventure and conservation filmmaking in their area.
The film program will last approximately two hours. Event begins at 7:00PM, and screening will start at 7:30PM. We recommend bringing a chair and/or blanket, warm layers, a headlamp, bug spray, and your favorite snacks!
Tickets are $15 per person, or you can take advantage of our Friends & Family pack – 4 tickets for $50! You may register up to 6 people – tickets after the 4-pack will be priced at the discounted rate of $12.50 per person.
DID YOU KNOW? Schoodic Institute is the conservation science expert leading the response to rapid change facing parks, people, and the planet. By participating in events at Schoodic Institute, you are contributing to our mission of inspiring science, learning, and community for a changing world and helping to support vital ecosystem research and education for all ages.
Many thanks to our sponsor, Design Group Collaborative. Offering architectural and interior design services at all stages of your project, collaboration is at the heart of DGC’s practice. DGC takes a unique approach to participatory design with customers to achieve responsive project solutions that fit your needs. Learn more at dgcarchitects.com.

2026 Painting Retreat in Acadia with Philip Frey
2026-09-02 - 2026-09-06 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
© Ravens Nest Afternoon Light by Philip Frey
This 5-day plein air painting retreat—set in the heart of Acadia National Park on the Schoodic Peninsula—is designed specifically for dedicated landscape painters. Working on location along the rugged coast of Acadia, you’ll learn how to simplify complex natural forms, organize composition and color, and build paintings with clarity and intention. This plein air retreat is a structured, small-group immersion focused on helping you make real, visible progress in your work. We will be staying on the beautiful coastal campus of Schoodic Institute, who will house and feed us for the retreat.
Two packages are available: Commuter for $1,195 is the base package while Residential for $1,795 provides an enhanced experience. Commuter Package includes instruction, studio time, and the following meals: A social prior to dinner on September 2, bag lunch on September 3 and 5; A social hour and lobster dinner on September 5. Residential Package includes everything in the Commuter Package, plus: lodging the nights of September 2-5; a social followed by Dinner on September 3-5; and Breakfast September 3-6. **PLEASE NOTE that lodging is a private bedroom in a SHARED apartment. You will share the living area, kitchen and bathroom with another student.** Limited number of private apartments available for an upcharge. Contact Michelle Pinkham at (207) 288-1356 to check availability.
Click Here to Apply
Please note, a National Park pass valid for Acadia National Park is required.

What You’ll Learn
Throughout the retreat, we’ll focus on the core problems that hold painters back in landscape painting:

Simplifying complex scenes into clear, paintable structures
Choosing effective color palettes through an understanding of color harmony
Seeing and organizing value and color relationships in changing coastal light
Building strong compositions from observation using dynamic symmetry
Developing a repeatable painting process you can carry forward after the retreat

Each concept is taught through demonstration, guided practice, and direct feedback.
A Location That Inspires and Teaches
Acadia National Park in the Schoodic Peninsula offers a uniquely beautiful and powerful setting for painters:

The bold coast and working waterfront are ideal for studying nature and structures
Dramatic light and weather shifts that reveal value relationships
A quieter, more focused environment than busier areas of Acadia

This environment isn’t just beautiful—it’s an active part of the learning process.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
Each day is designed to balance instruction, practice, reflection, and connection with fellow artists. The mornings will start early with an on-site painting session, with individual feedback while you work. The afternoons will include an instructor demonstration or lecture to break down key concepts (drawing, value, color, composition) and a critique to help refine and problem-solve your work. Participants will have ample time to engage in painting, explore the surrounding area, or relax at their leisure. Meals and a daily cocktail hour will be provided in a communal setting.
To Register
Applicants must possess experience in plein-air painting and demonstrate proficiency in drawing at an intermediate level. So, a brief application and image submission are required for admission. Applicants will receive a response within ten days of submission. The registration deadline is August 1, 2026.
Instructor Statement
My primary objective is to enhance the artistic development of my students, fostering their unique approach to painting while emphasizing the fundamental principles of drawing and color theory. My classes emphasize composition and the historical context of art, rather than adhering to a specific artistic style. The ultimate goal is to inspire participants with a renewed enthusiasm for painting and their own artistic endeavors.
About the Instructor
In the past twenty years, Philip Frey has developed into one of Maine’s finest landscape painters. Known as a brilliant colorist, Frey paints Maine’s harbors and islands with a bold and sensitive palette that captures the light and moods of his home state, from the streets of Ellsworth and Portland to Monhegan and Acadia National Park.
Student Testimonials
“I have taken many YouTube workshops, two workshops abroad, and several online, and Frey is my favorite teacher—so clear, so many helpful techniques to apply, and so kind and insightful in his critique. This sets the stage always for a wonderful experience for everyone.” – Patricia R., NH
“Everyone has a different approach to a painting project—its composition, shapes and forms, the colors, and, of course, the process of applying paint. I think of it as a puzzle to solve, and Frey taught me how to break down the process into solvable pieces. The discussion after painting was invaluable. I’ve been in reviews where an instructor would say, ‘Did you think about this…,’ or ‘Perhaps a little more color here…’ However, Frey’s approach using Procreate to ‘adjust’ the composition, color, or depth of the image is amazing and powerful. Great tool, and a great way to learn more about the process of thinking about painting composition and technique.” – Bruce H., Melrose, MA

www.philipfrey.com
Photo courtesy of Philip Frey
Photo courtesy of Philip Frey
Photo courtesy of Philip Frey
Photo courtesy of Philip Frey
Photo courtesy of Philip Frey
Photo courtesy of Philip Frey

Get To Know the Summer Stars Over Schoodic
2026-09-03 19:30 - 22:00
Join us September 3 for Get To Know the Summer Stars Over Schoodic with Richard Luecke!
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 first. Weather permitting, we’ll venture outside for a green laser tour, 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.
REGISTER HERE
Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress warmer than you’d think necessary.
Photo credit: jmnaturenightscapes

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.

Our Understanding of the Cosmos—Then and Now
2026-09-05 19:30 - 22:00 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us September 5 for Our Understanding of the Cosmos—Then and Now with Richard Luecke of the Gloucester Area Astronomy Club!
For millennia, people have tried to understand what they observed in the night sky–planets, passing comets, stars and the pale glow of the Milky Way. Our understanding has changed remarkably over the centuries thanks to progress in astronomy, astrophysics and observing technology.
This visually enhanced presentation will focus on key moments in those centuries of progress, which include the Earth-centered universe of the ancient world; Copernicus’s Sun-centered revolution; the revelations of Galileo’s wonderful telescope; physical laws revealed by Newton and Kepler; how we’ve learned to measure the vast distances of space; and Edwin Hubble’s breakthrough discoveries, which have greatly expanded our measure of the universe.
We will meet in Moore Auditorium on Schoodic Institute’s campus. Weather permitting, attendees will then be invited outdoors for a laser-guided tour of Maine’s stunning night sky, followed by a viewing of star clusters, nebulae and distant galaxies through a large telescope.
REGISTER HERE
Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress warmer than you’d think necessary.

Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park with Earthwatch III
2026-09-06 - 2026-09-12

Skywatching: Human-Bird Relationships Through Time feat. Dr. Bonnie Newsom, Angi King Johnson, and Olivia Olson
2026-09-08 19:00 - 20:30
Join us in person at Schoodic Institute or online via Zoom on Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00pm for Skywatching: Human-Bird Relationships Through Time, our 2026 Summer Lecture Series closing event featuring Dr. Bonnie Newsom (Associate Professor of Anthropology and Associate Faculty in the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine), Angi King Johnson (interpretive naturalist and raptor specialist), and Olivia Olson (M.S. University of Maine and Public Programs and Volunteer Manager at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum).
Register Here
As the autumn winds increase and the days shorten, Acadia experiences waves of migrating sea and shore birds, warblers, and raptors, an annual phenomenon that provides an opportunity to consider human relationships with birds. In this panel discussion, Dr. Bonnie Newsom will present on Wabanaki cultural associations with birds. These stories are grounded in gifts and creations Wabanaki ancestors left behind in shell mounds, and Olivia Olson will share her analysis of bird-related materials recovered from cultural heritage spaces in and beyond Acadia. Angi King Johnston, lead volunteer for the Cadillac Mountain Hawk Watch, will make connections from past to present, describing trends observed over the last thirty years of watching the skies from the highest mountain on the East Coast.
About Dr. Bonnie Newsom, Angi King Johnson, and Olivia Olson
Dr. Bonnie Newsom is a citizen of the Penobscot Nation and an archaeologist interested in the pre-contact lifeways of Maine’s Native peoples. Through her research, Dr. Newsom seeks to humanize past peoples by exploring concepts of identity and human agency. Her current research centers on community-engaged archaeologies, aboriginal ceramic technologies, and Maine’s shell bearing coastal sites. Dr. Newsom’s professional history includes serving as the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Penobscot Indian Nation and as Assistant Director for UMaine’s Wabanaki Center. She has a strong public service record which includes serving as Chair of the Repatriation Review Committee for the National Museum of Natural History, a member of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission, and a Trustee for the University of Maine System. She currently serves as a commissioner for the Maine State Museum and is a board member for the Forest Society of Maine. Dr. Newsom holds a B.A. in Anthropology and an M.S. in Quaternary Studies from the University of Maine and she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Angi King Johnston is an interpretive naturalist and raptor specialist with almost three decades of experience studying, documenting, and communicating the dynamics of hawk migration across Acadia National Park and the greater Gulf of Maine region. As a longtime participant and leader of Acadia’s Cadillac Mountain Hawk Watch she manages up to 10 volunteers and mentors interns and park service rangers annually while collecting, analyzing, and presenting migration data to thousands of visitors each season. Her work includes identifying and counting individuals of multiple raptor species, including hourly documentation of environmental factors and entering all findings into the national Hawkcount.org database through Hawk Watch Association. Angi’s expertise blends scientific rigor with compelling public interpretation. She passionately shares with visitors and colleagues of all ages the natural history of raptors and conservation efforts; a hallmark of her approach to connecting people emotionally and intellectually with raptor ecology, Acadia National Park and beyond. Across her career—as a National Park Service ranger, research associate, and naturalist—Angi has become known for making complex migration science accessible, inspiring stewardship, and fostering a deeper understanding of the ecological forces shaping raptor movement through the Northeast. When not counting raptors, Angi spends her summers as a whale watching naturalist and visiting her favorite birding spots in Acadia National Park.
Olivia Olson M.S. is an interdisciplinary researcher and science communicator working at the intersection of archaeology, ecology, and climate studies. She holds an MSc in Quaternary and Climate Studies from the University of Maine’s Climate Change Institute, where her research examined human–bird relationships during the Ceramic Period in Wabanaki homelands at Acadia National Park. Her work in zooarchaeology and conservation paleobiology has been published in Conservation Biology and Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution and she has presented her research at local and national conferences. Olivia currently serves as Public Programs and Volunteer Manager at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Originally from Islesboro, Maine, Olivia enjoys skiing, making music, and anything that brings her back to the ocean.
Register Here
Schoodic Institute’s 2026 Summer Lecture Series events are free, thanks to support from our generous sponsor, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.

Get To Know the Summer Stars Over Schoodic II
2026-09-10 19:30 - 22:00 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us September 10 for Get To Know the Summer Stars Over Schoodic with Richard Luecke!
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 first. Weather permitting, we’ll venture outside for a green laser tour, 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.
Register Here
Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress warmer than you’d think necessary.
Photo credit: jmnaturenightscapes

Organization of Biological Field Stations Annual Meeting at Schoodic Institute
2026-09-14 - 2026-09-18
Registration is open!
We look forward to hosting the 2026 Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) Annual Meeting on September 14-18 at Schoodic Institute in Winter Harbor, Maine.
Acadia National Park is especially beautiful in September, making the Annual Meeting a perfect time to connect, refresh, and renew our commitment to sharing and growing.
Many thanks to OBFS for the opportunity to host this year’s Annual Meeting.
This year’s theme is HOLDFAST. Inspired by holdfasts that anchor seaweeds to the rocky coast, the theme celebrates field stations’ enduring commitment to place, their ability to adapt to changing conditions, and their vision for the future. We look forward to a lively week of conversation, connection, and celebration as we gather on the coast of Maine from September 14–18.
About OBFS
Based in the United States, OBFS is a volunteer-run non profit composed of member field stations and marine labs from around the globe. The mission of OBFS is to help member stations increase their effectiveness in supporting critical research, education, and outreach programs, a goal pursued in a manner that maximizes diversity, inclusiveness, sustainability, and transparency.
Each year, OBFS holds an annual meeting for members. Here, you will not only meet lifelong friends, you will also learn ways to improve your station’s fundraising, education, outreach, and research while finding new collaborators and colleagues.
More on OBFS here.

2026 Acadia National Park Science Symposium
2026-10-22
Save the Date! October 22, 2026
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. Registration will open later this season – stay tuned!
Attend in person at Moore Auditorium on Schoodic Institute’s campus to enjoy networking opportunities, poster sessions, morning coffee and pastries, and a full lunch (included in your registration). If you are not able to join us in-person at Schoodic Institute, a virtual option is also available. The full itinerary, including the speaker list and call for poster presentations, will be posted during registration.
You can learn more about the science symposium here.
Planning to join us in-person at Schoodic Institute and interested in saving on your commute or extending your visit? Your stay at Schoodic Institute supports science in Acadia! Contact us about our overnight accommodations, rates, and availability.
