Puffins, Loons, and Blueberry Barrens with Schoodic Institute
2026-07-11 - 2026-07-14
Schoodic Institute’s Seth Benz teams up with the Mindful Birding Network’s founder Holly Merker for a special tour designed to enhance your enjoyment of all birds, especially those that nest in Acadia National Park or its nearby surroundings.
We’ll travel and walk at a leisurely pace while learning about sight identification, bird habitats and behavior, and we’ll pay extra attention to enhancing your field birding skills and enjoyment of nature. Schoodic Institute is ideally situated just a stone’s throw from Schoodic Point, a migration through-point that tallies tens of thousands of passing birds annually. Lodging is in cozy cabins where you will be awakened by birdsong – Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, and Magnolia Warbler. Blue-headed vireos and Northern Parula warblers often serenade you as you walk to Schooner Commons, the Institute’s dining hall. Featured field trips include a boat cruise to see Atlantic Puffin, a visit to the east coast’s largest blueberry barrens where Upland Sandpiper, Vesper Sparrow, and Northern Harrier nest, and a visit to the Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary with chances of seeing a Common Loon chick or two.
Registration is required. The program cost is $1,395 per participant. Space is limited so register quickly!
Day 1: Check-in is at 3pm. “Acadia’s Puffins, Peregrines, and Loon”s begins on the Schoodic Institute campus at 4:30pm with introductions and orientation. This late afternoon will feature the start of field birding. A reception will precede dinner. Dinner is from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. An evening presentation on puffin restoration will prepare us for tomorrow’s special boat trip to an active seabird colony.
Day 2: An optional morning bird walk on campus – think warblers – before breakfast! Breakfast is served from 7:00am to 8:00am in Schooner Commons. We’ll then pack for a day afield and travel 40 minutes or so to the boat launch in Steuben for a 2-hour cruise to Petit Manan Island. This is our best chance to see Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, Common Murre, and several tern species as we circumnavigate the island, one of just 5 islands in Maine inhabited by Atlantic Puffin thanks to restoration efforts. Seals and other wildlife are also possible. After lunch at a bird-rich picnic spot, we’ll visit nearby blueberry barrens to look for an assortment of birds, including Upland Sandpiper, Vesper Sparrow, and American Kestrel. Of course, there will be other birds to see along the way. An evening discussion with Holly Merker follows dinner. Learn about the Mindful Birding Network and how to get the most out of eBird and other birdwatching apps).
Day 3: Optional bird walk before breakfast. We’ll visit a wildlife sanctuary with the possibility of seeing a recently hatched loon chick or two. We’ll also visit the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. Dinner this last night features your choice of lobster or a delicious alternative. Afterward, we’ll sum up the day and complete a checklist review.
Day 4: Optional before-breakfast bird walk. After breakfast, we’ll have the option of a culminating visit to Schoodic Point or a short hike along Sundew Trail. Checkout is at 10:00am.
Cost of $1,395.00 is based upon double occupancy. Lodging upgrade options possible while available. To register, contact Michelle Pinkham at (207) 288-1356 or fill out the form below.
Price includes lodging and meals, van travel, boat fare, and guiding fees. Not included in price: airfare, trip insurance, alcohol beverages not offered by host, gas stop snacks, and gratuities. An Acadia National Park pass may be necessary if you will be traveling in the park in your own vehicle while not on this tour. These will be available to purchase at check-in or while on campus (for an approximate fee of $35).
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

You can drive directly to Schoodic Institute
Get picked up in Bangor, Maine at either the airport (at 2 pm), or
Pick up at Odlin Road Park & Ride (at 2 pm) near the airport (this is a safe, patrolled parking lot).
We’ll return you to Bangor by Noon on Day 4. If you are making a plane reservation, please plan your departure after 2 pm.

2026 Puffins, Loons, and Blueberry Barrens with Schoodic Institute

RegistrationPuffins, Loons, and Blueberry Barrens with Schoodic Institute(Required)July 11-14, with Schoodic Institute's Seth Benz and the Mindful Birding Network’s founder Holly Merker. Lodging, meals, van travel, boat and guiding fees included for $1,395 per person. How many participants are you registering?

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RoommateLodging assignments are based on guests sleeping in a private bedroom in a shared apartment. There will be no more than one roommate of the same gender assigned to your lodging. If you know someone else attending you may list them, otherwise one will be assigned. Private accommodations may be available for an additional charge. Please call Michelle Pinkham at 207-288-1356 to check availability and pricing.Dietary Preference(Required)Please choose one. You will be given the opportunity to relay any allergies and/or preferences on the following question.

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Consent(Required) I agree to the terms and conditions listed below.To reserve your space on this tour, payment in full is required. There will be a minimum $100 cancellation fee.
Schoodic Institute understands how disappointing it can be for our guests who need to cancel their trip. Please read the cancellation policy outlined below. By completing your payment, confirming your reservation and signing below, you agree to the terms and conditions stated regarding cancellation due to any reason.
If a participant cancels for any reason we will use the following refund policy:
• A $100 cancellation fee will be held for cancellation that is received at least 31 days before the start of a registered tour.
• 50% of your total payment will be refunded if cancelled 30 days before the start of your registered tour, unless we are able to fill your space, and the tour is full.
• 20% of your total payment will be refunded if cancelled within 14 days before start of registered tour, unless we are able to fill your space, and the tour is full.
• if cancellation is within 72 hours there is no refund.
A written request for cancellation is required by email - addressed to mpinkham@schoodicinstitute.org
We advise you to buy travel insurance to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances and to avoid any costs associated with cancellation.
If Schoodic Institute cancels a session, it will issue full refunds of payments to the paid participants.

I recognize that there is an element of risk in any adventure, sport, or activity associated with the outdoors. I am fully cognizant of the risks and dangers inherent in birding, which can include uneven and slippery footing on trails, allergic reactions to plants and stinging insects, and distance from medical facilities in remote locations. I have been informed of known special hazards in such activity. I certify that I am fully capable of participating in the activity.

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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

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).
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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
Get your tickets today!
The Maine Outdoor Film Festival returns to Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park on August 21, 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, including a 10-minute intermission. Event begins at 7:00PM, and screening will start at 7:45PM. 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.

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
We are pleased to offer a plein air painting retreat designed specifically for dedicated landscape painters. This retreat will provide an opportunity for participants to hone their skills, gain deeper knowledge of materials, and develop confidence in their creative abilities.
The retreat will be held in the picturesque landscapes of Acadia National Park and the Schoodic Peninsula. Under the guidance of artist Philip Frey, students will learn to capture the essence of the landscape, compose compelling images, and comprehend the interplay of color and light.
Each day will start early with an on-site painting session, followed by an early afternoon demonstration and critique. 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, fostering social interaction among fellow artists.
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.
To Register: Applicants must possess experience in plein-air painting and demonstrate proficiency in drawing at an intermediate level. A brief application and image submission will be required for admission. Applicants will receive a response within ten days of submission. Registration deadline is May 1, 2026.
Click Here to Apply
Please note, a National Park pass valid for Acadia National Park is required.
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
“My four week private mentorship with Philip went beyond my expectations. Philip’s style of teaching and one-on-one zoom sessions were efficient and extremely helpful. The exercises and lessons were thought provoking and challenging, and his feedback was clear and constructive, offering tools and resources I could immediately put to use. New to online learning, I found it delightful – I could immediately integrate it into my daily practice in my own studio. His friendly demeanor made for an absolutely wonderful experience. I look forward to more workshops with Philip in the future.” – Sally Dean, Marshfield MA
“Philip Frey is not only an inspiringly dynamic artist but a patient and insightful teacher. His workshop transformed the way I look at the world and how I now approach the ever daunting blank canvas….which is now with confident intention! Having access to and learning from an artist of his caliber is truly a gift.”– Queenette Santiago, Petaluma, CA

“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

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.

Organization of Biological Field Stations Annual Meeting at Schoodic Institute
2026-09-14 - 2026-09-18
Save the Date!
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.
Stay tuned for more information, coming this spring.
Founded in 2004, Schoodic Institute is located in the homeland of the Wabanaki, People of the Dawn. A nonprofit partner in science and education, we work with Acadia National Park to manage the largest of 17 National Park Service Research Learning Centers.
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.
