Using Managed Relocation to Advance Climate Adaptation: Benefits, Risks, and Barriers
2025-05-14 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
In this one-hour discussion, panelists from research and management backgrounds will consider key issues in the use of managed relocation as a climate adaptation strategy. Potential benefits, risks, and hurdles to implementing this technique will be discussed to provide scientific and practical information that will promote a better understanding of this management approach and reduce impediments to employing it. This interactive session will provide audience members with ample opportunities to contribute to the conversation. Registration information for this panel discussion will be available here shortly.

About the Panelists

Jenica Allen is a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Conservation at UMass Amherst. Peter Clark is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vermont. Jacquelyn Gill is a Professor of Paleoecology and Plant Ecology at the University of Maine. Chris Nadeau is a Climate Change Adaptation Scientist at Schoodic Institute.

2025 Spring Birds of Acadia with Puffin Cruise
2025-05-20 - 2025-05-23
Thank you for your interest! This event is reached max capacity.
For more information on our 2025 bird tours, please click here. If you would like to be placed on a waitlist for this tour, please contact Michelle Pinkham at 207-288-1356 or mpinkham@schoodicinstitute.org.
Schoodic Institute’s Seth Benz is joined by Holly Merker, author of Ornitherapy, to lead this leisurely tour designed to enhance your enjoyment of all birds, especially those that frequent or pass through Acadia National Park and its immediate surroundings.
We’ll move at a leisurely pace while learning about bird song and sight identification, bird habitats and behavior, and we’ll pay extra attention to enhancing your field birding skills and enjoyment of nature. The entire tour will be based out of Schoodic Institute, a research and learning center, ideally situated just a stone’s throw from Schoodic Point, a migration checkpoint 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. Maine has a way of spoiling birders – and this spring tour is designed to do just that.
Registration is required. The program cost is $1,285 per participant. Space is limited so register quickly!
Day 1: Check-in is at 3pm. “Spring Birds” begins on the Schoodic Institute campus at 4:30pm with introductions and orientation. The 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 efforts will follow dinner in preparation 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, which will be a field lunch at a bird-rich picnic spot, we’ll then inspect some nearby Blueberry barrens habitat 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 on the day’s experience, identification tips and review, and how to get the most out of eBird use will follow dinner (6:00pm – 7:00pm).
Day 3: Optional campus bird walk before breakfast. We’ll then spend the day investigating hotspots on the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park as well as the nearby villages of Prospect Harbor and Corea with good prospects for finding spruce grouse. Lunch will be in the field (carefully packed in a cooler along with water). We’ll return to campus by 5:00pm for leisure time before the 6:00pm dinner. Dinner this last night together is 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 stroll to Schoodic Point. Checkout is at 10:00am.
Price of $1,285.00 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 $35.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

You can drive directly to Schoodic Institute
Pick 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).

Southwest Harbor Coastal Meetup
2025-05-21 09:00 - 10:00 | Manset Town Dock, 55 Shore Rd, Southwest Harbor, Maine, 04679
Learn how to document coastal flooding in your community!
Climate change and sea level rise are already driving our high tides higher, causing coastal floods up and down the shores of Maine. In order to adapt, we need to increase our understanding of what water level and weather conditions lead to local flooding.
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) is collaborating with the Town of Southwest Harbor to conduct a community-driven climate vulnerability assessment to identify and understand the risks and vulnerabilities of the town to the impacts of climate change. Through this project, Southwest Harbor is enrolling in GMRI’s Coastal Flooding Community Science project. That’s where you come in!
Join the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Schoodic Institute to learn about sea level rise and coastal flooding, how to contribute your own observational data to the Coastal Flooding Community Science Project, Schoodic Institute’s sea level monitoring efforts, and other ways to inform the science of change, and what you can do to support Southwest Harbor in preparing for coastal change.
Registration is not required, but encouraged. To register, click here.

2025 Wilderness First Aid by SOLO
2025-05-28 - 2025-05-29 | Wright Hall at Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Thank you for your interest. This event has now reached maximum capacity. Please consider joining us instead for our June 4-5 session or contact Michelle Pinkham at 207-288-1356 or mpinkham@schoodicinstitute.org to be placed on a waiting list.
Accidents happen. People get hurt, sick, or lost. The temperature drops, the wind picks up, and it starts to rain. Would you know what to do? Many backcountry emergencies are preventable, and even when bad things happen, sometimes the wrong care can make things worse. By learning a few basic skills, you can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad one – and maybe even save a life.
Wilderness First Aid is the perfect course for the outdoor enthusiast or trip leader who wants a basic level of first aid training for short trips with family, friends, and outdoor groups. It also meets ACA guidelines.
Instructor Gerry Brache will teach the 16-hour-long course (spanning two days), which will focus on the basic skills of: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies, Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies. The course will be held on the Schoodic Institute campus in Wright Hall (classroom 110), from 8:00am – 5:00pm each day (May 28th and May 29th), with a 30-minute lunch break. A bagged lunch is included in the cost of registration and will be provided both days. This course will have indoor and outdoor sessions throughout both days, and students should be prepared for various types of weather. Please dress accordingly; we recommend rain gear and warm layers. Energy snacks and a water bottle are also encouraged.
An optional CPR Training and Certification course will be available for an additional fee and will be held at the end of class on May 29th from approximately 5:00pm – 7:30pm.
Registration for this course is $225 (lunch included).
Should You Need to Cancel Your Event Registration
There is a $35 processing fee for any cancellation made 15 days or more prior to the conference date. No refunds will be given for cancellations within 14 days of the conference date.
Interested in saving on your commute? Check out our overnight accommodations on campus! To find out what accommodations and meals may be available, reach out to Megan Moshier at (207) 288-1337 or email mmoshier@schoodicinstitute.org to check rates and availability.

MDI Science Cafe: Exploring Future Sea Levels with Science, History, and Art on Mount Desert Island
2025-06-09 17:00 - 18:00
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.

Landscape Painting in Acadia with the New York Academy of Art
2025-06-29 - 2025-07-06 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join the New York Academy of Art at Schoodic Institute in Winter Harbor, Maine from June 29 – July 6!
Course Description: Be inspired by the rocky coasts and forests of Maine’s Acadia National Park in this plein air landscape painting retreat led by Ard Berge and sponsored by the New York Academy of Art. Over eight days, explore nature drawing, the colors of sunlight on surf, and quick painting on locations mined by Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church. The retreat fees include meals and shared housing at Schoodic Institute, inside Acadia National Park, as well as five days of optional instruction.
Schoodic Peninsula and Acadia National Park: Schoodic Point is a coastal “neck” that projects into the Gulf of Maine and is adjacent to Frenchman’s Bay and Mt. Desert Island. Although Schoodic Peninsula is the only part of Acadia National Park that is connected to the mainland, it tends to be significantly less crowded than Mt. Desert Island. The peninsula contains many beautiful vistas along its shoreline, as well as hiking trails. Winter Harbor is the nearest village to Schoodic Point and features a grocery store as well as seasonal restaurants, galleries, and shops.
Lodging and Meals: Accommodations are provided by our partner, Schoodic Institute, at the Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC) which they manage. The SERC facility is an educational and research campus located on Schoodic Point and is the only provider of housing inside Acadia National Park. Housing includes a private bedroom with a shared bathroom and common area. Six days of meals, including hot breakfast, bag lunch, and dinner, are offered from Monday, July 1st through Saturday, July 6th. Pack lunches and snacks are provided daily so you can paint the landscape. Our final dinner will be a traditional Downeast Maine Lobster Supper.
Travel: The retreat-workshop does not provide transportation. Participants will need their own vehicle in order to drive themselves between sites within the park. By Car: Schoodic Institute is a nine (9) hour drive from New York City by car. By Air: Flights from New York City to Bangor International Airport are approximately one-and-a-half (1.5) hours. Major car rental companies are available at the airport. The drive from Bangor, Maine to Schoodic Institute is approximately one-and-a-half (1.5) hours.
Fees: The retreat-workshop fees are $2,395 and cover 7 nights lodging, 6 days of 3 square meals, and 1 memorable educational experience to transform your painting practice! (Local commuter rates and non-painting partner rates are available too upon request.)
For more information and to enroll, please visit: https://www.academyeverywhere.com/courses/in-person-landscape-painting-in-acadia-maine-workshop-summer-2025

Bird Carving with Wendell Gilley Museum
2025-06-30 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-07-22 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-08-27 09:30 - 15:30
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.
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.

BioBlitz for a Resilient Forest Future (at Schoodic Forest)
2025-07-03 09:00 - 11:00
iNaturalist Early-Detection Training with MCHT and Schoodic Institute
Curious about how introduced insects are affecting Maine’s trees? Want to go out in the woods and identify species? Join Schoodic Institute and Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) for an iNaturalist early-detection training and be a forest health detective!
Learn how to identify species of management interest, including harmful insects and at-risk species, and report them using iNaturalist. Researchers use these data to monitor the distribution of these species and maintain healthy forests. After the event, you’ll be able to take these skills with you and continue reporting your observations of these species wherever you encounter them.
When and where?
Rain or shine, join us from 9am – 11am on July 3 at Schoodic Forest in Winter Harbor, ME (find on Google Maps or scroll down to view).
We will meet here at 9am, and scientists from Schoodic Institute and MCHT will first lead a training about how to use iNaturalist and identify our focal species. After the training, volunteers will go out into Schoodic Woods to look for and record observations of these species and participate in a BioBlitz to identify as many species as possible.
What to bring?
Please bring a smartphone or other device compatible with iNaturalist (helpful tip: if you don’t already have the iNaturalist app downloaded to your device, we suggest doing so prior to the event!). If you don’t have a device, reach out to us ahead of the event and we will provide tablets for use. We also recommend bringing sunscreen and water, and wearing comfortable walking shoes.
Questions? Reach out to Kyle Lima at klima@schoodicinstitute.org.
Photo by Natalia Portales

2025 The Unforeseen Wilderness: Nature, Bookbinding, and Photography with Eliot Dudik
2025-07-06 - 2025-07-12
Join a small group of folks for a six-day intensive workshop exploring an unusual confluence of interests: bookbinding, photography, and nature walks in one of the most profound places on Earth: Acadia National Park. Tranquility and focus will be our guide as we lodge and work on the Schoodic Peninsula, often referred to as the “quiet side” of Acadia, dividing our time between classroom bookbinding sessions and stepping out into a wonderland of spruce, granite, and sea.
The workshop is led by bookmaker, photographer, and educator Eliot Dudik, who directs the photography program at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He has spent every summer and winter in Maine for the past decade working on his own long-form photography projects, teaching photography and bookbinding workshops, and exploring the coast of Maine, especially the dreamscape of Acadia National Park. He has been visualizing this unique workshop for years and is excited to work with you this summer!

The structure of the course: Throughout our week together, we will meet in our workspace to explore bookbinding basics including methods, materials, and book structures. All bookbinding tools and materials will be provided. We will practice four different bindings over the course of the week, each building on skills learned in the previous lesson. These books will be blank and can be used as journals or sketchbooks.
Each day will be split between classroom bookbinding tutorials and nature walks in the woods of Acadia National Park. Excursions will include morning or afternoon walks, as well as full day trips to the busier and more popular/populated parts of Acadia on Mount Desert Island. On these nature walks, we will attempt to take in the famously breathtaking beauty while using cameras, pencils, or other artistic tools and Wendel Berry’s essay: The Unforeseen Wilderness to inspire our individualized experiences.

At the conclusion of our week together, we will each create a short edit and sequence of photographs, writings, sketches, collages, or other artworks made in Acadia and produce small books of the work. The photographs can be made with cell phones or more sophisticated digital cameras. Participants will bring their own cameras and ideally a laptop with Adobe Photoshop installed.
The available lodging and meal plan complete this unique and immersive experience, allowing us to disconnect from our everyday lives and truly experience something special, uniquely embedded inside the national park. This workshop is intentionally limited to a small group of participants to enhance the individualized experience; don’t delay signing up as this workshop will fill quickly!
For any questions regarding the workshop, please contact Eliot directly at eliot@eliotdudik.com.

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
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.

Acadia’s Puffins, Peregrines, and Loons with Schoodic Institute
2025-07-15 - 2025-07-18
Thank you for your interest! This event is reached max capacity.
For more information on our 2025 bird tours, please click here. If you would like to be placed on a waitlist for this tour, please contact Michelle Pinkham at 207-288-1356 or mpinkham@schoodicinstitute.org.
Schoodic Institute’s Seth Benz will lead this leisurely tour designed to enhance your enjoyment of all birds, especially those that nest in Acadia National Park or its immediate surroundings.
We’ll move 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. The entire tour will be based out of Schoodic Institute, ideally situated just a stone’s throw from Schoodic Point, a migration checkpoint 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. Maine has a way of spoiling birders – and this mid-July tour is designed to do just that.
Registration is required. The program cost is $1,295 per participant. Space is limited so register quickly!
Day 1: Check-in is at 3pm. “Acadia’s Puffins, Peregrines, and Loons 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 efforts will follow dinner in preparation 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, which will be a field lunch at a bird-rich picnic spot, we’ll then inspect some nearby Blueberry barrens habitat 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 on the day’s experience, identification tips and review, and how to get the most out of eBird use will follow dinner (6:00pm – 7:00pm).
Day 3: Optional campus bird walk before breakfast. We’ll visit a loon sanctuary with the possibility of seeing a recently hatched loon chick or two. We’ll also visit a Peregrine Falcon eyrie site. Lunch will be in the field (carefully packed in a cooler along with water). The Cadillac Mountain Summit is included. We’ll return to campus by 5:00pm for leisure time before the 6:00pm dinner. 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 stroll to Schoodic Point. Checkout is at 10:00am.
Price of $1,295.00 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 $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 12pm noon on Day 4. If you are making a plane reservation, please plan your departure after 2pm.

2025 Sea & Sky at Acadia National Park with Carol Douglas
2025-08-03 - 2025-08-08
Transform your plein air painting skills in this week-long oil, acrylic, pastel, and watercolor workshop on the beautiful coast of Maine! All that while spending a week at Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park.
Far from the hustle and bustle of Bar Harbor, Schoodic Peninsula has dramatic rock formations, windblown pines, pounding surf and stunning mountain views that draw visitors from around the world.
You might look up from your easel to see dolphins, humpback whales or seals cavorting in the waves. Herring gulls visit while eiders and cormorants splash about.
A day trip to the harbor at Corea, ME is included. Far off the beaten path, Corea, ME is a village of small frame houses, fishing piers and lobster traps. Its working fleet bustles in and out of the harbor.
Concentrate on painting
Meals and accommodations at the beautiful Schoodic Institute are included in your fee. That includes a lobster boil by a real Corea fisherman. We’re right on Schoodic Point so we have unrivalled (and permitted) access to the park.
All mediums welcome
This workshop is aimed at helping painters refine their personal technique in watercolor, pastel, oils and acrylics. It will help you find your own voice and style, without becoming anyone’s clone. This is an intensive class, with morning and afternoon on-site painting sessions and lunch-time demos. Classes are kept small so every student gets the attention they deserve.
Carol Douglas has 20 years’ experience teaching students of all levels in watercolor, oils, acrylics and pastels. Her Acadia workshops are very popular. “This was the best painting instruction I have ever had. Carol’s advice in color mixing was particularly eye-opening. Her explanations are clear and easy to understand. She is very approachable and supportive. I would take this course again in a heartbeat.” (Carol T.)
Easily accessible
It’s easy to get to painting locations on the Schoodic Peninsula. A ring road with frequent pull-offs means you never walk more than a few hundred feet to your painting destination.
Fly or drive
Schoodic is only 90 minutes from Bangor International Airport. Or wind your way up from Boston along historic, scenic coastal Route 1.
The one-week workshop is $1,818, including five days accommodation in a private room with shared bath, meals, snacks, and instruction. Or, take the workshop as a commuter for $913. Accommodations for non-painting partners and guests are also available.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Questions? Please reach out to Carol Douglas at malerincd@gmail.com.

BioBlitz for a Resilient Forest Future (at Cousins River)
2025-08-19 09:00 - 11:00
iNaturalist Early-Detection Training with MCHT and Schoodic Institute
Curious about how introduced insects are affecting Maine’s trees? Want to go out in the woods and identify species? Join Schoodic Institute and Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) for an iNaturalist early-detection training and be a forest health detective!
Learn how to identify species of management interest, including harmful insects and at-risk species, and report them using iNaturalist. Researchers use these data to monitor the distribution of these species and maintain healthy forests. After the event, you’ll be able to take these skills with you and continue reporting your observations of these species wherever you encounter them.
When and where?
Rain or shine, join us from 9am – 11am on August 19 at Cousins River Fields & Marsh Preserve in Yarmouth, ME (find on Google Maps).
We will meet at 9am, and scientists from Schoodic Institute and MCHT will first lead a training about how to use iNaturalist and identify our focal species. After the training, volunteers will go out into Cousins River to look for and record observations of these species and participate in a BioBlitz to identify as many species as possible.
What to bring?
Please bring a smartphone or other device compatible with iNaturalist (helpful tip: if you don’t already have the iNaturalist app downloaded to your device, we suggest doing so prior to the event!). If you don’t have a device, reach out to us ahead of the event and we will provide tablets for use. We also recommend bringing sunscreen and water, and wearing comfortable walking shoes.
Questions? Reach out to Kyle Lima at klima@schoodicinstitute.org.

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.

2025 Maine Outdoor Film Festival at Schoodic Institute
2025-08-21 19:00 - 22:00
The Maine Outdoor Film Festival returns to Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park on August 21, 2025 for an evening of outdoor adventure and conservation films under the stars!

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.
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.
Scheduled Program:
*Film Program Subject To Change*
OCEAN PURSUITS | 11.67 minutes | by Casey Nava | Maine | Short synopsis: Surfing and creativity intersect in Maine in winter.
TENDING THE TIDES | 5.25 minutes | by Trixie Betz | Maine | Short synopsis: Maine hosts the nation’s first registered Seaweed and Shellfish Aquaculture Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs. Tending the Tides follows young participants as they build careers on the water. Through hands-on training and mentorship, these future sea farmers gain skills to thrive in Maine’s growing aquaculture industry – while helping sustain the state’s working waterfronts.
THE SNOWY OWLS OF LOGAN AIRPORT | 8.98 minutes | by Anna M Miller | United States | Short synopsis: Norman Smith, often referred to as the “Owl Man of Logan Airport” has been relocating snowy owls from Boston’s busiest runways for the last 43 years.
YOUR LAST BEST: A MEMPHIS ROX STORY | 16.32 minutes | by Glen Janssens | United States | Short synopsis: Hope comes to a South Memphis neighborhood that has struggled with basic resources. It takes the unlikely form of a climbing gym, where Jarmond Johnson and others experience different outcomes on the wall.
2 LEGS IS 2 EASY | 6.42 minutes | by Tamara Susa | United States | Short synopsis: Steve Karczewski was born with bone cancer in his leg. After a year of chemotherapy, his leg was amputated above the knee. Nowadays, Steve is seen on the slopes of Roaring Fork Valley. He was recruited by Challenge Aspen in 2008 to join their Paralympic racing team. There, coaches trained him to ski without a prosthetic, on one ski.
FOOTPRINTS ON KATMAI | 21.83 minutes | by Max Romey | United States | Short synopsis: Following his Grandmother’s footsteps to one of the most remote and bear-strewn beaches in Alaska, painter Max Romey discovers that an ocean of problems is closer to home than he could have imagined.
ABOUT DAMN TIME | 25.9 minutes | by Dana Romanoff | United States | Short synopsis: A boatman’s tale about the women who row the iconic dories in the Grand Canyon, their struggles to break into the current, and the passing of the oars to the next generation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Northern Ecuador Bird Tour with Sabrewing Nature Tours
2025-09-06 - 2025-09-19
Ecuador has long been considered one of the best birding destinations in the world, and once you’re there, you’ll understand why! On this exciting tour, we’ll visit a wide variety of habitats as we travel from elevations of 14,000 feet at Papallacta Pass down to 1,000 feet at Silanche Reserve.
Our tour will start in the famous Mindo area at Septimo Paraiso. From here, we will explore the many birding hotspots of the region including Silanche Reserve, Refugio Paz de las Aves where Angel Paz will feed his famous antpittas, Tandayapa Pass, and more! Highlights during this part of the tour could include Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Giant, Moustached, and Yellow-bellied Antpittas, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Toucan Barbet, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Rufous-winged, Blue-whiskered, Scarlet-browed, Gray-and-gold, and Tawny-crested Tanagers, Oilbird, and many more.
Once we are finished in the Mindo area, we will move to the Eastern slope of the Andes on the other side of Quito. Here we will visit three lodges, Guango, Cabañas San Isidro, and Wildsumaco. These lodges are located at a variety of elevations which will mean each time we change lodges we will see a host of new species. Highlights on this part of the trip could include Sword-billed Hummingbird, Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, San Isidro Owl, Golden-collared Toucanet, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, White-capped, Saffron-crowned, Golden-naped, Beryl-spangled, Blue-and-black, Magpie, White-lined, Silver-beaked, Blue-browed, Orange-eared, Spotted, Yellow-bellied and Golden-eared Tanagers, and much more.
All of these wonderful lodges provide great accommodations and amazing food. Previously on this itinerary, we have seen over 500 species including 60+ hummingbirds!
For more information and to register, please click here.

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.

2025 Painting Retreat in Acadia with Philip Frey
2025-09-10 - 2025-09-14
© 2025 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 $1,175 is the base package while Residential for $1,740 provides an enhanced experience. Commuter Package includes instruction, studio time, and the following meals: A social prior to Dinner on September 10, Bag Lunch on September 11 and 13; A social hour and Lobster Dinner on September 13; and Lunch on September 14. Residential Package includes everything in the Commuter Package, plus: lodging the nights of September 10–13; Dinner on September 11–13; and Breakfast September 11–14. **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 up-charge. 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 July 15, 2025 (please note, as of June 30, there is only ONE SPOT remaining!).
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
www.philipfrey.com

(POSTPONED) What Drives Early-Career Environmental Science Professionals?
2025-10-07 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Program on Zoom
**UPDATE** Due to the current lapse in federal government appropriations, this virtual panel has been postponed. Stay tuned to Schoodic Institute’s website and social media for future updates.
Why do we do this work?

What are the driving forces behind the enthusiasm of early-career environmental science professionals? Join us virtually on Tuesday, October 7th from 12:00pm – 1:30pm for our 2025 Acadia National Park Science Symposium opening event! Gain insight from our early-career science professionals as they share their inspirations in a series of 10-minute lightning talks.
View Speaker List
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.
If you are interested in being a speaker and sharing your early-career insights during this presentation, please contact Abby Schill at aschill@schoodicinstitute.org.
This presentation will take place online via Zoom.

2025 Acadia National Park Science Symposium (POSTPONED)
2025-10-16 09:00 - 15:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Unfortunately, due to the lapse in federal government appropriations, the 2025 Acadia National Park Science Symposium has been postponed.
Although the current government shutdown presents many challenges, especially with the absence of our valued partners at Acadia National Park, our work at Schoodic Institute continues. We remain committed to advancing science in and beyond Acadia, and we look forward to reconnecting soon.
Please stay tuned to our website and social media for future updates on the Science Symposium, as well as our science. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Join us on Thursday, October 16 from 9:00am – 3:30pm (in-person at Schoodic Institute or online via Zoom) for a full day of symposium events, including speaker sessions, networking opportunities, poster sessions, and lunch at Schooner Commons.
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. The theme of this year’s symposium is wildlife.
You can learn more about the science symposium here.
View Speaker List
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. Your registration for in-person attendance includes morning coffee and pastries, lunch, full access to our morning and afternoon poster sessions and speaker sessions, and more. Interested in staying overnight at Schoodic Institute? Scroll down to learn more, or add on your desired night stay via the registration form below.
Joining us in-person at Schoodic Institute and interested in saving on your commute or extending your stay in the Schoodic Section of Acadia National Park? Just add on your desired stay, plus any additional meals crafted by our excellent Food Service Team, via the registration form above. And, since your stay supports science in Acadia, you can feel good about booking with us. To learn more, reach out to us about our overnight accommodations, rates, and availability.
