Schoodic Institute

UFOs Over Schoodic Retreat With David Taylor
2023-07-16 - 2023-07-22 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
UFOs Over Schoodic welcomes David Taylor of David Taylor Designs! Join us July 16 – 22, 2023 at Schoodic Institute (Winter Harbor, Maine) and be prepared to laugh and have fun while creating a one-of-a-kind quilt of your own design.
During this retreat, you will make a quilt from a picture of your choosing, such as a beloved pet, or a stock photo. Detailed instructions and a supply list for David’s workshop will be sent once your registration and deposit are received. Additional information about the retreat will be sent then as well. In the meantime, check out David’s website here for more information, ideas, and inspiration!
We welcome everyone – whatever your skill level may be. Class size is limited so that we can maximize each student’s time with David. Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The fee for this retreat is $2,100, and this include five full days of instruction with David, six nights of apartment lodging with private bedroom, full kitchen and bath, a welcome reception on Sunday, and lunch and dinner for five days (plus lots of snacks!). A nonrefundable deposit of $400 is due immediately upon registration, with the remainder due at the retreat.
To register, click the button below to download the registration form. Send completed registration form and deposit (with check made payable to Beverly Henion) to 1016 West Bay Road Gouldsboro, ME 04607.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Bev Henion at 207-963-4052 or rickandbev.henion@gmail.com.
Download Registration Form Here

How to Be a Citizen Scientist: Tools for Field Identification of Maine's Flora and Fauna with Shannon O'Brien
2023-07-15 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | The Naturalist’s Notebook, 16 Main Street, Seal Harbor, ME, 04675, United States
Have you ever been wandering down a trail and wished you could put a name to the trees towering above you, the wee invertebrates creeping below, or the birds singing nearby? Have you considered participating in a Citizen Science project, but not felt confident in your skills as a naturalist? Do you want to know how to use a dichotomous key? Are you wondering which of the overwhelming number of field guides is most useful and accurate? Do you struggle to adapt to the new wave of technological identification resources? If so, this workshop is for you!
On Saturday, July 15th, co-leaders Shannon O’Brien, Science Engagement Coordinator at Schoodic Institute, and Jordan Chalfant, Naturalist’s Notebook Manager and Maine Natural History Observatory board member, will be teaming up to make these topics accessible and fun.
Shannon oversees numerous Citizen Science projects and is a PRO at using iNaturalist. Jordan has been a contract field technician on dozens of studies in the realms of ornithology and botany, and is a dichotomous key connoisseur. These two nature nerds can’t wait to take you on a short walk from The Naturalist’s Notebook to Seal Harbor Beach. We will try out using iNaturalist and field guides to identify the biota we encounter along the way, and will bring back specimens to The Notebook to use some more advanced resources and to explore iNaturalist on the computer. We hope to leave you hooked on knowing your nature neighbors by name and feeling empowered to participate in the Citizen Science projects happening in your community. Bring a hand lens if you have one.
To sign up, please visit The Naturalists Notebook website here. Registration is $10.00. This event will take place at The Naturalist’s Notebook (16 Main Street Seal Harbor, ME 04675).
If you have any questions about this event, please reach out to info@thenaturalistsnotebook.com.

Demonstration Day: Bird Carving with Wendell Gilley Museum
2023-07-12 10:30 - 15:30 | Rockefeller Hall, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National park, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
See how it’s done! Master carver Steve Valleau will be a special guest at Schoodic Institute on July 12, 2023 from 10:30am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 3:30pm, doing hands-on bird carving demonstrations outside of the Rockefeller Welcome Center. Visit with Steve, 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.
Steve has been the carver-in-residence at the Museum for 38 years.

…….
Photos used with permission from Wendell Gilley Museum.

Project ASCO Volunteer Training at Wolfe's Neck
2023-07-08 08:00 - 11:30 | Wolfe’s Neck, Freeport, Maine
Join Schoodic Institute’s Project ASCO research team on July 8, 2023 from 8:00am to 11:30am at Wolfe’s Neck (Freeport, Maine) to learn about and collect data on rockweed, a foundational seaweed in Maine’s rocky intertidal! Please register for this volunteer training event below.

Project ASCO is a citizen science research initiative designed to get interested participants out into the intertidal zone to collect data about rockweed while exploring the beauty of the rocky coast between the tides. Rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum, or “Asco”) is the dominant species in most of the rocky intertidal zone of Maine and provides habitat for other species living in and visiting the intertidal zone. Rockweed is currently harvested in Maine and sustainable management requires knowledge of the total amount of rockweed throughout the state. Participants in Project ASCO can help answer the question, “How much rockweed is there?” The data collected by Project ASCO participants will be analyzed and shared by scientists at Schoodic Institute to inform resource management.
During this training, volunteers learn the Project ASCO research protocol in a hands-on setting by collecting data on rockweed in the rocky intertidal. At the end of the training, volunteers are provided with field gear to collect their own data on rockweed and will be able to contribute to the Project ASCO database on the public data hub anecdata.org.
Activities for this research training include working with Schoodic Institute researchers in the rocky intertidal, a place where slips, trips, and falls can be a concern due to wet or unsteady rocks and seaweed. Please come prepared with weather appropriate field gear, long pants, close toed shoes, and enthusiasm for learning about Maine’s rocky intertidal ecosystem! Note, bathroom facilities are available at this location.

If you have any questions about Project ASCO or this in-person volunteer training event, please email projectasco@schoodicinstitute.org.
Thank you to the Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment for partnering with us to host this volunteer training.

Project ASCO Volunteer Training at Frazer Point
2023-07-07 07:00 - 10:30 | Frazer Point, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693
Join Schoodic Institute’s Project ASCO research team on July 7, 2023 from 7:00am to 10:30am at Frazer Point (Winter Harbor, Maine) to learn about and collect data on rockweed, a foundational seaweed in Maine’s rocky intertidal! Please register for this volunteer training event below.

Project ASCO is a citizen science research initiative designed to get interested participants out into the intertidal zone to collect data about rockweed while exploring the beauty of the rocky coast between the tides. Rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum, or “Asco”) is the dominant species in most of the rocky intertidal zone of Maine and provides habitat for other species living in and visiting the intertidal zone. Rockweed is currently harvested in Maine and sustainable management requires knowledge of the total amount of rockweed throughout the state. Participants in Project ASCO can help answer the question, “How much rockweed is there?” The data collected by Project ASCO participants will be analyzed and shared by scientists at Schoodic Institute to inform resource management.
During this training, volunteers learn the Project ASCO research protocol in a hands-on setting by collecting data on rockweed in the rocky intertidal. At the end of the training, volunteers are provided with field gear to collect their own data on rockweed and will be able to contribute to the Project ASCO database on the public data hub anecdata.org.
Activities for this research training include working with Schoodic Institute researchers in the rocky intertidal, a place where slips, trips, and falls can be a concern due to wet or unsteady rocks and seaweed. Please come prepared with weather appropriate field gear, long pants, close toed shoes, and enthusiasm for learning about Maine’s rocky intertidal ecosystem! Note: a valid Acadia National Park Pass is required for this location. Project ASCO attendees are required to supply their own park pass. Bathroom facilities are available.

If you have any questions about Project ASCO or this in-person volunteer training event, please email projectasco@schoodicinstitute.org.
Thank you for your interest. Registration for this event has now closed.

Winter Harbor Public Library Summer Lecture with Nick Fisichelli
2023-06-28 17:00 | Winter Harbor Public Library, 18 Chapel Ln, Winter Harbor, Maine, 04693
Join the Winter Harbor Public Library and Schoodic Institute President and CEO Nick Fisichelli on June 28, 2023 at 5:00pm to discuss the science, education, and partnerships happening here at the tip of the Schoodic Peninsula – with neighboring communities, along the Maine coast, and more broadly across the National Park System.
This event will take place in-person at the Winter Harbor Public Library (18 Chapel Lane, Winter Harbor, ME 04693).
For more information, please visit the Winter Harbor Public Library website.

Project ASCO Volunteer Training at Carter's Beach
2023-06-26 09:30 - 13:00 | Carter’s Beach, Hancock, ME, 04640
We are currently at capacity for this event. Thank you for your interest. Please consider joining us for one of our other Project ASCO volunteer training events taking place this summer!

Join Schoodic Institute’s Project ASCO research team in collaboration with Frenchman Bay Conservancy and Crabtree Neck Land Trust on June 26, 2023 from 9:30am to 1:00pm at Carter’s Beach(adjacent to Salt Pond Preserve in Hancock, Maine) to learn about and collect data on rockweed, a foundational seaweed in Maine’s rocky intertidal! Please register for this volunteer training event below.

Project ASCO is a citizen science research initiative designed to get interested participants out into the intertidal zone to collect data about rockweed while exploring the beauty of the rocky coast between the tides. Rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum, or “Asco”) is the dominant species in most of the rocky intertidal zone of Maine and provides habitat for other species living in and visiting the intertidal zone. Rockweed is currently harvested in Maine and sustainable management requires knowledge of the total amount of rockweed throughout the state. Participants in Project ASCO can help answer the question, “How much rockweed is there?” The data collected by Project ASCO participants will be analyzed and shared by scientists at Schoodic Institute to inform resource management.
During this training, volunteers learn the Project ASCO research protocol in a hands-on setting by collecting data on rockweed in the rocky intertidal. At the end of the training, volunteers are provided with field gear to collect their own data on rockweed and will be able to contribute to the Project ASCO database on the public data hub anecdata.org.
Activities for this research training include working with Schoodic Institute researchers in the rocky intertidal, a place where slips, trips, and falls can be a concern due to wet or unsteady rocks and seaweed. Please come prepared with weather appropriate field gear, long pants, close toed shoes, and enthusiasm for learning about Maine’s rocky intertidal ecosystem!

If you have any questions about Project ASCO or this in-person volunteer training event, please email projectasco@schoodicinstitute.org.
Thank you to Frenchman Bay Conservancy and Crabtree Neck Land Trust for partnering with us to host this volunteer training.

Project ASCO Volunteer Training at Mahar Point
2023-06-23 08:00 - 11:30 | Mahar Point, Pembroke, ME, 04666
Join Schoodic Institute’s Project ASCO research team in collaboration with Downeast Coastal Conservancy on June 23, 2023 from 8:00am to 11:30am at Mahar Point (Pembroke, Maine) to learn about and collect data on rockweed, a foundational seaweed in Maine’s rocky intertidal! Please register for this volunteer training event below.

Project ASCO is a citizen science research initiative designed to get interested participants out into the intertidal zone to collect data about rockweed while exploring the beauty of the rocky coast between the tides. Rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum, or “Asco”) is the dominant species in most of the rocky intertidal zone of Maine and provides habitat for other species living in and visiting the intertidal zone. Rockweed is currently harvested in Maine and sustainable management requires knowledge of the total amount of rockweed throughout the state. Participants in Project ASCO can help answer the question, “How much rockweed is there?” The data collected by Project ASCO participants will be analyzed and shared by scientists at Schoodic Institute to inform resource management.
During this training, volunteers learn the Project ASCO research protocol in a hands-on setting by collecting data on rockweed in the rocky intertidal. At the end of the training, volunteers are provided with field gear to collect their own data on rockweed and will be able to contribute to the Project ASCO database on the public data hub anecdata.org.
Activities for this research training include working with Schoodic Institute researchers in the rocky intertidal, a place where slips, trips, and falls can be a concern due to wet or unsteady rocks and seaweed. Please come prepared with weather appropriate field gear, long pants, close toed shoes, and enthusiasm for learning about Maine’s rocky intertidal ecosystem! Please note: there are no bathroom facilities at this location.

If you have any questions about Project ASCO or this in-person volunteer training event, please email projectasco@schoodicinstitute.org.
Thank you to the Downeast Coastal Conservancy for partnering with us to host this volunteer training.

Thank you for your interest. Registration has now closed for this volunteer training event.

Maine Ocean Festival 2023 at The Oceanarium
2023-06-10 10:00 - 17:00 | The Oceanarium, 1351 ME 3, Bar Harbor, Maine, 04609
Join the Oceanarium in Bar Harbor, Maine on June 10, 2023 from 10:00am – 5:00pm for a day-long event of live music, games, ocean-oriented vendors, and speakers and presenters discussing relevant ideas and issues affecting the Gulf of Maine today. High tide, low tide, or somewhere in between, you’ll love it. Bring the whole family and wear blue for the ocean!
During the festival, Catherine Schmitt (Schoodic Institute’s Science Communication Specialist) will join Mount Desert Island Historical Society and local artist Jennifer Steen Booher to discuss sea level rise.
To purchase tickets for this event, visit the Oceanarium website here.

Project ASCO Volunteer Training at Ferry Landing
2023-06-09 08:00 - 11:30 | Ferry Landing, Brooksville, ME
Join Schoodic Institute’s Project ASCO research team in collaboration with Blue Hill Heritage Trust on June 9, 2023 from 8:00am – 11:30am at Ferry Landing(Brooksville, Maine) to learn about and collect data on rockweed, a foundational seaweed in Maine’s rocky intertidal! Please register for this volunteer training event below.

Project ASCO is a citizen science research initiative designed to get interested participants out into the intertidal zone to collect data about rockweed while exploring the beauty of the rocky coast between the tides. Rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum, or “Asco”) is the dominant species in most of the rocky intertidal zone of Maine and provides habitat for other species living in and visiting the intertidal zone. Rockweed is currently harvested in Maine and sustainable management requires knowledge of the total amount of rockweed throughout the state. Participants in Project ASCO can help answer the question, “How much rockweed is there?” The data collected by Project ASCO participants will be analyzed and shared by scientists at Schoodic Institute to inform resource management.
During this training, volunteers learn the Project ASCO research protocol in a hands-on setting by collecting data on rockweed in the rocky intertidal. At the end of the training, volunteers are provided with field gear to collect their own data on rockweed and will be able to contribute to the Project ASCO database on the public data hub anecdata.org.
Activities for this research training include working with Schoodic Institute researchers in the rocky intertidal, a place where slips, trips, and falls can be a concern due to wet or unsteady rocks and seaweed. Please come prepared with weather appropriate field gear, long pants, close toed shoes, and enthusiasm for learning about Maine’s rocky intertidal ecosystem! Note: there are no bathroom facilities at this location. Please park at the lower lot at the end of Ferry Road in Brooksville. See Blue Hill Heritage Trust map for additional details.
If you have any questions about Project ASCO or this in-person volunteer training event, please email projectasco@schoodicinstitute.org.
Thank you to the Blue Hill Heritage Trust for partnering with us to host this volunteer training.

Thank you for your interest. Registration has now closed for this volunteer training event.

Landscape of Change: Historic Acadia National Park
2023-06-08 18:30 - 19:45 | Virtual Program on Zoom
Join Landscape of Change partners and Smithsonian Associates on Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. (via Zoom) to learn about how you can help document sea level rise.
For centuries, the coastal location and diverse landscape of Maine’s Acadia National Park – featuring mountain summits, rocky shores, and wooded valleys – have drawn Indigenous residents, explorers, settlers, and visitors in search of beauty and inspiration. The juxtaposition of landscape has created a unique region and a haven for scientists. Their centuries of written records, specimen collections, and oral histories have provided baselines for understanding environmental change on Mount Desert Island and beyond.
Schoodic Institute’s Science Communication Specialist Catherine Schmitt will share the story of science in Acadia, including how the records of university students helped inspire the conservation efforts which led to the formation of the national park, and how this legacy is helping scientists today document a rapidly changing world.
This presentation will take place online via Zoom. Registration required – click here to sign up today.

2023 Spring Birds of Acadia, with Puffin Cruise (FULL)
2023-05-22 - 2023-05-25 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
We are currently at capacity for this event. Thank you for your interest. To be placed on a waitlist, please contact Michelle Pinkham at 207-288-1356 or mpinkham@schoodicinstitute.org. If you would instead like to register for Acadia’s Iconic Birds, Whales, and Scenic Views, click here for information and availability.
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.
Be among the first to see and hear colorful wood warblers returning to Maine’s Acadia National Park, and enjoy a chartered boat trip to Petit Manan Island to see an active Atlantic puffin colony. We’ll visit area hotspots 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 $985.00 per participant. Space is limited so register quickly.
Day 1: Check-in is at 3 PM. “Spring Birds” begins on the Schoodic Institute campus at 4 PM with introductions and a tour of the Institute campus. The late afternoon will feature the start of field birding with an excursion to a local hotspot or two. We’ll return to campus for an hour of relaxation before dinner. Dinner is from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. 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 7:00 to 8:00 AM 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 (6-7 PM).
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 5:00 PM for leisure time before the 6:00 PM 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 10:00 AM.
Price of $985.00 is based upon double occupancy. Lodging upgrade options possible while available. To register, contact Michelle Pinkham at 207-288-1356.
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 while not on this tour. These will be available to purchase at check-in or while on campus for $30.

Project ASCO Volunteer Training at Plummer Point
2023-05-17 14:00 - 17:30 | Plummer Point, South Bristol, Maine, 04568
Join Schoodic Institute’s Project ASCO research team in collaboration with Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust on May 17, 2023 from 2:00pm – 5:00pm at Plummer Point (South Bristol, Maine) to learn about and collect data on rockweed, a foundational seaweed in Maine’s rocky intertidal! Please register for this volunteer training event below.

Project ASCO is a citizen science research initiative designed to get interested participants out into the intertidal zone to collect data about rockweed while exploring the beauty of the rocky coast between the tides. Rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum, or “Asco”) is the dominant species in most of the rocky intertidal zone of Maine and provides habitat for other species living in and visiting the intertidal zone. Rockweed is currently harvested in Maine and sustainable management requires knowledge of the total amount of rockweed throughout the state. Participants in Project ASCO can help answer the question, “How much rockweed is there?” The data collected by Project ASCO participants will be analyzed and shared by scientists at Schoodic Institute to inform resource management.
During this training, volunteers learn the Project ASCO research protocol in a hands-on setting by collecting data on rockweed in the rocky intertidal. At the end of the training, volunteers are provided with field gear to collect their own data on rockweed and will be able to contribute to the Project ASCO database on the public data hub anecdata.org.
Activities for this research training include working with Schoodic Institute researchers in the rocky intertidal, a place where slips, trips, and falls can be a concern due to wet or unsteady rocks and seaweed. Please come prepared with weather appropriate field gear, long pants, close toed shoes, and enthusiasm for learning about Maine’s rocky intertidal ecosystem!
If you have any questions about Project ASCO or this in-person volunteer training event, please email projectasco@schoodicinstitute.org.

Thank you for your interest. Registration has now closed for this volunteer training event.

Finding Acadia’s Early Birds: A Special Maine Birding Excursion (FULL)
2023-05-17 - 2023-05-20 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
We are currently at capacity for this event. Thank you for your interest. If you would like to register for another 2023 Bird Tour, please click here for information and availability.
Schoodic Institute’s bird ecology director Seth Benz will lead this special tour designed to enhance your enjoyment of all birds, especially those that frequent Acadia National Park and its immediate surroundings.
Be among the first to see and hear colorful wood warblers returning to Acadia National Park, and enjoy a chartered boat trip to Petit Manan Island to see an active Atlantic puffin colony. We’ll visit area hotspots 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 which is ideally situated just a stone’s throw from Schoodic Point, a migration checkpoint that tallies tens of thousands of migratory birds annually. Lodging is in cozy cabins where you are often 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 $985.00 per participant. Space is limited so register quickly!
Day 1: Check-in is at 3pm. “Early Birds” begins on the Schoodic Institute campus at 4pm with introductions and a tour of the Institute campus. The late afternoon will feature the start of field birding with an excursion to a local hotspot or two. We’ll return to campus for an hour of relaxation before dinner. Dinner is from 6:00 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 7:00 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 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 (6-7pm).
Day 3: Optional campus bird walk before breakfast. We’ll then spend the day investigating hotspots in 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 10:00 AM.
Price of $985.00 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 the host, gas stop snacks, and gratuities. An Acadia National Park pass may be necessary if you will be traveling in the park while not on this tour. These will be available to purchase at check-in or while on campus for $30.

MDI Science Café: Landscape of Change - Imagining the Future Shore
2023-05-08 17:00 - 18:00 | Online via Zoom
How will rising seas affect the places we care about? During MDI Biological Laboratory’s Science Café, join Mount Desert Island Historical Society Executive Director Raney Bench, artist Jennifer Booher, and Schoodic Institute Science Communication Specialist Catherine Schmitt as they discuss an ongoing project to document sea level rise around Mount Desert Island.

Historical images and records, combined with the latest information on current and future sea level rise, informed a project with Mount Desert Island High School to explore the future shoreline. The team will share perspectives from the students and community members, lessons learned so far and what happens next. Schoodic Institute’s continued collaboration on Landscape of Change won an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History in 2022.
Mount Desert Historical Executive Director Raney Bench is passionate about the power of the past and how history impacts our daily lives. She has built a career in small museum work and loves to see people light up when they encounter an interesting or surprising object or artifact. Raney has worked in several small New England museums in education, exhibits, collections management, and as an Executive Director.
Jennifer Steen Booher is an artist and conceptual photographer living on Mount Desert Island, where she has been exploring and studying the intertidal zone for over 20 years. She’s fascinated by the way science and history intersect within issues like ecosystem dynamics, climate change and marine debris.
As Science Communication Specialist, Catherine Schmitt works with Schoodic Institute and National Park Service staff to write and share stories of science past and present, manage communications for Second Century Stewardship, and provide science communication training for researchers working in our national parks.
This event is free. Please register online here.

Lunch & Learn Webinar: Outdoor School for All Maine Students
2023-03-24 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Program on Zoom
Join Maine Conservation Voters on Friday, March 24th from 12pm – 1:30pm for a virtual Lunch & Learn on Maine’s outdoor learning centers!
A few days at one of Maine’s outdoor learning centers can be transformative for middle school students, and legislation being introduced this year aims to make sure that all students get that life-changing opportunity. An Act to Support Outdoor School for All Maine Students would support all students in 4th through 8th grades to spend two nights and three days at an outdoor learning center and ensure that the experience would be integrated with school curriculum and aligned with state learning standards so we can get children outside connecting with Maine’s outdoor heritage. Learn more from Drew Dumsch, President and CEO, The Ecology School; Nicholas Fisichelli, President and CEO, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park; and Anne Sedlack, Attorney at Preti Flaherty and Member of the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove Board of Directors.
Click here to sign up and receive your webinar access link in a confirmation email.
This program is free – registration required.

Winter Birds of Acadia Outing with Acadia Senior College (FULL)
2023-03-16 10:00 - 12:00 | ME
This event is currently at capacity. Thank you for your interest. To be added to the list for a potential second outing, please contact Acadia Senior College at 207-288-9500 or learn@acadiaseniorcollege.org.
Calling Acadia Senior College members! Seth Benz, Bird Ecology Director at Schoodic Institute, will be leading a winter bird outing on March 16, 2023 from 10am – 12:00pm on Mount Desert Island for Acadia Senior College members. Explore the area and learn about the winter birds on Mount Desert Island. Watch for common eiders, black-capped chickadees, buffleheads, eagles, downy woodpeckers, harlequin ducks, and more while learning about their habitats, migration patterns, and bird phenology.
The cost for this outing is $12 per person. Grab a friend and sign up now – space is limited. To register, please call 207-288-9500 or click here for more information.

Schoodic Forest Meet & Greet (Zoom Meeting)
2023-03-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Online via Zoom
Join us virtually on Wednesday, March 8th from 6:00pm – 7:30pm to learn about the new Schoodic Forest Preserve and join in the discussion of management opportunities!
Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Schoodic Institute are partnering to manage a new preserve on Curtis Road called Schoodic Forest. It will have public access and support ongoing ecological research. As we develop the management plan to guide our actions moving forward, we would like your input! Join us on Zoom to meet the staff and discuss how you can use this property and what you’d like to see here.
Here is the Zoom meeting information: Meeting ID: 812 1789 0399 Passcode: [REDACTED]
If you have any questions, please reach out to the steward of this property, Tatia Bauer, by calling 207-801-4054 or emailing tbauer@mcht.org.

Schoodic Forest Meet & Greet
2023-03-01 18:00 - 19:30 | ME
Join us on Wednesday, March 1st from 6:00pm – 7:30pm at Hammond Hall (427 Main Street in Winter Harbor) to learn about the new Schoodic Forest Preserve and join in the discussion of management opportunities!
Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Schoodic Institute are partnering to manage a new preserve on Curtis Road called Schoodic Forest. It will have public access and support ongoing ecological research. As we develop the management plan to guide our actions moving forward, we would like your input! Come meet our staff and discuss how you can use this property or what you’d like to see here.
During this in-person meet and greet, there will be a brief presentation about the property and the two organizations involved, followed by an open discussion about topics like trail development, allowable uses, parking, and other important points that you might like to bring up.
Unable to attend this meeting in-person? There will be a Zoom option on Wednesday, March 8th, from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. Here is the Zoom meeting information: Meeting ID: 812 1789 0399 Passcode: [REDACTED]
If you have any questions, please reach out to the steward of this property, Tatia Bauer, by calling 207-801-4054 or emailing tbauer@mcht.org.

Science, Ahoy! Dive Into Marine Science at the Ellsworth Public Library (FULL)
2023-02-18 09:00 - 11:00 | Ellsworth Public Library, 20 State Street, Ellsworth, ME, 04605, United States
We are currently at capacity for this event. Thank you for your interest.
Join us for a morning of marine-themed crafts, experiments, read-alouds, and more at the Ellsworth Public Library. Bring your sense of adventure and be ready to explore the ocean through art and science! Complimentary snacks and hot cocoa will be provided.
Science, Ahoy! is a free, collaborative event between Schoodic Institute and the Ellsworth Public Library. We invite you to drop-in or stay for the full two-hour event, which will include a brief opening introduction, a round of crafts and fun activities, marine-themed story time, then more crafts and read-alouds! Activities for kids ages 5-10, but all are welcome.
Unable to make it in-person to this event? Here are links to some marine-themed crafts and activities you can do at home!
Monterey Bay Aquarium Crafts & Printables (Monterey Bay Aquarium)
Shoreline Scavenger Hunt
Egg Carton Turtles (PBS Kids)
Upcycled Fish (PBS Kids)

Here and Now: The Great Backyard Bird Count
2023-02-17 09:00 - 11:00 | Wendell Gilley Museum, 4 Herrick Road, Southwest Harbor, Maine, 04679
Schoodic Institute’s Bird Ecology Director Seth Benz teams up with the Wendell Gilley Museum to kick off the annual global bird count!
The world comes together to observe birds and you can be part of the effort. Join us on Friday, February 17th from 9:00am – 11:00am at the Wendell Gilley Museum (4 Herrick Road in Southwest Harbor). We’ll cover how to participate in this global event, watch observations roll in from around the world, and we’ll contribute our own observations from Southwest Harbor. This event will combine indoor and outdoor components – please dress accordingly.
This event is free, but registration is required. Click here to register today.
Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds, and to display results in near real time. These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations. Birds Canada joined the project in 2009. In 2013, participants began entering data into eBird, the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project.

Science, Ahoy! Dive Into Marine Science at the Dorcas Library
2023-01-28 10:30 - 12:30 | Dorcas Library, 28 Main St, Gouldsboro, ME, 04669, United States
Join us for a morning of marine-themed crafts, read-alouds, and more at the Dorcas Library. Bring your sense of adventure and be ready to explore the ocean through art and science! Complimentary snacks and hot cocoa will be provided.
Science, Ahoy! is a free, collaborative event between Schoodic Institute and the Dorcas Library. We invite you to drop-in or stay for the full two-hour event, which will include a brief opening introduction, a round of crafts and fun activities, marine-themed story time, then more crafts and read-alouds! Activities for kids ages 5-10, but all are welcome.

Unable to make it in-person to this event? Here are links to some marine-themed crafts and activities you can do at home!
Monterey Bay Aquarium Crafts & Printables (Monterey Bay Aquarium)
Shoreline Scavenger Hunt
Egg Carton Turtles (PBS Kids)
Upcycled Fish (PBS Kids)

Landscape of Change with Catherine Schmitt
2023-01-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Program on Zoom
Join the Belfast Free Library, Belfast Garden Club, and Catherine Schmitt (Science Communication Specialist at Schoodic Institute) on January 24th for a virtual presentation on Landscape of Change.
Launched on April 19, 2021, Landscape of Change is a collaborative project with Mount Desert Island Historical Society, Acadia National Park, College of the Atlantic, MDI Biological Laboratory, and A Climate to Thrive with the goal of publishing and compiling historical records on the Mount Desert Island environment, and comparing these with contemporary data to document change over time.
During the presentation, Catherine will share what’s been learned about MDI’s changing landscape, the value of collaboration for monitoring the climate crisis, and the ways everyone can participate in understanding landscapes of change.
This program is part of the 2023 Belfast Garden Club Evening Lecture Series presented in collaboration with All of Belfast Climate Dialogues, a project of the Belfast Free Library.
To register for the Zoom link, click here.

2022 GivingTuesday Concert to Support Schoodic Institute
2022-11-29 17:30 - 19:00 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us on November 29th from 5:30pm – 7:00pm for a special happy hour concert and conversation between Maine-based singer-songwriter Gordon Thomas Ward and Schoodic Institute as part of GivingTuesday, a global generosity movement aimed at unleashing the power of radical generosity. Gordon’s music spans several genres including Singer-Songwriter, Americana, and Contemporary Folk Rock.
During the concert, you’ll meet our Cathy and Jim Gero Acadia Early-Career Fellows Maya, Mikayla, and Olivia and learn about how they are helping us achieve our mission of inspiring science, learning, and community for a changing world. Attend in-person at Moore Auditorium on the Schoodic Institute campus or remotely via Zoom. Beer, wine, and light refreshments will be provided.
About Gordon
A resident of Winter Harbor, Gordon is, at heart, a storyteller who paints musical portraits that plumb the depths of our emotions and bring the past to life while pointing to a hope-filled future. His listeners travel mystical and historical roads, winding through lush, sonic landscapes. While performing, Gordon utilizes a variety of instruments including six-, eight-, and twelve-string guitars and an eight-string Walkabout dulcimer, resulting in a varied spectrum of tonal colors. His songs have led him to work with notable musicians such as Eric Troyer and Mik Kaminski (Electric Light Orchestra, ELO II, and The Orchestra), William J. Hall, Caroline Cotter, share the stage and billing with Natalie Merchant and Christine Lavin, and open for noted singer-songwriter Bill Staines. Gordon’s first album Welcome to the Past was released in 2013. His celebrated, GRAMMY-balloted record Providence was released on August 30, 2018. Gordon followed that up with the release of his new, much-anticipated, and critically acclaimed double album titled Eiderdown on May 1, 2020, which has charted as the #1 folk record, both nationally and in Maine, and as the #3 alternative folk record in the nation. Gordon’s new album Whispers from the Woods was released on September 1, 2022, and is currently the #4 alternative folk album in the nation. Visit his website here.
Thank you to our sponsor, Machias Savings Bank.

Join remotely via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88593398137?pwd=[REDACTED]

Please Consider a Gift to Support Schoodic Institute
We need your help to fulfill our mission and achieve our vision. Help us conduct critical research about how national parks, communities, and society can adapt to environmental change. Help us integrate research with hands-on education programs for people of all ages. And help us build partnerships of discovery and learning across natural and social science disciplines. Donate during registration or online at SchoodicInstitute.org/donations. You may also mail a check to Schoodic Institute at P.O. Box 277 Winter Harbor, Maine 04693. Thank you for your generosity!

2022 Eeek of Ecology Halloween Festival
2022-10-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Eliot Hall, 14 Musetti Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Bring your trick-or-treater to Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park on Saturday, October 29 from 1-4pm to have fall science fun with the seventh annual “Eeek” of Ecology Festival!
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This year, children will visit learning stations and encounter the friendly ghosts of historic sites, learn about ravenous endangered species, ghoulish invasive species, and ghosts of ecological history. This program begins at Eliot Hall on the Schoodic Institute campus. Create a work of art in our Creepy Craft Corner and enjoy the day! Costumes are optional but add to the fun.
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This free event will occur rain or shine and is recommended for children 12 and under, accompanied by an adult.

Acadian Arts Fall Retreat - Watercolor Painting and International Cooking
2022-10-18 - 2022-10-21 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Schoodic Point is arguably one of the most beautiful places in Acadia National Park! Stay on the Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC) campus in the midst of Schoodic point to paint, cook, and enjoy one of the most beautiful places on the coast of Maine. Its scenic setting on the rugged coast of the Atlantic Ocean offers easy access to coastline habitat, intertidal zones, and spruce/fir forests. This location is a birding hotspot and has the darkest night skies in the United States, with more visible stars than anywhere else on the coast of Maine. Bring your camera, lawn chair and binoculars. Get ready for stargazing with Chris Toy, registered Maine Guide, and a bird walk with Schoodic Institute Bird Ecology Director, Seth Benz.
You’ll get to participate in these hands-on workshops in Watercolor Painting on the Coast of Maine, and International Cooking with an intimate group of artists and cooks:
Watercolor Painting is an exciting medium; it flows and moves and does beautiful things. Instructor Mary Laury has been recognized for her work by the Maine Arts Commission. Workshop participants will do landscapes and seascapes. If you have never painted in watercolors we will start at the beginning. If you have painted before, you will pick up some new tips and tricks as well. We all learn together! We’ll begin with a demo and lesson. Weather permitting, we will go outside for plein air painting. We will do studies of sky, water, and rocks, culminating in a finished painting (or two) of a seascape. Materials will be provided but bring what you have.
International Fusion Homestyle Cooking for a Crowd engages all the senses. Cooking instructor and author of 6 cookbooks, Chris Toy has been teaching Asian themed and fusion recipes privately, for community education statewide, Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School in York, La Roux Kitchen in Portland, and Now You’re Cooking in Bath. Together you’ll prepare great tasting lunches and hearty dinners for yourselves and fellow artists. Instruction will include selection and care of tools (knives, woks, cast iron), history of recipes (back stories), finding, choosing and preparing ingredients (shopping tips), and techniques for getting great results in record time (tips and tricks). All supplies and tools will be provided. We’ll be hands-on so bring your aprons, cutting boards, and hand towels. Your instructor will call to discuss materials and details.
Day students are also welcome at these workshops.
Two packages are available: Commuter for $499.00 and Residential for $775.00. To register for either, fill out the form below.

Seabirds at Schoodic Point
2022-10-14 - 2022-10-17 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Registration for this event is now closed. Please contact Michelle at 207-288-1356 for more information.
In October, the waters off Schoodic Point are filled with migrating waterbirds: loons, sea ducks, and cormorants. A variety of other species may be seen during this workshop, including falcons, jaegers, gulls, shorebirds, and songbirds. 2022 will be the seventh season of daily monitoring of this phenomenal autumn flight. Participants will gain skills and an appreciation for identifying birds in flight and will contribute to this ongoing scientific effort by helping to spot birds and document the flight. We’ll discuss how to best use the Merlin and eBird apps and discuss how networks of bird observatories and bird tracking studies are contributing to migratory bird conservation.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, participants must provide their own ground transportation to and from Schoodic Institute and possibly during all field trips. If van use is prohibited, all field trips will be caravan style (carpooling is possible). All participants must be prepared to wear a facial mask that covers nose and mouth during all tour activities, especially when social distancing is not possible. Changes to the status of COVID-19 precautions are monitored closely by Schoodic Institute and are subject to the guidance of the Maine CDC (and U.S. CDC). We will adjust accordingly.
Participants should bring binoculars. A camera (optional) can be fun as all tours are fairly scenic. Spotting scopes are useful but optional and your guide will provide one for group use, as well as guidebooks. None of the tours require strenuous hiking. Birding will be slow moving and on level ground. There may be some spots that are muddy, uneven, and slippery, but large boots are unnecessary. Mid-October can be chilly and wet. Bring appropriate clothing.
Registration is required. There are two packages available. The Commuter Package for $820.00 per participant is the base package and does not include lodging. The Residential Package for $980.00 per participant adds lodging for the first three nights.
Example Itinerary
Day 1: Begins on the Schoodic Institute campus at 3:00 PM with check-in and orientation at Rockefeller Hall. We’ll then take a leisurely stroll to Schoodic Point before dinner at 6:00 PM. An evening presentation on seabird identification and migration follows.
Day 2 and 3: Start at sunrise at Schoodic Point after which we’ll go back inside for breakfast. Following breakfast everyone returns to Schoodic Point to gain firsthand experience with monitoring the migration. Lunch will be at Schooner Commons. During the afternoon hours we’ll assess the day’s activity and determine whether classroom time, more field time, or a field trip to a nearby birding location would be most rewarding. We’ll break at 5:00 PM for some leisure time before the 6:00 PM dinner. An evening discussion on the day’s experience follows.
Day 4: Starts again with sunrise at Schoodic Point before breakfast. Breakfast is from 7:00 to 8:00 AM. We’ll return to Schoodic Point after breakfast in anticipation of migrating birds, including gannets, moving along the coastline. Wrap-up precedes checkout at 10:00 AM.
Housing: Lodging assignments are based on guests sleeping in a private bedroom in a shared apartment. In light of COVID-19 we recommend that guests in each apartment work together to coordinate use of the bathroom. We will place cleaning products in each bathroom and suggest that every person disinfect the space for the next user when they are done using it. All lodging provides a fully equipped kitchen, combined living/dining area with DirecTV and WiFi. Towels and linens are provided. Please call Megan (207) 288-1337 or Michelle (207) 288-1356 if you have any questions regarding alternative lodging options or in the event you would like to bring a guest or extend your reservation. Private apartments can be reserved with an upcharge and based upon availability. We are happy to accommodate if space is available!
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.
Registration for this event is now closed. Please contact Michelle at 207-288-1356 for more information.

Contemporary Architecture in Rural Communities
2022-10-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us October 11, 2022 at 7:00 PM for an evening lecture with Todd Saunders, founder of Saunders Architecture.

Saunders Architecture has been making architecture in Scandinavia, and around the world, for 25 years. Our work has one foot in the past and one foot in the future to bridge the gap between the contemporary architecture of today and the existing vernacular architecture of the communities in which we work. We believe that contemporary architecture in rural communities can function as both a catalyst for positive change and a signifier of place. From the Aurland Lookout in Norway to the Fogo Island Inn and Studios in Newfoundland, such projects invite visitors from around the world, revitalize local economies, and help foster connections between people. This talk will showcase examples of our work and its role in the revitalization of local communities, as well as other examples from around North America and Scandinavia.

SAUNDERS ARCHITECTURE
Todd Saunders is a Norway-based Canadian architect known to infuse his contemporary buildings with an artistic sensibility that is deeply in tune with the uniqueness of northern terrains. His use of natural materials and simple yet striking geometries sets him apart as one of the most celebrated architects of his generation. He is recognized for constructing buildings that acknowledge and understand vernacular histories but create something entirely new.

Among his best-known projects is Aurland Lookout, overlooking the fjords of Norway, and Fogo Island Inn located off the coast of Newfoundland. The 29-room luxury inn is raised on stilts at one end to prevent disrupting the lichen-covered landscape and to provide visitors with a heightened view of the Atlantic shoreline. Many of Saunders’s projects share a similar trait of partial elevation to intensify the experiential relationship between landscape and built form.

Born in Gander, Newfoundland, Saunders studied architecture at McGill University in Montreal before moving to Norway and establishing Saunders Architecture in Bergen in 1998. His portfolio includes residential and cultural projects, national park landmarks and off-grid micro-houses that insert into isolated locations with little to no environmental disruption. The studio has won numerous awards and global accolades for its spectacular structures. It is also the subject of two books, including Todd Saunders: New Northern Houses, a lavish monograph featuring 11 residents in Canada and Scandinavia. Written by Dominic Bradbury, the book will be released in fall 2021 by Thames & Hudson.

Even with an international reputation and projects located in ten countries, Todd has kept his firm relatively small, preferring to focus on a few projects at a time. He collaborates closely with clients to address their unique needs and understand the specifics of a given site. He is also involved in constructing his buildings, working with local artisans and carpenters to incorporate traditional materials and techniques into his designs.

In recent years, Saunders has focused more purposefully on philanthropic-based architecture that gives back to the community through cultural and economic enrichment. The Illusuak Cultural Centre in Labrador, Canada, is one such example, built by and for the self-governing people of Nunasiavut. The studio is currently working on a visitor center in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine, expected to reach completion in 2023.

Todd is a visiting professor at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut and Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and has been a jury member on over ten international design competitions, including the Norwegian National Architecture Prize. In 2020, he was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.

This lecture will take place in-person at Schoodic Institute’s Moore Auditorium and remotely via Zoom.
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Schoodic Institute’s Evening Lecture Series is sponsored by Darling’s Auto Mall.

Downeast Maine Birding Hotspots
2022-09-30 - 2022-10-04 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Registration for this event is now closed. Please contact Michelle at 207-288-1356 for more information.
This tour begins in Bangor, Maine at 8:00 AM *. We’ll spend two nights at Schoodic Institute in Acadia National Park and two nights at Eastland Motel in Lubec, Maine’s easternmost town. From each lodge, day trips will investigate near intertidal areas flooded with migrating shorebirds and wood edges peppered with restless flocks of southbound warblers. We’ll also take a boat tour into Head Harbor Passage, a deep-water channel between Canada and the United States, where Bonaparte’s gulls forage by the thousands, joined by Black-legged Kittiwakes. Rarities such as Black-headed, Sabine’s and Little gull have been spotted here as well. The Downeast region is ideal for exploring the quieter reaches of Acadia National Park, spruce-bordered rocky headlands, nearby blueberry barrens, and diverse hotspots on the preserved lands of coastal Washington County.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, we are offering van transportation from Bangor (Odlin Road Park & Ride parking area is very near the Bangor Airport and a selection of excellent lodging facilities. We will pick you up at your inn or lodge) OR participants may provide their own ground transportation to and from Schoodic Institute. From Schoodic, if van use is prohibited, all field trips will be caravan style via carpooling. All participants must be prepared to wear a facial mask that covers nose and mouth during all tour activities, especially when social distancing is not possible. Changes to the status of COVID-19 precautions are monitored closely by Schoodic Institute and are subject to the guidance of the Maine CDC (and U.S. CDC). We will adjust accordingly.
Participants should bring binoculars. A camera (optional) can be fun as all tours are fairly scenic. Spotting scopes are useful but optional and your guide will provide one for group use, as well as guidebooks. None of the tours require strenuous hiking. Birding will be slow moving and on level ground. There may be some spots that are muddy, uneven, and slippery, but large boots are unnecessary. The boat tour can be cold and damp. Bring appropriate clothing.
* participants may drive to Schoodic Institute for an 11:00 AM start.
Registration is required. The package cost is $1585.00 per participant.
Example Itinerary
Day 1: Begins in Bangor, Maine at 8:00 AM (transportation pick up available) OR on the Schoodic Institute campus at 11:00 AM, as the group convenes for this 5-day, 4-night tour. Check-in and orientation is at Rockefeller Hall. After check-in, introductions, and lunch, the afternoon will be spent exploring the Schoodic section of Acadia National Park. Dinner is at 6:00 PM in Schooner Commons. Following dinner, we will have an evening presentation to get acquainted with the history and ecology of the region.
Day 2: Starts with an optional bird walk before breakfast. Breakfast is from 7:00 to 8:00 AM. This day will feature birding hotspots in Acadia National Park and vicinity. We’ll return by 5:00 PM for an hour of leisure prior to a Lobster Dinner in the dining hall. After dinner discussion will focus on birds and events of the day, research and education work at the institute, and preview of days ahead.
Day 3: Following breakfast, we’ll transition from the Schoodic Peninsula by birding our way farther Downeast, arriving in Lubec by late afternoon. Along the way, we’ll visit Roque Bluffs State Park and another birding hotspot or two. Dinner will be at a local eatery in Lubec. After dinner we’ll do a checklist review and preparation for the next day’s adventure.
Day 4: Focus today is a boat trip out of Eastport into Head Harbor Passage which lies between the U.S. and Canada – with a tide so strong that the world’s second largest whirlpool, “The Old Sow,” swirls in the middle. So much sea life congregates in this channel that minke whales are usually sighted from land. The channel fills with Bonaparte’s Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common Eiders, Black Guillemots, and Razorbills, feeding off mackerel and herring offshore.
Day 5: Is leader’s choice, giving us a good portion of the day to make up for any bad weather or missed opportunities along the route from Lubec back toward Schoodic. The tour ends at 2:00 PM.
A species list from a previous tour is available upon request.
Housing: Lodging assignments are based on guests sleeping in a private bedroom in a shared apartment. In light of COVID-19 we recommend that guests in each apartment work together to coordinate use of the bathroom. We will place cleaning products in each bathroom and suggest that every person disinfect the space for the next user when they are done using it. All lodging provides a fully equipped kitchen, combined living/dining area with DirecTV and WiFi. Towels and linens are provided. Please call Megan (207) 288-1337 or Michelle (207) 288-1356 if you have any questions regarding alternative lodging options or in the event you would like to bring a guest or extend your reservation. Private apartments can be reserved with an upcharge and based upon availability. We are happy to accommodate if space is available!
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.
Registration for this event is now closed. Please contact Michelle at 207-288-1356 for more information.

We Change with Them
2022-09-29 14:00 - 16:00 | ME
“We Change With Them” is a six-image series by artist Jennifer Steen Booher that explores shifting ecosystem dynamics resulting from climate change in the Gulf of Maine.
View the exhibit and join a conversation with Booher and Catherine Schmitt of Schoodic Institute about their research on changes in populations of oysters, shrimp, squid, and other Gulf of Maine marine life.
Learn more about the series and the “We Change With Them” exhibit here.
The exhibit and speaker series were funded by the Maine Humanities Council and Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, and are part of the Landscape of Change project, the Historical Society’s joint initiative with Acadia National Park, Schoodic Institute, the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, College of the Atlantic, and A Climate to Thrive.
