Schoodic Institute

Project ASCO Volunteer Training at Carter's Beach
2023-06-26 09:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 | 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.

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

2023 Schoodic By Sea, A Schoodic Institute Fundraiser (CANCELLED due to weather)
2023-07-16 16:00 - 19:00
*NOTICE* Unfortunately, due to weather this event has been cancelled. If you registered to attend and would like a refund, please check your email for more information.
Support the work of Schoodic Institute while enjoying unique views of Frenchman Bay and the Schoodic Peninsula aboard the 100-foot catamaran Acadia Explorer operated by Bar Harbor Whale Watch.
On July 16th from 4pm to 7pm, the Institute will hold a fundraiser to support ongoing research and education programs. On our voyage, you’ll hear from Schoodic Institute scientists about research efforts to understand changes along the coast including unique shoreline ecology, birds, trees, and plants in and around Acadia.
The event offers pick-ups in both Bar Harbor and Winter Harbor. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. Schoodic Institute is a nonprofit partner of Acadia National Park with a mission of inspiring science, learning, and community for a changing world.
Thank you for your interest. Registration for this event is closed.

Project ASCO Volunteer Training at Drift Inn Beach
2023-07-23 07:45 - 11:15 | Drift Inn Beach, St. George, ME, 04860
Join Schoodic Institute’s Project ASCO research team on July 23, 2023 from 7:45am to 11:15am at Drift Inn Beach (St. George, 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 the Herring Gut Coastal Science Center for partnering with us to host this volunteer training.

Project ASCO Volunteer Training at Mitchell Field (FULL)
2023-07-24 08:15 - 11:45 | Mitchell Field, Harpswell, ME
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 on July 24, 2023 from 8:15am to 11:45am at Mitchell Field (Harpswell, 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 the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust for partnering with us to host this volunteer training.

Keeping Up With The Pace: How Are We Responding To Change?
2023-07-24 16:00 - 17:30 | Rockefeller Hall, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National park, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
When it comes to our climate, too often our focus is on what has happened in the past or what might happen in the future; however, communities across the globe are experiencing dramatic changes right now. Here in Acadia, we are dealing with hotter temperatures, rising sea level, and increasing storm frequency and intensity.
On July 24th, 2023, join us for a special conversation with Ira Flatow, host of Science Friday on NPR. During the event, we will discuss how scientists are working to understand and respond to rapid change in Acadia and beyond. Ira will also share thoughts on the role science communicators can play in their communities and the importance of serving as an ambassador for science.
The Goldstein Lecture serves to convene and inspire on critical topics for parks, people, and the planet. The lecture is named in honor of Alan Goldstein, an accomplished businessman, philanthropist, sailor, and environmental advocate. Schoodic Institute serves as the nation’s largest Research Learning Center and is a nonprofit partner of Acadia National Park. Chairing Schoodic Institute’s Board of Directors from 2006 to 2018, Alan remains an active member of the Board.
About Ira Flatow

Award-winning science correspondent and TV journalist Ira Flatow is the host of Science Friday, heard on public radio stations across the country and distributed by WNYC Studios. He anchors the show each Friday, bringing radio and Internet listeners worldwide a lively, informative discussion on science, technology, health, space, and the environment.
Flatow’s interest in things scientific began in boyhood—he almost burned down his mother’s bathroom trying to recreate a biology class experiment. “I was the proverbial kid who spent hours in the basement experimenting with electronic gizmos, and then entering them in high school science fairs,” Flatow says. Mixing his passion for science with a tendency toward being a bit of a ham, Flatow describes his work as the challenge “to make science and technology a topic for discussion around the dinner table.”
He has shared that enthusiasm with public radio listeners for more than 35 years. As a reporter and then news director at WBFO-FM/Buffalo, New York, Flatow began reporting at the station while studying for his engineering degree at State University of New York in Buffalo. As NPR’s science correspondent from 1971 to 1986, Flatow found himself reporting from the Kennedy Space Center, Three Mile Island, Antarctica, and the South Pole. In one memorable NPR report, Flatow took former All Things Considered host Susan Stamberg into a closet to crunch Wint-O-Green Lifesavers, proving they spark in the dark.
On television, Flatow has discussed the latest cutting edge science stories on a variety of programs. He also hosted the four-part PBS series Big Ideas, produced by WNET in New York. His numerous TV credits include six years as host and writer for the Emmy award-winning Newton’s Apple on PBS, science reporter for CBS This Morning, and cable’s CNBC. He wrote, produced, and hosted Transistorized!, an hour-long documentary about the history of the transistor, which aired on PBS. He has talked science on many TV talk shows including Merv Griffin, Today, Charlie Rose, and Oprah. He has co-starred twice on the CBS hit series The Big Bang Theory.
On the Internet, Flatow has hosted numerous science-related web casts for Discovery Online, The Great Planet Debate, and the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
In print, Ira has authored articles for various magazines ranging from Woman’s Day to ESPN Magazine to American Lawyer. His commentary has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, and Current newspapers.
His recent honors include: the Isaac Asimov Award (2012,) the Nierenberg Prize (2010), Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, membership (2008), National Science Teachers Association Faraday Science Communicator Award (2007), the National Science Board Public Service Award (2005), World Economic Forum Media Fellowship (2005), AAAS Journalism award (2000), Brady Washburn Award (2000), and the Carl Sagan Award (1999). Ira is member of the National Association of Science Writers, AFTRA, and Screen Actors Guild.
His hobbies include tennis, golf, gardening (especially orchids), and electronic gadgets. He loves the theater. A native of New York, Flatow now lives in Connecticut.
Join us in-person at Schoodic Institute or online via Zoom. This lecture is free and open to the public – registration is required. Please register below!
Schoodic Institute’s Summer Lecture Series is made possible by our generous sponsors, including Darling’s, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, and Wallace Events.

Project ASCO Volunteer Training at DeWick Farm
2023-07-25 09:00 - 12:30 | DeWick Farm, 201 Phipps Point Rd, Woolwich, ME, 04579, United States
Join Schoodic Institute’s Project ASCO research team on July 25, 2023 from 9:00am to 12:30pm at DeWick Farm (Woolwich, 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 the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) for partnering with us to host this volunteer training.

2023 Summer Intern Talks
2023-08-02 11:30 - 13:00 | Rockefeller Hall, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National park, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
They’ve been squelching across mudflats, tromping through the woods, thinking about the language we use for communicating science, and raising clams. So, how do they do it, and what does it all tell us?
Please join us Wednesday, August 2, 2023 from 11:30am – 1:00pm (in-person at Schoodic Institute’s Rockefeller Hall or online via Zoom). Each intern will give a short talk on their work, and there will be time for Q+A after each talk.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82655110540?pwd=[REDACTED]

Sea & Sky at Acadia National Park
2023-08-06 - 2023-08-11 | Rockefeller Hall, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National park, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Spend a week at inspirational Schoodic Institute in 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, snacks, 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 unrivaled (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 $1850, including five days’ accommodation in a private room with shared bath, meals, snacks, and instruction. Or, take the workshop as a commuter for $700. Accommodations for non-painting partners and guests are also available.
Discounts. There’s a $50 discount to returning students. (Cannot be combined with other discounts.)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Questions? Please reach out to Carol Douglas at malerincd@gmail.com.

Demonstration Day: Bird Carving with Wendell Gilley Museum
2023-08-16 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 August 16, 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 37 years.

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

Whale Culture with Brian Skerry
2023-08-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Thank you for your interest! This event has reached capacity for in-person attendance, but we encourage you to join us remotely via Zoom. Please scroll down to register for the Zoom link below.
Join us (in-person or online live via Zoom) on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 7:00pm for a special evening lecture and elective welcome reception with photojournalist, film producer, and storyteller Brian Skerry.
Brian Skerry has spent the past 25 years exploring the world’s oceans as a National Geographic magazine photographer and film producer. His most recent work focuses on the incredible science being done on the culture of whales. This science is revealing that whales have unique cultures within their groups, much like humans. During his presentation, Brian will bring you into the world of four species of whales – Humpback, Orca, Beluga and Sperm whales – to talk about their distinct cultures and present stunning images of these amazing animals. The coverage is from his recent National Geographic magazine article, book and Disney+ series, all entitled “Secrets of the Whales.” As a bonus, Brian will also offer a sneak peek at his current project about the Gulf of Maine, a body of water which is changing rapidly due to global warming, and the implications for this region and our planet going forward.
Beginning at 5:30pm before the lecture, we invite you to join us for a special reception as we welcome Brian to Schoodic Institute. During the reception, you’ll enjoy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and conversation with Brian to learn more about him and his exciting work. Tickets for this elective reception are $40.00/adult and $20.00/kids 12 and under.
Brian’s public lecture, beginning at 7:00pm, is free and open to the public, and it will take place at Moore Auditorium on the Schoodic Institute campus and online via Zoom (please note, this lecture will not be recorded and will only be available live).
About Brian Skerry
Brian Skerry is a photojournalist and film producer specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments. Since 1998 he has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine, covering stories on every continent and in nearly every ocean habitat. He is currently at work on his 30th feature story for NGM.
Brian is the author of 12 books including the acclaimed monographs Ocean Soul and SHARK. His latest book, Secrets of the Whales was released in April 2021 by National Geographic as part of a multiplatform project he created that included a cover story in the May 2021 issue of National Geographic magazine and an Emmy award-winning, 4-part documentary film series currently streaming on Disney+.
Brian frequently lectures on ocean exploration, storytelling and conservation, having presented at venues such as The United Nations General Assembly, The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, TED Talks, The National Press Club in Washington, DC, The Royal Geographical Society in London and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
He has had numerous solo photographer exhibits including ‘Portraits of Planet Ocean’, a two-year exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC and ‘Ocean Soul’ at Visa pour l’image in Perpignan, France. Other exhibits of his work have been held in cities worldwide including Geneva, Barcelona, Sharjah, Lisbon, and Shanghai.
Brian is the Explorer-In-Residence and a Trustee at the New England Aquarium, a founding member of the International League of Conservation Photographers and a Fellow National of The Explorers Club. He also serves as a Nikon Ambassador.
This event has reached capacity for in-person attendance, but we encourage you to join us remotely via Zoom. Please note: This lecture will not be recorded and recording the livestream is prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation.
Photos by Brian Skerry
Schoodic Institute’s Summer Lecture Series is made possible by our generous sponsors, including Darling’s, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, and Wallace Events.

Maine’s Bold Coast: Schoodic to Head Harbor Passage
2023-08-27 - 2023-08-31 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Maine’s 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. Join Schoodic Institute’s bird ecology director Seth Benz on this exciting bird tour and experience the excellent birding Downeast Maine has to offer!
This program begins at 2:00pm in Bangor, ME (or you may opt to drive to Schoodic Institute for a 3pm check-in and 4pm tour start). We will meet at Rockefeller Hall on the Schoodic Institute campus (9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME 04693) for introductions and a tour of the institute campus. 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 nearby intertidal areas flooded with migrating shorebirds and wood edges peppered with restless flocks of southbound warblers. We’ll also venture offshore for pelagic birds and whales into Head Harbor Passage, a deep-water channel between Canada and the United States.
We are offering van transportation from Bangor (Odlin Road Park & Ride parking area is very near the Bangor Airport). We will pick you up at the airport OR participants may provide their own ground transportation to and from Schoodic Institute. All participants must be prepared to wear a facial mask that covers nose and mouth during all van travel. 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. Price per participant is $1,585.00 – please register below.
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: The tour begins in Bangor, Maine at 2pm (transportation pick-up available), OR on the Schoodic Institute campus at 3pm as the group convenes at 4pm for this 5-day, 4-night tour. Check-in and orientation is at Rockefeller Hall. We have an introductory reception beginning at 4pm. Dinner is at 6pm in Schooner Commons. Following dinner, we will have an evening presentation to get acquainted with the history and ecology of the region.
Day 2: We’ll start with an optional bird walk before breakfast. Breakfast is from 7-8am. We’ll then spend the day afield to survey birding hotspots in Acadia National Park and vicinity. We’ll return for an hour of leisure prior to a Lobster Dinner in the dining hall of Schoodic Institute. After dinner discussion will focus on events of the day and research and education work of the institute.
Day 3: Following breakfast, we’ll transition from the Schoodic Peninsula by birding our way to Lubec, arriving 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: The 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: The last day’s itinerary is the 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/Bangor. The tour ends at 2pm in Bangor.
A species list from a previous Winged Migration tour is available upon request.

The Elemental Landscape: Plein-Air Painting with Philip Frey
2023-09-06 - 2023-09-10 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
With the beautiful landscapes of Acadia National Park and Schoodic Peninsula as inspiration, artist Philip Frey presents a workshop for dedicated painters with intermediate and advanced skills. He will offer pivotal lessons designed to further develop your skill, clarify your artistic vision and enhance your creativity as a painter. This ongoing process is deepened by breaking down what you see into abstract elements and stretching your visual repertoire through series work, advanced color theory and design. Daily one-on-one instruction and group critique will help you open doors to authenticity and grow as an artist. Be prepared to be challenged artistically, develop insights, and have fun while enjoying the exhilarating Maine coast.
Students should be able to participate in moderate walking on uneven ground while carrying painting gear (think rocks and roots on Acadia terrain) and be prepared for unpredictable Maine weather (wind, sun, bugs and rain). In the case of rain, class will be held indoors or under cover outside. Days will start early painting on-site, with a midday break and afternoon lessons and critiques. Philip will be painting in oil but has experience with acrylic, watercolor and dry media. Students may bring their medium of choice; a materials list will be sent upon registration.
Two packages are available: Commuter for $875 is the base package while Residential for $1375 provides an enhanced experience. Commuter Package includes instruction, studio time, and the following meals: Dinner on September 6, Bag Lunch on September 7 – 9; Lobster Dinner on September 9; and Lunch on September 10. Residential Package includes everything in the Commuter Package, plus: lodging the nights of September 6 – 9; Dinner on September 6 – 9; and Breakfast on September 7 – 10. Lodging with the Residential Package is a PRIVATE bedroom within a SHARED apartment. Living area, kitchen, and bathroom will be shared with another student. A limited number of private apartments are available for an upcharge. Contact Michelle Pinkham at 207-288-1356 for pricing and availability.
Experience in plein-air painting and good drawing skills at the intermediate or advanced level are required of students. An application and image submissions will be required for admission to the workshop this year. We will email applicants within 5 days of submission. If accepted, we will send a link for registration and further details.
COVID-19 Information: Individuals wishing to attend this workshop must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Also note, a National Park pass valid for Acadia National Park is required.
Click Here to Apply
About the Instructor
Philip Frey is a celebrated career artist and instructor with a newly published book, Philip Frey: Here and Now, by Daniel Kany and Carl Little. 2021 exhibitions are scheduled at Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, Greenhut Galleries, and Edgewater Gallery. Philip is known for his engaging, illuminating and positive teaching style. He is skilled at addressing his students’ abilities and helping them mature as an artist.
Queennette Santiago of Petaluma, CA writes:
Phil 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.
See more testimonials on Phil Frey’s website: https://www.philipfrey.com/teaching

Demonstration Day: Bird Carving with Wendell Gilley Museum
2023-09-06 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 September 6, 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 37 years.

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

Music and Nature Reflections with Hawk Henries
2023-09-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Thank you for your interest! We have reached capacity for in-person attendance, but we encourage you to join us remotely via Zoom. Please scroll down to register below for the Zoom link.
Join us on Tuesday, September 12th at 7:00pm for a special evening conversation and musical performance with Hawk Henries. Hawk is a renowned musician and flute maker. As one of a relatively small number of Native flute makers who continue in the tradition of using only hand tools and fire, Hawk’s work embodies his commitment to the revitalization and preservation of these skills.
During the performance, Hawk will share his passion for his artistry and talk about how the flute’s body and voice reminds us of the interrelatedness, interdependence, and sacredness of all people and all of Creation. He will also share some of his observations of the natural world through his music and photography. Hawk has been composing original flute music and making flutes for over 25 years. He is a member of the Chaubunagungamaug band of Nipmuck, a people indigenous to what is now southern New England.
Join us in-person at Moore Auditorium on the Schoodic Institute campus or online via Zoom. This event is free and open to the public.

Here is the Zoom link to join us virtually: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81040033076?pwd=[REDACTED]
Schoodic Institute’s Summer Lecture Series is made possible by our generous sponsors, including Darling’s, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, and Wallace Events.

Open Air: Painting the Maine Coast with Liz Prescott
2023-09-17 - 2023-09-20 | Schoodic Point, Arey Cove Road, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join Liz at Acadia this September for plein air painting on the rocks of the beautiful Schoodic Peninsula, with sweeping views to the west across Frenchman’s Bay to Mt. Desert Island, and southeast from Schoodic Point to the islands and ocean beyond. This workshop is for painters with some plein air experience and basic painting knowledge. We will delve into all the elements of color and composition that lead to a dynamic painting. Part of our focus will be on the process of painting itself… from the subjects that bring you inspiration to dealing with roadblocks and how to find your focus as an artist so that you can really excel at your craft. Bring your courage and creativity and anything is possible. Note: We will stay in private rooms with shared baths at the Schoodic Institute (9 Atterbury Circle in Winter Harbor, ME).
All meals included if you are a residential participant.
Register Here

Hawks on the Move with Seth Benz and Wendell Gilley Museum
2023-09-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Wendell Gilley Museum, 4 Herrick Road, Southwest Harbor, Maine, 04679
Learn how to identify hawks in flight, plus when, where, and how best to see them on Mount Desert Island and beyond with Seth Benz, director of bird ecology at Schoodic Institute and former professional hawk watcher, in this program at the Wendell Gilley Museum on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 from 9am to 12pm. Slides, handouts, discussion, and topical resources are all part of this experience. Bring your curiosity and your questions!
This event will take place in-person at the Wendell Gilley Museum (4 Herrick Rd, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679). The cost for this event is $25.00/non-museum member and $20.00/museum member.
For more information and to sign up, please visit the Wendell Gilley Museum website here.

A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds with Scott Weidensaul (CANCELLED)
2023-10-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
*NOTICE* We are deeply regretful to inform you that due to the pending federal government shutdown, this lecture has been cancelled. Thank you for your tremendous interest in this event, and we look forward to an opportunity to host Scott in Acadia in 2024 and share in his passion and odysseys with our winged friends.

Join us on Tuesday, October 3rd at 7:00pm for a special evening lecture, A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds, with Scott Weidensaul.
Even as scientists make astounding discoveries about the navigational and physiological feats that enable migratory birds to cross immense oceans or fly above the highest mountains, go weeks without sleep or remain in unbroken flight for months at a stretch, humans have brought many migrants to the brink. Based on his bestselling new book “A World on the Wing,” author and researcher Scott Weidensaul takes you around the globe — with researchers in the lab probing the limits of what migrating birds can do, to the shores of the Yellow Sea in China, the remote mountains of northeastern India where tribal villages saved the greatest gathering of falcons on the planet, and the Mediterranean, where activists and police are battling bird poachers — to learn how people are fighting to understand and save the world’s great bird migrations.
Scott Weidensaul is the author of more than two dozen books on natural history, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist “Living on the Wind” and his latest, the New York Times bestseller “A World on the Wing.” Weidensaul is a contributing editor for Audubon and writes for a variety of other publications, including Bird Watcher’s Digest and Living Bird. He is a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society and an active field researcher, studying saw-whet owl migration for more than 25 years, as well as winter hummingbirds in the East, bird migration in Alaska, and the winter movements of snowy owls through Project SNOWstorm, which he co-founded. A native of Pennsylvania, he and his wife now live in New Hampshire.
Schoodic Institute’s Summer Lecture Series is made possible by our generous sponsors, including Darling’s, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, and Wallace Events.

Water Birds on the Move
2023-10-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Wendell Gilley Museum, 4 Herrick Road, Southwest Harbor, Maine, 04679
Join the Wendell Gilley Museum and Schoodic Institute Bird Ecology Director Seth Benz on Friday, October 13th from 9:00am – 12:00pm for Water Birds on the Move.

A great variety of birds, during autumn, head south to escape dwindling food resources and the onslaught of winter. The majority of migrants pass over Mount Desert Island at night, unseen. But we can witness the passage of day-flying water birds – cormorants, common eiders and other sea ducks, loons, northern gannets, gulls, and more – by looking for them from shoreline vantage points.
Join us for an introductory workshop and field experience at the Gilley Museum (4 Herrick Road in Southwest Harbor). We’ll begin indoors at the Wendell Gilley Museum for a water bird migration primer, then carpool to the Seawall Picnic Area to see water birds on the move. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars, your curiosity, and your questions!
For more information and to register, please visit https://www.wendellgilleymuseum.org/events/SB-1013

October Big Day! Bird Migration Celebration at Schoodic Point
2023-10-14 08:00 - 12:00 | Schoodic Point, Arey Cove Road, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Celebrate bird migration at Schoodic Point! Join us Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Schoodic Point in Winter Harbor, Maine. Drop in anytime between 8:00am – 12:00pm to meet Schoodic Institute’s Migration Monitoring Team and learn, observe, and count in celebration of bird migration.

Pints for a Purpose with Chris Nadeau
2023-10-19 18:00 | Terramor Outdoor Resort, 1453 ME-102, Bar Harbor, Maine, 04609
Join Friends of Acadia and Dr. Chris Nadeau, Schoodic Institute’s Climate Change Adaptation Scientist, at Terramor Outdoor Resort for the final installment of the 2023 Pints for a Purpose speaker series. During the talk, Chris will discuss decision-making tools that help resource managers in Acadia National Park make informed strategies for responding to ecological changes resulting from climate change.
The talk will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 19th at Terramor (1453 ME-102 in Bar Harbor, ME). All are welcome to attend, and $1 of every beer purchased benefits Friends of Acadia.
For more information, please visit the Friends of Acadia website here.

Eek of Ecology!
2023-10-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Eliot Hall, 14 Musetti Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Celebrate the season of scares with us! Dress up in a costume and meet rangers who will lead you through ecosystem based activities. Activities are appropriate for the whole family and provide a fun, safe, learning environment offered in a drop in format. Come for 20 minutes or for 3 hours, to Eliot Hall on the Schoodic Institute campus (Winter Harbor, ME) for “eek-citing” activities for everyone. This event runs from 1-4pm.

2024 Schoodic Winter Birding Adventure
2024-01-27 08:00 - 12:00 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Come one, come all! Join Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park on January 27, 2024 for a free, self-guided birding adventure along the Schoodic Peninsula. Our meeting spot will be the gatehouse at the entrance to Schoodic Institute (in Winter Harbor, ME). Drop by anytime between 8am and 12pm and enjoy warm refreshments, bird identification guides, binoculars and other equipment to try out, and fun games to help introduce new birders to the activity. Then, branch out on your own to explore the peninsula and find some cool winter birds. Games will be played, conversations will be had, and birds will (hopefully) be plentiful!
This event will engage birders of all ages and experience-levels to learn more about the birds of Acadia, and it is free of charge (registration required). Please sign up below.
Please note: heated and accessible bathrooms will be located at the gatehouse. Parking on the Schoodic Institute campus can be found near Rockefeller Hall and at the North Lot (there will be directional signs to help point you in the right direction). If you have mobility issues, there will be parking spots available near the gatehouse.
Questions? Please reach out to Zoë Kennedy at zkennedy@schoodicinstitute.org.

Birds Across New England: Audubon Regional Conservation Symposium
2024-02-04 08:30 - 16:00 | Newport, Rhode Island
Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s second annual conservation symposium on birds with scientists from across New England.
Join the Audubon Society of Rhode Island for the second annual Avian Research Symposium! Last year’s event featured researchers from across the northeast and provided attendees a broad understanding of the bird conservation work occurring across our region. During the symposium, Schoodic Institute’s Director of Bird Ecology Seth Benz will be presenting on coastal migration monitoring of hawks and waterbirds from Acadia National Park.
Additionally, the symposium will feature over 20 researchers presenting on topics ranging from birds and renewable energy to the impacts of climate change on bird populations, as well as a keynote address by Carl Safina.
Last year’s event sold out in a matter of days, so don’t miss your opportunity to attend. The registration fee covers attendance to the event, coffee and snacks throughout the day and lunch. An optional guided bird walk at 7am is also available to all participants.
For more information about the conference and to register to attend, please click here.

Hands-On Participatory Science Workshop
2024-03-04 - 2024-03-06
Participatory sciences are advancing research, learning, and action across science fields. Sometimes called citizen or community science, these practices can foster a shared understanding of a place or an issue, and can be a valuable way to cultivate a sense of stewardship and resilience. Schoodic Institute is partnering with the Citizen Science Association and UNH Cooperative Extension to offer a free multi-day practical, hands-on workshop for designing or refining your own project(s). Learn from experts and each other as you apply principles of good design to a project you bring to the workshop (if you don’t have a project, don’t worry, you’ll be helping someone else with theirs while still building your own skills). Walk away with an actionable framework for your participatory science project(s), participatory science project skills, and a network of practitioners to help you in the future.
Topics included in the workshop:

Defining project goals
Ten principles of participatory science
Identifying resources – what kind of support do you need and who can help? Will your project need buckets, butterfly nets, cameras, canoes, funding?
Data management – how do we align data collection with goals, and volunteers?
Volunteers – what are you asking volunteers to put in, what are they getting out, and how will you know if that’s what they really get out of your project?
Pitching your participatory science project – every project needs a pitch; we’ll help you refine yours

Who are these workshops for?
Whether you’re a resource manager, a steward at a land trust, a researcher, or an interpreter or educator; whether you work for a park, a town, a tribe, or a non-profit; this workshop will help you increase your expertise with participatory science. This workshop is for teams of 2 to 5 people who have started to conduct, or want to conduct, participatory science projects. As a non-profit partner to Acadia National Park we are particularly interested in supporting projects that increase our scientific understanding of public and privately conserved lands and cultural resources, and the publics’ interest in them. And again – if you don’t have a project, don’t worry, you’ll be helping someone else with theirs while still building your own skills.
Our goals are to deepen understanding of participatory science and to broaden the community of people who consider themselves participatory science practitioners. Additionally, we want to encourage participatory science for natural and cultural resource conservation, while ensuring the highest quality projects, and building a community of people who learn from each other.
Where and when is this workshop?
March 4-6, 2024 at Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield, New Hampshire.
The workshop will start in the early afternoon on Monday and conclude at lunchtime on Wednesday. The workshop is limited to 25 participants. Teams of two to five people are encouraged to apply, but individuals are welcome. Applications for the workshops will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants that are selected to participate will be notified well prior to the workshop so that they can make any necessary travel plans.
To apply, please visit:
https://forms.gle/mgSPsX6dR8mumycx7
For more information, please contact:
Hannah Webber | hwebber@schoodicinstitute.org | 207-412-8689
View workshop information as a PDF here.
Cost Information:

Schoodic Institute is offering this free workshop (½ day March 4, full day March 5, ½ day March 6) and will cover all expenses for room and board. Participants are responsible only for transportation costs.
