Schoodic Institute

Of Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors… and Close Encounters II
2024-08-31 19:30 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
There are more things in our solar system than the eight planets and their moons. Millions of small bodies of rock, ice and metal – asteroids, comets and meteors – orbit the sun. Many are awesome to behold against the dark night sky, but some are potential threats to our planet. Astronomy volunteer Richard Luecke will offer an image-enhanced introduction to these celestial neighbors, how to observe them, and the risks they pose when their trajectories cross the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
Join us in Moore Auditorium on the Schoodic Institute campus from 7:30pm – 8:30pm on Saturday, August 31st. Weather permitting, attendees will then be invited outdoors for a laser-guided tour of Maine’s stunning night sky and viewing through a large astronomical telescope (approximately 8:30pm – 10:00pm).
Space is limited! Please register below.
Cost: $15.00/person or $50.00/family of up to four
NASA Photo / Comet NEOWISE 2019

Be a #SoilHero! Recurring Save Our Summits Volunteer Program
2024-09-04 08:15 - 12:15, 2024-09-11 08:15 - 12:15, 2024-09-18 08:15 - 12:15
Hike to one of Acadia’s iconic summits AND help Acadia National Park’s efforts to restore native vegetation!
Acadia National Park, in collaboration with Friends of Acadia and Schoodic Institute, invites tenacious hikers to bring bags of soil to the summits of Penobscot and Sargent Mountains. You’ll get to choose how much soil you’ll carry – carrying as little as five pounds (about the size of a large freezer ziplock bag) is a huge help! This soil is integral to the ongoing summit restoration efforts in Acadia National Park.

Our Recurring Save Our Summits Volunteer Program occurs every Wednesday from June through September, 2024. Hikes run from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., weather permitting. *Advanced registration is required. Register online at the link below.
Meet at the Parkman Mountain Carriage Road Trailhead off Route 3 in Acadia National Park. Participants will hike up to the summit of either Penobscot Mountain or Sargent Mountain with a Volunteer Leader.
Register Here!

If you’re SOS hiking with friends, family, or another group, we highly recommend you carpool. The trailhead has limited parking. Don’t forget your park pass! Arrive prepared to be on trail for a few hours. Dress appropriately with reliable hiking boots and sweat-wicking apparel. Bring water and snacks, as well as anything you may need for your known medical and allergy needs. Bring a backpack with extra room to stow your soil. Carrying soil up via backpack is the most convenient method. Participants must stay with the group on the hike up to the summit, but are free to continue exploring the park on their own after dropping off their soil and checking in with the Volunteer Leader. If conditions are expected to be rainy or slippery on the day of the hike, participants will be alerted via email and invited to register for the next drop-in opportunity.
The Routes
Participants will hike with soil up to the summit of Penobscot OR Sargent Mountain.
Sargent Route
Elevation gain: 1,040 ft
Distance: 4.20 mi
AllTrails Map
Penobscot Route
Elevation gain: 1,086 ft
Distance: 4.33 mi
AllTrails Map

Summit Restoration is Critical
Despite their hardened granite, Acadia’s mountain summit ecosystems are incredibly fragile. Human-caused climate change is causing longer growing seasons, more rain, less snow, and fewer species that we know and love. Extreme weather events are damaging landscapes, cultural resources, and infrastructure. Invasive plants species are trying to out-compete native summit plants. Trampling by humans has damaged the plant communities at the top of mountains. For the last several years, Acadia National Park, Friends of Acadia, and Schoodic Institute worked together to evaluate new vegetation plantings and soil replacement on Cadillac Mountain summit. This research continues to provide managers with invaluable information on how to direct change toward desired future conditions on Cadlillac and other summits in Acadia. Turns out, getting soil on the summits is a critical piece of the revegetation puzzle. The loss of vegetation has caused soil to erode, which means there’s no place for seeds to settle and grow.
That’s where you come in. By carrying soil to the summits of Sargent and Penobscot Mountains, you’ll play an important role in the restoration of these vital ecosystems and their future resiliency. That’s something to feel proud of. (Bonus: you’ll get a wonderfully scenic hike in Acadia!)
Lean more about this science-based approach: Learning How to Restore Mountain Summits

Wikpiyik naka Welimahaskil Kehkikemuwakon: Lessons from Co-Production Research with Dr. Suzanne Greenlaw
2024-09-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us on Tuesday, September 10th at 7:00pm (in-person or online live via Zoom) for a special evening lecture, Wikpiyik naka Welimahaskil Kehkikemuwakon: Lessons from Co-Production Research with Dr. Suzanne Greenlaw.

Scientists increasingly include Indigenous Knowledge through co-production research to provide “novel” responses to climate change, deforestation, species extinction, and ecosystem degradation. Native American scholars express that indigenous people and their knowledge are perhaps now more important for the planet’s sustainability and our future. While scientists are including Indigenous Knowledge within research, there is a call for scientists to recognize how their work can negatively impact Indigenous people. During her talk, Dr. Suzanne Greenlaw will share lessons learned from co-production research with Wabanaki people, Black ash (wikpiyik/Fraxinus nigra), and sweetgrass (welimahaskil/Anthoxanthum nitens).
Free and open to the public, this lecture will take place at Moore Auditorium on the Schoodic Institute campus and online live via Zoom.
Please note, this lecture will not be recorded and will only be available live.

About Dr. Suzanne Greenlaw

Since 2017, Greenlaw has been working with Wabanaki communities in effort to restore Wabanaki sweetgrass (Anthoxanthum nitens) harvesting within Acadia National Park. In this new role, Greenlaw will continue to foster relationships between Wabanaki communities and the National Park Service in developing collaborative research to support Wabanaki plant gathering and mobilize Wabanaki-led priorities within Acadia National Park. Her work at Schoodic Institute will focus on Wabanaki-led restoration of both freshwater and coastal wetlands.
Dr. Greenlaw, a citizen of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, is an Indigenous ecologist, writer, and a traditional harvester focused on supporting Wabanaki land access and re-energizing cultural practices throughout Waponahkik. Her doctoral research at the University of Maine concentrated on creating Wabanaki black ash geospatial tools for emerald ash borer preparedness, and a gatherer-led sweetgrass harvest and stewardship study to address policy requirements for plant gathering. This work is supporting an emergent shared governance approach for monitoring and management of a culturally important species within Acadia National Park.

Schoodic Institute’s 2024 Summer Lecture Series is made possible by our generous sponsor, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.

2024 The Elemental Landscape: Plein-Air Painting with Philip Frey
2024-09-11 - 2024-09-15
With the beautiful landscapes of Acadia National Park and Schoodic Peninsula as inspiration, artist Philip Frey presents a plein-air painting workshop for dedicated painters with intermediate and advanced skills. He will offer pivotal lessons designed to develop your skills and confidence, clarify your artistic vision, and enhance your creativity as a painter. You will learn to improve your paintings by simplifying what you see, using limited palettes, and understanding the artistic principles fundamental to composition put forth by the Old Masters, Edgar Payne and others. There will be daily one-on-one instruction, demos, and group critiques. Be prepared to be challenged artistically, develop insights, and have fun while enjoying the exhilarating Maine coast.
Our inspiring painting locations will include Schoodic Point in Acadia National Park, Grindstone Neck in Winter Harbor, and Bunker’s Wharf, an authentic Downeast Maine establishment, where we will have lunch together as a group afterwards. There will be daily cocktail hours to socialize with your fellow painters. Optional offerings will include a guided nature walk on the Sun Dew Trail on campus.
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 (see full schedule here). 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 $950 is the base package while Residential for $1500 provides an enhanced experience. Commuter Package includes instruction, studio time, lobster tour, and the following meals: Dinner on September 11, Bag Lunch on September 12 and 14; Lobster Dinner on September 14; and Lunch on September 15. Residential Package includes everything in the Commuter Package, plus: lodging the nights of September 11 – 14; Dinner on September 11 – 14; and Breakfast on September 12 – 15. 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 up-charge. 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.
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 2018 published book, Philip Frey: Here and Now, by Daniel Kany and Carl Little. 2024 exhibitions are scheduled at Cove Street Arts, Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, and Greenhut Galleries. 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
2024-09-11 09:00 - 16:00 | Rockefeller Hall, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National park, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
See how it’s done! Watch birds emerge from a block of basswood when Juliana Ramirez – staff artist at the Wendell Gilley Museum in Southwest Harbor – is a special guest at Schoodic Institute on September 11. She’ll be there from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm each of those days doing hands-on bird carving demonstrations outside of the Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall on Schoodic Institute’s campus.
Visit with Juliana, 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.
Juliana is a seabird field biologist, working for the last several years with the Seabird Institute/Project Puffin. She is also a working artist who specializes in green (non-toxic) printmaking and bird carving. She teaches both of these topics at the Gilley, along with beehouse making and wood burning.

2024 Open Air: Painting the Maine Coast with Liz Prescott (Registration CLOSED)
2024-09-15 - 2024-09-18 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Registration has closed for this workshop.
Join artist Liz Prescott in Acadia National Park 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 excel at your craft. Bring your courage and creativity – anything is possible!
LODGING + MEALS
This workshop will take place at Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park in Winter Harbor, ME. We will stay in private rooms with shared baths on Schoodic Institute’s campus. All meals are included if you are a residential participant (residential package fee is $975.00 per participant, and includes workshop, overnight accommodations, and all meals including bagged lunches).

Sea Level Rise Trail Tour
2024-09-20 12:00 - 13:30
Join us on Friday, September 20th from 12pm-1:30pm at the Bar Harbor Oceanarium and Education Center for a bag lunch and tour of the sea level rise trail during the king tide!
King tides are the predicted highest high tide and lowest low tide of the year. They are important because they show us what rising seas will look like on the landscape. On Friday, September 20th, just after 12pm noon, Mount Desert Island will experience a king tide, and we invite you to explore the Oceanarium with us to learn more.
Many people have questions about whether the January 2024 storms were an anomaly or a sign of what’s to come. When we hear “one foot of sea level rise”, what does that look like on our coastline? Join Raney Bench from the Mount Desert Island Historical Society, Jeff Cummming of the Oceanarium, Catherine Schmitt of Schoodic Institute, and artist Jennifer Steen Booher for a talk about sea level rise, last winter’s storms, and our future. Learn how to measure and mark predicted high tides in places around the island you care about, and join us in a conversation about coastal resilience and how we can plan for the future.
Bring a bag lunch and wear sturdy shoes for this short walk through the marsh.
Interested in learning more? Here are some helpful links:
Coastlines Project
Gulf of Maine King Tides Project
News coverage from Mount Desert Islander

We Count! Hawk Migration Association of North America and Raptor Migration Monitoring in the Americas with Julie Brown
2024-09-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual Program on Zoom
Join us in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Hawk Watch on Friday, September 20th with a virtual livestream presentation with Raptor Migration and Programs Director for the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA), Julie Brown! Brown will speak about HMNA’s work and the continental network of hawkwatching sites, why collecting spring and fall migration data is important, and what we’ve learned about raptor movements and populations. She’ll dive into migration data from the Cadillac Mountain Hawk Watch, as well as data from across the continent and what it’s showing us about the health of raptor populations.
Julie Brown is the Raptor Migration and Programs Director at the Hawk Migration Association of North America. Before joining HMANA in 2009, she migrated throughout the US and tropics working as a field biologist primarily with raptors, focusing on human impact studies, migration research, and behavioral studies. She received her BS in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine and received her MS in Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England, where she studied Peregrine Falcon migration in Costa Rica for her thesis. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, whom she met hawkwatching, and her two bird-loving children, a flock of chickens, her dog, and lots of fruit trees. She is a volunteer counter at the Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory each fall.
This virtual presentation is free and open to the public – registration is required.

Pints for Purpose with Dr. Chris Nadeau
2024-09-26 17:00 - 19:00
Join Friends of Acadia on Thursday, September 26 at Terramor Outdoor Resort (Bar Harbor, ME) for Pints for a Purpose, featuring Schoodic Institute’s Climate Change Adaptation Scientist Dr. Chris Nadeau!
Pints for a Purpose is a free series co-hosted by Friends of Acadia and Terramor Outdoor Resort. All are welcome to attend and $1 of every beer purchased benefits Friends of Acadia. Gather around the fireplace, sip a beer, and hear stories about the history and future of Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island.
You can view more information, including the full speaker line-up, online here: https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/events/pints-for-a-purpose/

What Drives Early-Career Environmental Science Professionals?
2024-10-01 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Program on Zoom
Why do we do this work?

What are the driving forces behind the enthusiasm of early-career environmental science professionals? Join us virtually on Tuesday, October 1st from 12:00pm – 1:30pm for our 2024 Acadia National Park Science Symposium opening event! Gain insight from our early-career science professionals as they share their inspirations in a series of 10-minute lightning talks.
Featured speakers for this year’s livestream (download the PDF here):
Becca Stanley – Recreation Technician Lead, Friends of Acadia
Jack Byrley – Preventative Search And Rescue Ranger, North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park (former Visual Information Specialist, Acadia National Park)
Chris Silcox – Education Ranger, Schoodic Education Adventure
Hanae Garrison – Stewardship Manager, Royal River Conservation Trust (former Schoodic Institute Ecology Technician)
Marisa Monroe – Graduate Research Assistant and Acadia Science Fellow, University of Maine
Will Greene – Research Associate, Perry Institute for Marine Science (former biological field technician and science communicator, Friends of Acadia)
Hosted by Schoodic Institute and the National Park Service, the Acadia National Park Science Symposium provides a forum to learn about science taking place in the region and to interact and build collaborations with scientists, educators, students, park staff, and others working in a range of fields. You can learn more about the science symposium here.
The theme of this year’s symposium is 25 Years of Impactful Research in Acadia National Park. The symposium will highlight some of the most influential science, science communication, and education that has happened in Acadia National Park since the start of the Research Learning Center (RLC) 25 years ago. In 2000, the National Park Service began working with community members to create an RLC on the campus of the former Navy Base in Winter Harbor. The goal of Schoodic Institute (Acadia’s Research Learning Center) is to help grow science in national parks and better connect science with management, education, and communication. Since the establishment of Schoodic Institute, the amount of annual research in the park has increased more than threefold. This year’s science symposium will highlight some of the most influential examples of research, education, and communication that has happened over that time.
If you are interested in being a speaker and sharing your early-career insights during this presentation, please contact Trevor Grandin at tgrandin@schoodicinstitute.org.
This presentation will take place online via Zoom.

Science for Natural Resource Stewardship with Dr. Ray Sauvajot
2024-10-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
The Key Role of Partnerships and Collaboration in National Parks
Join us Wednesday, October 9th from 7:00pm – 8:30pm for the 2024 Acadia National Park Science Symposium evening lecture, featuring keynote speaker Ray Sauvajot, Ph.D., Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science for the National Park Service.
During his presentation, Dr. Ray Sauvajot will highlight some of the major natural resource challenges and concerns facing the National Park System and how our response to these challenges requires embracing scientific partnerships and working together at broad scales. He will discuss climate change, landscape and seascape conservation, and the critical role that parks play as catalysts for stewardship solutions and collaborative science – a collaboration that is essential for the National Park Service to succeed in its conservation and preservation mission.
ABOUT RAY SAUVAJOT
Dr. Ray Sauvajot serves as Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science for the National Park Service (NPS), where he provides leadership and direction for natural resource management and science programs of the NPS. As Associate Director, Ray oversees national programs in biology, air and water resources, climate change response, geology, natural sounds and night skies, environmental quality and compliance, ecological inventory and monitoring, and science communication. Ray leads a diverse team of scientists, policy experts, planners, program managers, administrators, and technicians at offices in Washington, D.C., Colorado, and other locations to help advance the mission of the NPS. Ray has served in positions with the NPS for over 30 years and has also held adjunct faculty appointments in biology, ecology, and environmental science at UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, and California State University Northridge. Ray received a B.A. degree in biology from UC San Diego (1987) and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees (1993, 1997) in ecology from UC Davis.
ABOUT THE 2024 ACADIA NATIONAL PARK SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM

Hosted by Schoodic Institute and the National Park Service, the Acadia National Park Science Symposium provides a forum to learn about science taking place in the region and to interact and build collaborations with scientists, educators, students, park staff, and others working in a range of fields. You can learn more about the science symposium here.
The theme of this year’s symposium is 25 Years of Impactful Research in Acadia National Park. The symposium will highlight some of the most influential science, science communication, and education that has happened in Acadia National Park since the start of the Research Learning Center (RLC) 25 years ago. In 2000, the National Park Service began working with community members to create an RLC on the campus of the former Navy Base in Winter Harbor. The goal of Schoodic Institute (Acadia’s Research Learning Center) is to help grow science in national parks and better connect science with management, education, and communication. Since the establishment of Schoodic Institute, the amount of annual research in the park has increased more than threefold. This year’s science symposium will highlight some of the most influential examples of research, education, and communication that has happened over that time.
The symposium will take place in-person at Moore Auditorium on the Schoodic Institute campus (Winter Harbor, ME) and online via Zoom. This virtual option is open to speakers and attendees alike. Please note that there will be overnight accommodations available. Lunch will be included in registration, as well as coffee and morning snacks.

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Acadia Retreat
2024-10-24 - 2024-10-28 | Schoodic Institute, 9 Atterbury Circle, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) New England is thrilled to announce a brand new retreat at Schoodic Institute! Open to traditionally published authors and illustrators, the Acadia Retreat will be held October 24-28, 2024 at Schoodic Institute in Acadia National Park in Winter Harbor, Maine.
SCBWI New England’s stellar faculty for this inaugural retreat are: Eileen Robinson (Editorial Director/Executive Editor, Charlesbridge Moves), Kevin Hawkes (Author/Illustrator), and Alison Johnson (Director of School Programs for Island Readers & Writers). In addition to faculty presentations, working time, optional school visit consultations, and play time, the afternoon of October 27th will be a children’s book festival so we can celebrate our books and each other out in the community!
Tell me more! What is the Acadia Retreat?
The Acadia Retreat is open to traditionally published authors and illustrators, whether you are celebrating your debut or your 100th book! The goal of the retreat is to play, flex creative muscles, restore, connect with ourselves, each other, and the natural world around us. There will be campfire. There will be lobster. There will be hikes, deep salty-ocean-breeze breaths, creative time, and a brand new festival celebrating you and your books! You’ll come away refreshed and inspired!
Where do I register?
To register, please click here.

2024 Eek of Ecology!
2024-10-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Eliot Hall, 14 Musetti Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us for this year’s Eek of Ecology Halloween Festival!
Visit the campus of Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park in Winter Harbor to trick-or-treat through learning stations about local plants and animals. Encounter friendly spiders, bats, and eels inhabiting local Maine habitats! Learn about ravenous endangered species, ghoulish invasive species, ghosts of ecological history, and more!
This event takes place on Saturday, October 26 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm (rain or shine). 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. Please note, children 12 and under should be accompanied by an adult.
Questions? Give us a call! (207-288-1310)

Acadia's Winter Birds with Wendell Gilley Museum
2024-11-09 10:00 - 12:00
On Saturday, November 9 from 10am – 12pm, join Seth Benz (Schoodic Institute’s Director of Bird Ecology) and the Wendell Gilley Museum to learn about Acadia’s Winter Birds! This event will consist of a brief indoor presentation followed by an easy “Causeway Forest Stroll”. We’ll review resident bird survival strategies, and discuss which species come from away to spend winter in Acadia.
Bring your binoculars and curiosity, and please remember dress for the weather! If you don’t have binoculars, a loaner pair will be available from the museum with advanced notice.
Registration is required for this event. Please register online here: https://www.wendellgilleymuseum.org/events/241109-AcadiasWinterBirds-SB

Introducing Training Materials for Starting and Maintaining Participatory Science Projects and Programs
2025-01-08 15:00 - 16:00
Engaging people from diverse backgrounds in science is exciting and fun. Setting up and running a citizen science effort requires many different skills and knowledge in research, communication, training and community building, and project management – as well as curiosity, patience, and enthusiasm. Establishing common scientific and engagement goals can be challenging. It can be easier because now, there are training materials! The demand for training opportunities led to a collaboration among the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Schoodic Institute, to develop a toolkit and associated training materials. The Interagency Citizen Science Toolkit is now available to stimulate and guide science engagement on public lands.
In this webinar we’ll introduce you to the toolkit and its associated materials.
Presenters:
Rick Bonney is emeritus director of the Public Engagement in Science Program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He is co-founder of the Lab’s citizen science program, co-founder of AAPS, and founding editor of the journal Citizen Science: Theory and Practice. Much of his career has focused on helping institutions develop citizen science projects and programs.
Hannah Webber is the Marine Ecology Director here at Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park. She runs a workshop titled “Strengthening Your Participatory Science Skills”.

2025 Schoodic Winter Birding Adventure
2025-01-11 08:00 - 12:00
Discover winter birds on the Schoodic Peninsula! Please RSVP for free below.

Join Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park for a free, self-guided birding adventure on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just curious, this event offers a fun and welcoming way to explore the winter wonderland of the Schoodic Peninsula. Drop by anytime between 8am – 12pm!
WARM refreshments and COOL activities await you at the Schoodic District gatehouse:

Meet Lauren, Louisa, and Trevor—our 2024 Cathy and Jim Gero Acadia Early-Career Fellows
Borrow binoculars and explore bird ID guides
Play games to learn more about birding
Enjoy some hot coffee, tea, and pastries.

Then, set out to discover the region’s winter birds at your own pace! Located at the entrance to Schoodic Institute’s campus in Winter Harbor, ME, swing by the gatehouse first to meet the team, enjoy refreshments and games, then explore the area.
All ages and experience levels are welcome—beginners encouraged!
Questions? Please reach out to Lauren Knierim at lknierim@schoodicinstitute.org.

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.

2025 Acadia Amphibian Monitoring Training
2025-03-06 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-03-08 11:00 - 13:00
Get friendly with our neighborhood amphibians by monitoring their nighttime presence! Volunteer to help conduct research on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula, and your data will contribute to research at the University of Maine, Acadia National Park, and Schoodic Institute.
The Acadia Amphibian Project supports research by Marisa Monroe and Dr. Noah Charney at the University of Maine, Orono, in collaboration with the National Park Service and Schoodic Institute. Marisa was awarded a 2024 Acadia Science Fellowship by Schoodic Institute in support of this work. (Click here to read the full press release). This research uses dedicated volunteers to monitor transects around Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula for the presence of amphibians on roads. This year, we will be monitoring six sites and we invite you to please sign up on a per night basis.
We will be using the Survey123 app to collect data in the field. (If you feel uncomfortable using an electronic field form, you will be provided with paper field forms). Data from this work supports the creation of a predictive model to help the park understand when and where amphibians are moving across roads. Our goal is to find ways to protect migrating and moving amphibians year round — not just in the spring.
If you would like to join this project, please fill out the registration form here and attend one of the training sessions (Thursday, March 6th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm or Saturday, March 8th from 11:00am – 1:00pm). If you cannot attend, please email marisa.monroe@maine.edu and we may be able to arrange an alternative training.
The volunteer training sessions will take place at the Acadia National Park Headquarters (20 McFarland Hill Drive, Bar Harbor, ME 04609).
IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO VOLUNTEER IN PERSON: You can still participate! If you see an amphibian on a road in Acadia National Park, we encourage you to make an iNaturalist observation. Observations will automatically be collected into a project titled “Acadia Amphibian Project”. If you do not wish to post to iNaturalist, you can email your observation to marisa.monroe@maine.edu.
Banner photo by Marisa Monroe

ServSafe Food Safety Certification Class at Schoodic Institute
2025-04-30 08:30 - 15:30
DFS Services proudly provides ServSafe Food Safety Certification classes across Maine, and this spring they are coming to Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park! Register now to join us on April 30, 2025 from 8:30am – 3:30pm and gain your food safety certification.

Successful completion of this class earns each attendee a valid recognized certification in food safety for 5 years.
Space is limited, so register today! The cost of this course is $199 and includes the book, exam certification, and lunch.
Meet David Suhr (DFS Services Owner/Instructor): For more than 25 years, DFS Services owner David Suhr has been a certified national ServSafe® instructor (CFSP, ANSI), teaching for the Maine Restaurant Association and prior to that, working in the food industry in many different capacities for more than 30 years. More than a decade ago, Dave became certified as a food safety instructor CFSP and affiliated with NEHA (National Environmental Health Association). They are recognized by the Conference for Food Protection which is a national benchmark for the food service industry and well known nationally for their comprehensive and updated food safety training materials. Dave has also created a BASIC Food Safety program designed as a refresher for experienced food handlers or initial training for new food handlers.
Meet Dan Caron (Instructor): Bringing a wealth of experience in culinary arts spanning over 25 years. As a former culinary arts instructor, Dan has honed a distinct approach to teaching that prioritizes student understanding and engagement. Known for his innovative methods, Dan creates an inclusive learning environment by avoiding traditional practices like reading aloud in class, instead leveraging his extensive knowledge and expertise to ensure that students gain a comprehensive and practical understanding of the material.

Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance Black Fly Writers Retreat
2025-05-02 - 2025-05-05
The Black Fly Writers Retreat is an inspiring four-day, three-night weekend of workshops, readings, and writing.

Join us for the 2025 Black Fly Writers Retreat, which will be held from Friday, May 2 through Monday, May 5 at Schoodic Institute.
Black Fly Writers Retreat attendees will spend Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings (8:30am to 12pm) in workshops of no more than ten participants working with one instructor. Afternoons will be open for writing and an optional individual meetings with the instructor. There will be Friday and Saturday evening faculty readings and an optional Saturday evening open reading, giving attendees a chance to share their work with each other.
This year’s critically-acclaimed faculty include Kathryn Miles (creative nonfiction), Elizabeth Peavey (advanced memoir), and Lewis Robinson (fiction).
To find more information on this year’s workshop and to register, please visit https://www.mainewriters.org/black-fly-retreat.
Registration for Black Fly will close on April 18th.

(From left to right): Kathryn Miles, Elizabeth Peavey, and Lewis Robinson. Photos courtesy of Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance

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

About the Panelists

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

2025 Spring Birds of Acadia with Puffin Cruise
2025-05-20 - 2025-05-23
Thank you for your interest! This event is reached max capacity.
For more information on our 2025 bird tours, please click here. If you would like to be placed on a waitlist for this tour, please contact Michelle Pinkham at 207-288-1356 or mpinkham@schoodicinstitute.org.
Schoodic Institute’s Seth Benz is joined by Holly Merker, author of Ornitherapy, to lead this leisurely tour designed to enhance your enjoyment of all birds, especially those that frequent or pass through Acadia National Park and its immediate surroundings.
We’ll move at a leisurely pace while learning about bird song and sight identification, bird habitats and behavior, and we’ll pay extra attention to enhancing your field birding skills and enjoyment of nature. The entire tour will be based out of Schoodic Institute, a research and learning center, ideally situated just a stone’s throw from Schoodic Point, a migration checkpoint that tallies tens of thousands of passing birds annually. Lodging is in cozy cabins where you will be awakened by birdsong – Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, and Magnolia Warbler. Blue-headed vireos and Northern Parula warblers often serenade you as you walk to Schooner Commons, the Institute’s dining hall. Maine has a way of spoiling birders – and this spring tour is designed to do just that.
Registration is required. The program cost is $1,285 per participant. Space is limited so register quickly!
Day 1: Check-in is at 3pm. “Spring Birds” begins on the Schoodic Institute campus at 4:30pm with introductions and orientation. The late afternoon will feature the start of field birding. A reception will precede dinner. Dinner is from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. An evening presentation on puffin restoration efforts will follow dinner in preparation for tomorrow’s special boat trip to an active seabird colony.
Day 2: An optional morning bird walk on campus – think warblers – before breakfast! Breakfast is served from 7:00am to 8:00am in Schooner Commons. We’ll then pack for a day afield and travel 40 minutes or so to the boat launch in Steuben for a 2-hour cruise to Petit Manan Island. This is our best chance to see Atlantic puffin, razorbill, common murre, and several tern species as we circumnavigate the island, one of just 5 islands in Maine inhabited by Atlantic puffin, thanks to restoration efforts. Seals and other wildlife are also possible. After lunch, which will be a field lunch at a bird-rich picnic spot, we’ll then inspect some nearby Blueberry barrens habitat to look for an assortment of birds, including upland sandpiper, vesper sparrow, and American kestrel. Of course, there will be other birds to see along the way. An evening discussion on the day’s experience, identification tips and review, and how to get the most out of eBird use will follow dinner (6:00pm – 7:00pm).
Day 3: Optional campus bird walk before breakfast. We’ll then spend the day investigating hotspots on the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park as well as the nearby villages of Prospect Harbor and Corea with good prospects for finding spruce grouse. Lunch will be in the field (carefully packed in a cooler along with water). We’ll return to campus by 5:00pm for leisure time before the 6:00pm dinner. Dinner this last night together is your choice of lobster or a delicious alternative. Afterward, we’ll sum up the day and complete a checklist review.
Day 4: Optional before-breakfast bird walk. After breakfast, we’ll have the option of a culminating stroll to Schoodic Point. Checkout is at 10:00am.
Price of $1,285.00 is based upon double occupancy. Lodging upgrade options possible while available. To register, contact Michelle Pinkham at (207)288-1356 or fill out the form below.
Price includes lodging and meals, van travel, boat fare, and guiding fees. Not included in price: airfare, trip insurance, alcohol beverages not offered by host, gas stop snacks, and gratuities. An Acadia National Park pass may be necessary if you will be traveling in the park in your own vehicle while not on this tour. These will be available to purchase at check-in or while on campus for $35.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

You can drive directly to Schoodic Institute
Pick up in Bangor, Maine at either the airport (at 2 pm) or
Pick up at Odlin Road Park & Ride (at 2 pm) near the airport (this is a safe, patrolled parking lot).

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

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

MDI Science Cafe: Exploring Future Sea Levels with Science, History, and Art on Mount Desert Island
2025-06-09 17:00 - 18:00
How do we document the changing coastline of Mount Desert Island? How can history, science, and art come together to help us understand and prepare for the future?
On June 9, join MDI Biological Laboratory Science Cafe panelists Raney Bench (Executive Director at Mount Desert Island Historical Society), artist Jennifer Booher, Catherine Schmitt (Science Communication Specialist at Schoodic Institute) at this hybrid event to discuss how the “Coast Lines” project uses community art, and science to track sea levels & storm surges.
Part of the Landscape of Change initiative, Coast Lines is a public science-history-art project focused on documenting past, present, and future storm surges and sea levels on Mount Desert Island. In 2024, this work took on new and greater relevance as multiple record-setting winter storms impacted waterfronts and ecosystems all around the island.
Join us for an update on installations of the “Coast Lines” stencil that involved community partners, teachers, and students, as well as how sea level observations contributed by volunteers have informed scientific models of future sea levels and storms.
The panel will also share some lessons learned from engaging the community in thinking about the coastal landscape and how it is changing, both subtly and dramatically, and where we’d like to go from here.
To register, please click here.

What "Maine Won't Wait" Looks Like in Action feat. Ivan Fernandez, Maggie Kelly-Boyd, and Parker Gassett
2025-06-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Moore Auditorium, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor, ME, 04693, United States
Join us for our 2025 Summer Lecture Series premiere event!
Join us in person at Schoodic Institute or online via Zoom on Tuesday, June 10 at 7:00pm for What “Maine Won’t Wait” Looks Like in Action, our Summer Lecture Series opening event featuring Ivan Fernandez, Ph.D, Maggie Kelly-Boyd, and Parker Gassett, Ph.D.
During the lecture, the panel will discuss Maine’s updated 2024 climate action plan that builds upon the award-winning 2020 “Maine Won’t Wait” climate action plan, addressing climate change impacts, building resilience, and meeting statutory emission reduction targets. This was the first integrated climate action plan for Maine, encompassing mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Developed through extensive collaboration with over 200 working group members, more than 1,000 survey responses, and multiple public engagements, the plan outlines strategies for individuals, communities, and businesses.

Ivan J. Fernandez, Ph.D, is Professor Emeritus and Climate Research Scientist in the School of Forest Resources, Climate Change Institute, and School of Food and Agriculture at the University of Maine, and Director of the Maine Climate Science Information Exchange. Among other awards, he was made a Distinguished Maine Professor in 2007, CASE/Carnegie in Washington DC named him Professor of the Year for Maine in 2008, he was named a fellow in the Soil Science Society of America in 2010 and was the 2018 President’s Public Service Achievement Award recipient at the University of Maine. He has served on various U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board committees in Washington DC since 2000 and has led the Maine’s Climate Future assessments in 2009, 2015, and 2020. In 2019 he was appointed to the Maine Climate Council, serves as co-Chair of its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, and is a member of its Natural Working Lands working group. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Schoodic Institute.
Maggie Kelly-Boyd is the Natural Resources Climate Policy Advisor with the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. In this role, she supports state policy and programs related to natural resources, climate change issues, and climate adaptation for Maine’s natural resource industries and communities. Maggie helps Maine implement the state’s key climate action strategies, such as supporting farming, forestry, and fisheries industries in Maine in adapting to climate change, and improving monitoring of inland, coastal and marine ecosystems to increase resilience.
Parker Gassett, Ph.D, is the Assistant Director of the Maine Climate Science Information Exchange at the University of Maine, where he coordinates climate science initiatives in support of the Maine Climate Council and State Climate Action Plan. With a Ph.D in Environmental Science from the University of Maine and extensive experience in climate resilience and adaptation, Parker bridges the gap between scientific research and community action. As a member of the Maine Climate Council’s Community Resilience Working Group and co-coordinator of the Maine Climate Change Adaptation Providers Network, he works to strengthen Maine’s response to climate challenges. His research focuses on coastal environmental monitoring and restoration, community science, and climate adaptation strategies, with numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals addressing coastal acidification, community resilience, and state-level climate action. Parker’s background includes leadership roles in outdoor education with Outward Bound and conservation work with AmeriCorps, demonstrating his commitment to both environmental stewardship and community engagement. His contributions have been recognized through various awards, including the Outstanding Service Award from the Maine Fishermen’s Forum and the EE360 Fellowship from the North American Association of Environmental Education.

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

Bird Carving with Wendell Gilley Museum
2025-06-30 09:30 - 15:30
See how it’s done! Join us at Schoodic Institute with special guest carver Jim Vekasi from the Wendell Gilley Museum for hands-on bird carving demonstrations outside the Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall.
Visit with Jim and pick up a carving knife yourself – there is no charge to give it a try! Then visit the display of bird carvings from the Wendell Gilley Museum inside the Welcome Center.
Jim is a longtime carver with the Gilley, as well as being a retired Acadia National Park employee who was deeply involved during the establishment of Schoodic Institute 25 years ago.
