For centuries, the coastal location and diverse landscape of Maine’s Acadia National Park—featuring mountain summits, rocky shores, and wooded valleys—have drawn Indigenous residents, explorers, settlers, and visitors in search of beauty and inspiration. The juxtaposition of landscape has created a unique region and a haven for scientists. Their centuries of written records, specimen collections, and oral histories have provided baselines for understanding environmental change on Mount Desert Island and beyond.

Author and scientist Catherine Schmitt shares the story of science in Acadia, including how the records of university students helped inspire the conservation efforts which led to the formation of the national park, and how this legacy is helping scientists today document a rapidly changing world.

Schmitt is the science communication specialist with Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park. Her book Historic Acadia National Park (Lyons Press) is available for purchase.

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