Exploring the Intertwined Worlds of Bowdoin College and Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park in Maine, a 35,000-acre expanse of steep hills, surf-battered bluffs, endless hiking and walking trails, lakes, beaches and deep forest, offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural world. This article delves into the connection between Bowdoin College and Acadia National Park, highlighting research initiatives, educational opportunities, and the personal journeys that intertwine these two Maine institutions.
A Haven for Scientific Exploration: Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park serves as a living laboratory for scientists across various disciplines. The park provides a rich environment for studying plants and animals, freshwater and marine ecosystems, visitor behavior, and cultural resources.
Thriving Research Activity
Acadia National Park has been a hub of research activity. Scientists have worked on a significant number of research projects in the park. There was a big rebound from 2020, when research was slowed by COVID-19. Of the research projects, many were new, many by researchers new to the park. Examples include three new Second Century Stewardship Fellows, new Schoodic Institute technicians and interns, a Scientist-in-Parks intern, a research team from University of Rhode Island, and students at College of the Atlantic, University of Maine, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The energy of so much science in the park was palpable.
Diverse Research Areas
Research in Acadia spans a wide range of topics. Scientists have studied bats, which are threatened by white-nose syndrome. They have also investigated changes in the intertidal zone, especially rockweed, which creates forest-like habitats in Maine’s rocky intertidal areas. Mysterious spotted salamanders that breed in salty pools on the park’s coastline have also been a subject of study. Furthermore, researchers have explored methods to protect the park’s lakes from harmful algal blooms.
Publications and Innovative Approaches
The research conducted in Acadia has resulted in numerous scientific publications. These publications cover topics such as water quality, trends in bird abundance, the spread of invasive species, and the impacts of COVID-19 on the park. Several studies have taken innovative approaches, including using social media posts to study the impacts of COVID-19 on tourist movement through the park, associations with search and rescue, and the meaning of place and national parks for people. These publications help park managers adjust management to rapidly changing conditions.
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Bowdoin College's Coastal Studies Center: A Unique Connection
Bowdoin College maintains a unique connection to the Maine coast through its Coastal Studies Center. Unless you knew about Bowdoin's Coastal Studies Center, you would hardly guess such an interesting, bucolic place exists less than 15 miles from campus. The 118-acre saltwater property offers a pristine haven for scientists, artists, environmentalists, historians and all manner of researchers exploring coastal topics. While a wet marine lab and pier are a major focus for biological and environmental research at the property, the historic saltwater farmstead also includes an art studio, terrestrial lab, and farmhouse-turned-classroom.
Student Research and Presentations
Undergraduate research fellows at the Coastal Studies Center present preliminary findings from their summer research and art work. Faculty members across disciplines challenge their research methods and findings. Students engage in research on marine algae and crab mobility. The biology major/math minor is working on her Senior Honors research project with Biology Professor Amy Johnson and Biology and Mathematics Research Associate Olaf Ellers to improve mathematical models used to describe underwater walking, and predict what animal morphologies and densities are favorable. To gather data for testing various formulas, the crabs' underwater walking is videotaped and entered into a software program. The formulas and films allow testing of predicted variables such as leg swing frequency, duty factor (the fraction of time that feet are in contact with the ground) and the speed at which a given crab will transition from walking to running.
Exploring the "Real Maine"
Rodman, a rising senior, is making a study of the very people who come to study Maine-tourists. Maine is famous for certain scenery and emblematic images. She is interested in what happens past the postcard, what actually gives people their authentic experience of Maine. From her photos and studies, Rodman has produced canvases that track her pursuit of the "real Maine." She explores the abstraction of the ocean itself, which she explores through many media, including some floor-cloth paintings measuring six by nine feet. People interact with what they're seeing. People are looking and seeing, they are so connected with what they're doing. It's a matter of boiling it down to the individual. Their experience becomes very specific.
Earth and Oceanographic Science at Schoodic Peninsula
Students and faculty in the Department of Earth and Oceanographic Science (EOS) had an opportunity to spend a geology-filled weekend on the Schoodic Peninsula in Acadia National Park. The group consisted of members from every class year and a variety of majors and minors currently enrolled in EOS courses. Students were asked to make observations of anything they found interesting, from rock types to mineral grain sizes. The group was particularly interested in mafic intrusions found within the granite bedrock on the Point. The stark color contrast between Schoodic’s light granite and dark mafic intrusions caught students’ eyes all weekend. Schoodic’s geologic story was further uncovered by examining glacial striations on the granite and learning about the massive amounts of ice that covered Maine.
Personal Connections and Transformations
The connection between Bowdoin College and Acadia National Park extends beyond research and academics. It fosters personal growth and transformative experiences for students.
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Sabrina DaSilva's Journey
Sabrina DaSilva's story exemplifies the transformative power of connecting with Acadia National Park. Six years ago, Sabrina DaSilva was a high school student in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She’d never been to Acadia National Park - or any national park. DaSilva met Tanner Burgdorf, deputy director of Groundwork Bridgeport, during one of his visits to the school to talk about the Groundwork Bridgeport program. Groundwork Bridgeport’s mission is to provide opportunities for young adults in the area to learn and engage with their community and nearby communities. This includes hands-on experience involving urban planning and landscaping, trail restoration and river cleanup, and understanding horticulture and its environmental impact.
DaSilva loved that she could attend after school, and that she’d have the immediate impact of helping beautify her town. She was also enticed by the opportunity to travel to national parks with the program, which would be a new experience for her. Burgdorf sees those national park experiences as being particularly eye-opening to program participants, opening them up to nature in ways that are long-lasting. Friends of Acadia is a partner with Groundwork Bridgeport, helping create connecting experiences during their time in Acadia National Park.
When DaSilva first stepped foot in Acadia National Park, it was her first time in Maine. The same was true for the other students in her group. Guided by their two Groundwork Bridgeport leaders, new experiences - and a new view of their worlds-began to unfold. Blackwood’s campground was their basecamp for the week, where they cooked fireside. Camping equipment, cooking kits, and hiking boots were provided for all participants. Throughout their visit was a focus on stewardship and recreation, meaning the team worked and enjoyed the park.
They cut back woody debris, pruned evergreens, and maintained the landscape around the Jordan Pond House buildings. They took time to enjoy and explore, too. They hiked Gorham Mountain, scampered along Sand Beach, kayaked in Frenchman Bay, and tiptoed around Otter Cliff. Burgdorf believes in the value of connecting students to national parks so they can experience stewardship in another location, meet park staff, and perhaps envision themselves working in a professional role in a place like Acadia.
When their time in Acadia came to a close, the tuckered-out group climbed into the van to head south, but Burgdorf announced they had one more stop. It was the prettiest campus I have ever seen in my life,” DaSilva said. She knew nothing about Bowdoin at the time. DaSilva was the salutatorian of her high school class. She applied and was accepted to Bowdoin College with a full scholarship, earning a degree in biology with a concentration in ecology, evolution, and marine biology (EEMB). She’s comfortable taking water samples, digging in mud for clams, and hanging off a dock to pull barnacles off the pilings.
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“I never would have felt comfortable camping, working in nature, or focusing on plant life had it not been for the program and for our trip to Acadia,” she said. The collaboration between Groundwork Bridgeport and Friends of Acadia opens doors for young adults to learn, work, and explore in Acadia National Park.
Erin and Miguel's Acadia Wedding
Erin & Miguel both attended Bowdoin College in Maine, studying neuroscience. So having their ceremony in Acadia National Park seemed perfect. The plan was to meet at sunrise for a pre-wedding photo shoot. We would harness up and go climbing in full wedding attire and unleash their adventurous spirits on Otter Cliffs in Acadia National Park. A few weeks before he dislocated it while mountain biking. Plan B, they hiked up the Beehive in their auxiliary wedding outfits, to kick off their Acadia National Park Wedding. The wedding began in Bar Harbor at the docks. Despite the delay, spirits remained high and by the time we launched the rain had subsided. The waves however had not, and the boat needed to take a longer route to avoid the rough seas. Yet still, everyone was cheerful and enjoying the fresh air. Seagulls watched on, and Erin & Miguel were finally married.
Exploring the Quieter Side of the Maine Coast
While Acadia National Park is a popular destination, there are other, less-visited areas along the Maine coast that offer unique experiences. One such place is a parcel of land near Orr’s Island.
Discovering Gun Point Cove
To get to the property follow Route 24 south from Brunswick. As you approach the short bridge leading onto Orr’s Island slow down. Gaze out to the left down the narrow slot of Gun Point Cove. Cliffs strung with tiers of seaweed topped by pointed firs lead out to open sea. From the bridge drive 1.7 miles south to the Bayview Road and turn right. The road is a few hundred yards past the Orr’s Island Store. Follow the Bayview Road for a mile, staying right at a fork. Drive in another quarter mile. You will see an information kiosk on the right where you can park and pick up a trail map.
Hiking the Trails
Seven distinct trails offer a variety of experiences and comprise a total of nearly four miles of walking if you hike them all. We started down the trail toward Dipper Cove and the music started; the deep throb of lobster boat engines mixing with the soothing song of the wind in the balsam fir and red spruce; the calls of crows, gulls and terns competing for attention. There is a steep, 15-foot drop down to the water with no access point until you reach a short path on the left leading out to a series of sharp fin-like ledges. This is a great spot to nestle in and scan Harpswell Sound with your binoculars. To the south stands the large water tower in West Harpswell adjacent to the former Brunswick Naval Air Station fuel depot. Eider families with young in tow were scattered about the broad expanse of water. On the far shore wharves were piled high with yellow wire lobster traps.
Brewer Cove
From this small cove the path heads steeply uphill to the Thalheimer farmhouse and acres of peaceful meadows. From here we followed the Pine Needle Path up to open ledges bordering Brewer Cove. The cry of osprey echoed above the canopy of trees. This is the perfect spot to take a break and go for a swim. The water was cool and refreshing, and we plunged in over and over. To the north we could see the Mountain Road bridge spanning Ewing Narrows. The highlight of our visit was the walk around Brewer Cove to the northern tip of the property. It was absolutely spectacular. The trail on the eastern side of the cove is a thin level platform carved out of a very steep slope leading straight down to the deep dark emerald waters of the cove. Red pine and hemlock dotted the hillside. Through the trees we could see across to where we had been swimming a half hour earlier. The path eventually leads out to more open ledges perfect for another swim. As we floated on our backs soaking in the mid-morning sun we watched lobster boats ply the waters west of the Orr’s Island bridge. This was a hard spot to leave.
Long Cove Loop Trail
We followed the Long Cove Loop trail south back out to the meadows and our vehicle. The trail follows along the cove at water level offering nice views up and down the 1.5- mile stretch of Long Cove. Three hours had gone by too quickly.
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