BY BILL EACHO

2025 Friends of Acadia Board Chair William Eacho. (Photo by Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)

In mid-February, I joined Friends of Acadia and Schoodic Institute leaders in Washington, D.C., for meetings with Maine’s congressional delegation. Our goals were clear: advocate for the future of Acadia National Park in the face of unprecedented challenges, explore new opportunities to safeguard its beauty and legacy, and do right by the park service employees affected by changing headwinds.

Challenges at Acadia’s Doorstep

Our meetings with legislators were both sobering and hopeful. We spoke with Maine’s congressional delegation about our deep concerns over staffing terminations, hiring freezes, program holds, and potential service cuts. These issues threaten to diminish Acadia’s cultural and natural treasures while putting park visitors’ experiences—and the revenue they generate—at risk.

Mandated cuts to probationary employees on February 14 eliminated eight park staffers. Among those terminated were four entrance fee collectors, who helped bring in more than $12 million in park revenue last year, and two members of the already under-sized trail crew, who were primarily paid for by Friends of Acadia’s endowment. Following court rulings, these roles were reinstated on March 20, but we remain concerned about future cuts from reduction-in-force orders.

When you see a park staffer this summer, take a moment to let them know how much we appreciate them.

These new staffing and budget pressures are difficult for morale and come at a time when record visitation and accelerating climate change are already putting immense strain on Acadia’s ecosystems and infrastructure.

Yet there was hope, too. Maine’s delegation reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to Acadia and expressed gratitude for Friends of Acadia’s engagement and partnership on these issues.

Making a Meaningful Impact

After speaking with Friends of Acadia, Schoodic Institute, and National Parks Conservation Association, members of Maine’s delegation took action and helped secure an exception to the federal hiring freeze, allowing national parks around the country to hire the 7,700 essential seasonal workers needed to support summer crowds.

This year, seasonal workers at Acadia will benefit from another advocacy win: new affordable housing, made possible by generous Raise the Roof donors and matching federal funds secured by our government affairs team.

We are also collaborating closely with partner organizations with broad reach, including National Park Friends Alliance, to mobilize Friends groups nationwide on key policy issues. This effort will empower Friends organizations to educate lawmakers and champion the needs of national parks across the country.

Opportunities on the Horizon

Amid these challenges, there are promising aspects. The potential renewal of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which funded new maintenance facilities at park headquarters and infrastructure upgrades on the Schoodic Peninsula, may open the door for further investments. If funding is renewed, possible projects could include renovating Jordan Pond House and rehabilitating overnight accommodations at Schoodic Institute. These improvements would directly benefit park visitors and strengthen Acadia’s infrastructure for years to come.

Perhaps most notably, disaster recovery funds, which Friends of Acadia advocated for and our congressional delegation helped secure, will soon make their way to Acadia. These funds will be put to good use making permanent repairs to beloved destinations like Sand Beach, Ocean Path, and Schoodic’s education facilities, which were damaged during last year’s devastating winter storms.

Our Advocacy Journey and the Road Ahead

The changes impacting Acadia today have led Friends of Acadia to evolve our advocacy approach. Last year, we made the critical decision to hire Veronica Torres as our fulltime government affairs lead—one of the first such positions among Friends groups in the nation. Veronica’s leadership and background in public policy has strengthened our relationships with policymakers, raised awareness of Acadia’s pressing needs, and helped us advocate for long-term solutions to ensure the park’s future.

Our recent meetings with congressional leaders made one thing abundantly clear: Friends of Acadia’s voice is not only welcome but necessary. The challenges Acadia faces require proactive engagement, strategic partnerships, and a community of supporters ready to act when it matters
most. Friends of Acadia is evolving from behind-the-scenes support to a more visible, coordinated advocacy effort that mobilizes our members and empowers them to engage with legislators when key decisions are on the line.

Through our shared dedication and the strength of Team Acadia, I am confident that we are building a bright and resilient future for this remarkable place. And with the support of our advocacy efforts, I am hopeful Acadia’s best days are yet to come.

To stay up to date on how policy changes are impacting Acadia, visit friendsofacadia.org/policyimpacts.

BILL EACHO is Friends of Acadia’s board chair.