Thank You, Volunteers!

• 330 total volunteers attended
• 21 sections
• 9.84 miles of carriage road cleared

Approximately 330 volunteers turned up on a chilly fall day to show their love for the park during the annual Take Pride in Acadia Day on November 2.

Volunteers rake leaves onto tarps to then carry the pile into the woods and off the road during on Take Pride in Acadia Day. (Evie Linantud/Friends of Acadia)

Volunteers from L.L.Bean rake leaves from the carriage road during on Take Pride in Acadia Day. (Evie Linantud/Friends of Acadia)

Volunteers cleared fallen leaves from drainage areas on almost 10 miles of carriage roads in 21 locations. The effort focused on areas where clogged drainage ditches and culverts could result in significant damage to road surfaces during the freeze-and-thaw cycles of a coastal Maine winter. (It’s not just raking for raking’s sake. This important work reduces costly washouts that occur from rain and ice during the winter and spring.)

Take Pride in Acadia Day is sponsored by Friends of Acadia and facilitated by Acadia National Park to support maintenance of the historic carriage roads. Participants met on Saturday morning at pre-assigned parking locations to access the carriage roads.

Once done raking, volunteers came together at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center parking lot for a delicious hot lunch of the “four Cs” – chili, cornbread, cider, and cake! At lunch, remarks were given by Brandon Bies, Deputy Superintendent of Acadia as well as Stephanie Clement, Vice President of Conservation at Friends of Acadia.

Volunteers from L.L.Bean rake leaves from the carriage road during on Take Pride in Acadia Day. (Evie Linantud/Friends of Acadia)

A group of volunteers gathers with rakes in hand during the 2024 Take Pride in Acadia Day.
(Photo courtesy Mike Staggs)

Some of the hard-raking groups that participated include: Husson University Student Nurses, Footloose Friends, Jackson Labs, UMaine Green Team, Bar Harbor Savins and Loans, Maine Outdoor Adventure Club, DownEast Outing Club, UMaine Ultimate Frisbee, UMaine Tennis, LL Bean, Kappa Alpha Kappa & Psi Delta from UMaine Machias, UMaine Outing Club, UMaine BackCountry Squatters

Save the Date:

The next Take Pride in Acadia Day will be November 1, 2025!

Please email or call Nikki Burtis, Friends of Acadia’s Stewardship Coordinator, with any questions: nikki@friendsofacadia.org or (207) 370-7938

How do I sign up?
Registration opens October 1. You’ll fill out a form on this page to register.

When does registration close?
Registration will close October 25, so there’s time to organize groups and share locations.

How will I know where to go on Nov. 2?
Once you have signed up you will receive an automatic confirmation email. As we get closer to the event, Nikki Burtis, Friends of Acadia’s Stewardship Coordinator, will be in touch about preferences for section assignments and will then give you your section assignment. Your section assignment will tell you where to go on Nov. 2 to meet up with your section leader and receive supplies as well as further instructions.

What do I need to bring?
A positive attitude, a reusable water bottle, closed toed shoes, and appropriate clothing for the weather! Rakes, tarps, gloves, water, and a light snack will be provided by your section leader once you arrive.

What’s the schedule for the day? (When do we get to celebrate with cider and chili?!)
You’ll meet at your designated location at 8:30 a.m. and begin removing leaves until you’ve finished your section, get tired, or stop around 11:30 a.m., whichever comes first. You’ll then head to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center (25 Visitor Center Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609) for lunch, camaraderie, and speakers!
^ Note! Lunch location is different this year!

Who do I get in contact with if I want to be a section leader or if I have a group that wants to participate?
If you have a group that is larger than 10 participants or you want to be a section leader please email Nikki, nikki@friendsofacadia.org

Any further questions?

Please call or email Nikki Burtis, nikki@friendsofacadia.org, 207-288-3934.