More than 300 ‘friends’ of Acadia National Park gathered for Friends of Acadia’s 2025 Annual Meeting on July 9 at the Bar Harbor Club.

The air was full of good cheer, excitement, and positive energy as we celebrated our impact for Acadia, along with distinguished community members who were key parts of that success.

Watch the full meeting

Award Recipients

Mark and Georgia Munsell accept the Excellence in Volunteerism Award from Friends of Acadia Vice President of Development Lisa Horsch Clark and former Acadia National Park Trails Foreman Gary Stellpflug at the Friends of Acadia Annual Meeting on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Bar Harbor Club in Bar Harbor, ME. (Photo by Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)

Excellence in Volunteerism: Georgia and Mark Munsell

Georgia and Mark Munsell together received the Excellence in Volunteerism award.

For her tireless leadership of the Friends of Acadia membership table program since its inception—greeting visitors with a smile, boundless knowledge about Acadia, and occasionally baked goods, Georgia Munsell set the gold standard for volunteer engagement and welcomed thousands of new members into our organization.

For his legendary status as one of the “Fabulous Four” trail volunteers—specializing in bridges, construction, and the occasional MacGyver-level fix—Mark Munsell has put countless hours into helping keep Acadia’s trails safe, scenic, and structurally sound, one plank at a time.
Together, Georgia and Mark have given generously of their time, talents, and good humor, embodying the spirit of stewardship and community that makes Acadia shine. Whether it’s building bridges (literally) or building connections (figuratively), the Munsells have inspired us all.

FOA Major Gifts Officer, Devin Luedekke, and FOA Vice President of Development, Lisa Horsch Clark, present the Darn Good Work Award to David Katona and Anne Green to recognizing their work on the Raise the Roof seasonal housing fundraising campaign at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Bar Harbor Club in Bar Harbor, ME.
(Photo by Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)

President’s Darn Good Work Award: Anne Green and David Katona

Anne Green and David Katona together received the President’s Darn Good Work award.

For their fearless leadership as co-chairs of the Raise the Roof campaign; for showing up to weekly Monday meetings for a year and a half with energy, ideas, and only minimal caffeine dependency; for shaping the campaign case statement with the precision of editors and the passion of true believers; for proofing documents, inspiring committee members, finding and charming donors, and attending fundraising events with style and stamina.

For helping us complete the campaign in record time, on a shoestring budget, with grace and grit. Thanks to their efforts, the Dane Farm and Harden Farm housing campuses are no longer a dream — they’re a trailblazing model of success for addressing seasonal workforce housing issues across the country.

Hannah Sistare Clark accepts the Marianne Edwards Distinguished Service Award from Friends of Acadia Board Chair Bill Eacho at the Friends of Acadia Annual Meeting on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Bar Harbor Club in Bar Harbor, ME. (Photo by Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)

Marianne Edwards Distinguished Service Award: Hannah Sistare Clark

Hannah Sistare Clark received the Marianne Edwards award (named after Friends of Acadia’s founder).

For her fourteen years of service on the Friends of Acadia Board fulfilling multiple roles, including Vice Chair, Advocacy Committee Chair, and Acadia for All Committee member; for sharing her expertise in political processes and public administration from her distinguished career in Washington, D.C.; for helping to develop Friends of Acadia’s core policy positions on everything from salmon farms to air quality and native plants; for advancing key conservation legislation, such as the Great American Outdoors Act and the Native Plant Species Pilot Program Act; for helping us build broad coalitions united in our love of Acadia National Park; for presenting Acadia’s needs to the Maine Congressional delegation at every opportunity; and for bringing her dedication to public service to FOA and Acadia.

Guests listen to remarks from Kevinn Schneider, superintendent of Acadia National Park, during the Friends of Acadia annual meeting. (Rhiannon Johnston/Friends of Acadia)

Eric Stiles, president and CEO of Friends of Acadia, addresses the crowd during the Friends of Acadia annual meeting. (Rhiannon Johnston/Friends of Acadia)

Kevin Schneider, superintendent of Acadia National Park, addresses the audience during the Friends of Acadia annual meeting. (Rhiannon Johnston/Friends of Acadia)

Kevin Schneider, the superintendent of Acadia National Park, gifts an arrowhead to Friends of Acadia as a thank you for their efforts for the Raise the Roof campaign.(Rhiannon Johnston/Friends of Acadia)

Guests mingle outside during food service and the open bar after the Friends of Acadia annual meeting.(Rhiannon Johnston/Friends of Acadia)

Kelby Youngberg (left), a seasonal summit steward for Friends of Acadia talks with Friends of Acadia volunteer, Peg Emple (right) during the open bar hour after the Friends of Acadia annual meeting. (Rhiannon Johnston/Friends of Acadia)

(L-R) Acadia Winter Trails Association Volunteer Groomer and Stewardship Volunteer Jake Bison, FOA Digital Marketing Manager Eliza Worrick, FOA Stewardship Manager Nikki Burtis, and ANP Trail Crew member Matt Grant enjoy the refreshment hour after the Friends of Acadia Annual Meeting on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Bar Harbor Club in Bar Harbor, ME. (Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)

Guests gather outside to enjoy food and the open bar after the Friends of Acadia annual meeting. (Rhiannon Johnston/Friends of Acadia)