Jesse Wheeler (right), Acadia National Park vegetation program manager, shows U.S. House of Representatives and members of the media the revegetation plots on Cadillac Summit during a Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Thursday, September 9, 2021, in Acadia National Park. (Photo by Ashley L. Conti/Friends of Acadia)

U.S. Representatives from the Sustainable Energy and Environmental Coalition (SEEC) spent three days in Acadia National Park this week learning about the effects of climate change and how the park is addressing it with the help of partners like Friends of Acadia and Schoodic Institute.

Representatives Chellie Pingree from Maine and Mike Quigley from IL who both serve as vice-chairs of the SEEC, were joined by Representative Nanette Barragan from CA, Representative Ann McLane Kuster from NH, as well as several key staffers.

The purpose of the visit was to learn firsthand from park scientists and natural resource managers how climate change is affecting Acadia, and what needs to be done to protect it for future generations.

After a welcome reception on Wednesday evening at Schoodic Institute, the delegation toured Acadia by bus Thursday stopping at several sites, including Sieur de Monts, Thunder Hole, the carriage roads, and Cadillac Mountain.

Park scientists, leaders, and partners—including Friends of Acadia and Schoodic Institute—had an opportunity to share the park’s new approach to managing natural resources in the face of rapid environmental change and to showcase Wild Acadia projects such as the summit restoration work happening on Cadillac.

“I hope we can take some of these things we’re learning back to congress to think about how we’re budgeting for national parks, but also some of them are ideas we can use on a bigger scale as we deal with climate change across the country,” said Representative Chellie Pingree.

Our Fall issue of Acadia magazine will have more on this story and our how climate change is impacting the park.

Here are some links to press coverage on the congressional visit:

• Congressional officials visit Acadia to talk about climate change – Mount Desert Islander (mdislander.com)
• Political leaders participate in climate change tour at Acadia National Park | newscentermaine.com
• U.S. Representatives from around the country gather at Acadia National Park to discuss climate change | newscentermaine.com
• Climate change impact on national parks – WVII / Fox Bangor
• Congressional delegation discusses climate change – WVII / Fox Bangor