Counting for Conservation


Enhancing visitor experience and protecting Acadia’s resources through data collection.

BY BECCA STANLEY

Acadia National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country, with about 4 million visits annually. This popularity is a bit of a double-edged sword: it’s wonderful to share the park with so many visitors, but a challenge to effectively manage park ecosystems while maintaining high-quality visitor experiences.

To help with this constant struggle, Acadia uses manual and automated counting methods including electronic trail, pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic counters, as well as in-person observations and surveys. This monitoring system allows the park to analyze specific visitor patterns, which assists park managers in making informed decisions.

Legacy of Counting

Acadia has a rich history of counting and monitoring visitor use. In the early 1900s, park staff tallied vehicles entering locations like Sieur de Mont Springs and Cadillac Mountain Summit Road by hand. Since then, Acadia has changed the way it counts visits by incorporating automated counting devices, also known as “counters.”

Counters are a vital tool in understanding visitation and preserving natural resources.

 

Katie Laska, Friends of Acadia Recreation Technician, assists with the installation of the Schoodic Peninsula traffic counter. (Photo by Becca Stanley/Friends of Acadia)

Case Study 1: Cadillac Mountain

At 1,530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest peak in Acadia National Park.

As part of the 2019 Transportation Management Plan, the park implemented a timed-entry reservation system (TERS) for vehicles driving the Cadillac Summit Road from May to October.

Visitors entering on foot or bike don’t require a reservation. To monitor approaches to Cadillac’s summit by foot, trail counters were placed on Cadillac Mountain trails. These devices count the number of ascending and descending hikers. Using these data, park managers can assess the magnitude and timing of Cadillac Mountain trail use, improving the understanding of visitation trends, particularly as they may be affected by the reservation system.

Case Study 2: Sargent and Penobscot Mountain

Sargent and Penobscot Mountain summits face significant challenges related to vegetation loss and degradation, which may be caused by increased foot traffic, among other factors.

In response, Acadia National Park, Schoodic Institute, Friends of Acadia, and University of Maine researchers initiated a multicomponent restoration project in 2023. To evaluate the success of restoration efforts, researchers combine data from trail counters, cameras, and in-person surveys.

By tracking visitor numbers, behavior, and survey responses, park managers can develop a strategy for better protecting these fragile summits.

Katie Laska, Friends of Acadia Recreation Technician, replaces batteries in equipment at the Schoodic Peninsula. (Photo by Becca Stanley/Friends of Acadia)

Case Study 3: Champlain Mountain & Other Peregrine Closure Areas

During peregrine falcon nesting season, parts of Champlain Mountain (Precipice trail), Penobscot Mountain (Jordan Cliffs trail), and Valley Cove (Valley Cove trail) are closed to protect the birds and their potential offspring.

Trail counters are deployed as a non-invasive way to monitor visitor use within wildlife closure areas. If results indicate visitors are entering restricted areas, park staff can intervene and improve signage or further restrict access (e.g., close parking lots) to better protect the falcons.

Dr. Adam Gibson, Acadia National Park’s social science program manager, and Friends of Acadia Rec Techs plan an experiment at Great Meadow. (Photo by Evie Linantud/Friends of Acadia)

Case Study 4: Carriage Roads

Acadia’s historic carriage roads offer a unique way to experience park landscapes. At certain times of the year,
especially during peak times of the day, the carriage roads can become crowded. Carriage road counters can detect pedestrians and bicyclists, allowing park rangers to recommend alternate routes to visitors if certain places and times are expected to be crowded. This simultaneously allows Acadia’s managers to better protect the historic carriage roads and provides visitors a more enjoyable experience.

Acadia’s use of trail, bicycle, and traffic counters demonstrates how technology can enhance the management of the park’s natural spaces. By providing accurate data on visitor numbers and behaviors, counters help park managers make informed decisions that protect the park’s resources while ensuring a high-quality experience for visitors.

As visitation continues to grow, Acadia’s commitment to data-driven management will be crucial in preserving this beloved park for future generations.


BECCA STANLEY is Friends of Acadia’s Recreation Technician Coordinator.