Management

 

For Future Generations

Since its founding a dedicated team of individuals has worked together to preserve the Acadia's natural and cultural resources unimpaired for this and future generations. Learn more about the dedicated Acadia National Park team, including employees, volunteers, and partners, what we do, and how we manage this incredibly special place.

 

Protecting Nature

Acadia is changing - so are we. In the face of various environmental threats such as climate change and invasive species, this is a now-or-never challenge. Acadia National Park, with the support of its partners in science, is a leader in applying new approaches to managing national parks in the face of rapid environmental change. Based in science and research, park management actions aim to preserve the park's natural resources unimpaired for future generations. Learn more about what we do to protect nature.
 
patch of green plants with sign saying Restoration Area, please do no walk
New Approach to Restoration

Learn more about the new strategies Acadia and its partners are using to tackle restoration projects in the face of climate change.

A porcupine walks along granite and ground vegetation
Nature

Explore fascinating animals, plants, and landscapes where the summits meet the sea and learn about the challenges facing this special place.

Two people hold a juvenile peregrine falcon while banding its leg
Science & Research

Learn more about how we conduct research and science at Acadia and the amazing people and partners who protect this place for the future.

three people stoop over a table conducting research
Partners In Science

Learn more about the ways that Acadia's partners are essential in the effort to study Acadia.

 

Preserving History

Acadia is a living landscape. People have influenced the landscape since time immemorial. Their traces left behind in archeology and historic structures join together with the living communities that still exist. Historic preservation focuses on managing designed landscapes including historic carriage roads, historic trails, historic structures, historic viewsheds, and the museum collection. These historic resources along with archeological and ethnographic resources are facing an uncertain future due to climate change and other environmental factors.
 
a stone wall
Preserve History

Learn more about the many ways that Acadia preserves its historic resources including historic structures, museum collections, and data.

Historic photograph held in front of a landscape
History & Culture

Learn about the people and places that make up our past, present, and future.

Historic photograph of a brick building with people grouped in front
Collections

Learn about the William Otis Sawtelle Collections and Research Center, dedicated to the founder of the Islesford Historical Museum.

 

Managing Visitors

Parks are for people. Millions of visitors come to Acadia every year to enjoy its natural beauty, historic significance, and recreational experiences. Managing those millions of visitors takes an understanding of the complex forces at work including sharp increases in visitation. Learn more about the many ways Acadia National Park manages congestion and uses communication to help inspire visitors to stay safe and care for this special place.
 
crowds of people walk down the steps toward a rocky ocean cliff
Manage Visitors

Learn more about the many ways that park staff help manage visitor behavior and impacts to protect the park.

a person in a visibility vest reads a meter in front of a car on the road
Social Science Research

Find research reports on the many ways Acadia studies how humans impact the park, from restrooms to roads.

A person points to an informational sign on a wooden tripod
Leave No Trace

Acadia National Park is committed to promoting Leave No Trace and encouraging visitors to minimize their impact during their visit.

 

Maintaining & Managing Infrastructure

Acadia National Park is a peaceful, beautiful place. It is also a dynamic, ever-changing hub of decisions, plans, and actions that maintain over 700 infrastructure assets including buildings, trails, water and wastewater systems, campgrounds, and roads. The talented staff of the National Park Service work annually to protect these resources and provide a positive visitor experience for the millions who visit Acadia today and for future generations.
 
a backhoe machine digging in a parking lot
Maintain & Manage Infrastructure

Learn more about the many ways that staff maintain and manage park buildings, roads, water and wastewater systems, trails and more.

Two people riding horseback under stone bridge
Carriage Roads & Gatehouses - 1913-1940

Learn the history behind the design, planning, and construction of the famous carriage road system.

Historic photograph of a trail through forested area
Historic Trails (--- to 1958

Mount Desert Island’s present-day trail system evolved over centuries of human use and settlement of the land.

Historic photo of cars on a scenic road
Motor Roads - 1922-1958

Acadia’s motor road system involved engineers, landscape architects, conservationists, local skilled laborers, the federal agencies.

 

Working with Communities

As a living landscape, Acadia National Park works with the many communities that exist in and around the park. The park is in the traditional homeland of Wabanaki people who live here and have lived here since time immemorial. The park has a government-to-government relationship with tribes. The park also works with the many towns and communities that surround the park and uses tools such as conservation easements and processes such as civic engagement to connect with communities on the many issues that are interwoven with park management. Along with our other partners, the Acadia Advisory Commission is a key link between the park and the surrounding communities.
 
two men stand talking to each other in front of a wetland
Land & Boundary Management

Learn more about the many ways that the Acadia team works with surrounding communities to manage lands such as conservation easements.

2 park staff in uniform stand with three women in plain clothes
Tribal Relations

Learn more about the Acadia's government-to-government relationship with Wabanaki tribes and the ways we work together.

a group sits in a room listening to a speaker
Acadia Advisory Commission

Learn more about how the Acadia Advisory Commission works, along with meeting minutes and announcements.

 

Working With Partners

The origin of Acadia National Park is characterized by a rich legacy of conservation that continues today through many partnerships, philanthropic efforts, and Acadia’s ongoing conservation easement program. Acadia has many partnerships that support its natural and cultural protection and preservation efforts through donations, endowments, volunteerism, and advocacy efforts. This legacy of citizen-initiated conservation and philanthropy allows the park to meet its mission of protecting and preserving its cultural and natural resources for present and future generations.
 
A large steel framed building with masonry and wood facade
Partners

Learn more about the partners who help us operate.

three people stoop over a table conducting research
Partners In Science

Learn more about the ways that Acadia's partners are essential in the effort to study Acadia.

 

Planning For the Future

All of the above actions - protecting nature, preserving history, managing visitors, managing infrastructure, and working with communities and partners - takes a lot of planning. Parks are in the 'forever business' and planning for the future is an important part of what we do. Learn more about the types of plans the park produces and some of the major plans that have guided the park into a sustainable and protected future.
 
a finger points at a landscape plan
Planning

Learn more about Acadia's planning efforts from the past, present, and future, and the types of plans the park uses to guide the way forward

A technician seated next to road watches a car drive over a traffic monitor.
Transportation Plan

Acadia has a plan to improve visitor experiences and reduce congestion. Work began in 2020 and full implementation may take a decade.

 

About Us

Curious about who we are and our organizational structure? You can find out more on our staff and offices page or check out our publications page for authoritative information about the park. As always, you can visit us at a contact station or contact us for more information at any time.
 
Person in a meeting room with others looking at paperwork
Our Staff & Offices

Park staff consists of permanent and seasonal employees organized by function under various divisions.

Drawing of indigenous people and a canoe
Publications

Find authoritative resources on park management, history, natural resources and more.

Law enforcement vehicle and ambulance next to a sidewalk
Laws & Policies

Learn about the federal laws, policies, and guidelines that the National Park Service follows and enforces in Acadia National Park.

A ranger at a help desk smiles down at a young girl
Contact Us

Find up to date contact information for Acadia National Park including contact stations, emails, mailing addresses and phone numbers.

 

More About Managing Acadia National Park

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    Last updated: November 1, 2023

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    Contact Info

    Mailing Address:

    PO Box 177
    Bar Harbor, ME 04609

    Phone:

    207 288-3338

    Contact Us