Date: August 11, 2014
Contact: John Kelly, 207-288-8703
Acadia National Park Superintendent Sheridan Steele announces that Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, will visit the park on Friday, August 15, 2014 to highlight the importance of the partnership between the National Park Service and the Schoodic Institute in engaging youth and facilitating science research. She will be joined by the Director of the National Park Service Jonathan B. Jarvis. They will both speak at a ceremony behind the Rockefeller Welcome Center at SERC at 3 pm, on Friday, August 15.
The public is welcome to attend. Schoodic Institute is hosting the event, and has requested RSVPs in advance to (207) 288-1310.
"We are pleased to have these two leaders speaking about the importance of youth and science in national parks," said Steele. "It emphasizes the important work we are doing with our partners in Acadia, like Schoodic Institute and Friends of Acadia. The programs and partnerships increase our capacity every day to accomplish the mission of the National Park Service."
"One of the unique attributes of our national parks, including Acadia, is their unmatched ability to serve as living laboratories where the effects of climate change and other threats can be studied in places that are largely unimpaired by human activities," said Director Jarvis. "The collaboration between Acadia and the Schoodic Institute and other partners supports the unique research and learning opportunities at Acadia and is a model that other national parks can emulate."
"Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park partners with the National Park Service on science and education initiatives," said Schoodic Institute President and CEO Mark Berry. "Our education efforts blend science and art, and are focused on giving students and participants of all ages opportunities to contribute to research that provides information valuable to Acadia National Park and the region."
Secretary Jewell has launched an ambitious youth initiative at the Department of the Interior to inspire millions of young people to play, learn, serve and work in the great outdoors.Acadia National Park is playing an important role in providing educational, volunteer and engagement opportunities to young people.
"Schoodic Institute works with the National Park Service, Friends of Acadia, and other partners to bring hundreds of school children for a multi-day residential outdoor science education experience in Acadia National Park each year," added Berry. "Other programs created by the Institute offer teacher professional development opportunities and are bringing park science to teachers and students across Maine and the nation. These dynamic learning experiences increase science literacy for the next generation."
"We know that engaging the next generation is key to the stewardship of the park and that continuing our efforts in science is what will help us to make informed decisions about how to manage Acadia National Park," said Steele. "Both of these things are critical to our success as we move into the next 100 years of managing our national parks."
For more information about Acadia National Park, visit www.nps.gov/acad. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AcadiaNPS, or Twitter .
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to guiding present and future generations to greater understanding and respect for nature by providing research and learning opportunities through its outstanding Acadia National Park setting, unique coastal Maine facilities, and innovative partnership programs. The Schoodic Institute exists in a close public-private partnership with the National Park Service. The Institute supports science and education throughout Acadia National Park and the region and manages the Schoodic Education and Research Center campus. For more information about Schoodic Institute, visit www.schoodicinstitute.org.
Friends of Acadia is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to preserving, protecting, and promoting stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations. For more information about Friends of Acadia, visit www.friendsofacadia.org.
