Friends of Acadia explained

Friends of Acadia is a nonprofit membership organization that helps preserve and protect Acadia National Park and its surrounding communities.[1] [2] Based in Bar Harbor, Maine, the organization works with Acadia to identify areas where its advocacy can benefit the park's critical needs, such as protecting natural resources and engaging youth volunteers.[3] [4] [5]

In March 2020, Friends of Acadia backed legislation that was sponsored by Sen. Angus King (I-ME) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), granting Gold Star families free access to all national parks.[6] The organization claimed the bill would “increase access to the restorative powers of nature.”[7]

FOA's "Wild Acadia" initiative supports conservation-related programs and research, including the restoration of watersheds impacted by invasive species, reduction of threats to water quality, and improvement to stream flow for fish passage.[8] Donors like Martha Stewart and Dick Wolf have supported the initiative in the past.[9] [10]

Friends of Acadia contributes funding to the Island Explorer bus system. [11]

Leadership

Friends of Acadia's former president and CEO is David MacDonald, who had previously worked at Maine Coast Heritage Trust.[12] [13] He is often cited in news stories relating to Acadia and other national parks, in addition to publishing op-ed columns on park-related issues.[14] [15] [16] In 2021, MacDonald announced his intention to leave Friends of Acadia in 2022, after ten years in the role."MacDonald leaving Friends of Acadia" – Mount Desert Islander, November 3, 2021

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Senator Collins meets with Friends of Acadia leadership. 2020-03-02. Mount Desert Islander. en-US. 2020-03-31.
  2. Web site: Charity Navigator - Rating for Friends of Acadia. Charity Navigator. en. 2020-03-31.
  3. Web site: Partners - Acadia National Park (U.S. National Park Service). www.nps.gov. en. 2020-03-31.
  4. Web site: Friends of Acadia National Parks Traveler. www.nationalparkstraveler.org. 2020-03-31.
  5. Web site: L.L. Bean Makes $1 Million Gift to Friends of Acadia National Park. Candid. Philanthropy News Digest (PND). en. 2020-03-31.
  6. Web site: Gold Star families could get free access to national parks. 2020-03-08. SFChronicle.com. en-US. 2020-03-31.
  7. Web site: Gold Star families could get free access to national parks. 2020-03-08. AP NEWS. 2020-03-31.
  8. Web site: Acadia’s forests ‘super healthy’. 2019-09-15. Mount Desert Islander. en-US. 2020-04-09.
  9. Web site: It’s a good thing: Martha Stewart to give $1M for Acadia National Park. 2016-12-30. Acadia on My Mind. en-US. 2020-04-09.
  10. Web site: Friends of Acadia Gala Raises Nearly $800K. 2011-08-18. The Ellsworth American. en-US. 2020-04-09.
  11. Web site: Island Explorer adds new propane-powered buses to fleet. Ellsworth American. July 6, 2019 . January 28, 2021.
  12. Web site: David MacDonald President and CEO of Friends of Acadia. 2017-06-28. The Maine Mag. en-US. 2020-03-31.
  13. Web site: David MacDonald. Dr. Lisa Belisle. en-US. 2020-03-31.
  14. Web site: MacDonald is named new CEO of Friends of Acadia. 2012-04-04. The Ellsworth American. en-US. 2020-03-31.
  15. Web site: Acadia National Park closing due to coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic. WCSH. 2020-03-31.
  16. Web site: If National Parks Are 'America’s Best Idea,' Let’s Adequately Fund Them. Morning Consult. en-US. 2020-03-31.

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