Friends of Acadia

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.[17]

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