Measuring Climate Change in Acadia National Park

Whether you're preparing for your upcoming expedition or simply want to learn more about Acadia National Park, these resources offer a deeper look at the wildlife, habitats and research that make this landscape so special. Explore Acadia's coastal ecosystems, learn how climate change is affecting forests and shorelines and discover how scientists are working to protect biodiversity in a changing world.

Why Is Acadia One of the Best Places in the World to Study Climate Change in Coastal Ecosystems?

In Acadia National Park, fog drifts across spruce-covered headlands while Atlantic waves crash against granite shores. Here, along one of the fastest-warming marine regions on Earth, scientists are tracking how climate change is reshaping coastal forests, wildlife populations and the interconnected ecosystems that link ocean and land.

The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than nearly every ocean region on Earth, creating measurable changes throughout Acadia's forests, shorelines and mountain habitats. Researchers are investigating how wildlife moves resources between ecosystems, where climate-sensitive plants may find refuge and which habitats are most likely to support biodiversity in the future.

This combination of dramatic coastal landscapes, long-term ecological monitoring and active conservation research makes Acadia a meaningful place for participants to contribute to science while helping researchers understand how ecosystems respond to a changing climate.

Quick Facts: Measuring Climate Change in Acadia National Park

Location: Acadia National Park, Maine
Research partner: Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park
Key activity: Ecological monitoring and habitat surveys
Conservation focus: Climate adaptation, ecosystem resilience and biodiversity conservation

What Wildlife Will I See on a Climate Change Expedition in Acadia?

Acadia sits at the meeting point of ocean, forest and mountain ecosystems, creating habitat for a remarkable diversity of wildlife. While the expedition focuses on ecological monitoring and climate research, participants may encounter a variety of species that help tell the story of how Acadia's ecosystems are changing.

• Atlantic puffins nesting on offshore islands during July departures

• Harbor seals hauled out along rocky coastlines and offshore ledges

• Gulls, cormorants and other seabirds that forage in the Gulf of Maine

• Mussels, crabs, sea urchins and other intertidal species found in Acadia's rocky shoreline habitats

• Red foxes, mink and river otters that move between coastal forests and the shoreline

• Warblers and other migratory songbirds that travel through Acadia along the Atlantic Flyway

• Crows and other corvids that transport marine prey inland and help connect ocean and forest ecosystems

• Spruce-fir forest birds such as chickadees, thrushes and vireos that inhabit Acadia's coastal woodlands

Acadia lies along a major migratory corridor and supports an exceptional diversity of wildlife within a relatively compact landscape. The connections between these species and their habitats are a central focus of the research conducted throughout the expedition.

What Is the Climate Like During This Expedition?

Summer in coastal Maine is generally mild, though conditions can change quickly due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. Participants should be prepared for sunshine, fog, wind, rain and rapidly changing weather throughout the week.

Mountain summits and exposed shorelines often feel cooler than inland areas, particularly during windy or foggy conditions.

What Should I Pack for a Climate Change Expedition in Acadia?

Participants should pack for changing coastal conditions, active days outdoors and fieldwork across forests, shorelines and mountain habitats. Layering is important, as temperatures can vary considerably throughout the day.

Recommended items include:

• Comfortable hiking shoes or trail shoes

• Lightweight field clothing

• Long pants

• Fleece or lightweight insulating layer

• Waterproof rain jacket

• Hat and sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Refillable water bottle

• Small daypack

• Binoculars

• Camera or smartphone

• Insect repellent

Because weather in Acadia can shift quickly, reliable rain gear and layered clothing are among the most important items to bring.

What Will I Experience on Measuring Climate Change in Acadia National Park?

Participants assist scientists studying how climate change affects Acadia's forests, coastlines and wildlife. Fieldwork may include monitoring rare plant communities, documenting wildlife activity, reviewing camera-trap images and searching for evidence of marine prey transported inland by animals such as foxes, mink and river otters.

Beyond the research, participants experience some of Acadia's most memorable landscapes and cultural sites, including Cadillac Mountain, the Schoodic Peninsula, the Gulf of Maine and the Abbe Museum. Wildlife cruises, working waterfront experiences and time spent at Schoodic Institute help connect the science to the broader story of coastal Maine.

What Does Daily Fieldwork Look Like?

Fieldwork takes place across a variety of habitats, including coastal forests, rocky shorelines, mountain summits and long-term monitoring sites. Participants may help document plant communities, measure habitat conditions, identify wildlife captured on camera traps and record observations used in ongoing ecological studies.

Research activities vary from day to day and are shaped by weather, tides and scientific priorities. Some days focus on understanding how wildlife connects ocean and forest ecosystems, while others explore climate refugia that may help vulnerable species persist as temperatures continue to rise. Throughout the expedition, participants work alongside researchers to better understand how climate change is affecting Acadia from sea to summit.