Northeast Temperate Network Vital Signs Meeting Acadia National Park Overview

Northeast Temperate Network

Notes/summaries of a meeting on the Vital Signs of Acadia National Park by the Northeast Temperate Network. The National Park Service at Acadia National Park protects and conserves outstanding scenic, natural, and cultural resources for present and future generations. These resources include a glaciated coastal and island landscape, biological diversity, clean air and water, and a rich cultural heritage. Acadia National Park also offers opportunities for high quality non-consumptive recreation, education, and scientific research. Located within a day's drive from many large cities within the northeastern United States and Canada, over three million people visit the Park annually. ACAD has increasingly become identified as a mecca for outdoor recreation in Maine. This intense demand for public use at ACAD threatens many sensitive habitats in the Park and comprises high quality visitor experiences. Increasing residential development abutting the Park's boundary and air pollution from upwind sources also pose significant risks to natural resources.