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LETTER TO MEMBERS & SUPPORTERS
Dear Friends:
Your support made 2005 another wonderful year for Friends of Acadia and Acadia National Park. Here are some examples of what Friends accomplished because of member generosity and volunteer activity:
- Surpassed $5.48 million in cumulative grants to the park and communities since 1995, including $2.1 million for carriage road upkeep.
- Established the Elizabeth R. Bright Endowment to maintain the carriage roads for cross-country skiing, thanks to a $250,000 gift from the Bright family.
- Attracted $7 million in Congressional appropriations for assistance in the development of the off-island Acadia Gateway Center to lessen automobile traffic and related environmental pollution.
- Transported 332,569 riders on Island Explorer. Since 1999, the propane buses have carried 1.8 million passengers, eliminated 685,718 automobile trips, and prevented 6,444 tons of greenhouse gases, thanks in large measure to $2 million in grants to Friends of Acadia from L.L.Bean.
- Made possible the employment of 124 workers who maintained trails and carriage roads, drove Island Explorer buses, and did other jobs that protect the park.
- Leveraged, with ACADIATRAILSFOREVERfunds, park entry fees with which park crews reopened and rededicated the previously abandoned Penobscot Mountain Trail.
- Provided funding for the park to monitor 20 conservation easements and document private lands within its boundaries.
- Pledged $500,000 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust for land acquisition benefiting Acadia National Park.
- Testified in Congress regarding national park fees and the role of philanthropy in the parks.
- Urged the Park Service to revise policies that would hamper philanthropy and diminish protection for natural and cultural resources.
As in the previous year, Friends of Acadia earned Charity Navigator's highest rating (4 stars) for fundraising efficiency and financial management. We ran our tenth straight balanced budget, further evidence of our respect for our donors and their gifts.
We thank park superintendent Sheridan Steele and deputy superintendent Len Bobinchock and their outstanding staff. Despite federal budget challenges, they keep Acadia beautiful.
Friends of Acadia is fortunate for its excellent board of directors, highly effective staff, devoted volunteers, and generous membership. As you read on, please take satisfaction in knowing you have helped preserve one of Earth's most mag nificent places.
In gratitude,
Dianna R. Emory, Chairman of the Board
W. Kent Olson, President
Edward L. Samek, Treasurer
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