I love to cruise the waters off Mount Desert Island, observing the spectacular coastline, examining the contrast between beautiful cottages and long stretches of undeveloped shore. Without the combined visions of Charles W. Eliot, George B. Dorr, and John D. Rockefeller Jr., there would likely be little undeveloped public land along the shore today. And yet, Acadia is still a work in progress.

Many do not realize that some of Acadia’s most significant resources are not fully protected. In fact, within the park’s legislated boundary, set in 1986, there are more than 1,000 acres of private land. Ultimately, this land should be acquired to complete the park—or “fill in the holes,” as I like to say. One such example is the 123–acre Burnt Porcupine Island in Frenchman Bay. The island is currently undeveloped, appearing as it has for hundreds of years, but that could change very quickly. It was the intent of Congress that Acadia National Park preserve all such islands in their natural and scenic condition for future public use and enjoyment. This mirrors the legislated mandate of the National Park Service: to protect nationally significant natural and cultural resources for present and future generations, while at the same time making them available for the enjoyment of all Americans.

There are many other private parcels within Acadia’s boundary that the park would like to acquire. Recently, the National Park Service completed the purchase of the former Pooler Farm on Northeast Creek, thanks in large part to a partnership with Friends of Acadia and Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT). The Northeast Creek area has long been a popular recreation spot for canoeing, kayaking, bird watching, hiking, cranberry picking, and even ice skating. Now, its future is assured. This joint effort began several years ago, when Friends of Acadia drafted a plan to raise funds for land protection purchases and work with MCHT to negotiate with landowners. For the Pooler Farm, MCHT teamed up with the Bar Harbor Housing Authority to purchase the land, with the idea that the portion of land outside park boundaries could be utilized for affordable housing. Today, this housing serves many island residents. The National Park Service’s role in the process was to seek federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, established with off-shore oil royalties, and set aside for land acquisition. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Collins, this funding was acquired in fiscal years 2006 and 2007. The National Park Service used these funds to purchase the property from MCHT, allowing the money to be used again for future projects. This is the essence of Friends of Acadia’s Land Bank, the goal of which is to help Acadia purchase key parcels when they become available, avoiding further development inside the park.

I believe that land is the very essence of a park, for it is the land that comprises the natural beauty and recreational potential. The land is what people come to experience. For this reason, protecting holdings inside the boundary of the park must continue to be our number one priority. We cannot expect to preserve the value of Acadia without maintaining the integrity of the land within its boundaries.

Federal funding for land acquisition has declined over the course of the last decade. Because of this, the role of partners like Friends of Acadia and Maine Coast Heritage Trust is that much more important to the long-term protection of Acadia. Because of the work that we have done, and continue to do, visitors today enjoy a high-quality experience in Acadia. With the help of generous contributions from many donors and volunteers, we have kept Acadia very special indeed.

- Sheridan Steele, Superintendent