Martie and Ed Samek with their grandchildren on MDI. Samek Family photo

As young adults, my wife and I discovered the stunning natural beauty and wonders of Acadia National Park. We fell in love instantly, not only because of the spectacular scenery and views, but also because of the myriad of recreational opportunities.

In time, we returned to Mount Desert Island and Acadia with our three daughters, Anne, Meg, and Liz, and now we have been joined by our sons-in-law and grandchildren. Every summer the entire family group, now sixteen in number, gathers for an extended time on MDI and in the park. Each person in the family seems to have a favorite hike or trail or view! Acadia has become the center of our family life together— a treasure for each of us, as we know it is, also, for many others.

Whether you are a first-time or regular visitor, a year-round or summer resident, you know that Acadia is a special place—a place that feels like it has been here forever and that you can depend on to be here forever, too, for you, your children, and the many generations to come. That is part of its mystery and magnificence. It recalls eternity, in the way its long history blends into its glorious present, with promises to remain, unchanged, well into the future.

However, much has changed since even the founding of the park in 1916. Natural forces and human presence have both protected and eroded the natural and cultural resources of our beloved park. The National Park Service, with its remarkably talented and caring staff, does a great job of protecting and preserving Acadia National Park and the visitor experience it offers. And, fortunately, in 1986 Friends of Acadia was founded as a nonprofit partner for the park service, with shared goals for Acadia. FOA initially focused on the deteriorated carriage roads and hiking trails. Our partnership has been highly successful, as we all can see in the meticulously restored and maintained carriage roads and trails. FOA has also been a major force for protecting and preserving the park in such milestone accomplishments as the creation and support of the propane-fueled Island Explorer bus system and the Acadia Gateway Center; the Acadia Land Legacy partnership, which is helping to protect many privately-held parcels of land within the park’s boundary; preventing clearcutting on Schoodic; among numerous other efforts.

But, our work and accomplishments to date are only the beginning. Our work is really that of unfinished business. We stand on the shoulders of those who began the successful and important work of Friends of Acadia, and we are the shoulders upon which our successors will stand as they continue to preserve and protect the park and the visitor experience— which we all love.

As the eighth board chair of Friends of Acadia, my challenge and responsibility is to help FOA continue the good work of those who have preceded us while helping to prepare FOA for the future. While we deeply appreciate and respect the accomplishments of the past, we recognize that as the beneficiaries of all that good work and care we have an obligation to assure a strong future! The accomplishments of our time of responsibility will stand as our legacy for future generations.

Friends of Acadia, working with you— our partners, volunteers, and donors—and recognizing that we are dealing with unfinished business, will continue the successes of the past. We will focus additionally on the challenges of the future; challenges that include recognizing and helping mitigate the effects of congestion in the park, as well as the important task of inspiring and engaging future generations of park stewards.

Friends of Acadia has inspired and engaged me, as I believe it has you. I invite each of you to continue your support, love, and appreciation for Acadia and to join me in reaching out to the next generation— who will someday be required to continue our work just as we continue the work of those who came before us!

- Edward L. Samek, Chairman