Acadia National Park

Ecology Natural History class takes to the bog. Just a short walk from campus, the park offers endless opportunities to hike, bike, climb, run, paddle, pick berries, swim, ski, make art, gain inspiration, and study everything from ornithology to poetry, botany, winter ecology, conservation policy, and interpretive exhibit design. COA gives every incoming student a trail map, and one way or another we trust you’ll put it to good use.

Many COA students engage deeply with research projects and other academic pursuits in the park, participate in internships there through our competitive Acadia Scholars program, and even go on to work there as biologists, interpreters, administrators, and more. Check out our Acadia National Park academic projects page to learn more.

Stories in and around Acadia National Park:

NEWS

Community-based research presented at science symposium

College of the Atlantic students share posters and academic research at the annual Acadia Science Symposium, a forum hosted by the National Park Service and the Schoodic Institute to promote networking and learning among regional scientists, educators, students, and others working in a range of fields.
NEWS

A year in the life of Acadia National Park’s birds [PBS NewsHour]

Catch up with College of the Atlantic ornithology instructor Rich MacDonald on his year-long challenge to identify as many birds by sight or sound as possible.
NEWS

Geological Society Lauds Watershed Work

A self-designed research project mapping and monitoring a watershed in Acadia National Park wins the Best Student Poster Award for Sahra Gibson ’20 and collaborators at the Northeast Geological Society of Maine’s student conference.