NatParks-Jessica+M.

__**Acadia National Park**__

**__Park Profile:__** February 26, 1919 - Lafayette National Park January 19, 1929 - Acadia National Park || Location: ||< More than 2 Million people Acadia, Maine || __**History of Acadia National Park **__ The Acadia National park was started by summer residents being worried about the island forests being cut down, and homes would line the rocky shore of the island. In the reaction to that they started buying up areas of land that they wanted to save. The people that played a role in the preserving of the land is Charles Eliot, Waldron Bates, [|George B. Dorr], and the Wabanakipeople. This group of people worked hard to preserve the land, Charles Eliot was credited for the creation of the park, Waldron Bates was the person that created most of the hiking paths that are present on the island. Then there was George B. Dorr that was known as the father of the Acadia National Park. He spent most of his adult life caring for the park and expanding it to make it what it is today. Acadia National Park started in 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson created Sieur de Monts National Monument. Then more land was given to this monument and the name was changed to Lafaytte National Park, it was the first national park that was east of the Mississippi river. But one more time in 1929 the name was finally changed to Acadia National Park. All the land that is in this park was all donated from the people who wanted to protect the island that it was on.
 * < Year founded: ||< July 8, 1916 - Sieur de Monts National Monument
 * < Region of U.S: ||< Northeastern Tip ||
 * < Size of Park: ||< over 35,000 acres not including the over 12,000 acres in conservation easements. ||
 * < General Climate: ||< Moderate ||
 * < Most Popular Site: ||< Wonder Trail ||
 * < Visitors per Year:

__**Environmental Issues that Acadia National Park face **__ __Water Quality:__ At Acadia biologists are worried about the health of the water systems. Biologists are always testing the pH levels, along with the presents of other pollutants. There is worry about acid rain in the area which can fall in the form of snow, rain, and or fog. Biologists say that the acid rain that falls in Acadia is about ten times more acidic than any other rain fall. The acid rain has a HUGE impact on the water world of Acadia National Park. Acid rain can drop the pH levels in water habitats, this chances the survival of the plants that live in the water. Although water quality of Acadia is fine now, Biologists continue to test the water so that can track and changes in the levels of the water __Air Quality**:**__ Acadia faces problems with ground level ozone. Ground level ozone is a pollutant that is created through a chemical reaction with other pollutants that are present in sunlight. With wind patterns they carry the pollutants from the Midwest and east coast cities such as Boston and New York. These winds also reach the coast of Acadia, Maine. The time that the air quality is at its worse is in the summer time.

**__ Animals: __** Acadia is very concerned with the protection of endangered species in their area. There are about 50 species of mammals, 5 species of snake, and 300 species of birds that have made Acadia National Park their permanent home or migration spot. One endangered species that is present in the park is Peregrine Falcons. They are endangered in Maine but are found in the park. The reason for their decline is due to the loss of habitats, trapping, hunting, and chemical pesticides that are being used. But the main reason they are being lost is due to pesticides.DDT has a huge impact on their species, it causes thin egg shells that can easily crack causing the young not to survive. This is one of the species that are being protected by this beautiful park!

 __**Plants:**__ The park does its best to protect the nature. One way that the park officials do that is by removing the plants that do not belong, and are invading the other plants. They call these plants exotics. Most of these plants escaped gardens, the way that they made it to the park is from wind, birds, and other animals that were able to bring their seeds to where they are now in the park. The Botanists who are the scientists that study plants in the park are on the lookout of these invasive plants. One in particular that they watch for is the Purple Loosestrife. This plant loves the wetland areas. They can "take over" the wetland habitat by choking out the plants that should be there in order for it to live. By removing these plants that aren't native to the park, Acadia is protecting the habitats for the plants and the animals that do belong on the island.

__**Natural Land Features, and Weather:**__ There are many natural land features present in Acadia National Park. One that is there is Cadillac Mountain. It was home to Native Americans thousands of years ago. It is the only mountain in the park with and auto road available. Over 20% of the park is classified as wetlands, and are home to many different animal species, and plant species. Along with wetlands about 2,600 acres of Acadia National Park are lakes and ponds. The lakes and ponds are tested fequently and proved to be in the best condition. The quality of the water is in perfect condition. Another Natural land feature is the beaches, coastlines and Shorelines. With Acadia National Park being on an island these are the most precious natural land features that they can offer. When visiting the park the weather in the summer on average is a delighful 67 degrees, and in the winter it can get to a low of 27 degrees.

Recreational Activities of Acadia National Park!

Types of Activities at Acadia:
 * Outdoor activities like camping, beaches, museums, ponds, Biking, Fishing, Bird Watching, Boating, Climbing, Horse Back Riding, Swimming at Acadia's beaches, tide pooling, Hiking trials, scenic drives, and EVEN weddings. (For complete list and Descriptions of outdoor activities click here)
 * Some indoor activities for the people that aren't outdoor savvy are visiting the Isleford Historical Museum, the Abbie Museum, Nature Center, the Hulls Cove visitor's center, and the Senior Ranger Program
 * There are many planned activities that are hosted all throughout the year at the Park. There is Ranger Led programs, open house, Family Nature Camps and so much more to find out more information and to find more events being hosted during the year Click Here!
 * There are Ranger narrated boat cruises that take you around the peninsula, go and watch a diver explore the bottom of the bay that surrounds the island. Also you <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">can climb upon the ship in search of history and wildlife that will take you on a journey to explore the wildlife of the park.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;"> For the adventurous type, you can walk the Wonder Trail, and the many other Hiking trails that are offered. Click here to see more information about closings, and description of trails and where they go. [[image:guidedtours.jpg width="353" height="150" align="right"]]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">You can eat and play around in the Acadia National Park Picnic areas.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">Acadia offers MANY kid friendly activities like The Junior Ranger Program, Go on hikes, Bike ride, play in the sand, or go on a cruise the few of the many family friendly event and programs that are available at the park.





<span style="color: #cc2929; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Videos of Acadia National Park: media type="youtube" key="qjrbEMSKsyU" height="260" width="339" align="center"

Visit Bar Harbor Maine Today!

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This is a video of pictures of Acadia National Park

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Cadillac Mountain

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Wonder Trail

<span style="color: #8f3d7d; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 160%;">__**Places that you can visit for more information:**__ Take a Virtual Tour of Acadia National Park!! Click Here

Want to Read Acadia National Park Beaver's Log? Click Here. This can help you plan your trip to Acadia !

Nps.gov

Plan your Trip to Acadia TODAY!! Click here !

PDF Brochures from Acadia

<span style="color: #88848a; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 130%;">//__**Work Cited:**__// . "Peregrine Falcons." //Nps.gov//. N.p., 12 Aug 2011. Web. 17 Feb 2012.<http://www.nps.gov/acad/naturescience /peregrines.htm>.

. "Charles W. Eliot." //Nps.gov//. National Park Service, 27 Oct 2009. Web. 17 Feb 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/acad/historyculture/charles-w-eliot.htm>.

. "Pathmaker Waldron Bates." //Nps.gov//. National Park Service, 07 Feb 2007. Web. 17 Feb 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/acad/historyculture/waldronbates.htm>.

. "Mountains." //Nps.gov//. National Park Service, 21 Oct 2009. Web. 21 Feb 2012. <http://www.nps.gov /acad/naturescience/mountains.htm>.

. "Lakes and Ponds." //Nps.gov//. National Park Service, 28 Dec 2007. Web. 21 Feb 2012. <http://www.nps.gov /acad/naturescience/lakesandponds.htm>.