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Acadia National Park, with its 50,000 acres of granite mountains, craggy coastline, and diverse forests, is a hub for wildlife and research alike. Situated along the Atlantic Flyway—a major route for migrating birds—the park sees over 215 bird species each year, along with a wide variety of mammals, fish, and invertebrates. It’s no wonder that researchers have been monitoring this ecosystem for over a century, collecting invaluable long-term data that reveal how climate change is affecting species and habitats.

One such researcher is Dr. John Cigliano, a marine conservation ecologist whose work focuses on the impacts of ocean warming, acidification, and microplastics on marine organisms. “Acadia National Park is managing its natural resources to be resilient in the face of climate change,” John explains. “One goal of my research is understanding how a warming and more acidic ocean affects marine organisms and communities.”

�������� has supported John’s work through funding and by bringing volunteers into the field. Teen and Student Group Expeditions, in particular, give young people the chance to join researchers like John, gaining hands-on experience in conservation science while contributing meaningful data.

For Zoe, a high school freshman from Milwaukee, WI, the 2017 expedition began with a scholarship-supported flight across the country and an introduction to field research at the . The first day included safety briefings, lab tours, and training in citizen science tools like iNaturalist and eBird. By the next day, Zoe and her fellow teens were out on the trails and along the coastline, hiking, observing, and recording everything from birds and plants to intertidal crabs.

Over several days, the teens helped track invasive species, monitor biodiversity, set up game cameras, and even dissect snails to study microplastic ingestion. Their observations contributed directly to long-term datasets that help scientists and park managers understand the impacts of climate change on Acadia’s ecosystems.

“I remember counting berries in a 1x1 meter plot,” Zoe says. “It might sound small, but those details tell us how climate change affects food availability for wildlife and, in turn, migration patterns. It can be tough work, but it’s incredibly rewarding.”

By the end of the trip, Zoe and the other volunteers had collected data on hundreds of snails, documented both invasive and rare native species, and observed expected shifts in intertidal communities—barnacles declining while seaweeds increased under higher CO₂ levels.