National parks can be an incredible crucible for science, according to a Maine entrepreneur who has launched a “Second Century Stewardship" initiative for the National Park System. Helping to drive the campaign is a feature-length film and a collaborative effort to more powerfully engage science in America’s national parks.
In announcing the campaign on Saturday at Acadia National Park, David Shaw expressed his intent to provide a gift of $1 million as initial funding for collaborative programs between the National Park Service, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and other institutions.
Mr. Shaw is involved in numerous business and public service ventures. He serves as a director and treasurer of AAAS, as a trustee of the National Park Foundation, and as executive producer of the film “Second Century.” The film premiered at Acadia National Park on Saturday.
In announcing his plan, Mr. Shaw paid tribute to the historic significance of the 2016 centennial of the National Park Service, and the remarkable evolution of science over the past century.
"Teddy Roosevelt reflected the sentiment of many Americans when he said this about our national parks: `We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received.’ The National Park System, including more than 400 parks and monuments, attracts more than 300 million visits annually. It is a blessing to Americans and the world," said Mr. Shaw. "Modern science provides us with unprecedented ability to be wise stewards of these special places and cultural treasures, for the benefit of future generations. And parks offer exceptional opportunities for important scientific research and inspirational education.”
The Second Century collaboration will initially focus on science issues associated with Acadia National Park, with the intention of scaling nationally over time, Mr. Shaw said. The initiative will offer fellowships for park-based investigations and connect the scientists and their research with educators, students, and the public to support science understanding, appreciation of the natural world, and park stewardship both locally and nationally.
Acadia Superintendent Kevin Schneider applauded the effort.
“We are very grateful for David Shaw's leadership in making science a centerpiece of our centennial. Our national parks have always been perceived as a place for recreation, but now we need to communicate to the public that parks are places for science, a place to inform science literacy in our nation. This partnership with Schoodic Institute and AAAS will allow us to do just that,” said the superintendent.
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park is a close, nonprofit partner to the NPS that is dedicated to advancing ecosystem science and learning for all ages. The Institute helps the NPS achieve the original vision for Acadia as a destination for science and inspiration.
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