You are here

Home » Podcasts » National Parks Traveler Episode 185: Acadia's Friends

National Parks Traveler Episode 185: Acadia's Friends

By Kurt Repanshek - August 28th, 2022
Share
Friends of Acadia works on behalf of Acadia National Park

It’s been said time and again, the National Park Service is not adequately funded. There’s just not enough money in the agency’s annual budgets to address all the needs across the National Park System. And those needs are many, from maintaining facilities, keeping wastewater treatment plans operating smoothly, managing wildlife, and tending to ever growing throngs of visitors. 

That’s where friends groups and cooperating associations come into play. They provide much-needed financial support through philanthropic donations that might pay for wildlife research, trail maintenance, or campground upkeep.

Friends of Acadia is one such group, and its workload has grown through the years. While friends groups once were seen as raising charitable dollars to fund the “margin of excellence” in the parks, today the National Park Service is relying more and more on these nonprofit organizations to fund projects addressing the “muscle and bones” of park operations.

Today we’re going to discuss this evolution with Eric Stiles, who recently took the helm at Friends of Acadia following David MacDonald’s departure.

:02 National Parks Traveler introduction
:12 Episode Intro with Kurt Repanshek
1:12 Black Woods - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
1:20 Friends of Acadia
1:45 Wild Tribute
2:05 Potrero Group
2:31 Interior Federal Credit Union
3:03 Eric Stiles, the new president and CEO of Friends of Acadia, talks about the challenges facing Acadia National Park, and the National Park System, with Kurt Repanshek.
12:35 Shee Beg Shee Mor - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
12:49 Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
13:08 Washington’s National Park Fund
13:40 The Everglades Foundation
13:51 Yosemite Conservancy
14:16 Eric Stiles and Kurt Repanshek continue their conversation about the National Park System and Acadia National Park.
23:55 Black Woods - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
24:08 Eastern National Passport to Your National Parks
24:50 Great Smoky Mountains Association
25:10 Grand Teton National Park Foundation
25:40 Eric and Kurt discuss the challenges facing Friends of Acadia
44:01 Escalante - Tim Heintz - The Sounds of Peaks, Plateaus and Canyons
44:59 Episode Closing
45:28 Orange Tree Productions
45:59 Splitbeard Productions
46:11 National Parks Traveler footer

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add comment

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 271 | Wolverine Recovery in Colorado

A wolverine climbing on rocks, photo courtesy of NPS

Wolverines, the largest land-dwelling members of the weasel family, once roamed across the northern tier of the United States, and as far south as New Mexico in the Rockies and southern California in the Sierra Nevada range. But after more than a century of trapping and habitat loss, wolverines in the lower 48 today exist only as small, fragmented populations in Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming, and northeast Oregon.

April 21st, 2024 - Read More

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 270 | Cultural Resource Challenge

Catherineberg plantation ruins, Virgin Islands National Park, photo by Kurt Repanshek

Spur a discussion about traveling to a national park for a vacation and odds are that it will revolve around getting out into nature, looking for wildlife, perhaps honing your photography skills, or marveling at incredible vistas.
Will the discussion include destinations that portray aspects of the country’s history, or cultural melting pot? 

April 14th, 2024 - Read More

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 269 | Total Solar Eclipse of the Parks

Composite image of a total solar eclipse from Grand Teton National Park, from NPS Archives

Tens of millions of people in the United States will be able to witness a Total Solar Eclipse on Monday as the rare astronomical event cuts a path from Texas to Maine, up to 122 miles wide in some spots. This is a great opportunity to see the exact moment when the moon fully blocks the sun, creating a blazing corona visible to those observing from the center line of totality.

April 7th, 2024 - Read More

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 268 | Music Inspired By The Parks

Bison at Grand Teton National Park, photo by Rebecca Latson

With March madness down to the Sweet 16, and Opening Day of Major League Baseball having arrived, we’re going to take a break this week and dive into our podcast archives for this week’s show.
 
This is Kurt Repanshek, your host at the National Parks Traveler. My NCAA bracket was busted the very first day, and while the Yankees won their opening day game against the Houston Astros, I don’t think they’ll go undefeated this year.
 

March 31st, 2024 - Read More

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 267 | Padre Island's Sea Turtles

An image of a baby sea turtle at Padre Island National Seashore, by Rebecca Latson

One of the most popular public events in the National Park System was the release of sea turtle hatchlings, shuffling off into the Gulf of Mexico at Padre Island National Seashore. I say was, because the number of those public events has been drastically scaled back in recent years.

March 24th, 2024 - Read More
Explore All Podcasts

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.