Research Examines Climate Change Effect on Fall Foliage – Second Century Stewardship at Acadia National Park

by David Evans Shaw

Tourism associated with the spectacle of Fall foliage is a multibillion-dollar industry in New England, and Acadia National Park in Maine is a popular place for “leaf peeping”.   Traditional leaf peeping months of September and October have had the greatest increases in visitorship over the past 20 years.  Yet climate change impacts the timing and duration of Fall foliage, as well as the occurrence and distribution of animal species and the timing of other natural phenomena including senescence.  Watch news video HERE. 

In the 2016 US National Park Service centennial, which coincided with Acadia National Park’s centennial, I led the establishment of a park science program called Second Century Stewardship (SCS) to enhance the role of parks as classrooms and laboratories, and to expand the use of science for wise park management.  

Over 8 years this program has been the sponsor of many consequential science programs in numerous parks, including communication seminars.  Recent work by SCS fellow Stephanie Spera has explored the impact of climate change on Fall foliage patterns.

Congratulations to Acadia National Park superintendent Kevin Schneider, Schoodic Institute President Nicholas Fisichelli, Stephanie Spera and others for their important work.