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  • Science-based stewardship for America’s National Parks, with David Shaw & Brian Skerry
Science-based stewardship for America’s National Parks, with David Shaw & Brian Skerry
  • 09
  • 07
  • 2018

Science-based stewardship for America’s National Parks, with David Shaw & Brian Skerry

David Shaw was keynote speaker at Schoodic Institute on July 7, 2018 when the board of directors and supporters gathered to celebrate the Institute’s Marine Center and expansion of the Second Century Stewardship program which champions science and education in national parks.

Schoodic is an independent non-profit research learning center affiliated with and located within Acadia National Park.

Second Century Stewardship was launched at Schoodic in 2016 in conjunction with the centennial celebrations of Acadia National Park and the US National Park Service. At the dawn of a new century, the program seeks to more powerfully engage science for the benefit of park stewardship, and to utilize parks for the benefit of science and the science loving public – as classrooms and laboratories. This includes three key priorities:

• Expand scientific research programs in parks
• Enhance the use of modern science for wise park stewardship
• Enhance park visitor experiences via the lens of science

More than 400 parks in the US national park system attract more than 300 million visits annually.  Acadia National Park attracts roughly 3 million visits annually.

The Schoodic event on July 7 included a visit to the field research site of Dr. Allyson Jackson to learn about her work on environmental contaminants. Dr. Jackson is one of 6 research fellows funded in the first phase of the program. In every case, the goal is to conduct research that impacts park stewardship policies, that engages citizens (including students) in science programs, and to vividly communicate science-based study findings to the public.

(L to R) Dr. Allyson Jackson, Kevin Schneider, Superintendent of Acadia National Park, and David Shaw

Shaw spoke about Second Century Stewardship at the Schoodic event and screened this film segment for the audience:

SCS_Trailer_Intertidal from David Shaw on Vimeo.

This was followed by a presentation entitled “luminous seas” by renowned marine photographer Brian Skerry who, among many other honors, was named National Geographic Explorer of the Year in 2017. His “luminous seas” presentation was followed by a reading of this original poem.

Brian Skerry Poem from David Shaw on Vimeo.

National Geographic Explorer of the Year Brian Skerry from David Shaw on Vimeo.