S3 E5 Schoodic Institute’s Lisa Frazell

This episode takes listeners to Maine’s Schoodic Peninsula, where host Bob Cutler sits down with Lisa Frazell to spotlight the work of the Schoodic Institute, a nonprofit scientific partner of Acadia National Park. Lisa explains that while many confuse the institute with schooner boats, its mission is rooted in environmental research, restoration, and education that helps sustain the park for future generations.

Key Topics

Science in Action for Acadia’s Future The Schoodic Institute restores trails, summits, and marshes impacted by millions of visitors and climate shifts, experimenting with plants and methods that will endure for decades. Their work ensures that Acadia remains resilient in the face of environmental pressures.

Training the Next Generation of Conservationists Through internships, fellowships, and immersive programs, Schoodic gives students and young professionals critical on-the-ground experience. This prepares the next wave of scientists and educators to tackle global environmental challenges.

Community, Culture, and Climate Conversations From visitor engagement in Winter Harbor to public lectures on climate change, the Institute bridges science and community life. By connecting everyday people to research, they make conservation relevant and actionable for all.

(3:31) Schoodic Institute explained: a nonprofit partner to Acadia National Park, focused on research and science.

(5:31) Three pillars: restoration of summits/salt marshes, sustainable research like rockweed harvesting, and education for students and early-career scientists.

(10:04) Schoodic Education Adventure brings middle schoolers—sometimes seeing the ocean for the first time—into hands-on park science.

(14:03) The Institute employs about 25 staff year-round, swelling to 100 in summer, funded through federal grants, philanthropy, and contracts with Acadia.

(17:13) Public engagement: visitor center, lecture series, and programs on climate change, like the upcoming “Don’t Fence Us In” forest panel.