Friends of Acadia to hold annual meeting in Bar Harbor

BAR HARBOR – Friends of Acadia will welcome the public to its annual meeting Friday at the Regency Hotel to provide updates about projects and present awards to key supporters of the group.

The meeting will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Walsh Cottage on Frenchman Bay at the Regency Hotel on Eden Street. Light refreshments will be served.

The group, founded in 1989 to raise money and provide other support to Acadia National Park and the communities of Mount Desert Island, boasts a membership list of more than 3,000 people who contribute money and volunteer for FOA projects.

FOA is said to be among the most successful and busy Friends groups in the 385-unit National Park Service, according to FOA and park officials.

According to Stephanie Clement, FOA conservation director, the projects that FOA staff will discuss on Friday include:

. The Island Explorer bus system, a partnership effort among several groups.

. The Acadia Trails Forever program, under which FOA raised $9 million for trail improvements and continuing maintenance.

. Volunteer efforts.

. The organization’s Acadia Youth Conservation Corps.

. Projects for next year.

People who expect to attend should call Terry at FOA at 288-3340 or 1-800-625-0321. The organization urges people to ride the Island Explorer buses because parking is limited at the Regency. For bus schedules, log on to www.exploreacadia.com.