Acadia, tribes aim to safeguard Wabanaki sites

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Acadia National Park has received $950,000 in funding through the Inflation Reduction Act to study and protect Wabanaki archaeological sites, which are being affected by the changing climate in Maine. The research aims to find ways to preserve the sites from damage caused by factors such as shoreline erosion, sea level rise, and increasing storm intensity. Some options being discussed for protecting the sites include the use of netting, riprap rock formations, or planting vegetation to promote biodiversity and ecological resilience.

Acadia National Park Funds Research on Climate Change Impact on Wabanaki Archaeological Sites

Maine’s changing climate is impacting diverse environments including Wabanaki archaeological sites in Acadia National Park. Acadia has received $950,000 in federal grants through the Inflation Reduction Act to fund research and case studies of these sites.

The case studies will help Acadia officials make informed decisions about site protection against climate change. The locations of these sites are kept private to prevent any potential damage. Around 35 sites are considered for this project, with collaboration from tribal nations.

According to Bonnie Newsom, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Maine and a Penobscot Nation citizen involved in the project, the land connection is vital to Indigenous culture. Climate change is causing significant damage to the coastline, including the archaeological sites.

Newsom’s students research Wabanaki sites for their projects. Olivia Olson, one of the students, states that climate change is disrupting the wildlife ecosystem, causing water-based species to migrate. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than many global regions, resulting in local consequences of global environmental degradation.

Newsom emphasizes the importance of caring for the environment, and Indigenous knowledge can assist in understanding these sites and the past better. She insists on the responsibility to care for these places. Newsom believes that caring for the environment is proportional to the quality of care it receives.

Newsom explains that Indigenous peoples’ sustainable behaviors in the past could serve as lessons for present generations to mitigate human-induced climate change effects. She expresses concern over the loss of historical artifacts and valuable information due to eroding coastlines and intense storms.

Potential protective measures for the sites include installing netting or riprap rock formations. Newsom suggests that planting rosebuds or other vegetation could be beneficial. Vegetation helps preserve biodiversity, supports local insects and birds, and promotes diverse, resilient ecological outcomes.

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