The Bar Harbor Times : Opinion : Does Congress understand park paradox?

The Bar Harbor Times : Opinion : Does Congress understand park paradox?: "Does Congress understand park paradox?


by Ken Olson

Editor's Note: Ken Olson president of Friends of Acadia, testified Wednesday at the Oversight Field Hearing of the Government Reform Committee in Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources in Boston on park budget issues and philanthropy. Following is the text of his remarks.

Friends of Acadia is completely independent from Acadia National Park and the National Park Service. Since 1995 alone, we have donated $5.1 million to the park or to community entities for projects that complement park values. Our charitable funding makes possible the employment of about 115 seasonal workers (approximately 50 FTEs) in Acadia or directly serving it from the outside, such as the fifty to sixty drivers of the Island Explorer propane bus system, thanks to L.L. Bean's generosity.

Friends of Acadia has raised $16 million in endowments and other invested funds. Each year, we grant the interest - about 4 percent - to the park."