MCC Sustainability Club Students Visit Acadia National Park

As part of the Sustainability Club, a group of Middlesex Community College students visited Acadia National Park from Friday, April 26 to Sunday, April 28. Led by MCC’s Associate Professor of Science Dr. Lisa Lobel, the trip was an opportunity for students to learn about Maine’s coastal ecosystems firsthand.

“The trip was highly educational,” said Jaime Lehoux, an MCC biology student from Lexington. “Having Professor Lobel on the trip was phenomenal, as not only did she share our interest and excitement in everything around us, she was able to provide exceptional insight and knowledge to our observations. I also feel like I’ve learned a lot from the other students as we were all able to contribute information retaining to our different but similar interests.”

To begin, the group explored tide pools at sunset. The next day’s plans included a hike, but when the trail they chose was closed due to nesting season for peregrine falcons, they took another path. During the hike, the group faced rocky terrain and steep inclines.

All the group’s experiences included hands-on learning opportunities to understand more about the ecology of where land meets the ocean. The students explored coastal flora and fauna, as well as creatures in tide pools and cliffside plants. For Lehoux, the experience was a chance to observe areas undisturbed by humans.

“I rediscovered my love of hiking and refreshed my intrinsic love of learning and the natural world,” Lehoux said.

“I’ve felt more motivated to do deep dives into hyper-specific topics as well as to pursue a potential career in some sort of biological or environmental science. I also found a greater appreciation for the effort scientists put into learning about the world and for what they do and have done.”

As the supervisor of MCC’s Sustainability Club, Lobel guides the students in leaving as little a mark on the environment as possible and forming a positive relationship with nature, according to Lehoux. At the college, the group taps trees for maple syrup and work in the Bedford campus garden. The trip to Acadia was just one example of how Lobel inspires her students to learn about and take care of the environment.

“As students explored the multiple ecosystems found within Acadia, the students gained a newfound appreciation for the importance of preserving natural habitats and fostering environmental stewardship,” Lobel said. “Inspired by their immersive encounter with Acadia's wilderness, they returned home with cherished memories and a deepened understanding of the intricate ecosystems that sustain life along Maine's majestic coastline.”