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Natalie is based at College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor,
Maine, in the heart of the state's most popular tourism
destination. Natalie's outreach and applied research programs
address issues related to sustainable tourism planning,
recreation impact monitoring, waterfront access, and expedition-based
education throughout the Gulf of Maine. Through workshops,
presentations, publications, field research, and on-the-water
educational programs (often by sea kayak), Natalie provides
programming that seeks to bridge the gap between traditional
waterfront uses and the rapidly growing interest in nature-based
tourism opportunities. Natalie is the Maine Sea Grant liaison
to the Coastal Community Development Program of the National
Sea Grant Network. |
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Natalie Springuel
Marine Extension Associate
Maine Sea Grant
College of the Atlantic
105 Eden St., Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
207-288-2944 x298
Email Natalie
Springuel |
Coastal Access
 As development and waterfront privatization sweeps its way up the coast of Maine, decision-makers and their local constituencies grapple with waterfront use and access issues. Water-dependent industries, ranging from traditional fisheries to recreational businesses, as well as the public at large, are all facing decreasing access to the ocean, signaling an important change in our coastal heritage. Municipal officials, water-dependent industries, and residents have all identified the need for outreach and assistance to help maintain the character of, and access to, Maine's waterfront areas while creating a climate that is growth-friendly.
Throughout the Gulf of Maine region, tourism offers communities
both economic promise and environmental concern. In Maine,
the tourism industry and its affiliated support services
employ more than fishing, farming, forestry, and aquaculture
combined. The region’s fame as a coastal destination
requires careful planning and creative partnerships among
industry, management, municipalities, and agencies to foster
a tourism economy that is both healthy for local communities
and inspiring for its visitors. Natalie works with a variety
of partners to help advance sustainable tourism for the
Maine coast and to develop priorities that foster sustainable
tourism development.
Gulf of Maine Expedition Institute
The Gulf of Maine Expedition was a sea kayaking journey organized to raise awareness and caring about the ecology and cultural legacy of this vast international watershed and to promote low-impact coastal recreational practices, safety, and stewardship principles. The successful completion of this 1,300-mile educational journey in 2002 helped launch the Gulf of Maine Expedition Institute. Current projects include researching the effectiveness of radar reflectors in increasing sea kayaker visibility on the ocean, presenting Gulf of Maine slideshows throughout the region to help raise awareness about this important watershed, and providing on-the-water safety and minimum impact programs for recreational groups of all ages. www.gomexpedition.org
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