WORKING WATERFRONT • September 28, 2026
Researchers at College of the Atlantic have launched a multi‑year study to better understand black bears on Mount Desert Island, and are inviting residents and visitors to contribute to their work. The study, led by the Chair in Environmental Studies, Brittany Slabach, focuses on the population size, movement patterns, and genetic relationships of black bears on MDI, where sightings have increased over the past decade. The project will assess whether a resident bear population exists on the island and how bears are using its unique mix of national park land, villages, and private property.