April 10, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
Jesse Wheeler, Vegetation Program Manager, Acadia National Park
Jesse Wheeler, Acadia National Park staff, Vegetation Program Manager. Photo courtesy of Jess Wheeler.
The vast landscape of Acadia National Park (ANP) is vulnerable for invasive plants and trees to enter its boundaries. Recent discussion and studies have brought more attention to the damage caused by the encroachment of invasive and non-native plants. The Bar Harbor Garden Club is pleased to welcome Jesse Wheeler, Acadia National Park’s Vegetation Program Manager, to its April 10th meeting to address the park’s efforts in managing invasive plants and protecting native plants.
Wheeler, a native of Bar Harbor, began his career early with Acadia as a member of the Acadia Youth Conservation Crew. During his college years, Wheeler worked seasonally for the ANP as a Biological Technician restoring native plant populations and managing invasive exotic plants. His interest in working with plants continued to expand and led him to pursue a graduate degree in Conservation Biology with a focus on vegetation at Antioch University New England. After completion of his graduate studies, Wheeler returned to the National Park Service in 2010 where
he led a crew monitoring the long-term forest health in National Park units in the Northeast.
From 2015 to 2019, Wheeler worked as the exotic plant program manager at ANP. With his current role as Vegetation Program Manager, Wheeler brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to maintaining the Acadian landscape.
Wheeler’s presentation will begin at 1:00 pm on April 10 at Birch Bay Retirement Village. All members and the public are invited to attend the monthly meeting. Due to limited seating, those interested in attending the meeting are asked to register by emailing Barbara Amstutz at [email protected] or calling 215-764-0468.
