2022 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

In 2022, we completed one new conservation easement and one conservation easement amendment, adding 121 acres of undeveloped habitat to our list of conserved lands. Many of our projects take multiple years of diligent work to complete; we currently have more than 10 active projects throughout our service area, with three that will likely be completed in early 2023.

Blueberry Pond Conservation Easement

In the final days of 2022, we finalized the Blueberry Pond conservation easement with landowners Ruth Wood and John Strasenburgh, permanently protecting 115 acres of habitat in the Talkeetna area The conservation easement was donated by the landowners and is the fourth conservation easement project that GLT has completed with Ruth and John, who have been longtime supporters of the organization

Goodwin Conservation Easement Amendment

In 2013, Rocky and Sue Goodwin donated a conservation easement to Great Land Trust on 40 acres in the Palmer-Fishhook community. The 40 acres includes Dandy Lake, and their homesite where they lived since they bought the property in 1970. Over the last decade since the conservation easement was put into place, a lot has changed around Dandy Lake. Rocky sadly passed away unexpectedly in 2019. The PalmerFishhook area has seen major growth and development. In 2022, GLT finished working with Sue to complete an amendment to her original conservation easement, adding an additional 3.56 acres under its protection. Adding this additional land to the existing conservation easement will further protect the conservation values of the property by providing a buffer between development and the vital habitat surrounding Dandy Lake.

Settlers Bay Coastal Park Scenic Overlook

Over the summer, Great Land Trust wrapped up work on an accessible scenic overlook platform at Settlers Bay Coastal Park. The overlook is a short walk from parking and offers gorgeous views of the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge, Upper Cook Inlet, and the Chugach Mountains. With interpretive signs and a nice bench, the overlook is a perfect spot to take a break during a hike around the park, and a great place to watch for all kinds of birds and wildlife.

WHAT'S AHEAD

We've got an exciting slate of projects poised to be completed in the first few months of 2023

Recovering Native Homelands in the Copper River Valley

We are partnering with the Native Village of Tazlina to help recover and conserve their traditional homeland This project will return their traditional subsistence fishing sites near the confluence of the Copper and Tazlina Rivers to the Native Village

Expanding Recreation Opportunities in the Mat-Su

GLT plans to purchase 187 acres of undeveloped land that is adjacent to the current Settlers Bay Coastal Park by the end of March 2023 and donate the land to the Mat-Su Borough to be incorporated into the current park

Protecting River Habitat and Access on the Kenai

GLT is facilitating the purchase of a parcel along the lower Kenai River that will both conserve important salmon habitat and address access issues along this popular stretch of river