Our mission goes beyond land conservation; we aim to foster a deep connection between the community and the natural environment. The Essence of Land Conservation Land conservation involves safeguarding natural areas to maintain their ecological integrity, ensuring these landscapes support wildlife, mitigate climate change, and offer recreational opportunities. This is achieved through methods such as establishing conservation easements and through land donations. Once land is in our care, it is protected forever. What are conservation easements and land donations? These are straightforward and entirely voluntary legal agreements. Conservation easements permanently restrict land uses to preserve its conservation values (like a scenic view or baby salmon habitat) while the landowner retains ownership. Land donations allow owners to contribute their property to Kachemak Heritage Land Trust for perpetual conservation Both conservation easements and land donations may qualify for tax benefits. Why Conservation on the Kenai Peninsula is Critical
Join us in preserving the Kenai Peninsula’s natural legacy. Your support makes a lasting impact. Contact Executive Director Marie McCarty at [email protected] for more information or to get involved. 6/13/2024 Alaska Land Trust Meeting 2024Kachemak Heritage Land Trust has successfully concluded its Statewide Meeting! These gatherings provide vital opportunities for Alaskan land trusts to come together, tackle common challenges, celebrate successes, discuss regional and often common topics, share resources, and learn from one another. Throughout the week, we engaged with nearly two dozen other conservation enthusiasts. In a continued dedication to keeping the community informed about the inner workings of our organization, we compiled a summary of the week's events! Day 1: Welcome Get Together We kicked off the event with a meet and greet at Bleeding Heart Brewery in Palmer, Alaska which was needed after the long trip down from Homer to Mat-Su Valley! This meeting included land trust members from various parts of the state, so an informal meet and greet allowed everyone to settle in and spend time together before the busy days ahead. Day 2: Field Trips & Land Trust Updates Our day began bright and early with a 9 AM meeting at Government Peak Rec Area Chalet. After a quick coffee and agenda overview, we headed out for field trips to conservation easements in the Mat-Su region, including the UAF Matanuska Experimental Farm, Spring Creek Farm at APU Kellogg Campus, and the Muskox Farm. Returning to the chalet, we exchanged updates with other land trusts, sharing stories, challenges, and successes. We ended our day with Great Land Trust’s Conservation Director, Dave Mitchell, and KHLT’s Stewardship Director, Joel Cooper, presenting information from their Indigenous Stewardship Meaningful Collaborations Course. Dave was able to share with us information regarding collaborating with Indigenous Tribes as it pertains to acquisitions, and Joel focused on collaboration with Indigenous Tribes as it pertains to partnering to co-steward Native lands with Indigenous Tribes. Day 3: Breakout Sessions & Executive Director Roundtable The third day was packed with informative breakout sessions on funding opportunities, stewardship, and communications and included presentations from the Alaska Natural Resources Conservation Service on programs of interest to land trusts and we were joined on Zoom by our national professional association, the Land Trust Alliance. We actively participated in discussions, shared ideas, and laid the groundwork for future collaborations, including potential joint work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Day 4: Collaborative Planning & Reflection On the final day, executive directors reconvened for their roundtable. This session allowed us to discuss goals for future meetings and solidify the next steps. This was held at the Alaska Farmland Trust office and focused on discussing legislative developments, and the future of Alaskan Land Trust collaborative efforts. Overall, it was a fantastic week that helped statewide land trusts reconnect and learn from each other. Looking Ahead: Since 1989, Kachemak Heritage Land Trust has been dedicated to preserving critical lands through land acquisition, conservation easements, and community partnerships. Engaging with fellow conservation groups across the state is invaluable for our mission. Our collaboration with private landowners, government agencies, and other entities aims to safeguard significant wildlife habitats, watersheds, and recreational areas. Working with other conservation groups enriches our knowledge and resources, and is essential for our future endeavors. As a nonprofit, we rely on community involvement and donations to continue protecting Alaska's valuable resources and habitats. If you’re interested in learning more about our current projects or how you can get involved, please reach out to us! ![]() Kachemak Heritage Land Trust protects another 46.393 acres within the cherished Kenai River Watershed. This marks the culmination of the fifth and final collaborative effort between KHLT and the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), allowing KHLT to continue furthering its commitment to preserving the ecological integrity of this vital region. Since its inception in response to the Sterling Highway MP 45-60 Reconstruction Project in 2020, KHLT has diligently worked to identify, evaluate, and secure lands crucial for wetland conservation. With this latest acquisition, the total land safeguarded by KHLT through the ADoT&PF mitigation funds for the Cooper Landing Bypass project has reached an impressive 200+ acres. Celebrating 35 years of service to the natural heritage of the Kenai Peninsula in 2024, KHLT emphasizes its role as a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the region's biodiversity for generations to come. With acres of protected land under their stewardship, KHLT embodies a beacon of hope for the preservation of Alaska's pristine landscapes. The significance of these newly protected acres extends far beyond mere acreage; they represent critical habitats for salmon, integral to the region's ecological balance. By safeguarding wetlands and salmon habitats, KHLT and its partners contribute to the well-being of vibrant salmon populations, essential for both environmental stability and economic prosperity. Marie McCarty, Executive Director of Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, expresses her enthusiasm for the project's completion, highlighting its multifaceted benefits: "This final piece in the DOT&PF mitigation project puzzle is such an exciting accomplishment! Protecting this special piece of land is a win-win-win – we are protecting habitat for wildlife, ensuring that salmon and trout fishing remain open to the public along this important fishing corridor, and giving our future generations of people, salmon, and everything in between a chance at long-lasting stability." Jonathan Tymick from DOT&PF acknowledges the collaborative effort involved in achieving this milestone, underscoring the importance of partnerships in conservation initiatives. “DOT&PF seldom encounters projects requiring mitigation of this magnitude, and KHLT's rapid and efficient procurement of the needed credits has left the Department thoroughly impressed. Originally aiming for a 2026 deadline, KHLT's diligent efforts brought the final acquisition to completion nearly two years ahead of schedule. The Department looks forward to future partnerships with KHLT, enthusiastically supporting their mission to conserve critical habitats on the Kenai Peninsula.” Lauren Rusin, Conservation Projects Manager at Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, reflects on the significance of her work in securing vital wetlands: "Finding and securing important wetlands on the Kenai Peninsula has been the bulk of my work focus for the past several years... It has been so rewarding to see land that I know is vital to our ways of life be protected, as they are now, forever." Ben Meyer, Environmental Scientist and Water Quality Coordinator, emphasizes the ecological significance of preserving wetlands, recognizing their role in maintaining water quality and supporting diverse wildlife populations. “The lands protected by Kachemak Heritage Land Trust as part of this project are part of my neighborhood’s ‘backyard’ where I regularly see all manner of local wildlife, including moose, bears, eagles, and even the occasional caribou. It is truly heartening to know that we will be able to share this space in perpetuity as our community grows. These lands mean a lot to me professionally as a scientist who studies water quality and fish habitat, but they mean even more to me as a place that will persist as a wild space long beyond my time.” With the perpetual protection of these critical lands, KHLT ensures that they will remain accessible to wildlife and the public for generations to come. Join us in protecting the Kenai Peninsula's natural heritage by becoming a member of Kachemak Heritage Land Trust today. With your support for as little as a dollar per calendar year, you can make a tangible difference in preserving critical habitats and protecting our furred, feathered, and scaled friends for generations to come. Visit our website or contact us to learn more about membership opportunities and join our collective effort in safeguarding Alaska's natural treasures. Together, let's make a lasting impact on conservation along the Kenai Peninsula. |
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What We Do
Working with willing landowners, KHLT permanently protects important fish, bird and wildlife habitat as well as recreational lands on the Kenai Peninsula for the future.
Our Mission
Conserving the natural heritage of the Kenai Peninsula for future generations
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Photo CreditWith deep gratitude, KHLT thanks Mary Frische and Tom Collopy for many of their beautiful photos throughout our website.
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Hours
M-F: 9am - 5pm
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Telephone
(907) 235-5263
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7/11/2024
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