Alaska Land Trust Meeting 2024

Author: Jami Alpe, Marketing Contractor

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Kachemak 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.
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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!

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