Long Island, Kodiak - Photo by Will Koeppen
2019 ANNUAL REPORT
OUR MISSION To conserve and steward lands and water essential to the quality of life and economic health of Alaskans.
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Where were you and what were you up to in 1995? Fortunately for all of us who love Alaska, in 1995 a small group of forward-thinking people in Southcentral AK were laying the foundation and launching Great Land Trust (GLT). Focused on our mission of “conserving and stewarding the lands and waters essential to the quality of life and economic health of Alaskans,” GLT has thrived thanks to our inspired founders and the generous support of our donors, funders, partners, landowners, board members, staff, volunteers, and other friends. What started with an Anchorage focus, expanded to include the Mat-Su Borough in 2009, and again in 2012 to include the Central Gulf of Alaska. Together, in our first 25 years, we’ve completed nearly 60 projects and conserved over 56,000 acres of the very best of Alaska – valuable and irreplaceable habitat, salmon streams and wetlands, wildlife corridors, and recreational access. This is the legacy we’re creating together and that GLT has committed to protecting – forever. While many non-profits are set up to solve a problem and work themselves out of business, GLT is intentionally designed to build a conservation legacy and protect it forever. We’re thrilled to be celebrating our first 25 years in 2020. We look forward to reminiscing about and honoring our shared history together. This work we do should absolutely make all of us feel proud, inspired, and optimistic. This is the future we are creating – one where we get to live our lives immersed in what we value as Alaskans – wilderness adventures with our friends and family, witnessing the epic beauty of wildlife and landscapes, filling our freezers with an abundance of berries and salmon, and being good stewards of this Great Land. This work will outlast all of us, and give the generations of Alaskans who follow us a bright future. Thank you for your support in working with GLT to create a lasting legacy of conservation and access to public lands.
STAFF Ellen Kazary, Executive Director Amanda Hults, Lands Manager & Stewardship Director Libby Kugel, Communications & Administration Manager Matt McMillan, Stewardship Coordinator & GIS Analyst Dave Mitchell, Conservation Director Mike Schroeder, Conservation Project Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mark Dalton, Chair Cathie Straub, Vice-Chair Gretchen Specht, Treasurer Sara Jansen, Secretary John Baker Kelly Chang Jon Goltz Larry Hartig Bri Kelly Dick LeFebvre Molly McCammon Ethan Tyler
EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS
Gary Baugh Pat Pourchot Susan Ruddy Marty Rutherford Jim Stratton
Linda Kumin John McManamin Eric McCallum & Robin Smith John Strasenburgh & Ruth Wood Arliss Sturgulewski
40
conservation easements monitored
5
2019 BY THE NUMBERS
2.5
tons of invasive plants removed from Campbell Creek Estuary
new conservation projects completed
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
399 individual donors
1,695
new acres conserved
1.5
miles of salmon stream protected
What does it really mean when GLT says, ‘we will protect this special place – forever’? Many of you cemented your relationship with GLT during the Campbell Creek Estuary project. When we were fundraising $7M, you were there. When we ran into political problems and needed community advocacy, you were there. When we needed bridge loans between delayed grant awards, you were there. Great Land Trust made a commitment to protect Campbell Creek Estuary forever. This is how we keep our promise to you. Every year, GLT carefully monitors each conserved property for changes – while building and maintaining relationships with landowners and neighbors – prevention being our first line of defense. During the annual visit to Campbell Creek Estuary Natural Area, we discovered that a neighbor had cut down over 4,000 square feet of trees on the conserved property. We carefully documented and reported the damage. We then worked together to stop further damage, keep the tree-cutting from spreading, and made plans to restore the conserved property. Because of the excellent, persistent, and dedicated work of our professional, yet frugal, team, we put together overwhelmingly convincing evidence and detailed reports, and we were able to work with our legal team to reach a settlement rather quickly that allowed GLT to recoup all of our costs and cover the cost of property restoration. When you support GLT, we honor the investment of your time, money, and trust. When we say a property is protected forever, we mean it.
2019 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
MEALS HILL
PALMER SLOUGH
In October 2019, GLT facilitated the purchase of 184 acres, known as Meals Hill, for the City of Valdez. The property, which is located adjacent to the Valdez Ferry Terminal, is permanently protected by a conservation easement, ensuring that it will remain open to the public for passive recreation and tourism, and that its important habitat will be protected forever.
In 2019, GLT raised the funds to purchase a 236-acre inholding in the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge and has donated the parcel to the State of Alaska to be managed by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game as part of the Refuge. The acquisition of this property helps to make the Refuge a contiguous block of public lands, making management simpler and more consistent, while also protecting habitat.
SETTLERS BAY COASTAL PARK
LITTLE QUESTION LAKE
The Mat-Su Borough held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Settlers Bay Coastal Park in September to officially open the park to the public and to celebrate the first phase of park infrastructure being completed. GLT remains involved in the park's development, which will include more trails, scenic overlooks, and other amenities in the coming years.
An additional 6.5 acres is now part of a previously conserved property in the Numbered Lakes region of Talkeenta thanks to a conservation easement donated by the landowners. This addition brings the total acreage of the parcel to 86.5 acres, including nearly the entire shoreline of Little Question Lake and the northeastern shoreline of Question Lake.
LONG ISLAND
LOWER KENAI RIVER FRONTAGE
After over 20 years of hard work by Kodiak residents, Leisnoi, Inc., federal, state, borough, City of Kodiak, and GLT staff, the 1,259-acre Long Island was conserved in early 2019. As part of this project, Leisnoi granted public access to most of the island, while permanently protecting the whole island's important habitat and ensuring it will never be logged or subdivided.
GLT facilitated the purchase and conservation of 10 acres along the Kenai River, now owned by the State of Alaska. This property, which includes 780 feet of Kenai River frontage, is protected forever, providing essential habitat for Chinook and Coho salmon, as well as Dolly Varden. The property is also used as a nesting and feeding area by various species of waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors.
Valdez
Wasilla
Kodiak
Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge, Wasilla
Talkeetna
Kenai
LITTLE QUESTION LAKE
MEALS HILL
LOWER KENAI RIVER FRONTAGE
LONG ISLAND
PALMER SLOUGH
SETTLERS BAY COASTAL PARK
THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 DONORS Raven Circle Ambassadors $10,000+
Pat Pourchot & Jennifer Johnson Caryn Rea & Steve Aberle*, ** Laurel Renkert & Zak Melms* Anne Nevaldine Living Trust Larry A. Rundquist Alaska Sustainable Salmon Carl & Pixie Siebe Fund/ADF&G Jim Stratton* ConocoPhillips Cathie Straub & Jeff Loughrey*** Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council Bruce Talbot Rasmuson Foundation The Frances & David Rose US Fish & Wildlife Service Foundation Dave & Marcia Trudgen Raven Circle Guardians Jack Wakeland** $5,000 - $9,999 Bob Waldrop Sara Jansen & Randy Jones*, *** Mark Worcester** Julian L. Mason & Margie MacNeille Guides John McManamin $500 - $999 Diane & Mike Moxness Nancy Munro Alaska Trails Anonymous (2) Jim Anderson & Karola Moore Arctic Entries Raven Circle Sustainers Chris & Judy Bockmon $2,500 - $4,999 Judy Caminer & Roger Marks Paul & Karen Anderson Bryan Carey & Bronwen Wang Mark & Cami Dalton*** Steven & Karen Compton Dot Helm Mike Dieni Mark & Leslie Kroloff Earthscape Eric McCallum & Robin Smith* Marah Gotcsik Molly McCammon*** Larry Hartig Nancy McManamin** Carl Johnson Jon Katcher & Kate Michaels Raven Circle Stewards Kentner Family Charitable Fund $1,000 - $2,499 Steve Koteff & Katya Borisova John & Lynda Baker*, *** Ken & Peggy Kugel Molly Bartel Ted & Ginny Moore Gary Baugh Doug & Judy Morris* Patty Bielawski Eric Myers Dave Blanchet Mary & Gary Ott BP Foundation Nancy Pease Bill Britt & Nancy Nolan John & Diane Ramey Calais Company Ryan Rupert Chris Carlin & Ellen Kazary* Conrad Shultz & Maia Hoover Kelly Chang*** Advocates John Clark & Janis Skliar $100 - $499 John Dalton Shelda Duff & Rick Jones Monica Alvarez Eklutna, Inc. Thomas Amodio Anne Fiedler** Anonymous Ayse & Chuck Gilbert James Arend Jon & Else Goltz**, *** John & Marcia Baker Mike Jens Pamela Barbeau Michael & Katharina Jensen Frankie Barker Steve & Barbara Johnson Richard Barnhart Bri & Karrick Kelly*** Laura Bartholomae Linda Kumin Chris & Miriam Beck Dick LeFebvre*** Kim Behrens Benjamin May & Gretchen Natasha Bergt Cindy Bettine & Mike Butcher Specht*, **, *** Robin McManamin & Jeffrey Leppo Julia Bevins Peter Montesano & Ann Lindsey BGES, Inc. Sue Pope & Jim Thiele* Dan & Anne Billman
Dan Bogan & Luise Woelflein Barbara Bohn & Robert Peterson Heather Bottrell Brena, Bell & Clarkson, PC Phil Brna Elissa Brown & Chris Pike Stu Brown Annie Brownlee Nina Brudie Sigrid Brudie & Jay Marvin Raymond Cammisa Michael Campbell Sandra & John Christopherson Lisl Coady Lamar Cotten Bill Cramp Donald Crandall* Susan Dabelsteen Anthony DeGange & Emily Davies Jeff & Lorri Denton George & Brenda Dickison John Duffy & Pamela Bergmann* Cliff Eames & Ruth McHenry Kenneth Eggers Nora Elliott Richard Emanuel & Julie Dumoulin Ruth & Charles Fahl Scott Fahrney Randall E. Farleigh John Farrington Dale Gardner Dave & Marilyn Gardner Ricky Gease Terri Geiselman Marcus Geist Renee Georg Sally Gibert & Dick Mylius Nelson & Margaret Gingerich Dan & Cathy Gleason Mike Goodwin & Cathy Rezabeck Elizabeth Greer Tom Griffin Rand Hagenstein & Evie Witten Colleen Handel & Bob Gill Donald Hansen Faye Harasack Carol Hoblitzell Kirk Hoessle & Gabrielle Markel Mimi Hogan Laurie & Sean Holland Charles Holmes & Dianne GudgelHolmes Barbara Hood & Dirk Sisson Liam Hood Natalie Hood Russell & Julie Hood David Hudspeth Henry & Kathleen Huntington Jerry Hupp & Gail Volt Bonnie Hurtig & Bill Van Hees
Sarah Johanson Dave Johnston & Carolyn Sayre Brett & Martha Jokela Tim & Melinda Jones Patricia Joyner Richard Judd & Lee Ann Gardner Marc & Susan June Raymond & Linda Kelley Christopher Kennedy & Lynne Gallant Shaina Kilcoyne & Ryan Schryver Janet Kincaid Gerald W. Kintz Gunnar & Alice Knapp Nicole Knox Michael Lane John & Carol Larson John & Claire LeClair Virginia Lembo & Bob Bundy Katie Libby Konrad Liegel & Karen Atkins Leonard & Patricia Linton Dean Littlepage & Jeanne Moe* Mark & Cheryl Lovegreen Louanne Lum Karen Marcey Margaret A Cargill Foundation Colleen McDonald Patricia & Harry McDonald Kirk McGee Stephen McKeever & Nancy Wainwright Corinne McVee Bruce & Sharon Merrell Gary Mikula Ann & Jerry Mitchell Peter Mjos & Karen Ruud Harry & Leslie Need Dean W Nelson & Rhonda Roberts Kimberly Nielsen Helen & Gayle Nienhueser Tim Nixon Karen Oakley Monica O’Keefe* Sheldon O’Neal Sylvia & Marius Panzarella Trina & Gavin Pastarr John & Kathy Patton Bridget Paule Mimi & Willy Peabody Christopher & Theresa Perez** Thomas Plawman & Andrea Cordano Julia Plotnik John Quinley Sandy Rabinowitch & Elizabeth Barry Ann Rappoport & David Irons Mildred Renkert Bud Rice Susan G. Rogers Dennis & Leann Ronsse Ann & Thomas Rothe
Susan Ruddy Karl & Ley Schleich Michael J. Schneider John & Mary Beth Schoen John Schultz* Alison Smith & Kurt Egelhofer Corinne Smith & Paul Button Linda & Michael Smith Gillian Smythe Sacramento Region Community Foundation Tim Stallard Anjanette Steer Leonard Steinberg & Shocky Greenberg John Strasenburgh & Ruth Wood* Nancy Tankersley Scott Taylor & Cami Oechsli Taylor Susan & John Teal The Foraker Group Peg & Jules Tileston Craig Tillery & Phyllis Johnson Bob & Doreen Toller Tim Troll Venable Vermont, Jr. William & Heidi Wailand Steve & Marcia Wakeland Jenny Weis Steve Weisman Simon & Julia Wigren Marc G. Wilhelm Mark Wohlgemuth Niles & Martha Woods Chris & Beverly Wooley Barbara Yanoshek Emilia Zartman & Ed Kamienski Jon & Stephanie Zuck
Friends $1 - $99 Courtney Amundson Jim Arnesen Shayna Balog Jay & Lynn Berkow Roscoe Blanchard Lydia Blanchet Shauna Booton William Brennan Chris Brewer Lowell & Meg Burgett Jim & Sally Burkholder Ariel Cannon Thomas Cappiello Stephen Charles Patricia Chesbro Tom Choate Joan M. Clover Susanna Colloredo-Mansfeld Molly Conley Rosalee Cowan Anna Dalton Willie Dalton Kathleen Dodson Sheryl Douglas James & Marie Dryden
Robert & Sherry Dugan Greg Durocher Sarah Dzielski Andy Erickson Diane & Tim Eskenasy Benjamin Fortson Keith & Jane Fountain Robert & Gail French Tess & Ryan Frenchik Ben Goldfarb John & Francie Goll Ben Goltz Amanda Goss Mark Gronewald Georgia Gustafson George Harbeson Hilary Hardwick Mary Lu Harle Tamara Harper Christie Haupert Heather Hintze Roger Hoffman Carole Holley Amy Holman Amanda & Chad Hults Anonymous (1) Charlene Johnson Patrick Johnson Judy Kanady Rosemary Karish Barbara Karl Sarah Karr & Dave Hibbs Natalie KB Taylor Keegan Kevin Keeler Karen King Elizabeth Knapp Robert Knapp Laura Kruger Mary Krusen Andrea Lang Janice Laxson Stuart Leidner Albert & Kathryn Levassiur Mike & Karen Loso Marie Lundstrom Craig Lyon William Mader Alexander Martinez Mark & Judy Masteller* Warren & Donna Matthews Kaitlin Mattos Susan Mauger Robin Mayo Shirley McCormick Megan McKinzie Joe Meehan Peter Melde Eric Menck Allan Mitchell & Tamara Matlock Dave Mitchell & Elise Gelbart Sandra Modica Stanton Moll & Rosa Meehan Lisa Moorehead & Bob Dittrick Jack & Rosemary Mosby
Molly Mylius Ellen Nash Patricia Owens Cheyenne Oyen Eric Parsons Jeremy Pataky Dave & Rindi Patterson Meg Perdue Randi Perlman Bill A. Petrik Olivia Pfeifer Idamarie Piccard Steve Planchon Mary Lee Plumb-Mentjes Shawna Popovici Carl Propes Stephanie & Austin Quinn-Davidson* Aimee Rathbun Diana Rhoades Andy Rosamilia Beth Rosenberg Matias Saari Pauletta Sawyer Katherine Schake Cassandra & Martin Schoofs Chris Schultz & Aislinn McBeth Marie Sidis Theresa Slaven Jayson Smart Kim Sollien* Jessica Speed Marilyn Stack & Allen Rosenthal Thomas Stagliano David & Heather Sterling Mike Still Kevin Sullivan & Hannah Griego Kathyrn Sutton Nicole Swenson Cole Talbot Jean Tam Thais Thomas Sarah Torer Paul Twardock & Dana Bruden Lang Van Dommelen Puck Van Dommelen Vicki Vermillion Tara Walker Damian Ward John Weddleton Seth Weingarten Connie Wolfe* Cathy Wolinsky Dr. Thomas C. Wood Helen Woodings John Wros * = Legacy Circle ** = Employer Match *** = GLT Board Member
GLT Legacy Circle Members John & Lynda Baker Chris Carlin & Ellen Kazary Donald Crandall John Duffy & Pamela Bergmann Sue Goodwin Doug Hill Sara Jansen & Randy Jones Shannon Kuhn Frank Lahr Dean Littlepage & Jeanne Moe Mark & Judy Masteller Benjamin May & Gretchen Specht Eric McCallum & Robin Smith Doug & Judy Morris Monica O'Keefe Stephanie & Austin Quinn-Davidson Caryn Rea & Steve Aberle Laurel Renkert & Zak Melms John Schultz Kim Sollien John Strasenburgh & Ruth Wood Jim Stratton Ken Taylor Jim Thiele & Sue Pope Bob Waldrop Connie Wolfe
Become a Legacy Circle Member! The Legacy Circle is a group of individuals who have expressed a lasting commitment to the long-term future of Great Land Trust through a planned gift. By joining GLT's Legacy Circle, you will enable us to continue to conserve the special places that mean so much to you, for generations to come. Conservation supporters who make planned gifts have an extraordinary impact on our work. Thanks to early legacy gifts, GLT was able to become a secure, established land trust, better equipped to protect and conserve the lands we love. Proceeds from planned gifts fund all aspects of our work, ensuring our long-term success and stability. For more information, or to discuss giving options, contact Ellen Kazary at (907) 278-4992 or ellen@greatlandtrust.org.
PO Box 101272, Anchorage, AK 99510
2019 ANNUAL REPORT Photos courtesy of Eddie Clark Media/Valdez Adventure Alliance, Carl Johnson, Will Koeppen, and Matt McMillan.
THANK YOU!
Your support enables us to continue to protect and conserve the wild places that add meaning to our lives, now and for future generations.