By Kris Inman Peninsula Clarion Contributor The promise of longer days arrived in February, just when I needed it. Lately, my days are filled with the necessary minutia of work, and the practice of conservation finds moments too rare to sneak in between. I find myself wondering — do we contribute? Is this field of […]
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Refuge Notebook: Connecting fish and community to resources in Port Graham
A baby salmon faces many challenges on its journey to the sea and eventual adulthood. Streams that baby salmon live in provide shelter from predators, food and conditions for optimal growth. Occasionally, these streams can become fragmented and inaccessible to baby fish due to natural or man-made obstacles. These obstacles can be a physical blockage […]
Read MoreRefuge Notebook: Snowshoeing fun in the refuge
Having grown up in New England, I am no stranger to cold winters, lots of snow and season-specific outdoor recreational opportunities. Imagine my surprise while making a recent visit to my hometown in western Massachusetts to find absolutely no snow on the ground. It did make for easier hiking through the woods in search of […]
Read MoreRefuge Notebook: Preparedness is key to staying safe in the backcountry
If you spend any time in the backcountry, it’s bound to happen: an ankle sprain halfway into a day hike; afternoon wind unexpectedly turns a glassy lake into a tempest; overflow mires your snowmachine while you’re far from the trailhead. It’s really not a question of if but when you’ll get stuck, delayed or stranded […]
Read MoreRefuge Notebook: The nature of traditions
Nature has always been an integral part of human existence, shaping cultures, influencing societies, and playing a profound role in forming and preserving traditions. The intrinsic connection between nature and traditions is evident across various civilizations and communities worldwide. One of the most direct ways nature influences traditions is through seasonal changes. Many cultures around […]
Read MoreRefuge Notebook: We stand on the shoulders of giant moose
This story starts 2,500 miles southeast as the raven flies from Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to the heart of the Weminuche Wilderness in the southern Rocky Mountains, where I pause near a moose beside an alpine lake. My heart pounds while I ponder how this giant creature will react to my presence. I amuse the […]
Read MoreRefuge Notebook: Deja vu and something new — Probing Kenai Peninsula lakes for invasive species
We had been here before. Agencies, nongovernment organizations and community members had all taken part in an effort to remove invasive northern pike and elodea because we believed that they threatened salmon and other native fish that we value. Beginning in 2018 and going into 2019, after years of cooperation and labor, we had gotten […]
Read MoreRefuge Notebook: Tales of the traveling hummingbird
In the book “A Sand County Almanac,” Aldo Leopold wrote, “To band a bird is to hold a ticket in a great lottery. Most of us own tickets on our own survival, but we buy them from the insurance company which knows too much to sell us a really sporting chance. It is an exercise […]
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