Mission and Vision
Our Mission
Our mission is to honor the living heritage of the Turnagain Arm and Kenai Peninsula by connecting people to its lands, stories, and communities.
Our Vision
We envision a place of belonging and shared responsibility.
We believe in the power of connection—to the land, to each other, and to the rich stories that are born from both. Our work is rooted in a deep respect for the natural world, the interwoven threads between past, present, and future, and the heritage that shapes this unique region. We believe that caring for this place is a collective responsibility, whether it serves as our home, recreational haven, or travel destination.
We also know that to truly care for something, you have to experience it first. That’s why the driving force behind our work is to foster meaningful connections between people and place, helping them form personal bonds with this remarkable landscape and inspiring a sense of responsibility as active stewards dedicated to preserving it for generations to come.
Our Core Values
Community and Partnership
We believe the best outcomes come from working together. We listen to the people and communities connected to this region and build relationships grounded in trust and mutual respect. Through strong partnerships, we pursue shared goals and respond to what matters most to the communities we serve.
Curiosity and
Openness
We know there is always more to learn. We embrace continuous growth, fostering a culture of learning and a willingness to engage with, listen to, and respect diverse perspectives to inform and improve our work.
Belonging and Accessibility
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to connect with and care for this region, and to feel that they have a place in its story. We work to understand and reduce barriers to participation, while creating welcoming experiences for residents and visitors alike to explore the region, build a sense of belonging, and contribute to its future.
Where We Operate
Alaska Living Lands is the nonprofit steward of the Kenai Mountains–Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area, designated by Congress as part of the National Park Service system. We serve the Heritage Area and neighboring communities connected by shared culture, landscapes, and history
The region where we operate is vast, and includes over 300 square miles of public lands, wild spaces, and communities along the Turnagain Arm and Kenai Peninsula. Our current programs primarily take place in Anchorage, Girdwood, Portage, Whittier, Hope, Cooper Landing, Moose Pass, and Seward. To learn more about the founding and evolution of our organization, visit our Organization History page.
