Alaska Nellie, Grandview, Helen Hegener, KMTA Communities, KMTA Stories, Seward Alaska Nellie 20 Jan 2021 Alaska Nellie By Helen Hegener “There were possibilities of an extensive business at this place for at least three years, as I saw it, and now I would be needing a dog… Karen Lewis No Comments
Clark Fair, History, History Articles, Hope, KMTA Stories, Moose Pass Harry A. Johnson (far right) with a party of hunters, 1904. 14 Jan 2021 Harry Johnson: Man of the Mountains By Clark Fair By the time Harry A. Johnson heard the handcar moving toward him down the rails, he had walked 15 of the 20 miles to Seward from his… Karen Lewis No Comments
Grant Projects, Grants 08 Jan 2021 Need Help With the Grant Application Process? The recording of 2021 Grant Webinar can be found here. The presentation slides can be found here. Questions: Email Grants Program Manager Amanda Sassi at amandasassi@kmtacorridor.org or register below. Karen Lewis No Comments
Hiking, KMTA Communities, KMTA Stories, Steve Cleary The Gull Rock trail near Hope provides amazing views of Cook Inlet and the mountains of the Chugach. 07 Jan 2021 We Can All Use a Little Hope – Recalling What Gave Us Comfort in These Unprecedented Times By Steve Cleary Trails have increased in value through the pandemic, for both physical and mental health. And Hope has a lot to offer. Several times in recent months we… Karen Lewis No Comments
Grant Projects, Grants Eve Van Dommelen films Max Romey, Lars Arneson, and Denali Strabel just before they start the Southern Trek journey at Mile 0 of the Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT) in Seward. 05 Jan 2021 KMTA’s 2021 Annual Grant Cycle Is Now Open KMTA awards grants to community projects that recognize, preserve, and interpret the historic, scenic, and natural recreational resources and cultural landscapes of the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm historic transportation corridor. Projects… Karen Lewis No Comments
Event Updates, Poetry Contest 01 Jan 2021 2021 KMTA Haiku Poetry Contest Cozy in the KMTA: In the past year what has brought you comfort in the KMTA area? The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm (KMTA) National Heritage Area is seeking haikus that… Karen Lewis No Comments
Hiking, History, History Articles, KMTA Stories, Manitoba, Shawn Lyons Looking at the Manitoba ski area lodge and further south across the Mills Creek drainage (Virginia Schuster) 31 Dec 2020 History of the Manitoba Mountain Ski Area by Shawn R. Lyons All winter long and well into the spring, backcountry skiers from Palmer and Anchorage to Seward and Homer make the pilgrimage to Manitoba Mountain. Regardless of… Karen Lewis No Comments
Hiking, History, History Articles, KMTA Communities, KMTA Stories, Moose Pass, Shawn Lyons Looking up to the headwaters of Falls Creek 09 Nov 2020 Solars Mountain on the Kenai Peninsula By Shawn R. Lyons We only had to cross the 15-foot wide stream and climb up through 100 yards of brush to reach the open rock field leading up into… Karen Lewis No Comments
Girdwood, Grant Projects, History, KMTA Communities The Girdwood Community Mural acknowledges the Dena'ina people: Thank you Dena'ina for letting us walk on your land. 05 Nov 2020 “Thank you Dena’ina people for letting us walk on your land” Girdwood Mural Installed this Summer Dena'ina qut'ana chiqinik, chin'an gheli gu yeh Dena'ina ełnen'aq' łuh ch'nidatl' ghu “Thank you Dena’ina people for letting us walk on your land” This past summer a KMTA Mini Grants… Karen Lewis No Comments
Event Updates, Photo Contest 14 Oct 2020 Congratulations to the Winners of the 2020 Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm Photo Contest! We had an abundance of awesome photos submitted to the KMTA Photo Contest. The entries we received highlighted the beauty of the KMTA corridor and with the sweeping, majestic views… Karen Lewis
History, History Articles, KMTA Stories, Manitoba, Shawn Lyons View from the door of Manitoba Cabin with the Lauritsen Cabin on the near right. 07 Oct 2020 Haunting History of the Eastern Kenai Peninsula By Shawn R. Lyons Though one can’t see them, one can sense the ghosts around Manitoba Cabin. One can sometimes feel them pausing to scratch in the soil with a… Karen Lewis No Comments
Birding, KMTA Communities, KMTA Stories, Portage, Programs & Education A flock of geese fly over the gazebo at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center 24 Sep 2020 Do You Like Birding? Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is the Place to Go! By Duane Magoon and Lily Grbavach The southbound fall migration of our winged, feathered friends has begun. Thousands of birds pass through Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley on their… Karen Lewis No Comments
Grant Projects, Grants, History, Iditarod, KMTA Communities, Programs & Education Max Romey watches as the sun begins to set in Seward, sharing a glimpse of the watercolor scene he just created. 03 Sep 2020 Trailbound Alaska Sets Off to Retrace the Iditarod National Historic Trail This summer, Trailbound Alaska, a grassroots film project, set off to retrace the Iditarod National Historic Trail with a pair of running shoes and a sketchbook. Trailbound Alaska’s first short… Karen Lewis No Comments
History, KMTA Stories 02 Sep 2020 Tell Us Your Stories? – Heritage @ Home KMTA National Heritage Area is seeking stories from the people that live, work and play in the KMTA area. We are interested in learning more about the local history of… Karen Lewis No Comments
Grant Projects, Grants, Turnagain Arm 01 Sep 2020 Beluga Whale Alliance Sends Thanks to KMTA! Thanks to KMTA funding for project materials, staff salaries, gas, and other essential costs in 2019, our organization’s very first grant, Beluga Whale Alliance (BWA) has been operating our flagship… Karen Lewis No Comments
History, History Articles, KMTA Communities, KMTA Stories, Seward, Sylvia Sexton A northward view of Fourth Avenue in Seward, Alaska in the early 1900s. (SCLA 1-216) 28 Aug 2020 Happy Birthday Seward, Alaska! Happy Birthday! Happy 117th Birthday Seward, Alaska! August 28th, 1903 is the official birthday of the city of Seward when John Ballaine and 82 other pioneers arrived in Resurrection Bay… Karen Lewis No Comments
Dan Walker, History, History Articles, KMTA Communities, KMTA Stories, Seward, Turnagain Arm Late Night Trail Running on Mt. Tiehacker near Seward, Alaska by Nelson Brown (Entry into the KMTA Photo Contest 2020) 25 Aug 2020 The Persistence of Nature’s Wild Side By Dan Walker Anyone who drives the Seward Highway and enters the mountains west of Portage gets the sense that they are driving into the wilderness. The forests reach down… Karen Lewis No Comments
Hiking, KMTA Stories, Shawn Lyons, Spencer Glacier, Turnagain Arm, Turnagain Pass Overlooking Spencer Glacier 28 Jul 2020 Wishful Thinking: A Journey from Turnagain Pass to Spencer Glacier By Shawn R. Lyons As we started down the far side of the ridge toward Spencer Glacier, glistening in the afternoon sun some 7 miles distant and 3,000 feet below… Karen Lewis No Comments
Biking, Bird, Girdwood, Grant Projects, Grants, Hiking, Programs & Education, Turnagain Arm 09 Jul 2020 Check Out Alaska State Parks Video about the Bird to Gird Bike Trail! The Alaska State Parks was awarded a KMTA grant of $14,207 in the spring of 2019 to create a trail guide video and the result is fantastic! Want to receive… Karen Lewis No Comments
KMTA Updates 25 Jun 2020 We Want To Hear From You! Take Our Survey and Be Entered to Win a $25 Gift Certificate or a KMTA T-Shirt! Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area would like to learn from you! Help us improve our programs, events, and increase community awareness of the Heritage Area. In appreciation for taking… Karen Lewis
David Reamer, History, History Articles, KMTA Stories, Turnagain Arm The Bore Tide of Turnagain Arm Circa 1930s-1950s. Photo courtesy of the Marie Silverman papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage. (HMC-0778:) 03 Jun 2020 The Power of Turnagain Arm By David Reamer The Turnagain Arm’s appearance is deceptive. The water appears safe, or as safe as any other waterway. The bordering land appears solid. At low tide, the Arm… Karen Lewis No Comments
News 28 May 2020 KMTA Seeks a Cultural Resource Management Firm The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm Corridor Communities Association is seeking a Cultural Resource Management firm for archaeological services with a strong background in Section 106 review and compliance. An electronic copy… Karen Lewis
Asian-American, History, History Articles, KMTA Communities, KMTA Stories, Mushing, Seward Jujiro Wada with other marathon racers. (Courtesy of Jujiro Wada Memorial Association, Japan) 19 May 2020 The Samurai Musher Jujiro Wada By Lia Slemons “This is my country, Frank. I hope to live and die here.” Jujiro Wada’s friend, Frank Cotter, recorded this sentiment during the historic scouting trip he, Wada,… Karen Lewis No Comments
Grant Projects, Grants 18 May 2020 KMTA Annual Grant Recipients Announced For 2020 Congratulations to the 2020 Grant Recipients! The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area (KMTA) Board of Directors recently awarded 12 grants, a total of $78,430 in funding, at their May… Karen Lewis
Event Updates, Photo Contest Sunset Reflections, Hope, AK by Lauren Fraser 15 May 2020 KMTA 2020 Photo Contest is Now Accepting Entries! KMTA 2020 Photo Contest Is Now For Open for Entries The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area is now accepting your entries for the 2020 Photo Contest. In addition to… Karen Lewis
News 21 Apr 2020 KMTA Requests Letters of Support for the Alliance of National Heritage Areas Karen Lewis
Hiring 17 Apr 2020 We’re Hiring: KMTA is seeking a Grants Program Manager New Job Position Available with KMTA Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area is seeking a Grants Program Manager. KMTA’s Grants Program Manager will focus on administration of our Community Based… Karen Lewis
Girdwood 04 Mar 2020 Girdwood Trail Town Meeting Join Us... The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area invites Girdwood residents to discuss becoming the region’s first Trail Town. Share ideas and hear from neighbors on opportunities for a… Karen Lewis
Becky Butler, History Articles, KMTA Stories, Seward, Sylvia Sexton 01 Mar 2020 Sylvia Sexton, Business Woman of the Early 20th Century and Prominent Alaskan Photographer By Becky Butler Despite being a transplant, Sylvia Sexton's life in Alaska proved her to be an industrious, creative, and adventurous woman who embodied the Alaskan pioneer spirit. Sylvia is… Karen Lewis No Comments
Event Updates, News, Seward 26 Feb 2020 CANCELLED – KMTA Photo Contest Exhibition and T-Shirt Fundraiser Canceled: Out of an abundance of caution due to the Covid-19 virus, KMTA will not be having our event in Seward tomorrow on March 14th. Stay safe out there! Photo… Karen Lewis
Event Updates, Poetry Contest Women and Dog by Lauren Fraser 14 Feb 2020 Congratulations to Our 2020 Haiku Contest Winners 2020 Haiku Contest Winners Congratulations to Leihla Harrison and Sarah Aho for their winning haikus! Stay tuned for all the submitted haikus. Karen Lewis No Comments
History, History Articles 13 Feb 2020 KMTA National Heritage Area’s Timeline is Now Live! The KMTA National Heritage Area's Historical Timeline is now live on our website! It is full of historical photos and dates relevant to the KMTA area. If you think there… Karen Lewis No Comments
Annual Report 12 Feb 2020 The KMTA 2019 Annual Report is here! The last year has brought many exciting changes for KMTA including a brand redesign and our first racing event - the Mineshaft Grinder. We are excited to share our successes… Karen Lewis
Clark Fair, Hiking, History, History Articles, KMTA Stories, Moose Pass, Seward The author and his brother rest at the top of LV Ray Peak in 1997. 07 Feb 2020 The Naming of A Peak LV Ray Peak Near Moose Pass By Clark Fair Hikers climbing the Carter Lake Trail near the Trail Lake Fish Hatchery will notice the dark grey, pyramidal summit of… Karen Lewis No Comments
Grant Projects, Grants 06 Jan 2020 Annual Grant Informational Webinar Informational Grant Webinar Slides and Presentation Questions: Contact Katherine Schake at katherineschake@kmtacorridor.org To watch the webinar or to view the slides click below. Karen Lewis
Grant Projects, Grants 06 Jan 2020 Annual Grant Cycle is Now Open! KMTA awards grants to community projects that recognize, preserve, and interpret the historic, scenic, and natural recreational resources and cultural landscapes of the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm historic transportation corridor. Projects… Karen Lewis
Poetry Contest Women and Dog by Lauren Fraser 01 Jan 2020 2020 Haiku Poetry Contest What Do You Love About the National Heritage Area? The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm (KMTA) National Heritage Area is seeking haikus that express what you love about our National Heritage Area.… Karen Lewis
KMTA Stories 05 Dec 2019 By Snowshoe, Sled, or Snowmachine, Johnson Pass a Storied Route By Lia Slemons Johnson Pass Trail allows backcountry access through spruce forests to striking subalpine lakes. Today winter visitors share the trail with recreating skiers, winter bikers, equestrians, and snowmachiners… Karen Lewis
Event Updates, Photo Contest 15 Nov 2019 People’s Choice Award was selected at November’s First Friday at the Anchorage Museum First Fridays traditionally herald open house art shows, but November’s First Friday at the Anchorage Museum opened the house to the outdoors. KMTA was one of a handful of outdoor-aligned… Karen Lewis
Event Updates, Photo Contest Sunset Reflections in Hope, Alaska by Lauren Fraser 25 Oct 2019 Congratulations to the Winners of the KMTA Photo Contest! We had an abundance of awesome photos submitted to the KMTA Photo Contest. The entries we received highlighted the beauty of the KMTA corridor and with the sweeping, majestic views… Karen Lewis
Event Updates 24 Oct 2019 First Friday at the Anchorage Museum Anchorage Museum First Friday After Hours 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 Open galleries. Open minds. Open late. Join us and our partners at the Anchorage Museum First… Karen Lewis
Grant Projects, Grants 21 Oct 2019 KMTA Reporting Schedule for 2019 Grant Recipients Reporting Schedule for September 2019 Grant Recipients A quarterly, informal check-in via email or phone is required. For partial grant reimbursement, all reports must be completed & emailed by the… Karen Lewis
News 09 Oct 2019 KMTA Has A New Look! KMTA National Heritage Area's logo and brand has undergone a significant transformation! While our core mission remains the same to preserve, protect, and promote the unique history, culture, and natural resources… Karen Lewis
Grant Projects, Grants 04 Oct 2019 KMTA Board Approves $43,821 in Funding for the Fall Grant Cycle! The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area (KMTA) Board of Directors recently awarded five community grants, a total of $43,821 in funding, at their September 2019 meeting at the Sunrise… Karen Lewis
Grant Projects, Grants, News 29 Aug 2019 Youth Explore through Four Valley’s Community School’s Summer Camps This year KMTA helped sponsor a two day “Tides and Ecology” Camp for 4th -8th graders through the Four Valley’s Community Schools (FVCS). The camp focused on learning about local… Rachel Blakeslee
Event Updates, News 28 Aug 2019 Luck and Teamwork Make Mineshaft Grinder Shine Fifty racers in the inaugural Mineshaft Grinder struck gold in Hope on Saturday, August 17, competing on a sunny day with a welcome cool breeze. This KMTA event was a… Rachel Blakeslee
Girdwood, Grant Projects, Grants 15 Aug 2019 Youth Explore through Four Valley’s Community School’s Summer Camps This year KMTA helped sponsor a two day “Tides and Ecology” Camp for 4th -8th graders through the Four Valley’s Community Schools (FVCS). The camp focused on learning about local… Karen Lewis
Cooper Landing, Grant Projects, Grants, History, Programs & Education 15 Jun 2019 Cooper Landing Youth Discover the Past As a child Kristine Route used to climb on each of her grandmothers’ laps and ask them to tell her stories. “I used to listen intently to everything they had… Karen Lewis
