FY 14-15 Discover Kodiak Eco Tourism Press Kit

FY 14-15 Discover Kodiak Eco Tourism Press Kit

Photo by: Adina Preston

KODIAK ISLAND- AN ECONOMICALLY FRIENDLY DESTINATION!

Authentic Kodiak

Kodiak is a clean, green destination unlike any other in the World. Nature is still a huge part of our environment and is only continuing to grow. Discover Kodiak recognizes the importance of the environment to help sustain a healthy, active community. By working closely with small local businesses, Discover Kodiak aims to make the community more sensitive to the impact they are having on the environment, while helping to generate income, employment, and Kodiak conservation.

With a population rounding 15,000 and a limited industrial platform, Kodiak’s human impact on the environment is limited. Visitors to the area are able to experience Kodiak’s wildlife and scenery away from the crowds. Often times, you will find yourself alone on whispering beaches or high on the mountain tops.

Conservation of the Natural Environment

Kodiak: the “Island of the Great Bear.” Genetically distinct, Kodiak brown bear inhabit the wild, rugged Kodiak Archipelago in the Gulf of Alaska, 252 miles southwest of Anchorage. Inspired by concerned sportsmen and conservationists, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge in 1941 to protect Kodiak bears and their habitat.

Kodiak’s Wildlife Refuge makes up 2/3 of Kodiak Island. Today, the refuge has a global conservation role - to instill regard for bears, salmon, and other wildlife; to protect interdependent species of fish, wildlife and plants within the largest intact, pristine island ecosystem in North America; and to ensure compatible management of wildlife, subsistence, recreation, and economic uses of refuge resources.
Misty fjords, deep glacial valleys, and lofty mountains distinguish the 1.9 million-acre refuge. Diverse habitats encompass 117 salmon-bearing streams, 16 lakes, riparian wetlands, grasslands, shrub lands, spruce forest, tundra, and alpine meadows. Collectively these habitats sustain 3,000 bears, account for up to 30 million salmon caught by the Kodiak-based fishing fleet, support more than 400 breeding pairs of bald eagles, and provide essential migration and breeding habitat for another 250 species of fish, birds and mammals. Such natural abundance and spectacular scenery attracts thousands of visitors to the refuge annually.

Source: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Kodiak/about.html

The Kodiak Island’s community and law enforcement alike have duties to research, regulate, preserve and protect Kodiak’s wildlife and economy.

Preservation

Kodiak Island now has wind-turbine generated electrical power to help preserve energy.

Developed to operate in conjunction with local hydroelectric generation, the Pillar Mountain wind energy project is an integral part of Kodiak Electric Associations goal of producing 95% of its energy with cost-effective renewable power by 2020. Because Kodiak is a sensitive are in terms of wildlife, the project required significant assessment, planning, mitigation, and coordination. Since commissioning, the six Pillar Mountain wind turbines have met or exceeded electrical generation expectations.

See more at: http://www.tetratech.com/projects/kodiak-island-wind-project.html#sthash.8rZ9zetv.dpuf

Top 7 Eco-Friendly Kodiak Visitor Activities

Hiking: Grab your boots and hit the trails! Kodiak offers

over 80 hiking trails that range from easy, medium, or

hard depending on your level of fitness. Throughout

these trails you can see wildlife in its truest form, birds

and the wind powered energy turbines.

Boat Trip: Many local tour operators provide eco-friendly

boating excursions to different locations on the Island. Stop on the shore for a great hike or continue cruising for a glimpse of the Kodiak whales. Marine life is abundant on Kodiak Island- you are sure to see sea lions, otters, and much more.

Explore Town: Kodiak Island has a history like no other. From tsunamis, earthquakes, Russian takeover and more, there is quite a story to tell. Kodiak features two museums that provide native artifacts, photo albums and stories. Kodiak also features churches, military museums from WWII and art from many local artists. You can sure make a day exploring Kodiak’s rich cultural history.

Wildlife Viewing: While preserving our lands in Kodiak, we have also set up our Island so we are able to explore the wildlife in their natural habitat. By taking an air charter to a remote location on the Island you are able to see abundant wildlife without interfering with their well-being.

Dinner Cruise: Take a dinner cruise on Galley Gourmets yacht and explore the marine life. While whale watching, Marion is sure to cook you up a delicious dinner from her home garden where she carefully nourishes her veggies and greens.

Tide pooling/Beach Combing: Explore Kodiak’s beaches and find out more about the smaller aquatic animals that are typically unseen. Many times you can learn about the sea life while cleaning up the beaches. Not only is beach combing a great way to promote a cleaner economy, but you never know what kind of goodies you will take home. Kodiak tends to have colored beach glass and Japanese glass floats in wealth.

Birding: Kodiak is the prime location for birding. Kodiak’s local

Eagles, Puffins, and Ptarmigans make for great photographs.

Also local to the area are many types of Geese, Ducks, Albatrosses,

Cormorants, Sandpipers, and more!

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