How Lorena Williams' Fire Career Took Her to New Heights
In light of the recent wildfires engulfing the west coast, we spoke with Lorena Williams, a wildland firefighter formerly with the US Forest Service, about her experiences. With Fire Prevention Week happening from October 4-10, encourage your K-12 students to learn more about a career in fire service. READ MORE
5 Ways to Have a Green Halloween
With the pandemic and social distancing changing everything in 2020, Halloween will likely look different this year. This creates the perfect opportunity to green-up this haunted holiday in the process. Halloween, traditionally, produces a lot of waste, from “fun-size” candy wrappers and single-use trick-or-treat bags to store-bought costumes and throw-away pumpkins. How can you transform your Halloween into an eco-friendly holiday this year? READ MORE
Rethinking Plastic Packaging to Help Solve the Plastic Waste Crisis
Did you know that 40% of all plastic produced is used for disposable packaging, which is the single largest market for plastic materials? In response to growing concern about the plastic waste crisis, some businesses have begun developing more sustainable types of plastic packaging, while others are creating and promoting the use of alternative packaging materials. But is innovation alone enough to solve this crisis? And what can you do to help? READ MORE
Return of Feathered Friends and 'Global Big Day'
Over the past couple weeks, with all this warm weather in the Valdez area, we’ve noticed some old friends returning to town. Trumpeter Swans are settling into their ponds and Arctic Terns are zipping around the harbor making quite the racket! As we enjoy warmer and more isolated walks these days, bird sightings and sounds are becoming a big part of the outdoor experience! If you’re interested in widening your knowledge about our local feathered friends, eBird offers an awesome platform to identify and learn about which birds you’re seeing, keep track of your observations, and contribute to the “world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project.”
You can use eBird all year round, but this Saturday, May 9th, is birding’s biggest day! Global Big Day is an annual celebration of the birds around us, so while you’re out on your daily walk this Saturday, try to ID a couple birds and submit observations with eBird’s mobile app!
Check out Global Big Day details here and maybe make some new winged friends this spring!
ExtremeTerrain's Clean Trail Initiative Program
We’re fired up about trail work this year! VAA employees and volunteers have already been out on Shoup the last couple of weekends clearing and cleaning up! So we are thankful to have a helping hand from Turn5’s Extreme Terrain Clean Initiative Program. Leah Leitch from Turn5, the parent company for AmericanTrucks.com and ExtremeTerrain.com notified VAA that “the award is $250 and aims to support various trail-related cleanup and maintenance projects.” VAA will use the funds to purchase equipment for trail maintenance.
If you are interested in volunteering on Shoup Bay Trail this spring email Lanette at events@valdezadventure.com. We operate within social distancing guidelines and a few hours of intentional outside time does wonders for the mental health in these strange times!
Blueberry Climbing Area Trails!
VAA is delighted to have the opportunity to improve access to climbing areas around Blueberry Lake! As part of the Access Fund's 2020 Climbing Conservation Grant Program, VAA has been awarded funds to purchase equipment and hire experienced trail workers to help volunteers and staff create a new trail connecting Raspberry Rock and Blueberry Block. Climbing zones in Valdez are rarely formally developed, so VAA is excited to have support from the Access Fund to help improve access and promote climbing for current and future recreationists!
Check out the full list and descriptions of projects who also received funding from Access Fund’s 2020 Climbing Conservation Grant Program HERE
Some Tips on Hitting the Trail During COVID-19
We all know that Valdezians love their outdoor adventures, whether it be walking, biking, snowmachining or skiing. Getting outside is a great way to clear your head and stay active (and sane!) during these times of quarantine and social distancing. However, as you prepare to go out this spring, run through this quick list of questions by American Trails to make sure your outdoor plan is safe and responsible.
NEEF Environmental Education from Home!
In these strange times, it is still important to explore environmental education while respecting social distancing restrictions. With this in mind, recently, VAA has been on the look-out for creative ways to engage with and learn about our environment. We stumbled upon the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF); their purpose is “to cultivate an environmentally conscious and responsible public.”
Check out some of the amazing resources the NEEF has to facilitate environmental discovery and learning at home!