Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Corridor

THE KMTA CORRIDOR COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATION WAS INCORPORATED IN 2000 TO RECOGNIZE, PRESERVE, AND INTERPRET THE HISTORIC RESOURCES AND CULTURAL LANDSCAPES OF THE KENAI MOUNTAINS-TURNAGAIN ARM TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR. THE ASSOCIATION FOSTERS PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIPS AMONG THE COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE CORRIDOR, AS WELL AS AMONG INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, BOROUGH, STATE, AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, TO PROMOTE THE PUBLIC ENJOYMENT OF THESE RESOURCES. THE ASSOCIATION ALSO RECEIVES AND ADMINISTERS FUNDS, APPROPRIATED BY CONGRESS AND OTHER SOURCES, TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES IN DEVELOPING PROJECTS THAT RECOGNIZE, PRESERVE, AND INTERPRET THE KENAI MOUNTAINS-TURNAGAIN ARM'S RICH AND SCENIC HERITAGE.

IN FY23, KMTA HOSTED 5 KEY EVENTS THAT BROUGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF ALASKA'S ONLY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA. THESE EVENTS INCLUDED THE MINESHAFT GRINDER- AN UPHILL GRAVEL BIKE RACE IN THE HISTORIC MINING COMMUNITY OF HOPE, THE CORDUROY CRUSH- A FAMILY-FRIENDLY NORDIC SKI RACE ON THE FAMOUS 5K LOOP IN GIRDWOOD, THE SPENCER DASH- A RUNNING RACE TRAVERSING THE PATH OF THE RECESSION OF THE SPENCER GLACIER, THE TRAIL CHALLENGE ENCOURAGING STEWARDSHIP, LEAVE NO TRAIL PRINCIPLES, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION ON THE TRAILS OF THE NHA, AND A PHOTO CONTEST THAT ELEVATED THE ARTISTIC WORKS OF LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO CAPTURED THE ESSENCE OF WHAT MAKES OUR NHA SO SPECIAL.

IN FY23, KMTA LED 4 DISTINCT OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL YOUTH THAT CONNECTED THEM TO THEIR PUBLIC LANDS, AND THE NHA'S LIVING HERITAGE. THESE PROGRAMS WERE OFFERED YEAR-ROUND, ENSURING UNDER-RESOURCED AND UNDER-SERVED STUDENTS HAD CONTINUES ACCESS TO IMPACTFUL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. IN TOTAL WE SERVED 358 KIDS FROM 6 COMMUNITIES OVER 67 DAYS OF PROGRAMMING. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDED: ALASKA OUTDOOR SCHOOL- AN OVERNIGHT PROGRAM FOR 5TH GRADERS IN PORTAGE VALLEY, FRESH AIR FRIDAYS- A SCHOOL IN SERVICE DAY PROGRAM, SNOWSCHOOL- A WINTER SCIENCE AND ECOLOGY PROGRAM, AND COASTAL CONNECTIONS- A DAY-BASED MARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEM PROGRAM.

IN FY23, KMTA SUPPORTED 20 COMMUNITY-BASED, GRASSROOTS PROJECTS THAT HELPED PRESERVE THE CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA. IN TOTAL, WE ALLOCATED NEARLY $150,000 IN FUNDING TO SUPPORT THESE PROJECTS, FOCUSED ON A VARIETY OF PRIORITY AREAS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: TRAIL MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT, YOUTH EDUCATION, INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE, ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AND THE ENVIRONMENT. IN TOTAL OUR SUPPORT ENABLED THE SUCCESS OF PROJECTS IN EVERY COMMUNITY WITHIN OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.