Southeast Alaska Land Trust is currently undertaking an exciting project with Juneau landowners in an effort to secure a fixed boundary around the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. Situated in the geographic heart of Juneau, the Mendenhall Refuge is a 3,600 acre tidally-influenced wetlands where the mixing of fresh and salt water in the estuaries and grasslands create critical habitat for more than 140 species of resident and migratory birds, nearly a dozen different mammals, eight anadromous fish, and an abundance of other marine species. It has become evident that this treasured asset is substantially shrinking due to a natural phenomenon called "isostatic rebound," where land, once pressed under glaciers, rises. In the case of the Mendenhall Refuge, which has a boundary largely defined by the "mean-high tide line," lands that were once legally within the Refuge are now being claimed for private ownership by adjacent landowners through a process called quiet title. With low-gradient tidal flats a persistent feature of this area, the Refuge is shrinking by as much as hundreds of feet, in some areas. Southeast Alaska Land Trust is offering to purchase these accreted lands, or an interest in these lands and hopes to secure a fixed boundary around the Mendenhall Refuge by entering into conservation agreement with willing upland owners. Options include simple purchase agreements, tax-deductable donations of accreted lands, or the establishment of conservation easements. The positive responses from landowners thus far is exciting, and SEAL trust is eager to work with each individual landowner to find the best approach to managing their accreted lands. Our intent is to ensure the long-term integrity of this remarkable resource for wildlife and the for Juneau community. For more information about the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge and about the Accreted Lands Project, you can visit our website at http://southeastalaskalandtrust.org/ or give us a call at the office at (907)586-3100.

View of accreted land of a property adjacent to the Refuge, seen from the ground stake to the trees in the distance.

Aerial map of the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. Click for larger image

“Southeast Alaska’s natural treasures enjoy increased significance to me the more I kayak along its wild shores and travel around the world.” -Gretchen Keiser

Gretchen Keiser Conservation Specialist Gretchen has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Science Education from Cornell University and a Master’s of Science in Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In Alaska since the mid-1970s, Gretchen has worked in natural resources as a field biologist, legislative analyst, coastal program manager, city planner and water quality regulatory manager. She serves on the Board of Directors for True North Federal Credit Union and Rainforest Yoga – two not-for-profit organizations important to the well being of the Juneau community. Gretchen brings her enthusiasm for the conservation of Southeast Alaska’s natural landscapes, coupled with her personal interests in kayaking, gardening, yoga, and travel.

"From exploring remote bays in an old wooden fishing boat to backpacking in the forest and alpine, I am continuously amazed and humbled by the beauty and richness of Southeast Alaska. I have only begun to explore the natural wonders and incredible communities here, and I thrilled to be involved in the exciting and important work of SEAL Trust."

Rebecca Hartwell  Conservation Assistant Rebecca grew up near the small town of Carnation in Washington State and attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. During college, she studied in Sikkim, India for a semester where she developed an independent study project on community- based ecotourism, which became the empirical basis for her Honors thesis senior year. Rebecca graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor's degree in Politics and Environmental studies. After graduation, she traveled to Malaysia with a US Fulbright Fellowship where she taught English in a rural community for one year. Upon Rebecca's return to the US, she headed north for colder climates as an intern with Sitka Conservation Society through the Alaska Conservation Foundation internship program. Enchanted with Southeast Alaska, Rebecca decided to explore this unique region by water and got a job as a deckhand on a commercial fishing boat, trolling for salmon throughout Southeast Alaska for five months. Now living in Juneau, Rebecca is excited for the opportunity to work for Southeast Alaska Land Trust and continue working for conservation issues in Alaska.