Overview
Location
Property Owner
Acreage
Property Description
Conservation Values
Publications
Overview:
Southeast Alaska Land Trust is working to acquire a conservation easement on
a 263-acre property at the mouth of Eagle River owned by the Southeast
Alaska Boy Scouts Council. The property, a mosaic of estuary, salt marsh,
sandy beach, and upland forest, is cherished by the Juneau community
for its stunning vistas, beautiful beaches, and important wildlife habitat.
Residential and migratory waterfowl heavily graze the area, and raptors
like the kestrel, short-eared owl, and northern harrier are seen in spring
and fall migrations. The property is the heart of Juneau’s “Green
Zone,” a 20-mile stretch of coastal forest, wetlands, and salmon
streams where development has been minimal and outdoor camps and recreation
are the dominant uses. Currently, we have received a grant from the US
Fish and Wildlife Service to have the parcel appraised.
back to top
Location:
The property is located 30 miles north of Juneau off Glacier Highway.
The beach on the west side is accessed via a short drive through
the new Amalga Meadows Natural Area Park addition at Herbert
River Wetlands Park and a 1.5 mile long, moderate riverside trail.
back to top
Property Owner: Southeast Alaska Area Council of the Boy Scouts,
No. 608
Acres: 264-acres
back to top
Property Description:
The majority of the property sits on a deltaic floodplain rising
above the southern mouth of Eagle River, just below its confluence
with Herbert River. This delta
consists of uplift meadows dotted with patches of spruce forests wrapped
around a goosetongue salt marsh. Between Lynn Canal and the
western uplift meadow rests
the best beach in the Juneau area. Lying off the river flats and to the east
is a ridgeline established with mature and old-growth spruce/hemlock forest.
In these woodlands the Scouts have a lodge structure and a number
of sleeping quarters situated away from the beach. Other properties
owners in the
vicinity include Mental Health on the east side border, and the Eagle River
State Recreation Area on the opposite side of Eagle River.
back to top
Conservation Values:
This property contains valuable woodlands and wetlands with
unique natural, ecological, scenic, and open space values of
importance to the people of Alaska. It has
extensive sandy covered scenic shorelines;significant anadromous fish resource;riparian
and wetland habitat for migratory and coastal birds; recreational
hiking and other activities associated with scenic views.
Publications
Juneau's Wonderful Greenzone, A Land Status Report by SEAL Trust (PDF: 5.21MB)
back to top |
