Taking time out to preserve Alaska’s wilderness

When New Zealander Michael Slade decided that it was time to take a break from city life, the Global Volunteer Network’s Alaska program seemed like the perfect opportunity. The Alaskan culture and wilderness fulfilled his expectations and more, despite any apprehensions.

‘People think ‘why are you going out to help work on an environmental project in America? It’s a powerful country with plenty of resources, and it should be able to be helping itself out’ says Michael, and what he discovered was quite different to other’s expectations.

‘Alaska is a completely different kettle of fish’ he says. ‘They are a different breed up there. There are a lot of pioneers who literally just cut themselves a homestead out of the forest, and laid their claim. Then you’ve got the Native American populations as well, and the Eskimo population. They’re struggling to survive, and the government is trying to take care of them as best they can, so there’s a completely different mindset up there. They look at the rest of the States quite differently, and Alaska attracts free thinking, free willed people, who love the outdoors.’

Prior to his trip, Michael worked with African refugees and their families, assisting them with immigration in London, England.

‘I needed to take a bit of time out’ he says, ‘So instead of the main focus being on people all the time, it was to shift that focus, and do something that was more towards the environment’.

Alaska gave Michael the adventure he was looking for, as well as the opportunity to make a real difference to the community and the landscape.

Michael took part in an environmental program, studying the Kenai Peninsula Water Sheds in Sodoltna, the hub of the Kenai Peninsula which is located just south of Anchorage, Alaska. His trip was facilitated by the Global Volunteer Network, an organization that helps connect international volunteers with communities in need.

Michael was involved in research work for the Kenai water shed forum, a non-for-profit organization that is working to protect the water shed. The team investigates its fragile eco-system, how it works, what benefit it gives to the Kenai Peninsula, and the impact of man on the area.

‘I was taking water flow measurements and surveying water flow measurements sites, and that was to contribute to understanding how all the tributaries around the area contributed to the water flow volumes in the Kenai river’ explains Michael.

He was also involved with a fresh water invertebrate nutrients study, to aid a professor at the University of Alaska.

‘I was one of the key contributors to the marine nutrients study…which helps, because when you are out in the field, that river is mighty cold and you are just picking up rock after rock after rock till your hands go numb, collecting these specimens. It’s pretty tough work, but it was rewarding. You’ve got something to show for at the end of it.’

The Kenai Peninsula is about 90% Wilderness containing many beautiful mountains, streams and lakes. It borders the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and neighbours many other state parks.

‘I’d always had a fascination with Alaska’ says Michael. ‘It’s a last frontier kind of wilderness.’

Michael particularly enjoyed the company of the other volunteers.

‘The people (involved in the program) came from all different backgrounds, and were just really dedicated to one cause. It’s quite neat to be in that kind of environment, where everyone is focused, and passionate about something, and where the end goal is ultimately beneficial to everybody in the surrounding community, if not Alaska. It’s pretty exciting.’

He also saw the benefits of volunteering to work in the community, as opposed to doing the tourist thing, and is keen to encourage others to volunteer.

‘You get to integrate within that environment that you are living in, amongst that society. You get to make friends and develop relationships with the people, learn about how they live, and learn about how they work as well. You basically get a view of every key aspect of society through volunteering. Not to mention the actual skills that you take on as well.’

‘There is also the feel good factor of having spent some time somewhere, and given something back to a place you’ve been to rather than just coming through and paying money for tourism merchandise, which doesn’t go into the pockets of those who really need it, or benefit the community.’

The only thing you may need to prepare for on your Alaska volunteering adventure are some personal grooming adjustments. ‘If you are a guy, you have to grow a beard’, laughs Michael. ‘All the guys over there have got beards, so it’s what you’ve got to do’.

By Julie Thompson
www.volunteer.org.nz
 

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