Voices of the Wilderness traveling art exhibit debuts in Sitka

An exhibit of wilderness-inspired Alaskan art opens this week at the Sitka National Historical Park, kicking off a year-long celebration of wilderness in recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of the passage of the Wilderness Act

Voices of the Wilderness is a traveling art exhibit that features a wide range of artwork, including photography, music, poetry, and paintings created by participants in artist-in-residence programs hosted by agencies that manage federally designated wilderness. The exhibit is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Voices of the Wilderness exhibit is one of many events and activities the U.S. Forest Service will sponsor in Alaska this year to celebrate the Wilderness Act, which endorsed the idea of “untrammeled” public wildlands in 1964 and secured the wilderness heritage that Americans now enjoy.

In Alaska, Congressionally designated wilderness makes up one-third of the lands on the Tongass National Forest, where 19 separate wilderness areas cover 5.8 million acres in Southeast. The Chugach National Forest manages the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area, which encompasses more than one-third of that forest in South-central Alaska.

To foster understanding and enjoyment of wilderness areas on the Tongass and Chugach, the Forest Service will sponsor numerous events and products this year:

• The Voices of the Wilderness art exhibit will continue its run at venues in Ketchikan, Juneau, Fairbanks, Homer, Kenai, and Anchorage throughout the year.
• The Meaning of Wild, a 30-minute film that features stunning footage from four wilderness areas on the Tongass, will screen in numerous communities in Alaska during the coming year, including Juneau, Anchorage, and Ketchikan.
• The annual Chugach and Tongass poster series will highlight Forest Service wilderness in Alaska. Watch for the release of these commemorative posters in late March.
• A wilderness boat excursion will explore the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area in late May.
• Chugach Children’s Forest youth expeditions and teacher trainings in the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area are slated for this summer.
• In partnership with Alaska Geographic and the National Park Service, the Forest Service will develop a series of wilderness stories to debut this fall.

Watch for more information on these and additional events atwww.myalaskaforests.com; www.fs.usda.gov/r10;www.fs.usda.gov/chugach/; and www.fs.usda.gov/tongass/.

Prescribing The Path to Wealth and Fitness

Story and photos by Michael Hess, Park Ranger, Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska

Sitka National Historical Park -- While many visitors are enriched physically

NPS Photo by Michael Hess

and mentally walking the trails at Sitka National Historical Park, one walker also became a little wealthier this month as a participant of the Park Prescription Program.

Betty Joe Whitcomb was the first recipient of the quarterly drawing of completed Park Prescription cards, earning her the $100 cash prize, and recognition at a brief ceremony at the park’s second annual National Trails Day earlier this month. 

As a longtime Sitka resident Betty Jo has walked the popular Totem Trail at the national park every day for several years, interacting with out-of-town visitors, meeting old friends, and enjoying the rich cultural history and natural beauty of the park. Even with the other 20 program participants, her odds of winning were good this quarter. 

She stops by the park visitor center each day after her walk, presenting her Park Prescription punch card to one of the rangers for verification of her activity. As much as she walks, Betty Joe expects to have at least another card completed before the next drawing in October. 

“[The prize] adds a little extra incentive,” said Ann Wilkinson, president of the Sitka Community Hospital Foundation, the local organization that funded the prize and also purchased waterproof cellphone cases for Park Prescription participants, which conveniently also fits a folded prescription card. 

“The more cards you fill up, the better your chances to win the money and, most importantly, the better you’ll feel,” she said. 

Betty Jo found out about the program in the local newspaper, but many other walkers learn about the program from their doctors – as a real prescription for real ailments. Sharing thoughts about the Park Prescription’s fountainhead initiative, Call to Action #6: “Go Take a Hike, and Call Me in the Morning,” National Parks Service director Jonathan B. Jarvis said, “Being outdoors has positive effects on health that don’t cost a dime” – a feeling shared by the participating local doctors. 

As a preventative measure, walking reduces the risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, improves mental health and provides many other health benefits. Eric Jordan, another regular Sitka walker and the first person to fill his Park Prescription logged 180 miles in his first 5 weeks, and later received a clean bill of health from his doctor. In other cases, cardiac patients recover with regular walks on the park’s improved trails, and mental health providers write scripts for exercise and sunshine. 

The freedom for participants to achieve their health goals at their own pace, creating their own personal exercise regime is among the stated strengths of the program, along with low startup costs. 

This focus on personal responsibility was also what attracted the attention of Sitka Health Summit board members when they granted support for the program last year, said Patrick Williams, health educator at the Sitka Community Hospital and a member of the Summit. The Summit meets every year to grant seed money to low-cost, high-gain community wellness opportunities. 

This year the Summit invested another $250 that will go towards printing another batch of Park Prescription cards that will be available to local healthcare providers. 

Though a fledgling program with ambitious goals, already people like Betty Joe Whitman, Eric Johnson, and the other diligent walkers, strollers, and runners are punching their Park Prescription cards for health, and maybe even a little wealth, on the trails of Sitka National Historical Park. 

For more information about the Park Prescription program as a healthcare provider, participant, or volunteer, contact Carin Farley, Sitka National Historical Park chief ranger and program coordinator, at (907) 747-0110.

Park seeks students for summer YCC positions

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Sitka National Historical Park, (February 17, 2012)- Sitka National Historical Park will be hiring students for the Youth Conservation Corp this summer. Duties may include greeting visitors at the park visitor center and Russian Bishop's House, assisting with cultural or natural resources, or helping with the maintenance division.Hires will work 40 hours a week, eight to ten weeks, and be paid $10.00 per hour. Please note, this program is limited to students ages 15 to 18.

Related articles

• Seeking Applications for Sitka National Historical Park 2012 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• International Year of Forests Film Festival (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Park Celebrates Native American Heritage Month (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Application Period for Summer Seasonal Positions (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Bears of North America Evening Program and Book Signing (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

Park Visitor Center Closed for Washington’s Birthday

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Sitka National Historical Park, (February 17, 2012)- The Visitor Center and Russian Bishop's House units of Sitka National Historical Park will be closed for Washington's Birthday, a federal holiday, on Monday, February 20, 2012. The park trails will remain open during the regular winter trail hours of 7a.m. to 8 p.m.

Washington's Birthday is the last of these federal holidays before the summer season; the park will be open every day, including holidays, for the summer season.

The Visitor Center is currently open from 8a.m. to 5p.m., except for weekends when it is closed Saturday for lunch from 11a.m. to noon and all day Sunday. The Russian Bishop's House is closed for winter operations, but tours are available through special arrangements. For details, please contact the park Visitors Center, (907) 747-0110.

Related articles

• Seeking Applications for Sitka National Historical Park 2012 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Application Period for Summer Seasonal Positions (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Park Celebrates Native American Heritage Month (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Bears of North America Evening Program and Book Signing (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

Sitka National Historical Park’s February 23rd Evening Program

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Sitka National Historical Park, (February 13, 2012)- Due to unforeseen circumstances, Sitka National Historical Park's February 23^rd Evening Program, Mysteries on Monastery Street with Nancy Yaw Davis, has been canceled.

Related articles

• Seeking Applications for Sitka National Historical Park 2012 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• International Year of Forests Film Festival (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Park Celebrates Native American Heritage Month (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Application Period for Summer Seasonal Positions (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Bears of North America Evening Program and Book Signing (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

International Year of Forests Film Festival

Sitka's International Year of Forests Film Festival

Sitka National Historical Park (January 23, 2012): The Sitka Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest and Sitka National Historical Park will present the fourth and final week of films celebrating the International Year of Forests starting on January 26th at the park's Visitor Center Theater.

Thursday January, 26th

Find Your Inspiration

7:00 p.m.

Play Again: This film investigates the consequences of a childhood removed from nature. At a time when children spend more time in the virtual world than the natural world, Play Again unplugs a group of media savvy teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure, documenting the wonder that comes from time spent in nature and inspiring action for a sustainable future. (80 minutes)

Saturday, January 28th

Find Your Inspiration

2:00 p.m.

Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for our Time: The first full-length, high-definition documentary film ever made about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold, Green Fire highlights Leopold's extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects all over the country that connect people and land. (73 minutes)

All presentations are free and open to the public. Both the Thursday and Saturday programs will take place at the Sitka National Historical Park Visitor Center Theater.

For more information please contact: Darrin Kelly at (907)747-4280 or dpkelly@fs.fed.us. You may also contact Becky Latanich at becky_latanich@nps.gov (907)-747-0132.

For more information on the event please visit http://www.nps.gov/sitk/planyourvisit/events.htm

For more information on the International Year of Forests please visit http://www.celebrateforests.com

Seeking Applications for Sitka National Historical Park 2012

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Sitka National Historical Park (January 20, 2012): Sitka National Historical Park is
accepting applications now through March 1, 2012, for its summer 2012 Artist-in-Residence
Program. For more than a century, the park has fostered the preservation and perpetuation of
Southeast Alaska Native arts.  The Artist-in-Residence program builds upon that tradition by
offering park visitors and the community an opportunity to see Alaska Native heritage through
the eyes of contributing artists.

Sitka National Historical Park will host two visiting artists skilled in traditional Southeast Alaska
Native arts.  Each residency will last two months, the first beginning in May and the second in
July.  The selected artists will work alongside long-term resident artists Tommy Joseph and
Charlie Skultka.

The selected artists will work in the park’s studio a minimum of 32 hours per week and will be
required to present two 45-minute public presentations.  Housing during the residency will be
provided at no cost and a one-time, taxable award of $750.00 will be offered to each selected
artist.

A panel of professional artists, park staff, and park partners will judge the applicant pool.
Selections are made on the basis of a written statement of purpose for residency and samples of
artistic work.
 
Interested artists may obtain more information and download an application by accessing the
park's website at www.nps.gov/sitk, or by calling (907) 747-0132, or by e-mail
(becky_latanich@nps.gov). If requesting an application by mail, applicants should provide a
complete postal mailing address.  D

Related articles

• 2012 Artists-in-Residence Announced (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Park Celebrates Native American Heritage Month (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Application Period for Summer Seasonal Positions (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• National Public Lands Day Celebrated September 24, 2011 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Bears of North America Evening Program and Book Signing (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

Application Period for Summer Seasonal Positions

Sitka National Historical Park (November 22, 2011) - Are you interested in working for the National Park Service this summer?Sitka National Historical Park will be hiring seasonal park rangers, park guides, and one seasonal law enforcement ranger.

Please visit the federal jobs website at http://www.usajobs.gov/ to learn how to apply for Sitka National Historical Park's available positions.Summer positions will be announced beginning November 23^rd.The open period for applications will last three weeks from the date of the announcement.

Each job announcement on USAJOBS contains complete information about duties, qualifications and evaluations, benefits, and detailed instructions on how to apply. Be sure to read each announcement fully and carefully. Contact information for additional questions about the job are also listed in each announcement.

All federal job vacancy announcements, including permanent, temporary, and seasonal National Park Service jobs in Sitka National Historical Park, are advertised on www.usajobs.gov-the official job site of the United States federal government. Browse, search, and apply for jobs online; search by keyword, job title, occupation (e.g., "park ranger"), location (e.g., "USA," "Alaska," "Sitka" or "Sitka National Historical Park"), type of work, pay, and more.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the job announcements, please stop by the Administration Office at 103 Monastery Street or the Visitor Center at 106 Metlakatla or call 907-747-0110.Inquiries may also be directed to becky_latanich@nps.gov.

Related articles

• New Temporary Exhibits at Sitka National Historical Park (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• National Public Lands Day Celebrated September 24, 2011 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

Bears of North America Evening Program and Book Signing

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Sitka National Historical Park (November 25, 2011) -Please join Matthias Breiter, author of Bears-- A Year in the Life (2006) and The Bears of Katmai (2008) for his evening program, "Bears of North America." The program will take place on Thursday, December 8^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Sitka National Historical Park Visitor Center Theater.

Breiter, who is presently finishing his Ph.D. thesis on aggression in bears, has been a frequent lecturer at zoos and also the Smithsonian Institution about bear biology and bear conservation. He has worked as a cinematographer with the National Geographic Society, Discovery Channel and several other TV producers on documentaries both on polar bears and brown bears.Breiter is deeply involved with conservation efforts involving the American and Canadian Arctic and Subarctic and is a founding member and fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP).

A book signing will immediately follow the presentation. His four publications, Inside Passage ($39.95), Wild Alaska ($39.95), and Bears-- A Year in the Life ($24.95) and The Bears of Katmai (19.95) will be available for purchase through the park's Cooperating Association-Alaska Geographic.

Related articles

• National Public Lands Day Celebrated September 24, 2011 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• New Temporary Exhibits at Sitka National Historical Park (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

PARK CELEBRATES NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

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Sitka National Historical Park- Sitka National Historical Park will offer events and activities this November in honor of Native American 

Heritage Month.

Fun with Formline Youth Art Class

Friday, November 4th

Noted artists Charlie Skultka and Tommy Joseph will host a Formline Art Class after school from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m at the visitor center.Youth will work with the artists to create and decorate a paper bentwood box, paper totem pole, or paper Eagle or Raven medallion.Participants are encouraged to donate their completed project for temporary display in the "Fun with Formline" art exhibit.To participate in the class, please RSVP to Kelly Smitherman at e-mail us or call 747-0134 before November 3rd.

Salmon Bake

Sunday, November 20th

Please join park staff for a traditional salmon bake and community potluck from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.Haida artist Charlie Skultka will prepare salmon in a beachside pit.We will provide the salmon, but please bring something to share! Please help us by sending an RSVP to Kelly Smitherman at e-mail us or call 747-0134 before November 18th.

Film Series

Saturday, November 12th and November 26th 

Interested in learning about America's diverse indigenous peoples?Come join us for a series of short films from national park units that commemorate the history and traditions of Native American and Alaska Native peoples.

November 12th

9:30 a.m.Pipestone (An Unbroken Legacy)

10:00 a.m. Trail of Tears

12:30 p.m. Destiny at Dawn (Loss & Victory on the Washita)

2:00 p.m.Breath of Life (Salinas Valley Pueblo)

November 26th

9:30 a.m.Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

10:00 a.m. Canyon Voices (Modern day Navajo occupants of Canyon De Chelly)

12:30 p.m. Their Shots Quit Coming (Battle of Little Big Horn)

2:00p.m. His Spirit is Looking out from the Cave(Ice Age Archeology from On Your Knees Cave on Price of Wales)

Related articles

• National Public Lands Day Celebrated September 24, 2011 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• New Temporary Exhibits at Sitka National Historical Park (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

National Public Lands Day Celebrated September 24, 2011

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Sitka National Historical Park (September 8, 2011) - Did you know that one-third of the land in America is yours? There's a special joy in getting our hands dirty when it helps keep our land beautiful-the spaces where we can all hike, bike, climb, swim, explore, have a picnic or simply relax. National Public Lands Day is a great opportunity for youths to experience stewardship over their community and to see their peers leading by example.

So, please join the Girl Scouts and staff at Sitka National Historical Park as we celebrate the 18th annual National Public Lands Day! Together we will work to clean up our treasured park.

Bring some water, a friend, and a willingness to give back to your community. We will meet at the Visitor Center at 1:00 p.m. Trash bags, safety vests, protective gloves and "Leave No Trace" educational programming will be provided, along with light refreshments. There will also be park-oriented films, including works by Ken Burns, continuously playing in our lobby theater throughout the day. Prizes will also be awarded to all of those who participate.

To learn more about this nationwide celebration, visit http://www.publiclandsday.org.

The submissions from participants in our recent "Reflections of Renewal on Indian River" photo contest will also be on display in the Visitor Center lobby, along with a display provided by the Girl Scouts revealing some highlights from their recent public service trip to Glacier Bay National Park!

Also be sure to visit Sitka National Historical Park's new Facebook page at

http://www.facebook.com/SitkaNationalHistoricalPark to receive updates on events and activities around the park!

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