Blog Posts - Eagle River Nature Center

New Trail Signs Go Up

9/10/2020

Trail Crew volunteers installed our new trail signs on September 10, 2020. (photo of volunteers Elaine Pfeiffer and Marc Derosier). Thanks to grants from the Rasmuson Foundation and the Recreational Trails Program we were able to install new posts (plus more in places we never had any) and design and produce new wayfinding signage and maps.

We Love Our Trail Crew

9/3/2020

Our 2020 Summer Trail Crew has been spectacular. Each Thursday morning they have been working hard to keep the trails in great shape, provide firewood for yurt campers, fix the building, beautify the gardens, and much, much more. We can't thank them enough for all that they accomplish each week.

The Nature Center Team Doing Their Part

7/28/2020

The Nature Center staff is following pandemic guidelines to prevent the spread of this deadly virus. This will be a year that none of us will forget. Thanks Ute, for sewing many of the masks the team is wearing!

New parking construction underway

7/28/2020

The Nature Center has struggled for decades with a lack of parking to accommodate summer visitors, as well as larger events like the Crow Pass Crossing and Winter Solstice Lantern Walk. The great news this pandemic summer is that it's actually happening. Psenak Construction and DNR Design & Construction engineers are working hard to get the lot done by late August 2020. The 32 space lot will be accessed by the widened 2-lane service road near the entry to our upper lot. We're all excited to see the finished product.

Flower Power

6/1/2020

Timothy Kane enthusiastically volunteered to plant flowers to bring more color to the back deck and front of the building. Timothy is back for a second summer season with the Nature Center. He's already spent numerous hours cleaning the inside and outside of the building while we've been closed to the public and now he's turned his attention to his love of flowers. Thank you Timothy for a great start to summer. We're thrilled to have you back!

River Trail Yurt Gets New Set of Stairs

5/21/2020

Blaine Smith, Nature Center neighbor and long time supporter, spearheaded the design and construction of a new stairway at the River Trail Yurt. Five volunteer trail crew members helped Blaine get all the materials out to the site and build the stairs from May 18 through May 22, 2020. Thank you to Blaine, Paul Daggett, Dean Davidson, Marc Derosier, Joe Hackenmueller and Mark St. Amour for their hard work. The stairs turned out fabulously! Check out their work the next time you reserve the River Trail Yurt.

Photo: Joe Hackenmueller (left) and Blaine Smith (right).

Eagle River Rotarians Clean Up the Garden Beds

5/13/2020

Once again, our intrepid Eagle River Rotarians came out in May to clean up the garden beds and areas around the Nature Center. The group has been volunteering for so many years that they know exactly what needs to be done. The organization also donated $500 toward buying plants to beautify the outdoor area. We can't thank them enough for their enthusiasm and support.

Community Mourns the Passing of Ben Schneider

4/16/2020

Eagle River Nature Center volunteer and supporter Ben Schneider passed away on April 11, 2020 as a result of brain trauma suffered in an auto accident. He leaves behind his wife Nicki, young daughter Kaya, son, Leo, parents, other family and friends.

Ben and his family have been a part of the Nature Center family for many years. He volunteered on outdoor projects (he was our yurt building expert), fundraisers, children's programs, and hiking programs. His enthusiasm for the outdoors was infectious and he touched the lives of numerous people in our community. He was also a talented woodworking artist, who designed and built the beautiful donation box you see at the front desk.

Ben was much too young to leave this world, but he made every day of his life count by filling it with love for his family, his friends, and his community. He made an indelible impact and will always be remembered. Rest in peace dear friend.

Isabella Higgins Earns Junior Astronomer Certificate

3/30/2020

Isabella Higgins received her Junior Astronomy Certificate at our last program of the season on March 6, 2020. Presenter Debbie Soltis did the honors, including presenting Isabella with a package of astronomy gifts to encourage her to pursue her interest. We congratulate Isabella for her work and attendance. Her mother drove her to the Center's programs all the way from Willow. Now that's commitment!

Erin K. Johnson Memorial Fund provides grant to the Nature Center

1/29/2020

Many thanks to Barbara and Steve Johnson and Abe Schmidt for providing a grant to the Nature Center on behalf of the Erin K. Johnson Memorial Fund managed by the Alaska Conservation Foundation.

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