By Tanya Iden
Special to the Turnagain Times
Prince William Sound Stories and Prince William Sound Marine Trail projects kick-off this spring with a series of community meetings in Whittier, Cordova, Valdez, Tatitlek, Chenega, and Anchorage through the months of April and May. Community members are invited to attend the upcoming meetings to help shape and provide input to these inter-related projects.
Locally in Whittier, the PWS Trail meeting is Tuesday, April 28 from 1-3 p.m. at the Whittier City Council Chambers, and PWS Stories will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the Whittier Community School.
Prince William Sound Stories is an effort of the U.S. Forest Service and Alaska Geographic to collect compelling, dynamic, conservation-minded, and community-supported stories and information into a comprehensive website and go-to portal for locals, Alaskans, and the world.
“We’re excited by this project’s potential to really engage communities within the Chugach National Forest in developing a useful tool to foster stewardship, conservation, enjoyment, and increased understanding of the Sound,” said Sara Boario, USFS Project Manager. “We’re looking forward to listening and learning at the upcoming community meetings,” she added.
The Prince William Sound Marine Trail Project is a collaborative effort involving Alaska State Parks, Chugach National Forest, National Wildlife Federation, and many other regional partners. The project explores the concept of a world-class water trail along the Sound’s rugged coastline. The project aims to develop an infrastructure for sustainable forms of tourism while helping protect the region’s fragile environment.
“We believe the marine trail could help create a regional identity for Prince William Sound and conserve the unique qualities that make the Sound a phenomenal place to live and visit,” project coordinator, Tony Turrini, said.
The projects were initiated in response to the increasing and changing use of the Sound. They seek to help a broad and diverse audience conserve, enjoy and educate about the Sound.
For more information about the projects and meetings, visit: www. agnewbeck.com. Click “Current Projects” and then “Prince William Sound Stories plus Marine Trail.” Feedback is encouraged either online or at the upcoming meetings.
Tanya Iden is Agnew Beck’s Consulting, Senior Planner.