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Farewell from Ryan
Last month I got to enjoy an incredible solo ski trip across Denali National Park and Preserve—five days and 100 miles of profound solitude, reflection, and connection to a landscape that has shaped me deeply. Five glorious bluebird days, much of it across lands untracked by humans this winter, though myriad birds and mammals and winds and snows had left innumerable signs of their presence.
This experience was a deep privilege, and was possible because of privilege. I was able to fly out to Wonder Lake in a small plane and I had,or could purchase, the requisite gear. I grew up learning to ski and have taken numerous winter camping, avalanche safety, and wilderness medicine courses to feel safe alone in the Alaskan winter. For me, this trip highlighted the need to continue removing barriers so that everyone, regardless of identity, economic status, or background, can form their own meaningful relationships with the land.
As I prepare to step away from my role as director of Adventure Borealis, I find myself deeply grateful for the journey we’ve shared. Over the past two years, we’ve worked together to create inclusive spaces, foster meaningful connections with Alaska’s wild landscapes, and center equity, diversity, and accessibility in all our endeavors.
Alaska’s vast and fragile ecosystems need more than the traditional stories of conservation; they require new narratives shaped by diverse voices and lived experiences. Currently, conservation spaces remain disproportionately white and privileged. For conservation to truly thrive and evolve, it must embrace and amplify voices from every background, especially from communities historically underrepresented and underserved.
I’m particularly proud of the strides we’ve made this year: hosting the Diversity in the Outdoors retreat in Denali, where 11 young leaders strengthened networks and collaborations; launching our BIPOC bird club to learn and share together in a space that feels familiar; and providing transformative outdoor experiences for first-generation and low-income students through initiatives such as the Leadership at Macomb Plateau retreat. Each of these programs embodies our commitment to inclusion, relationship-building, and active stewardship.
According to Alaska’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, outdoor recreation in our state is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by an increasing demand for intimate, active, and self-directed experiences. Yet, 20% of respondents in a recent survey about inclusion in the outdoors say they have experienced discrimination outside, and BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people are more likely than others to feel unwelcome. This evolving trend underscores the importance of our work in fostering inclusive and accessible outdoor experiences.
As these values are under direct attack, uplifting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors is an essential act of resistance. No external change can come about without also transforming oneself. In the practice of natural history—as attention and curiosity give way to insight, wonder, gratitude, and a sense of responsibility—we are transformed, and our sense of community is expanded to the beings and lands with which we are in relationship. Natural history, too, in this time of extractive economies and oligarchal values, is an act of resistance. Adventure Borealis must continue this critical work—embracing Indigenous stewardship, multicultural values, and intergenerational leadership—to ensure Alaska’s landscapes remain vibrant, intact, and beloved by future generations.
While my role is changing, my commitment to these values remains unwavering. Thank you all for the incredible opportunity to grow, learn, and advocate alongside you. I leave filled with hope, knowing that Adventure Borealis is poised to continue this essential journey with passion, purpose, and inclusivity at its core.
With deep gratitude and optimism,
Ryan Arash Marsh
Outgoing Director, Adventure Borealis
Adventure Borealis Gear Wishlist
Adventure Borealis is gathering supplies for a “gear library” that will be used by participants in the Leadership At Macomb Plateau retreat and other excursions.
Being able to lend gear lowers the barrier of entry to participants who have had limited opportunities to learn outdoor recreation skills. Our current needs are:
- 6 Backpacks
- 6 Sleeping bags (at least zero degree rated or below)
- 6 Sleeping pads
- Four 2-person tents
- 2 Whisperlite stoves
- Winter clothing in various sizes (especially winter coats, snow pants, and rain gear)
To donate new or gently used gear, please contact the Northern Center at 907-452-4091 or email officemanager@northern.org.
Thank you!
Adventure Borealis and Preserving America’s Majesty
by G. Javier Beltran
“When you travel in Alaska you are humbled by its size and wildness, awed by its beauty, inspired by its original peoples whose culture is still deeply rooted.” – David Roberts
Although I can now see where Roberts’ words come from, I am of the opinion that there are no words or pictures that can capture the majesty of Alaska. Up until my leadership experience with Adventure Borealis, I hardly ever thought about the tundra that covers so much of Alaska. The experience with AB not only gave me insights into the natural beauty of Alaska, but also insight into the importance of preserving that slice of intact ecosystem.
For ten days, I and two fellow students dove deeply into Alaskan history and ecology on a leadership retreat. We met with nonprofits, wildlife managers, and homesteaders to learn as much as we could before heading out on the first backpacking trip of our lives, up into the Eastern Alaska Range to visit the birthing grounds of the Macomb Caribou Herd.
I am a suburban college student at the College of San Mateo, and as such I have little insight into the true nature of the wilderness. I go on the occasional hike, but before AB I had little idea of just how vast and unique truly wild land is. In San Jose, the climax of all my hikes were being able to see my town from the top of a hill. In Alaska, once we got to the top of the hill we were rewarded with tundra on all sides, knowledge that we were surrounded by nothing but nature. There was no town. It was a humbling, small feeling being out there, similar to looking out into the night sky. Looking out onto the waves of conifer trees I couldn’t help but wonder what it took to keep the beauty of this state preserved.
Photo by Ryan Marsh
The retreat wasn’t all hikes and nature. Our guide, Ryan, was adamant and excited to educate us not just on the local bird species, but also on Alaska’s history and environmental action. Through podcasts on the road and guided lectures, we acquired a foundation of knowledge of the conservation of the tundra and boreal forest, and how human interaction was affecting it. We had the opportunity to talk with staff from the Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Large Animal Research Station, and Alaska Department of Fish and Game. We learned what actions take place to preserve private land, how large animals are cared for and studied, how wildlife is managed to maintain balance between wildlife preservation and yield, and asked them questions about what’s changed over the years –– and that was all before dinner. All the information gave me something to mull over as we prepared for the most physically demanding part of the excursion, the hike to Macomb Plateau.
Macomb Plateau was the penultimate chapter in the retreat. The hike to the plateau was demanding, but the views were breathtaking. What followed were several days of nature appreciation, guided lectures in the great outdoors and plant studies in the lush tundra. I lack the words to describe the appreciation of the magnificence of the birds and the bugs and plants that litter the landscape. There is a difference between classroom learning about nature and why people are working to protect it, and being out there on the land and organically wanting to protect it.
LAMP with Adventure Borealis was more than a trip, it was a deep insight into the world of environmental conservation and why it’s important to preserve the unique ecosystems in our country.
Adventure Borealis Mycology Weekend
Genus names from upper left, clockwise: Pycnoporellus, Calycina, Laccaria, Tremella, Trichoderma, Fomitopsis.
Adventure Borealis finished the 2024 season with a Mycology Weekend in Homer, partnering with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies (CACS). Northern Center’s Christin Swearingen led the class of 20 students of all ages through the biology, ecology, traditional uses, and identification of fungi. Starting in a circle at the Wynn Nature Center, CACS co-coordinator Sarahlily Stein gave a land acknowledgement and passed around a map showing the unique position of Kachemak Bay at the overlap of Dena’ina and Sugpiaq homelands. Students learned Sugpiaq, Dena’ina, and Yup’ik words for mushrooms.
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of the mycelium, a network of threadlike cells that grows underground. Walking through the forest of Lutz spruce (a natural hybrid between white spruce and Sitka spruce that occurs where their ranges overlap), the class found representatives of four ecological roles of fungi––decomposers, parasites, mycorrhizal fungi, and lichens.
The second day was rainy and frosty in the morning, perfect for looking at spore prints from the day before and getting hands-on practice with dichotomous keys. A final slideshow wrapped up the various topics and the workshop ended with the call to conservation of rare mushrooms and their habitats.
We had a great time working with the group, which included a local seventh grade teacher, and two babies, who stared with wide eyes at the various colors and textures and patted the woody ridges of a Fomitopsis shelf mushroom. The group positively identified 25 species over the course of the two-day workshop, and posted many on iNaturalist, a social network for sharing biodiversity information. Through iNaturalist, scientists and conservationists can learn what seasons certain species of mushrooms fruit, and what their geographic ranges are.
Photo credit Cody Czer-Ransom”
“Her enthusiasm for mycology is contagious and oh-so inspiring,” said one participant about lead instructor Christin. “This course was one of the best I’ve taken!”
Adventure Borealis x Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
Adventure Borealis is teaming up with Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies to explore the biodiversity of Kachemak Bay and the Kenai Peninsula! Registration is open.
In this special weekend workshop, you’ll join mushroom enthusiast and biologist Christin Swearingen for a deep dive into the different fungi that inhabit this corner of Southcentral Alaska!
This is a two-part workshop happening September 15th-17th, 2023. On Saturday and Sunday, participants will attend a two-day field mycology workshop out of the Wynn Nature Center that dives into our local mushrooms, their identification, and more!
This workshop is geared toward adult participants, however mature kids and teens are welcome if accompanied by an adult. The cost for this workshop is $60/person.
This event is brought to you by a partnership between the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies and Adventure Borealis. If you have any questions about this event or the booking process, please contact the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies’ main office at 907-235-6667, or the Carl E. Wynn Visitor Center at 907-756-3877.