Monies from the Erin K Johnson Fund were able to support The Conservation Fund’s efforts to acquire 156 acres along the Snow River, which lies in the heart of the Kenai Mountains. It comprises the headwaters of Kenai Lake and the world-famous Kenai River. Nearly the entire watershed is undeveloped backcountry with habitats and water quality largely unaffected by man. The property to be acquired contains 1/3 mile of the Snow River and more than 100 acres of pristine wetlands, providing spawning and rearing habitat for salmon and dolly varden. Uplands contain old growth trees and provide nesting habitat for migratory waterfowl, grouse, and raptors. It is the site of one of the earliest homesteads in the region, now reclaimed by the forest, and is crossed by the historic route of the Iditarod Trail. The property will become public land, incorporated into the Chugach National Forest and managed by the U.S. Forest Service for wildlife habitat.
We know these beautiful and productive Snow River lands are just the kind that Erin would be happy to see being protected as public lands!
Below is a map showing the lands that were acquired.
Lands purchased by The Conservation Fund (https://www.conservationfund.org/where-we-work/alaska). They are now working with the USFS to se it become part of the Chugach National Forest.
Close up map of the156 acres purchased.