Peninsula Clarion Contributor

Kenai's Aasen Campanella breaks free for a gain during a playoff win over Redington on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Redington Jr/Sr High School in Wasilla, Alaska. (Bruce Eggleston/matsusports.net)

Kardinals top Redington to earn right to defend title in state final

By Jeremiah Bartz Frontiersman.com Game-changing plays on fourth down helped Kenai Central earn a shot to win a second straight state crown. Within a five-play… Continue reading

 

Rigby and Christine Cunningham patiently waiting in a duck blind, both watching a flock of teal high overhead. (Photo by Steve Meyer)

Refuge Notebook: If the goose honks high

Some mornings are darker than others, and then there are the mornings Steve calls “as black as the inside of a cow.” The first day… Continue reading

 

Soldotnaճ Lokeni Wong sets up to tackle Palmerճ Ben Asay during a 42-14 win over the Moose on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Machetanz Field in Palmer, Alaska. (Photo by Jeremiah Bartz/Frontiersman)

Soldotna football cruises past Palmer

Missing multiple starters, the Palmer Moose limped into the fifth weekend of the Alaska prep football season. And state power Soldotna, added insult to injury.… Continue reading

 

Rowan Yorkston teaching "Critter Campers" about the different shapes of eggs. (Photo provided by refuge)

Refuge notebook: Beauty doesn’t boast

Beautiful things don’t ask for attention, and I think that can be said about the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is not a theme… Continue reading

Rowan Yorkston teaching "Critter Campers" about the different shapes of eggs. (Photo provided by refuge)
Strand of invasive elodea on top of boot submerged in water. (Photo by Deb Kornblut/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: The big deal about Big Lake — A collaborative conservation success

With more than 3 million natural lakes in Alaska, the state is a kaleidoscope of freshwater blue. Their diversity is astounding ― lakes may be… Continue reading

Strand of invasive elodea on top of boot submerged in water. (Photo by Deb Kornblut/USFWS)
Brown bears fishing for salmon on the Russian River. (Photo by Kris Inman/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Fishing with bears

Anglers and bears spend more time on the river as the first run of salmon makes its way upstream. While the rivers and tributaries offer… Continue reading

Brown bears fishing for salmon on the Russian River. (Photo by Kris Inman/USFWS)
Learn to identify the invasive green crab. (Photo provided by NOAA)

Refuge Notebook: Invasive green crab rapid response plan: Just what the doctor ordered

As Alaskans, we all love our coastline. It’s where treasures are found, foods are gathered and nature unfolds. With over 33,000 miles of coastline, there’s… Continue reading

Learn to identify the invasive green crab. (Photo provided by NOAA)
Braided flood plain into Skilak Lake. (Photo by Jackie Morton/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: The futures ahead

I’m sure you’ve all looked back at your lives at some point, thought back on decisions, be it with regret or gratitude, and recognized that… Continue reading

Braided flood plain into Skilak Lake. (Photo by Jackie Morton/USFWS)
If you teach a kid to fish, she will feed you a trout breakfast every morning of the campout. This proved true for this girl, who holds up a rainbow trout while sitting on a kayak. (Photo by Leah Eskelin)

Refuge Notebook: Loon calls, campfire s’mores and prebooked campsites herald summer on refuge

There’s a buzz in the air. It’s the charged energy of early summertime in Alaska. It’s the murmur of fishermen counting their tackle. It’s the… Continue reading

If you teach a kid to fish, she will feed you a trout breakfast every morning of the campout. This proved true for this girl, who holds up a rainbow trout while sitting on a kayak. (Photo by Leah Eskelin)
A basket of lovage leaves harvested at a Kenai Peninsula beach, June 9, 2023. (Photo by Matt Bowser/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: I love beach lovage

For my family, as for many people on the Kenai Peninsula, growing and harvesting food is a regular part of our lives. We garden, we… Continue reading

A basket of lovage leaves harvested at a Kenai Peninsula beach, June 9, 2023. (Photo by Matt Bowser/USFWS)
Thousands of pounds of trash collected at eight beaches. (Photo by Sarah Conlin/NPS)

Refuge Notebook: Collaboration on the high seas and other lessons learned on marine debris cleanup

“Cowboys use rope; you collected dock line.” Consider it another lesson learned onboard the R/V Island C. And there were many more over the six… Continue reading

Thousands of pounds of trash collected at eight beaches. (Photo by Sarah Conlin/NPS)
Winter is the time for fuel break projects. (Photo by Jeff Bouschor/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: What do wildland firefighters do in the winter?

Most people do not think about wildfires during the winter months, but the fire management program at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is hard at… Continue reading

Winter is the time for fuel break projects. (Photo by Jeff Bouschor/USFWS)
A YCC crew constructs a reroute on Skyline trail. (Photo by USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Youth Conservation Corps: Hard work has never been more fun

If you’re a regular visitor to the trails, cabins and campgrounds of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, chances are you’ve seen a cluster of students… Continue reading

A YCC crew constructs a reroute on Skyline trail. (Photo by USFWS)
Summer seasonal field crews grow professionally through experiencing the beauty and the bounty of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Summer seasonal photos show conservation endures in people as well as places

The promise of longer days arrived in February, just when I needed it. Lately, my days are filled with the necessary minutia of work, and… Continue reading

Summer seasonal field crews grow professionally through experiencing the beauty and the bounty of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by USFWS)
Example of a culvert blocked by natural materials on Port Graham Road. (Photo by Sarah Apsens/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Connecting fish and community to resources in Port Graham

Streams that baby salmon live in provide shelter from predators, food and conditions for optimal growth

Example of a culvert blocked by natural materials on Port Graham Road. (Photo by Sarah Apsens/USFWS)
Snowshoers make fresh tracks on Headquarters Lake on a weekly guided walk at Kenai National Wildlife? Refuge. (Photo by USFWS/Leah Eskelin/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Snowshoeing fun in the refuge

Having grown up in New England, I am no stranger to cold winters, lots of snow and season-specific outdoor recreational opportunities. Imagine my surprise while… Continue reading

Snowshoers make fresh tracks on Headquarters Lake on a weekly guided walk at Kenai National Wildlife? Refuge. (Photo by USFWS/Leah Eskelin/USFWS)
Letter to editor

Letter to editor: Homer Spit should be developed with birding in mind

We are Kenai Peninsula residents who reside outside of Homer but would still like to weigh in on the proposed Doyon development plan at the… Continue reading

Letter to editor
Pastor Meredith Harber

Minister’s message: Shining inner glow of love and life in depths of winter

“It’s very simple. As you grow, you learn more. If you stayed at twenty-two, you’d always be as ignorant as you were at twenty-two. Aging… Continue reading

Pastor Meredith Harber
Letter to editor

Letter to editor: Do what’s right for Alaska’s families — Support WIC funding

Alaska stands at a critical juncture as Congress debates the future funding of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. This isn’t just a matter… Continue reading

Letter to editor

Legislature should vote to override governor’s education funding veto

This past session (2023), the Alaska Legislature approved a one-time funding boost to K-12 public schools for $175 million. The last time the state added… Continue reading