Sitka National Historical Park Celebrates Spring with Community Collaborations and Events, April 23-24

On April 23 Junior Rangers will have the opportunity to earn this special edition patch designed by Lingít artist, Rhonda Reaney.

NPS Photo/ Cinnamon Dockham

As April hails in a sunny spring, the pace of the Sitka community quickens.

Nearly overnight the shimmering herring arrive, and it seems the whole world rubs it eyes, stretches, and jumps back into the dance of life.

Families begin taking more of their recreation outdoors, exploring the tidepools and walking their pets or their babies in strollers in the park. The community plans outdoor celebrations, fun runs, and weddings. In Sitka that lively dance also includes the fluttering arrival of musical migratory birds, leaping fish and cavorting sea life, and the wake of gamboling bears. There is a tango between activities, weather, and wildlife.

This spring, the community is taking to heart the hard lessons learned over the past year, where wildlife, bears specifically, is concerned. Last summer an unprecedented 15 bears were killed in Sitka, nearly all of which were incidents where access to trash was an issue. In the park, bears took shelter along Kaasdahéen (Indian River), essentially hindering the use of some park trails for months until they finally retreated for winter slumber. Over the winter, as the bears slept, representatives from the park and community collaborated on an event to raise awareness about living safely in bear country and keeping wildlife wild. Other entities involved included Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), City of Sitka, Fortress of the Bear, Sitka Public Schools and Sitka 4-H.

The weekend of April 23 and 24 the community of Sitka will join the park as we #sParkCuriosity and #sParkMemories.

We’ll begin on Saturday (traditionally Jr. Ranger Day) with a demonstration at the Fortress of the Bear, a non- profit bear sanctuary, from 10am -2pm. Using different models of trash containers provided by the City of Sitka, from the ordinary to the bear resistant, the bears will demonstrate how clever they are as they attempt to retrieve the “treasures” inside. In the afternoon, the park, with the help of Sitka 4-H, will host numerous family friendly activities at outdoor stations near the visitor center, from 1-3 pm. Families will learn to set up a clean camp and leave no trace principles, basic bear safety protocols, watch and participate in bear spray demonstrations, learn some fun facts about bear biology and identify several scats and tracks. The park will also offer several self- paced “make and take” options, including a “Make your own bear safety poster” which participants can choose to take home or have displayed in windows of the centrally located Sitka Public Library. Each child participating in park activities will be given an activity card, and once completed, can be redeemed for a limited edition “Bear Aware” patch, designed by local Tlingit artist, Rhonda Raeney. The “grand finale” will be at 3 pm with a 50-minute documentary film about bears around the world, played in the park theater. Throughout the school week, an ADF&G representative is visiting classrooms to talk about bear safety.

We can't forget our furry family members during the weekend rollicking.

Safety messages and fun extend to our buddies on the other end of the leash! As our pets eagerly anticipate romping the trails on longer summer walks, the park, with the help of Sitka Animal Hospital, Ariana’s Groom Room, and Sitka Animal Shelter will host BARK Ranger Day on Sunday, April 24 from 1-3 pm. Outdoor activity stations will be set up for families and fur babies to learn the BARK Ranger code and earn their own special dog tag. Sitka Animal Hospital will take the lead with candor, sharing reasons why we must bag our pet’s waste. Arianna’s Groom Room will dazzle us with information about appropriate leashes for our dogs and how to wear them properly so we aren’t harming our frolicking furball, park rangers will remind us about respecting wildlife and other trail users, and Sitka Animal Shelter will enlighten us with facts about where pets can go off leash, and other City ordinances. At the end of it all, pets are invited to Rock the Runway and show their Sitka Spirit in their spring finest with a fashion show.

We look forward to spending the weekend with our community, friends and families and enjoying safety messages in the freshness of spring before leaping into a jumping and jiving summer.

Nikiski, one of several bears at the Fortress of the Bear sanctuary in Sitka, may be performing "inspections" of several trash containers on April 23.

Photo Courtesy of Fortress of the Bear, Sitka, AK