About This BlogResource Management staff often conduct research and field observations in areas of the park few others will ever see. Use this blog to discover new places and current research happening in Kenai Fjords National Park this summer. Black Oystercatchers: Defenders of the Intertidal
September 05, 2013
Biological Science Technician Sam Stark spent the summer season in Aialik Bay studying the Black Oystercatcher, a shorebird species important to the nearshore ecosystem of Kenai Fjords. In this post he gives us insight into the goals of his research and what he learned from his adventures this summer. Time Flies When You're Counting Birds: Time Lapse Photography and Seabird Monitoring
September 23, 2013
Monitoring the populations of different seabird species in Kenai Fjords National Park is never an easy task. University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate student Jen Curl is working to make that task just a little easier by using timelapse photography. Read about her field work in Aialik Bay and how her research is helping with current and future seabird surveys. Studying Seabirds: Things That Go Squawk in the Night
September 13, 2013
Landing a boat on rocky shores amongst the swell of the sea, climbing up steep vegetated cliffs, tiptoeing around burrows; all in a days work for Biological Technician Elisa Weiss. Join her as she studies seabirds in the Chiswell Islands and learn about the unique method her research uses to determine the health of seabird populations in this area. The Exponential Value of Repeat Photography: Documenting History and Monitoring Change in Kenai Fjords
August 30, 2013
How much has that glacier changed in the past 50 years? What new vegetation has grown in this deglaciated valley? Repeat photography can answer a wide range of questions and help the park plan for the future. Learn about the importance of repeat photography from the perspective of Deb Kurtz, Natural Resource Program Manager. A Day in the Life of an Exotic Plant Management Intern
August 20, 2013
Nara McCray, the Student Conservation Association (SCA) Exotic Plant Management Intern, talks about the goals of her position and tells of her experiences working in Kenai Fjords National Park this summer season. Social Trails and Hiker Psychology: Impact Monitoring on the Harding Icefield Trail
August 12, 2013
The Harding Icefield Trail is a popular day hike due, in part, to the breathtaking view of the Harding Icefield at the end of the trail. This popularity results in impacts to vegetation and soils near the trail. Read about how Resource Management staff work to monitor and prevent these impacts. Protecting the Native Flora: Exotic Plant Management in the Southern Fjords
August 01, 2013
The southernmost regions of Kenai Fjords National Park are rarely visited and therefore have remained relatively free from human impact. The Exotic Plant Management Team sets sail for the southern fjords to survey for and remove invasive plants before they spread into this pristine region of the park. Sea Otter Snacks and Clam Counts: Studying the Nearshore Ecosystem
July 19, 2013
Nearshore ecosystems and their many components are especially good indicators of change. Recently, NPS and USGS researchers teamed up to collect data on a wide range of nearshore species and environmental factors as part of a long-term monitoring project in Kenai Fjords. Read all about their experience here. An Ursid Whodunit: Mystery Diner at Exit Glacier
July 11, 2013
A classic whodunit. Read along as Wildlife Technician Leslie Adams searches for clues as to who or what is causing trouble at Exit Glacier Campground. Exploring Changes in Exit Creek
July 08, 2013
Every year, thousands of visitors come to Kenai Fjords and drive Herman Leirer Road to see Exit Glacier and stroll on the nearby trails. In recent years, late summer flooding of Exit Creek has caused road closures and restrictions on visitor access. Read about the research that is being done to assess current conditions an determine if the flooding is going to continue to be a problem. Battling the Bushes: A Day of Invasive Species Research
June 28, 2013
Invasive species threaten the integrity of the native plant communities in Kenai Fjords National Park. The Exotic Plant Management Team crosses Exit Creek and ventures into the wilds of the outwash plain to survey for and monitor infestations of invasive species. Checking On Our Coastal Beaches
June 21, 2013
A major attraction of Kenai Fjords National Park is the ability to kayak and camp on remote coastal beaches. Recent concerns related to marine debris led to a pre-season trip by NPS Staff to assess the marine debris situation and check on the condition of the bear resistant food storage lockers after a long winter. Bald Eagles, Bait and Bigfoot: Studying Raptors in Kenai Fjords
June 14, 2013
Raptors play an important ecological role in the marine nearshore environment of Kenai Fjords as predators of fish and birds. In May, NPS and US Fish and Wildlife Service researchers conducted research on bald eagles and peregrine falcons with the goal of better understanding their diet, nesting habits, and foraging and migratory movements. Read about the methods used and patience needed to trap these large birds. Investigating Seasonal Snow Accumulation
June 14, 2013
The Harding Icefield and its many glaciers make up a large area of Kenai Fjords National Park. Resource Management staff work to monitor key indicators of a glacier's health, such as whether it is gaining or losing mass over time. Read what challenges and joys arise with this research. Welcome to the 2013 Field Season!
June 03, 2013
Welcome, readers! This blog will allow you to read about all of the field research that is taking place in Kenai Fjords National Park from first-hand accounts by the park researchers themselves. This post is an introduction to the Resource Management team and what you can look forward to reading about this summer. |
Last updated: April 14, 2015