2016 University of Alaska-Fairbanks Summer Field Courses in Gates of the Arctic and Yukon-Charley Rivers NP&Ps

Date: May 4, 2016
Contact: Kris Fister, 907-455-0641

FAIRBANKS, Alaska –As part of the celebration of its Centennial, the National Park Service is partnering with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (UAF) Summer Sessions & Lifelong Learning to offer field courses in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (GAAR) and Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve (YUCH) this summer.

The courses kick off July 5-9 with a teacher workshop based at the restored Coal Creek mining camp in the heart of YUCH. Participants will explore selected topics in curriculum and instruction while learning about gold rush history, boreal forest ecology and ongoing research from a variety of National Park Service (NPS) subject matter experts. There are required pre- and post-trip meetings at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center in Fairbanks. (course number - ED F595P-F01)

Beginning Field Painting takes place July 8-12. It is also based at the Coal Creek Camp, which is near two historic structures - a gold dredge and the Slaven's Roadhouse. Instructor Todd Sherman, Dean of the UAF College of Liberal Arts, will guide participants in exploring the process of landscape planning while capturing the beauty of this early 1900's era site. (ART F233-F01)

National Park Service rangers and other NPS personnel will lead a canoe trip down the storied Yukon River from July 12-17. During the 100-mile trip they will provide opportunities for participants to explore sites associated with the area's gold rush history and to its present-day use. This trip is for experienced paddlers, i.e. individuals must have intermediate level canoeing skills and have completed previous multi-day trips in remote and primitive conditions. (NONC F041-F01)

The last offering is a field photography course in the wild, appropriately taking place on the Noatak River in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve August 6-20. Award winning photographer Richard Murphy, the Snedden Chair of Journalism at UAF, will assist participants in exploring photographic techniques while canoeing, hiking and camping in one of the wildest, most remote and beautiful areas in Alaska. Participants should be prepared for all the risks associated with experiencing and traveling in the Arctic. (JRN F049-F02)

A complete listing of courses is available at www.uaf.edu/summer. For additional information and answers to questions contact UAF at [e-mail], [phone] or toll free at [phone].

Information on Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve is available at www.nps.gov/gaar or www.nps.gov/yuch. Queries for additional information can be directed to the Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center at [phone] between 8:00 am –5:00 pm, Monday –Saturday. Beginning Sunday, May 22 the center transitions to its summer hours of 8:00 am –6:00 pm daily.