Alaska Outdoors

Pacific Seafood Processors Association names vice president for Alaska branch

The Pacific Seafood Processors Association selected Nicole Kimball as vice president – Alaska. Kimball will be based in Anchorage and will start in mid-March.For the… Continue reading

Public comment deadline nears for Tongass management plan

The last day to comment on amendments to the 2008 Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan Tongass Plan is Feb. 22. Find out more at… Continue reading

Dirt Girl: Mapping your garden

Dirt Girl: Mapping your garden

Snow might be in the forecast, but lately, winter has felt too close to spring temperatures not to think about gardening. Of course, I would… Continue reading

Dirt Girl: Mapping your garden
A kind of jelly fungus called witch's butter. Species identity is uncertain without looking at the spores under a microscope.

On the Trails: Finding color in the rain

On a stroll through the forest, occasionally a small, bright orange or yellow spot attracts the eye. Looking more closely, one can see that they… Continue reading

A kind of jelly fungus called witch's butter. Species identity is uncertain without looking at the spores under a microscope.
An ice worm on Bering Glacier.

Ice worms: Enigmas of the north

Recent research on the ice worm has shone some light on the tiny creature that appears when the sun sets on warmish glaciers.Few people have… Continue reading

An ice worm on Bering Glacier.
Tony Soltys hooks up to a Picasso triggerfish while underwater fly fishing. Tony and 12-year-old grandson Alain Thomas Soltys-Gray landed and released all the fish they caught unharmed.

Traveling Outside: Underwater fly fishing in Maui

Tony:Recently, on a family trip to Maui, my grandson Alain and I decided to try fly-fishing not only for different species, but in a way… Continue reading

Tony Soltys hooks up to a Picasso triggerfish while underwater fly fishing. Tony and 12-year-old grandson Alain Thomas Soltys-Gray landed and released all the fish they caught unharmed.

This week’s snow report

This week’s snow report:Eaglecrest Ski Area:New snow (24 hours):• Base: 0 inches• Top: 0 inchesNew Snow (48 hours):• Base: 0 inches• Top: 0 inchesTotal snow:•… Continue reading

$950,000 for 2016 marine debris cleanup

Despite the tons of marine debris that have been removed from Alaska shorelines in recent years, large quantities are still accumulating. Polystyrene foam, clearly identifiable… Continue reading

Dusky dolphins, one of UAS professor Heidi Pearson's topics at this Friday's Fireside lecture.

Today’s Fireside Lecture centered on humpback whales

University of Alaska Southeast assistant professor Heidi Pearson will present her research on the behavior of humpback whales and dolphins today during two Fireside Lectures… Continue reading

Dusky dolphins, one of UAS professor Heidi Pearson's topics at this Friday's Fireside lecture.

NOAA releases new action plans for at-risk species

Today, NOAA Fisheries released new five-year action plans for the eight marine species identified as among the most at risk of extinction through NOAA’s Species… Continue reading

Territorial Sportsmen fundraiser

The sixteenth annual Southeast Fundraiser of the Territorial Sportsmen, Inc./Alaska Outdoor Council will be at Centennial Hall on Friday, Feb. 26. Gov. Bill Walker will… Continue reading

USFS ammending Tongass land use plan

The U.S. Forest Service is amending the 2008 Tongass Land Use and Resource Management plan.Read about proposed changes here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/landmanagement/?cid=stelprd3801708.Comments on proposed changes are due… Continue reading

Data gaps hinder explanation for seabird die-off

ANCHORAGE — A preliminary investigation into the massive die-off of common murres, one of the Northern Hemisphere’s most abundant seabirds, off Alaska’s coast is revealing… Continue reading

Casting for fish – the practice rounds

Tony Soltys, president of Raincountry Flyfishers, has been honing Juneau’s flyfishing technique since 1993. This spring, he’ll offer a round of lessons for beginners,“There’s a… Continue reading

A blue heron takes wing along the shore of Lynn Canal.

Off the Beaten Path: A humble request for Playbird Magazine

Dear Mr. Hugh Hefner:Both you and I know there comes a time when the pleasures of Earth no longer amount to much. It’s easy to… Continue reading

A blue heron takes wing along the shore of Lynn Canal.
Chris Thomas, left, and Don Thomas, right, wait to ski Montana Creek Trail. The microclimate of the area and the openness of the trail means it stays open when other trails close. As of Wednesday morning, it was the only trail Juneau Nordic Ski Club was grooming, though that could change, especially out the road, if Juneau keeps getting snow at night this week.

Where winter stays

This January may not have had much snowfall, but it’s still winter out Montana Creek, where volunteers with the Juneau Nordic Ski Club have been… Continue reading

Chris Thomas, left, and Don Thomas, right, wait to ski Montana Creek Trail. The microclimate of the area and the openness of the trail means it stays open when other trails close. As of Wednesday morning, it was the only trail Juneau Nordic Ski Club was grooming, though that could change, especially out the road, if Juneau keeps getting snow at night this week.
Song sparrows in Juneau are darker than those in drier places. The pigmentation may help protect against mold.

On the Trails: Song Sparrows

Winter is not the best time for watching land birds. Eagles, crows, and ravens, yes. There are lots of ducks and gulls on the water,… Continue reading

Song sparrows in Juneau are darker than those in drier places. The pigmentation may help protect against mold.
A polar bear, photographed north of Alaska in 2014.

Alaska Science Forum: Polar bears walking a treadmill of ice

Stronger winds and thinner ice are forcing Alaska polar bears to work harder to remain in Alaska, according to scientists who have studied increased movements… Continue reading

A polar bear, photographed north of Alaska in 2014.

NOAA releases draft climate science action plan for southeastern Bering Sea

As part of its efforts to increase the production, delivery, and use of climate-related information, NOAA Fisheries on Feb. 3 released a draft climate science… Continue reading

Master gardener classes

It’s not too early to think about this year’s garden. The UAF Cooperative Extension Service will offer master gardener training in Juneau, beginning Feb. 9.… Continue reading