Within the Wild Introduces ‘Be The Wild Stewardship Project‘
to Preserve Alaska’s Ecosystems and Culture
Homer, AK (February 6, 2023): Within the Wild, the award-winning, family-owned adventure travel company in the wilds of Alaska has announced the launch of its 501c3 non-profit ‘Be the Wild Stewardship Project’. As the company celebrates 30 years of operating in Southcentral Alaska, the Dixon family is prioritizing the need to safeguard the natural world and cultures around them as part of the company’s vision for the future. These new initiatives will focus on preserving wild land, Alaskan Native culture, and marine ecosystems. Known as a vast and wild place, Alaska is rich with an abundance of natural resources which continues to be threatened by mining and development projects. Mining projects threaten salmon in three major river watersheds across the transboundary region of Alaska and British Columbia — the Taku, the Stikine, and the Unuk. As the demand for metals rises, scientists and advocates worry they may lose the region's thriving salmon populations. The loss of these resources and wild spaces (and species) is never more evident and a priority for Within the Wild to support.
Since 1993, Within the Wild has provided travelers with transformative adventures, cuisine, and wellness experience in Alaska. As a family, they operate Tutka Bay Lodge on the South side of Kachemak Bay offering comfort and luxury in the last frontier. At the nearby fishing town of Homer, they also own and operate La Baleine Cafe and the Danish Daughter, a new peony and vegetable farm debuting this Spring.
“As a family, we recognize the enrichment we receive by living close to wild places and we desire the same quality of life for future generations. We work to eliminate threats to our wild places, wild species, and wild ecosystems. We bear witness to change, and we bravely bring our voice to advocate for preservation,” shares Mandy Dixon, General Manager of Within the Wild.
LAND MANAGEMENT
With the goal of preserving the land as it sits intact for generations to come, Be the Wild has obtained a long-term lease of 24 acres of old-growth Sitka Spruce Forest through the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. The initiative has already donated nearly $50,000 per year to mental health projects in Alaska through the Trust. Guests staying at Tutka Bay Lodge can explore this land first-hand via guided hikes, as it neighbors the property.
CULTURAL HISTORY
Located along the northern edge of the Tutka Bay Lodge Cove, Within the Wild has identified a prehistoric hearth dated to 800 AD (about a thousand years old). With the goal to honor and restore the hearth site to its original state, archeologists, Alaska native historians, a local native Elder, and other community members are being assembled to educate and guide in learning about the past residents of Tutka Bay.
MARINE CONSERVATION
Be the Wild is working hard to preserve and protect the ocean, marine wildlife, and its community from today's greatest environmental challenges. Be the Wild donates time, space, and money to other non-profit programs, to scientists, and policymakers to find solutions to fight for a healthy ocean. Through sponsoring local beach clean-ups, educating guests and staff and operating in a sustainable and environmentally focused way, Be the Wild has the health of Earth’s oceans at top of mind. They have purchased several pieces of land near the Outer Coast of the Gulf of Alaska that will eventually be donated back to the State of Alaska Kachemak Bay State Park and Kachemak Bay Wilderness Park.
If you would like to donate to the Be The Wild Stewardship Project please contact info@withinthewild.com
About Be the Wild:
A proud member of Regenerative Travel, Within the Wild is strongly committed to efforts to save and preserve the natural world within Southcentral Alaska and beyond. Their 501c3 non-profit initiative Be The Wild recognizes the enrichment they receive by living close to wild places and their desire for the same quality of life for future generations. They work to eliminate threats to wild places, wild species, and wild ecosystems. They bear witness to change and bring a voice to advocate for preservation. Guests of Tutka Bay Lodge can contribute to the Be The Wild Stewardship Project.
About Within the Wild:
Within the Wild is an award-winning, family-owned adventure travel company in the wilds of Alaska offering transformative adventures, cuisine, and wellness within the natural world since 1982. Carl and Kirsten Dixon and their daughters Carly and Mandy Dixon operate Tutka Bay Lodge on the south side of Kachemak Bay, a new hospitality service operation in Anchorage, the La Baleine Cafe and Danish Daughter Flower Farm, a peony and vegetable farm located in the fishing town of Homer. They are proud to support their non-profit initiative Be The Wild. A Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice multi-award winner for 2018, 2020, and 2022, a member of Regenerative Travel and the Virtuoso Network, Tutka Bay Lodge boasts six cabins, offering comfort and luxury amidst a breathtaking coastal Alaska landscape. Drawing on the extensive culinary backgrounds of Kirsten and her daughter, Mandy, the lodge also offers a variety of culinary-focused experiences including onsite cooking classes showcasing locally sourced ingredients and Alaskan-inspired dishes.
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Alexandra Avila
