About Us
Beautiful Kachemak Bay is home for the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. We offer many opportunities for people of all ages to connect with the outdoors through guided walks, tours, educational programs, overnights, school programs and more. As a 501-c-3 non-profit organization in Homer, Alaska, we deliver educational programs and guided tours to over 12,000 students and visitors every year. Our grassroots organization, started in 1982, enjoys the support of over 350 members, 100 volunteers and a variety of businesses in Homer that assist us in fulfilling our mission.
Since 1984, CACS has held the annual Kachemak Bay CoastWalk event that involves more than 200 volunteers who adopt a section of the Kachemak Bay shoreline and walk it annually, surveying changes, collecting data on marine life and human impacts, and cleaning up beach litter and marine debris.
Mission
Our mission is to foster responsible interaction with our natural surroundings and to generate knowledge of the unique marine and coastal ecosystems of Kachemak Bay through science-based environmental education and stewardship.
Goals
Science-Based Education:
To provide effective experience-based field science instruction to Alaska residents and visitors, with youth as the primary audience.
To provide the public and decision-makers with science-based information on critical environmental issues.
Stewardship:
To serve as a model of land management and environmental education that balances human use with protection of coastal environments.
To inspire citizens to make decisions and take actions that promote the health and integrity of ecosystems.
To engage citizens and students in the process of science through acquisition of scientific data that is needed to monitor the long-term processes and health of coastal ecosystems.
Core Purpose:
Place-Based Ecology Education
Core Values:
Outside - Direct experience with the environment
Knowledge-based - Uniqueness of Kachemak Bay
Appreciation - Change behavior and attitude
Habitat Protection - The Bay, the coast, the land
Responsibility - Caring
Inclusive - abilities, economic, participants
Strategic Goals:
- CACS operates year-round quality residential environmental education programs.
- CACS models sustainability in its programs, staffing, facilities and financial operations.
- CACS is nationally recognized for its leadership in quality environmental education.
- CACS cultivates environmental stewards for tomorrow.
Board of Directors
Debbie Oudiz, PhD, President, Retired environmental toxicologist for the California Environmental Protection Agency.
Nancy Lee Evans, PhD, MS, Vice-President, Founder of the Alaska Alternative Energy Resource Center at the Alaska Center for the Environment, Adjunct faculty at UAA, staff or board member of 12 non-profits since 1980 including the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust and the Homer Folk School and as owner of AnamCara, teaches classes in holistic healing, wild edible and medicinal plants, Celtic tradition and offers ancestral tours of Ireland.
Kathy Anderson, PhD, MPH, MS, Secretary, Adjunct Professor at Alaska Pacific University (MBA program), University of South Florida (Public Health), and University of Alaska Anchorage (Public Health) with extensive experience in marketing and on nonprofit boards in the Anchorage area
Casey Siekaniec,Treasurer, Business Owner, AK Salt Co.
Britni Siekaniec , Member at Large, Business Owner, AK Salt Co.
Betsy Webb, Member at Large, Professional history includes Curator of Zoology at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and Curator of Collections at the Pratt Museum.
Bryan Zak, Member at Large, Former Mayor of the City of Homer, Associate State Director for the Small Business Development Center. Owner of Alaska Adventure Cabins, Board member of the Homer Senior Center, Rotarian and member of Homer United Methodist Church.
Joanna Greene, Member at Large , Certified Teacher and local naturalist
Kelli Parker, Member at Large, over twenty years experience in public and nonprofit sector program development and management.
Mina Kumar, Member at Large, Project manager with nearly twenty years of experience with social sector organizations including non-profits, private foundations, socially responsible businesses, and social enterprises.
Paula Cullenberg, Member at Large, Former director of Alaska Sea Grant, UAF professor emeritus, board member Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust, Bristol Bay salmon fisherman and owner of Small Boat Salmon.
Staff
Elizabeth Trowbridge
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Katie Gavenus
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
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Shannon Moore
SCHOOL PROGRAM/PETERSON BAY FIELD STATION COORDINATOR
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Henry Rieske
WYNN NATURE CENTER/COASTWALK COORDINATOR
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Marcie Gordon
BOOKKEEPER
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Naturalists and Interns Hired Seasonally
And Amazing Volunteers Make It Happen! We love our volunteers!
