Friends of Kachemak Bay State Parks is a non-profit (501c3 organization since 1999) that promotes the enhancement, preservation and protection of the natural recreational, scientific and historical resources of Kachemak Bay State Park. Located on the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, Kachemak Bay State Park includes 400,000 acres of mountains, glaciers, forests, beaches, and rivers. Trail systems are expansive, and Alaskans and visitors alike frequent the park year round for hiking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and berry picking.
Volunteers brushing South Grace Ridge trail
The Friends assist in charitable activities including implementing park improvements and funding volunteer trail crews; enhancing conservation and safety awareness programs; supporting recreational endeavors like the Kachemak Bay Water Trail; and furthering educational opportunities.
The Friends organizes several events to promote and enhance the park’s natural values, as well as the visitor experience, including outreach opportunities at the Homer Shorebird Festival; the ‘Friendship Walk’ with local naturalists providing interpretation of the natural environment of the Park; Trails Day events, partnering with local water taxis to provide an opportunity for volunteers to get across Kachemak Bay to help with priority trail maintenance projects; promoting the Kachemak Bay Coast Walk, where volunteers help collect marine debris on designated beaches within the park; promoting National Public Lands Day, to raise public awareness of the importance of maintaining public lands; purchasing supplies for trails volunteers working in the park; and showing appreciation to volunteer trail crews by hosting a pizza party at the end of the trail season.