I first started helping the Great Land Trust photograph properties in 2008. They "permanently conserve[] special lands, public access, and signature landscapes and waters essential to the quality of life and economic health of communities in our region" through a variety of methods, including purchasing outright and transferring to the state or local government as a park. Over the years, I have taken photographs of targeted properties for them, and they in turn use the photos to fundraise in order to purchase the property.
One of the properties I photographed for them was recently established as a new 300-acre public park on the uphill slopes above the Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary in Anchorage. I first photographed the property for Great Land Trust back in May of 2020, to give you an idea of how long it takes for the fundraising, acquisition and transfer process. It's a marvelous property, which will provide continued and guaranteed habitat for the moose and bears that frequent that area. But, it's also going to add considerable value to the residential properties that abut the park, as those homeowners now have the comfort that no development will ever occur there.
I am so proud to have made my own small contribution to this project!