SITKA SOUND SCIENCE CENTER

FIELD STATION

Science Center staff members are available for assistance with curriculum development and can provide a “menu” of local experts that are willing to share and create unique hands-on, outdoor and local experiences. Few locations offer the tangibility, diversity, accessibility and support of Sitka and the Sitka Sound Science Center.

For more info please contact:

Lisa Busch Executive Director 907.747.8878 ext. 11lbusch@sitkascience.org

Michael Mausbach AmeriCorps Vista Field Course Development 907.747.8878 ext. 10mmausbach@sitkascience.org

The Sitka Sound Science Center offers support services for colleges and universities who wish to conduct field courses in Sitka, one of the greatest natural classrooms in the world.

Colleges and universities bring their professors, their students, and their classes to Sitka, where the Science Center can provide local knowledge, field trip coordination, and expertise on hiking kayaking, and logistical support. The Sheldon Jackson Campus (owned and operated by the Sitka Fine Arts Camp) can provide housing, dining services and recreational facilities. ANThROpOLOgy

& TOURISm

In our increasingly globalized society tourism has become the subject of much critique. Where better to break down and understand the implications of this international and multi-billion dollar industry than in Sitka, Alaska?

As one of Southeast Alaska’s premier travel destinations, Sitka is popular with cruise ships winding their way up the Inside Passage. With the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our small coastal community during the summer travel season comes a whole host of new planning issues and social questions for the community. How are rural economies affected by such an influx? What are the environmental impacts of tourism? What are the impacts of tourism on culture?

Sitka has more National Historic Landmarks than any other town in Alaska. With a delicious combination of Native Alaskan, Russian and American history, Sitka is a culturally-rich location primed for exploration. Discover Sitka’s Tlingit past on a walk through Totem Park, during a performance by the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Dancers, or through a tour of the Sheldon Jackson Museum, the oldest in the state. Explore Russian America as you only can in Sitka with a visit to Castle Hill, St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church, or the Bishops House.

Fishing is one of the boroughs main economic sectors, which means Sitka is a prime location for an analysis of fishing, both as an industry and regional culture.

gEOLOgy & ENERgy SySTEmS

Edgecombe

hydro-electric

hatchery

mARINE SCIENCES & FIShERIES

FORESTRy & BOTANy

Alaska is famous for its exotic terrains and Sitka is no exception. With plenty of Sitka gray wacke, geologic suprises abound. Mt. Edgecumbe, a leaky transformer volcano, dominates the landscape and has a $1 million, world class trail up its seven mile cone. Baranof Island has a myriad of geology field trips on and off the road system and world class interconnected trail system.

Sitka’s geographic isolation has led to some innovative energy systems. The major expansion of our hydro-electric dam makes for an interesting case exploration of rural Alaskan energy systems and has exposed new geologic issues.

Situated on the outside of the Alexander Archipelego, Sitka boasts direct access to the Pacific Ocean making it an ideal location for marine science discovery. A diversity of seabirds, marine mammals, fish and invertebrates are accessible by the road system or by kayak. The Sitka intertidal environments are regionally and world renowned and provide field course students with an infinite number of beautiful and natural-occurring laboratories. Whalewatching and other wildlife tours are easily arranged.

One of the first hatcheries in Alaska, the Sheldon Jackson Salmon Hatchery at the Sitka Sound Science Center provides a unique opportunity to learn about the history of aquaculture and commercial fishing in Alaska, and to engage in hands-on learning with technical and industry professionals. The Sheldon Jackson Hatchery provides field course students with a tangible means of understanding Alaska commercial fishing issues, the science and business of fishery enhancement operations in Southeast Alaska and the biology and science of salmon.

With immediate access to the Tongass National Rainforest, the largest temperate rainforest in the world, Sitka is a first class destination for those interested in forestry and botany. With over 100 inches of rainfall a year, Sitka’s forests provide field course students with the an opportunity to explore the intricacies of a temperate environment in a living breathing laboratory found nowhere else on earth. Looking to take your botany to the next level? Explore the alpine and high altitude plants and ecosystems at the top of any one of Sitka’s many mountains, a fine excuse for a hike and some field work made fun. Students can also learn from natural resource managers about the balance between recreation and forest products use in the Tongass, how forest management has changed in the last 50 years and the latest research on forest ecology.