Borough's first poster unveiled

MAT-SU—Assembly Member Michelle Church removed the velvet covering and presented the Borough's first poster: a striking image of Pioneer Peak photographed by Fred Hirschmann.

The unveiling took place at a small gathering at Pandemonium Booksellers & Cafe in Wasilla today.

Photographer Fred Hirschmann described the set up for the shot with a large format camera.

Kris Abshire with Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats gave an inspiring overview of the future Natural Science Education & Community Center.

The poster is part of a new annual poster contest by the Borough that will serve two purposes: it will highlight a selected local artist's or photographer's work and it will promote a Borough project.

Borough Assembly Member Cindy Bettine thought of the idea to help put worthy projects foremost in people's minds.

The artwork for next year's poster will be selected in the winter. Award: $1,000.

This year's Borough project is a striking photo of Pioneer Peak by Hirschmann. Golden cotton grass are in the foreground and a violet streak of late summer/fall light runs on a slough of the Knik River. Pioneer Peak appears in bold blue hues.

The photo promotes a future Natural Science Education & Community Center at the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge. The center is a project on the Borough's state and federal priority list. The nonprofit, Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats, is a leading advocate of the project.

Hay Flats member George Taylor is a retired science teacher.
“The idea behind an education center out there is a fabulous idea,” Taylor said. “The Valley is growing, the refuge is in place ,and it would be a terrific opportunity to spread science education and natural resource education to people right here. As it stands now, Campbell Creek Science Center is the signature center. It'd be great if the Valley had something comparable of its own.”

“The 45 square miles of the refuge is huge. It's a mixing of fresh and salt waters and is an amazing habitat collection,” Taylor said. “It's also an area that's very visible to people. It's on the periphery. We drive by it, look into it, but few enter. An education center would be an incredible resource right here in our backyard,” Taylor said.

The Refuge encompasses the upper reaches of Knik Arm and parts of the Knik and Matanuska Rivers. The geophysical, historical and cultural features of the Refuge will offer tremendous on-site learning opportunities at the Natural Science Education Center.

Today MAT-SU teachers must bus their classes to Anchorage and beyond to provide these opportunities for their students. Programs and interactive displays will also be designed for adult learning.

Among the site features:
•    the estuarine habitat is a critical element of the Pacific Flyway for migratory     and nesting waterfowl. Ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, and many birds call it home. Additionally there are moose, muskrats, and salmon.
•    original Colony settlement farming is near where Cottonwood Creek meets Knik Arm.
•    the oldest settlement site yet identified of farthest Upper Cook Inlet Dena'ina is in the woodland habitat of Scout Ridge at Cottonwood Creek.
•    the historical Iditarod Trail crosses the Refuge

The community center aspect of the project will provide a meeting place for Knik-Fairview. The area is the fifth largest community in the state, yet has no meeting place.

The project will promote tourism. The Refuge has trails leading through a variety of Alaska habitat - wetlands, upland woods, lake/glacial river - providing convenience and easy access to visitors of all ages.

The posters will be for sale for suggested retail of $20 in several art and coffee shops in the MAT-SU including: Pia's Framing, Pandemonium, MAT-SU Convention & Visitors Bureau, Espresso Cafe and at the Borough building.

Guidelines for next year's poster are attached here.

The Assembly resolution is attached at this link.

The proceeds from sales will go toward next year's poster.

The image is copyrighted by Fred Hirschmann.

For more information call Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan, 745-9577 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.