Protection of the Gustavus Beach Meadows

photo of pink fireweed flowers with the sun setting in the background and a pine tree off to the right

City of Gustavus Conservation Lands Advisory Committee

Gustavus Beach Meadows Project

In May of 2024, the Gustavus City Council established a Conservation Lands Advisory Committee under Resolution CY24-12. The Resolution and follow-on Mission Statement gave direction to, amongst other things,

Advise private owners in designing further protection for the Golf Course area; and
Advise or facilitate transfer or association of private parcels to larger conservation units

Beach Meadows Migratory Bird & Animal Photo Contest – entry deadline April 1st voting May 2nd

Handy eBird Field Checklist

https://ebird.org/printableList?regionCode=L782141

In December 2024, the Committee applied for a City of Gustavus Endowment Fund Grant of $25,000, with a 20% private fund match of $5,000, to kick-start a project to “lease” for two years 235 acres of privately owned land on both sides of Dock Road so the landowners and the Southeast Alaska Land Trust could negotiate for a conservation easement on the property. On December 16^th, 2024 the City Council awarded $21, 036.32 to the project, with a 30% private fund match, although there was some concern expressed by the community regarding the application eligibility, process, and specific expenditures.