2025 Annual Report

2025 Annual Report

OUR MISSION & VISION

Great Land Trust’s mission is to conserve and steward the lands and waters essential to the quality of life and economic health of Alaskans.

Great Land Trust’s vision is thriving people, landscapes, and wildlife in Alaska.

OUR WORK

GLT is your regional land trust – a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 by Alaskans and dedicated to conserving the lands and waters we love.

GLT’s focus is on land conservation for community benefit – we work to protect wetlands that provide clean drinking water, to conserve habitat for salmon and other wildlife, and to build trails and establish access to the outdoors and open space.

GLT works in voluntary partnership with landowners, agencies, communities and other partners throughout Southcentral Alaska with a focus on the Municipality of Anchorage, Mat-Su Borough, Prince William Sound, Copper River Basin, and Kodiak.

Our core values are integrity and trust, partnership and collaboration, stewardship, strategy, innovation, and deliberative decision making.

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends –

What an absolute joy it has been to celebrate Great Land Trust’s 30 anniversary with our many partners, funders, and supporters in 2025. Connecting with people, organizations, and communities who also care deeply about permanently protecting the natural treasures of Southcentral Alaska is at the very heart of our work and mission. th

We are excited to share with you our 2025 Annual Report, highlighting how we have expanded our shared conservation legacy; completing new conservation projects while also valiantly upholding our perpetual commitment to care for previously conserved lands that bring joy and adventure to our lives.

As you thumb through these pages, we hope you will feel both proud and inspired by the breathtaking landscapes as well as the community celebrations. From the boisterous ribbon cutting at Potter Marsh Watershed Park to the jaw-dropping aerial view of O’Brien Creek Estuary to the triumphant group hike on the Stewart Trail, 2025 has been GLT’s best year yet!

Like all of us, GLT just keeps getting better with age. We’re entering our next decade with incredible momentum. We look forward to continuing our lasting and impactful work in 2026 and beyond.

Your support continues to inspire us as we embrace our mission and fiercely protect the lands and waters that make Southcentral Alaska the place we are proud to call home. On behalf of GLT’s outstanding staff and board, THANK YOU for working with us to protect the very best of Alaska for all of us now and for generations to come.

With warm wishes and deep appreciation,

Ellen Kazary

Executive Director, Great Land Trust

2025 IN PHOTOS

Celebrating the Potter Marsh Watershed Park with project partners and funders. 2. Gathering with friends and supporters at the Winter Party to mark GLT’s 30 anniversary. 3. Hiking the Stewart trail with Raven Circle members to celebrate the new acquisition linking the trail to Chugach State Park. 4. Some of the newly finished park amenities at Nayurluku Park at Meals Hill in Valdez. 5. In May, we said goodbye to longtime staff member Dave Mitchell after almost 20 years of dedicated conservation work for GLT. 6. Also in May, we welcomed Ryan Thomas to the team as our new Conservation Director, where he hit the ground running, taking on projects and diving into our summer events.

Ethan Hodgin and Neil Ludwig joined GLT as our Land Stewards for the 2025 summer season, getting out on the land and monitoring GLT's conservation easement properties. 8. GLT staff met up with other Alaska land trust staff and board members at Rally, the Land Trust Alliance’s National Land Conservation Conference, this year held in Cleveland. 9. We kicked off the Potter Marsh Watershed Park master planning process with a community open house in November. (See last page of this report for more info!) 10. GLT board and staff spent a weekend in the Mat-Su for our biennial retreat where we spent time immersed in our work, planning for the future, and getting out on the land together. 11 & 12. GLT co-hosted two guided hikes at the Potter Marsh Watershed Park in June. One with the Anchorage Audubon Society (11.) and one with the Alaska Native Plant Society (12.). Each hike offered a chance to learn more about the plants and animals that call this important watershed home.

2025 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

O’BrienCreekEstuary-Knik

In April, we finalized a project with the Knik Tribe to purchase and place permanent protections on 270 acres at the mouth of O’Brien Creek in the Mat-Su that has significant ecological, cultural, and historic value. This pristine property - now permanently protected through conservation restrictions and under the private ownership and management of the Knik Tribe - marks a meaningful step in restoring traditional lands to Indigenous stewardship. This project was made possible in part by the Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund, the USFWS Coastal Program, and a generous donation from private donors.

LakeOne-Talkeetna

In June, we completed a project permanently protecting 40 acres of ecologically rich land along Lake One and Answer Creek in Talkeetna thanks to a generous conservation easement donation from John Strasenburgh and Ruth Wood. This marks the fifth conservation easement that John and Ruth have donated to Great Land Trust. Their previous easements collectively protect over 361 acres. This new addition, combined with the neighboring Numbered Lakes Natural Area managed by the Mat-Su Borough, knits together more than 1,100 acres of contiguous protected habitat.

A missing link is now connected for access to Chugach State Park in Potter Valley. Great Land Trust led a major land acquisition in partnership with the Alaska Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation to permanently protect 147 acres that will now be managed as part of Chugach State Park. This project secures a public access connection via the Stewart Trail, fulfilling a decades-long community vision. The land was previously owned by the Alaska Zoo and Alaska Botanical Garden and is rich in wildlife habitat, wetlands, and has the potential for new trails. It's a win for conservation and public access, benefitting two beloved local nonprofits and future generations of Alaskans and visitors. This project was made possible in part by the USFWS Coastal Program and a generous anonymous donor.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 DONORS!

Ryota & Kikuko Abe

Alaska Trails*

Carolyn & Jerry Allen

Kimberly Allen

Monica Alvarez

Peggy Ammann

Amanda Andersen

Jim Anderson & Karola Moore*

Margaret & Richard Anderson

Paul & Karen Anderson*

Anonymous (21)

Chris & Maggi Arend

William Ashton

Pat Athey

Laura Atwood

Bob & Peggy Auth

Melisa Babb

Adrian Baer

John & Lynda Baker*

Estelita Baliton

Frankie Barker

Jessica Barry

John Bauer*

Gary Baugh*

Chris & Miriam Beck

Adrian & Brad Bell

Molly Benson

Deidre Berberich*

Cindy Bettine & Mike Butcher

BGES, Inc.

Patty Bielawski*

John & Bernell Blaine

Elizabeth Blassingham

Bill Britt & Nancy Nolan*

Phil Brna

Jan & Mike Bronson*

Annie Brownlee

Bruce & Elizabeth Richter

Nina Brudie

Regan Brudie

Sigrid Brudie & Jay Marvin

Kirstin Bruner

Avery Bryant

Lisa & John Bulkow

Lowell & Alif Burgett

Jim & Sally Burkholder*

Mark Butler

Calais Company*

Judy Caminer & Roger Marks*

Michael Campbell

Ariel Cannon

Bryan Carey & Bronwen Wang

Jennifer Carlin

Barbara & Michael Carlson*

Karla Carpenter

Mark Carter

Sky Carver*

Ken Cassity

Stephen Charles

Patricia Chesbro

Tom Choate

Carol Christensen*

Donor Spotlight: Raven Circle

GLT welcomes donors who make a gift of $1,000 or more within a calendar year as members of our Raven Circle. As a Raven Circle member, you’ll receive special updates, invitations to events, and opportunities to tour our projects. Consider joining our Raven Circle where your ntinue our mission of preserving our Alaskan way of life.

Sandra & John

Christopherson

John Clark & Janis Skliar*

Joan Clover & Richard Onorato

Karen Coady

Jerald &Yvonne Conn

Jeannette Cook

Travis & Brianna Cooper

Lamar Cotten

Chris Cotterall*

Bill Cramp

Donald Crandall

Clarence Crawford

Peter Crimp & Paula Cullenberg

Andrew Crow

Faren Crow

"We are proud to give to GLT at the Raven Circle level each year. What has really impressed us is the efficiency and professionalism of GLT. We know they will use our donation effectively, which encourages us to donate more, which in turn helps preserve more beautiful natural spaces for future generations.”

Mark & Leslie Kroloff, Raven Circle Members

Terry Cummings

Patricia Cushman

Susan Dabelsteen

Mark & Cami Dalton*

Willie Dalton

Doug & Carol Damberg

Anthony DeGange & Emily Davies*

Christina Degernes

John DeLapp & Martha Farris

Jeff & Lorri Denton

Nancy Deschu

George & Brenda Dickison

Mike Dieni

Joseph & Katherine Donohue*

Louise Driscoll

James Dryden & Stephanie Koonz

Jim Ducker

John Duffy & Pamela

Bergmann

Robert & Sherry Dugan*

Cliff Eames & Ruth McHenry

Art Eash

Jean Eaton

Kenneth Eggers

Elizabeth Elliott

Lynn Elliott

Nora Elliott*

Andy Erickson

Connie Ernst

David & Diana Evans

Mei Mei Evans

Ruth & Charles Fahl*

Paul & Elizabeth Ferucci*

Anne Fiedler

Donor Spotlight: Legacy Gift

In 2025, Great Land Trust was deeply honored to receive a generous bequest from the estate of John and Loisann Reeder. Before John’s passing in 2013, the Reeders included GLT as a beneficiary of their estate. Following Loisann’s passing in July 2025, we received a legacy gift from her estate. The Reeders were longtime Alaskans with a strong commitment to conservation and public service. Their remarkable gift will play a vital role in ensuring that Great Land Trust can carry out its mission for generations to come, creating a lasting legacy in Alaska.

We hope their thoughtful act of generosity will inspire you to consider including Great Land Trust in your own estate plans, helping to protect Alaska’s most treasured lands and waters well into the future.

Keith & Cathy Foerster*

Mollie Foster & Joe Meyer*

Fox Family Foundation*

Michael & Diane Frank*

James & Victoria Fredenhagen

Richard & Betty Friest*

Kay Gajewski

Les Gara

Dale Gardner*

Dave & Marilyn Gardner

Richard Geiger & Kathy

Robinson*

Marcus Geist

Elizabeth Gerace

Lindsay Hammer*

Martin Hansen & Deborah

Lynn

George Harbeson

Mary Lu Harle

Tamara Harper

Lesley Harrison

Larry Hartig*

Josh Helzner

Cynthia Hendel*

Kari Hendricks

Ken & Cindy Higgins

Douglas Hill

Carol Hoblitzell

Kirk Hoessle

Mimi Hogan & PJ Hill

Laurie & Sean Holland

Charles Holmes & Dianne

Gudgel-Holmes

David & Mary Holmquist

Lisa Holzapfel

Natalie Hood

Russell & Julie Hood

Jon Gerken

Sally Gibert & Dick Mylius*

Ayse & Chuck Gilbert*

Nelson & Margaret Gingerich

Ben Goltz

Jon & Else Goltz*

Noah Goltz

Amanda Goss

Tom Griffin

Mark Gronewald

Mea Ha

Nim Ha

Rand Hagenstein & Evie

Witten

Mike Jens*

Ingrid Jensen

Michael & Katharina Jensen*

Julie Jessen*

Charlene Johnson

Kirk & Leslie Johnson*

Steve & Barbara Johnson

Dave Johnston & Carolyn

Sayre

Brett & Martha Jokela*

Patricia Joyner

Becky Judd*

Richard Judd & Lee Ann

Gardner

Rosemary Karish

Jon Katcher & Kate Michaels*

Ellen Kazary & Chris Carlin

Sharon & Robert Kazary

Christopher Kennedy & Lynne

Gallant*

Merideane Kennison

Daniel & Tressa Kentner*

Anne & Steven Kessler*

Carol Howarth & Jim

Mendenhall

Karen, Heidi, & Heather

Hubbard

David Hudspeth

Elise Huggins

David & Linda Hulen

Amanda & Chad Hults

Bob Hume

Elayne Hunter

Henry & Kathleen Huntington

Jerry Hupp & Gail Volt

Gail Irvine

Alex Jefferies

Gregory Larsen

Erin Larson

John & Claire LeClair

Stuart Leidner & Nina

Chambers

Leah Levingston

Sandra Lewis

Konrad Liegel & Karen Atkins

Leonard & Patricia Linton

Dean Littlepage & Jeanne

Moe

Harlan Loso

Alysia Loughlin-Bushey &

Rick Bushey

Jeff Loughrey*

Mark & Cheryl Lovegreen

Susan Luetters

Marie Lundstrom

Craig Lyon

Cynthia Lyons

Rob & Patricia MacNaughton

Jim & Dianne Mahaffey*

Elizabeth Manning

Janet Kincaid

Karen King

Patricia Kinnunen

Gerald Kintz

Karen Kish*

Susan Klein

Robert Knapp

Rebecca Knight

Steve & Katya Koteff

Mark & Leslie Kroloff*

Ken & Peggy Kugel*

Libby Kugel

Linda Kumin

Michael Lane

Julian Mason & Margie

MacNeille*

Mark & Judy Masteller

Warren & Donna Matthews

Susan Mauger

Robin Mayo

Eric McCallum & Robin

Smith*

Molly McCammon*

David McCargo*

Donna McCready

Colleen McDonald

Stephen McKeever & Nancy

Wainwright

John McManamin

Robin McManamin & Jeffrey

Leppo*

Thomas & Jane Meacham

Kathy Means

Joe Meehan

Peter Melde

Vivian Mendenhall

Mark & Mary Miner

Dave Mitchell & Elise Gelbart

Ann & Jerry Mitchell

Peter Mjos & Karen Ruud

Stanton Moll & Rosa Meehan

Peter Montesano & Ann

Lindsey*

Megan Moody

Nancy Moore

Ted & Ginny Moore

Lisa Moorehead & Bob Dittrick

Jack & Rosemary Mosby

Diane & Mike Moxness*

Nino Muniz & Laurie Silfven

Nancy Munro*

Eric Myers

Sarah Myers

Molly Mylius

Paul Nagl & Susan

Mermelstein

Susan Nesbitt

Tom Newins

Tim Nixon

Michael Norton

Murph & Peggy O'Brien

Monica O'Keefe

Margretta O'Reilly

Rollie & Mary Ostermick

Kyle Ostermick-Durkee

Mary & Gary Ott

Cheyenne Oyen

Mark & Katherine Parmelee

Jill Parson*

John & Kathy Patton

Eric & Harriet Paule

Mimi & Willy Peabody

Nancy Pease & Daniel Hull*

Diane Peck

Meg Perdue

Randi Perlman

Michael Peterson*

Bill Petrik*

Idamarie Piccard

Steve & Shannon Planchon

Thomas Plawman & Andrea

Cordano

Rochelle Plotnick*

Sue Pope & Jim Thiele*

Shawna Popovici

David & Sandra Porter

Pat Pourchot & Jennifer

Johnson*

Carl Propes

John & Connie Quinley

Sandy Rabinowitch & Elizabeth

Barry*

John & Diane Ramey*

Ann Rappoport & David Irons

Julie Raymond-Yakoubian

Tom & Elaine Reale

Diana Redwood

Loisann Reeder*

Laurel Renkert & Zak Melms*

Diana Rhoades

Wilson Rice

Jeffrey Richards

Jill Rife

Paul Risse & Nancy Darigo

Tyler Robinson & Katie Bisson

Susan G. Rogers

Gregory Ronnback

Herb & Donna Ross

Kirsten Rothacker

Ann & Thomas Rothe

Larry Rundquist

Ryan Rupert

Matias Saari

Pauletta Sawyer

Traci Schacht*

Beverly Short & Joel Schmutz

Michael J. Schneider

John & Mary Beth Schoen

Cynthia Schraer

Sandra Schubert

John & Carolyn Schultz*

Cathie Schumacher*

Michelle Semerad

Stan & Pat Senner

David Shimek & Shirley

Russell-Shimek

Carl & Pixie Siebe*

Theresa Slaven

Alison Smith & Kurt Egelhofer

Linda & Michael C. Smith

Michael Smith

Gillian Smythe

David Snyder

Kim Sollien

David & Andy Sonneborn*

Gretchen Specht & Molly

Bartel*

Holly Spoth-Torres*

Tim Stallard

Leonard Steinberg

Brad & Denise Stern

Stephen Stoney & Becky

Zembower

John Strasenburgh & Ruth

Wood*

Jim Stratton

Stacy Studebaker

Claire Stump

Kevin Sullivan & Hannah

Griego

Annie Surratt

Kathryn Sutton

Nancy Swanton

Donor Spotlight: QCD Giving

Did you know that once you reach a certain age (70 ½ years old), you can make Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) directly from your retirement account to a nonprofit? These gifts count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) and are excluded from your taxable income, making it a powerful way to support the causes you care about while potentially reducing your tax burden.

“I was excited to start making a Qualified Charitable Distribution to Great Land Trust this year. Being able to provide more support (providing a donationplus what would have been tax dollars - to GLT!) for the open spaces and trails that make southcentral Alaska such a treasure for us and for future generations has become even more important in these chaotic times. Thanks to GLT for bringing us Potter Marsh Watershed Park and so much more!”

Donor Spotlight: Major Gift

In December of 2024, Great Land Trust received a call from Anchorage residents Jan and Mike Bronson. They were curious about the conservation projects Great Land Trust was working on and expressed interest in supporting a major effort. Soon after, they visited our office to meet with our team and learn more about our active projects and funding needs.

As it turned out, one of our active projects, an effort to conserve 270 acres at the O’Brien Creek Estuary in the Mat-Su, with plans to transfer the land to the Knik Tribe, was an almost perfect match for the Bronsons’ values and goals. Over the following months, we kept in touch as we moved through the real estate and due diligence process. As the land transfer was finalized in April 2025, Jan and Mike made a generous donation to Great Land Trust, helping bring the vision of permanently protecting O’Brien Creek Estuary to life.

Major gifts like the Bronsons’ directly support our conservation work and demonstrate how individuals like you can connect personal values to a lasting impact on the land and places we all care about.

Bruce Talbot*

Ken Taylor

Scott Taylor & Cami Oechsli

Taylor*

The Denver Foundation*

The Foraker Group

Ryan Thomas & Whitney Elliott

Thais Thomas

Peg & Jules Tileston

Craig Tillery & Phyllis Johnson

Thede Tobish & Lisa Oakley

Dianne Toebe*

Chad Trammell

Helen Woodings

Mark Worcester

Barbara Yanoshek

Ken & Chris Zafren

Emilia Zartman & Ed

Kamienski

Cyle Ziegler

Jon & Stephanie Zuck

Scan the QR code to read the full story on our website.

Jan Trettner

Tim Troll

Declan Troy

Dave & Marcia Trudgen*

Paul Twardock & Dana Bruden

Margareth Twigg

Ethan Tyler

Charles Utermohle & Carrie

Erickson

Mark Vail

Dorn & Diane Van Dommelen

Vicki Vermillion

Nancy Wade

* - Raven Circle

FUNDERS

Alaska Conservation Foundation

Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund/ADF&G

Anchorage Audubon Society

Bass Pro Shop and Cabela's Outdoor Fund

ConocoPhillips Alaska

Mat-Su Health Foundation

National Coastal Wetlands

Conservation Grants Program

North American Wetland

Steve & Marcia Wakeland

Bob Waldrop*

Kevin Waring & Janet Hulbert*

John Weddleton

Art Weiner & Carol Fries

Seth Weingarten

Jenny Weis*

Lynn & Dave Welbourn

Sandra Wicks

Marc Wilhelm

Nami Williams

Paula Williams

Connie Wolfe

Conservation Act

Rasmuson Foundation

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Coastal Program

U.S. Forest Service

Community Forest Program

Legacy Circle Members

The Legacy Circle is a group of individuals who have expressed a lasting commitment to the long-term future of Great Land Trust through a planned gift, such as a bequest or a beneficiary designation.

John & Lynda Baker

Patty Bielawski

Donald Crandall

Mark & Cami Dalton

Trigg Davis

Christina Degernes

The Latest: Potter Marsh Watershed Park

With the official opening of Potter Marsh Watershed Park and its transition to management by the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) Parks & Recreation Department finalized, Great Land Trust and the MOA are now partnering to develop a Master Plan to guide the park’s future. The plan will shape infrastructure improvements such as parking and trails, while prioritizing the protection of the area’s important conservation values.

To inform this vision, we are engaging stakeholders, a Community Advisory Group, and the broader public to gather input on what this park should become. The Master Plan is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Stay informed and learn how to get involved by scanning the QR code.

John Duffy & Pamela Bergmann

Sue Goodwin

Douglas Hill

Sara Jansen & Randy Jones

Ellen Kazary & Chris Carlin

Mark & Leslie Kroloff

Shannon Kuhn

Frank Lahr

Dean Littlepage & Jeanne Moe

Jeff Loughrey

Mark & Judy Masteller

Eric McCallum & Robin Smith

Molly McCammon

David McElroy

Doug & Judy Morris

Monica O'Keefe

Brian & Diane Okonek

Sue Pope & Jim Thiele

Stephanie & Austin Quinn-Davidson

Caryn Rea & Steve Aberle

Laurel Renkert & Zak Melms

Susan Ruddy

John & Carolyn Schultz

Phil & Angie Shephard

Kim Sollien

Gretchen Specht

John Strasenburgh & Ruth Wood

Jim Stratton

Ken Taylor

Steve & Marcia Wakeland

Bob Waldrop

Connie Wolfe

If you have made a planned gift to GLT and are not currently on our list, please contact us so we may acknowledge your generosity and welcome you into the Legacy Circle.

STAFF

Ellen Kazary

Executive Director

Amanda Hults

Lands Manager & Stewardship Director

Libby Kugel

Communications Director

Ryan Thomas

Conservation Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sara Jansen (Chair)

Jon Goltz (Vice-Chair)

Traci Schacht (Treasurer)

Ethan Tyler (Secretary)

John Baker

Deidre Berberich

Kirstin Bruner

Mark Dalton

Lindsay Hammer

Larry Hartig

Leah Levingston

Gretchen Specht

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Linda Kumin, John McManamin, Eric McCallum & Robin Smith, John Strasenburgh & Ruth Wood

EMERITUS DIRECTORS

Gary Baugh, Dick LeFebvre, Molly McCammon, Pat Pourchot, Susan Ruddy

POBox101727,Anchorage,AK99510

www.greatlandtrust.org info@greatlandtrust.org (907)278-4998