Betsi Oliver holding an ornament created by artist, Jim Heaton of Haines, AK
The Chugach National Forest has been selected to provide the nation with the 2015 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree! In addition to gifting the nation with the Capitol Tree, Alaska will also send thousands of handmade ornaments to Washington D.C. to adorn the tree. Alaska Geographic is partnering with the Chugach National Forest to coordinate the creation of these ornaments by youth across the state.
Ten of Alaska’s best and brightest artists have created exquisite ornaments that represent elements of the Chugach from salmon to kayaks to wildflowers to birch trees. These artists have also provided templates that youth across the state will use to create their own Chugach-influenced ornaments.
Alaska Geographic will be outreaching to schools across the state, facilitating them to engage their students in this statewide effort. We will also be hosting ornament-making events at many locales, including Cabela’s, the Alaska Public Lands Information Center, and Alaska Geographic’s Ship Creek Store. Alaska Geographic received funding from the Alaska Humanities Forum to coordinate youth leaders from urban and rural communities across the state to lead ornament-making efforts in their communities!
The first official ornament-making event will take place this Friday, March 6th from 5-7pm at the Chugach National Forest headquarters in Anchorage (161 East 1st Ave). Rumor has it that Smokey Bear will be making an appearance! Find out more here:http://1.usa.gov/18LKb92
