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Summer education at the reserve is in full swing!

Jul 9, 2026 | News

Five people gather around a grey hard plastic case with the word Li-cor on it
Naturalist students Learn about the Gas Flux analyzer used in KBNERR’s Peatland Research.

Naturalist Training

The Kachemak Bay Environmental Education Alliance (KBEEA) held it’s annual Naturalist Training for seasonal educators and scientists in June 3rd – 7th. The four day training allowed for KBNERR staff to introduce the current research and monitoring happening this summer. Attendees learned about groundwater and geology at the reservoir before heading to the Homer harbor to learn about invasive species, plankton, SWMP (weather and water quality) and kittiwake monitoring. The following day they learned about our Beluga Slough salt marsh monitoring, Discovery Labs, and our TOTE Teacher training. Participants included seasonal staff from KBNERR, US Fish & Wildlife Service Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, Ninilchik Village Tribe, Pratt Museum, and NOAA Kasitsna Bay Lab.

A group of people sit in a U shape at tables while a presenter in the center uses a 3d topographical map of Kachemak Bay
KBNERR’s Coastal Training Program lead, Syverine Bentz, talks about geology and the importance of place with Naturalist Students.

Summer Discovery Labs have officially kicked off! We held our first discovery lab “Kachemak Bay and Beyond” on June 26th and 27th. KBNERR tables included topics on: Kachemak Bay facts and figures, Gull Island and harbor seabird monitoring, beaver habitat and research, and eel grass monitoring. Over 200 community members learned about our current research and monitoring on these topics. Partnering organizations hosted tables focused on cultural history (the PRATT), invasive species/Insects (Coastal Studies), Sea otters (FWS) and as always there was a fun craft! The Hollings Scholars and summer Interns each led table activities and showed off their skills and knowledge in both science and education. Another Discovery Lab was held July 10th and 11th at the Alaska Maritime Refuge Visitor Center from 2pm – 4pm, and included KBNERR tables on groundwater and peatland research, invasive European green crabs, and harmful algal bloom monitoring. The next Discovery Lab will be August 14 & 15.

A man woman and child look at a display about birds while talking to a man in a paper mache bird hat
Visitors to the Discovery Lab learn all about KBNERR’s bird research
2 children work with peatland samples in a large plastic bin while a woman looks on with beaver pelt and beaver skull in the foreground
Kids get some hands-on learning with this Beavers and Peatlands module at Discover Lab
two people stand in class room with large paper mache birds on their heads
Claire Labuda and Galen June model bird heads at the June Discovery Lab

Beluga Slough Walks

KBNERR education staff hosts weekly Beluga Slough walks on Mondays at 1pm. These family friendly guided walks take you through the salt marsh introducing you to the plants, birds, estuary biology and the KBNERR monitoring program. It is free and open to the public.

Peatland Education Project: 

We have an exciting new project in collaboration with Kim McNett! We are putting together a peatland pocket guide to be used by community members and classrooms starting this fall. The information and artwork are supplied by Kim and KBNERR education staff is creating and funding the design and publication. It is currently in draft form and will be used in the upcoming fall Teacher on the Estuary (TOTE) Training in September.