Proposed changes to open green space and the merits of community participation

Even though there is still a nip in the air, as an Alaskan, I know that spring is upon us. This time of year, we Alaskans can feel it in our bones and are all itching to get outside, feel the sun on our faces again, and be active! Luckily, we have abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation and a unique resource that is centrally located and accessible. The purpose of this article is to educate community members about proposed changes to open green space in the Core Area of the Mat-Su Borough (MSB), potential social, health, and economic impacts, and the vital role individuals play in influencing land use planning, access, and decision making. In doing so, I hope to promote dialogue on shared values, collectively envision meaningful change, and foster equitable development and resilience!

The Matanuska Greenbelt is comprised of approximately 3,000 acres of open green space that is ideal for recreation, exercise, education, wildlife, and flora and fauna viewing (D. Helm, personal communication, February 13, 2022). The Greenbelt is closed to motorized traffic and trapping, and is located in the densely populated Core Area of the Mat-Su Valley, between Palmer-Wasilla Hwy., Parks Hwy., and Trunk Rd. The use of this land is diverse and includes eight official trailheads whose trails are all interconnected over an expanse of thirty miles. Trails include Crevasse Moraine Trails, Mat-Su College, Snodgrass, Kin-Win Trailhead at the Matanuska Experiment Farm, Matanuska Lake, Upper Long Lake Trailhead, and Kepler Park. Ownership of the land includes Central Landfill and Greenbelt Central (MSB), University of Alaska Mat-Su College, The Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center (UAF), state and private parks (D. Helm, personal communication, February 13, 2022). The collaboration between the different ownerships of the land (Mat-Su Borough, State of Alaska, UAA, UAF, and private ownerships) has created a unified trail marking system across all parcels and an Interagency Event Permit for events being held at the Matanuska Greenbelt (e.g. foot races and bicycling events), that can be found here:

http://www.matanuska-greenbelt.org/events

In 2020, the University of Alaska Fairbanks conducted a survey of Matanuska Greenbelt trail users. In total, 1,097 respondents identified biking, hiking, walking, dog walking, and horseback riding as their most frequent trail activities, and the Experiment Farm and Crevasse Moraine Trails as the most popular (by use) (Garcia, Kelley, & Fix, 2020). 94% of respondents cited enjoyment of the outdoors as their reason for engagement on trails and among respondents, 91% met physical activity guidelines as set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which recommends 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly (Garcia, Kelley, & Fix, 2020; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2018). However, lack of transportation to trails means decreased access for some. It should be noted that 97% of respondents identified as white (Garcia, Kelley, & Fix, 2020). Increasing education about the Matanuska Greenbelt could diversify and expand trail usage and enhance population health and community resilience. Many of the trails are flat and accessible to community members who experience disabilities and senior Alaskans. Mat-Su Health Foundation’s 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment, Hearing Every Voice, identifies affordable and accessible healthy recreation as a top-ranked goal for the Core Area (Mat-Su Health Foundation, 2019, p.4). Links to the survey and the CHNA can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HHoidHNnk8jwz0xSGVuilX8jgdAz91He/view

http://online.fliphtml5.com/cbqo/jcti/#p=3

Expansion, including population increases and the construction of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, increased demand for utilities such as electricity and water, prompting landowners to collaborate and work toward the preservation of open green space as much as possible (D. Helm, personal communication, February 13, 2022). According to 2020 U.S. Census data, there are 107,000 residents in the MSB; an area expected to grow by more than 60% by 2045 (Mackintosh, 2018). This is why intentional, sustainable planning and land use are essential for population health! Access to open green space provides opportunities to recreate & socialize, and reduces rates and severity of depression, anxiety, mood disorders, & stress (Douglas & Douglas, 2021). To achieve equity of these outcomes it is vital that all community members have access to information and forums for public comment and decision making regarding natural resources and recreation. The definition of an urbanized area, according to the United States Census Bureau, is an area with one or more central locations, populations of 50,000 or greater, and densely surrounding areas (United States Census Bureau, 2010). As the Valley population continues to increase, the dual priorities of conservation of open green space and economic expansion will need to be managed at the direction of the community to promote and sustain thriving. The Mat-Su Borough (MSB) Core Area currently has 1018 acres of public use and recreation land, while 67% of Core Area land is privately owned (personal communication, E. Phillips, March 22, 2022).

The University of Alaska System is tasked with monetizing their land holdings and are currently considering creating a gravel pit on 86 acres of land at the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center (MEFEC), which is located in the Core Area. Purportedly, monies from potential resource extraction would benefit University of Alaska Fairbanks, while the gravel would be sent via rail to Anchorage. Recent University budget cuts have increased pressure to generate revenue, and in FY21, the Land Management Office generated $2.53 million in total land sale receipts (University of Alaska System Land Management Office, 2021). Established in 1917, the University of Alaska Fairbanks facility, now called the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center (MEFEC), has been a valuable research institution for Alaska’s agriculture and other industries, at one point housing more than 20 researchers. Current research happening at the MEFEC includes small grain variety trials and demonstrations, long-term forestry inventory projects, spruce injection study to repel the bark beetle, horticulture variety trials, rhubarb collection that includes over 30 different rhubarb varieties, pesticide persistence studies to document how long the chemical takes to break down in cold soils, rhodiola variety trials, over 120 varieties of potatoes grown for demonstration and community education, and little brown bat population studies. Alaska Department of Fish and Game house their large ungulate nutrition field and lab studies program here, and soil health studies which will be conducted by the newest research faculty member joining MEFEC this June. MEFEC provides nutrition and food security education and promotes youth development in 4H programs. They also host public classes in gardening, Master Gardner courses, food preservation, emergency preparedness, and conduct agricultural research. Additionally, MEFEC is a location for community garden plots, the Garden to Heal Project, and monthly free farm tours.

The MEFEC is host for many local natural resource and agriculture clubs to meet monthly. Notable research initiatives include participation in the Iowa State University Certified Local Food Leader Training, Northwest Climate Hub, which provides education that assists Native American tribes, farmers, and other groups in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington with adjusting to climate change, The University of Alaska Fairbanks One Health program, the Alaska Food Policy Council’s Regional Food Hub Grant program for the Mat-Su Valley, which now includes the Mat-Su Health Foundation and the Mat-Su Food Coalition (J. Anderson, personal communication, April 1, 2022)!

A stakeholder group that includes Mat-Su Health Foundation, Alaska Farmland Trust, Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, Valley Mountain Bikers & Hikers, Great Land Trust and others have been meeting with University of Alaska officials since September 2021 to discuss alternative uses to a gravel pit that would preserve the green space, provide financial benefit to the University, bolster the University’s mission to be a leader in education and research, and promote the area as an economic driver of the state’s fast growing community-Mat-Su. Some of these uses include a University Medical District, rebuilding USDA research, One Health initiatives, a solar field, rental of building spaces at MEFEC, and conservation easement. Conservation easements are held by nonprofit land trusts or government entities. They place restrictions on property (such as no motorized traffic), ensure that landowners retain many rights, and permanently conserve the land (Great Land Trust, n.d.).

MEFEC’s 2019 Long Range Plan indicates “a report published in 2015 concluded there is a $5.00 return for every $1.00 of real estate value for maintaining public open spaces in the Mat-Su Valley and not developing the land into private or commercial facilities” (University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2019, p.5) The Long-Range Plan outlines the MEFEC’s vision saying they “will continue to be good stewards by preserving the land for future generations.” (University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2019, p.5) I ask the community, is a gravel pit representative of said stewardship? Does locating a gravel pit in the heart of a trail system that promotes health and wellness fit with community needs, values, or vision? The MEFEC’s research and agricultural utility and potential, coupled with its historical significance and location make it a resource of distinction. The University System currently owns 22,923 acres here in the Valley. In part, land sale, lease, or development receipts fund The University of Alaska Land Grant Endowment Trust Fund, which allocates limited funds toward scholarships that enable individuals in need to fulfill their educational goals, contribute to the state’s workforce, and increase lifetime earning potentials. The UA Scholars program allows Alaskans finishing in the top 10% of their high school class to receive a $12,000 scholarship, $3,000 per academic year, over four years. $3.6 million dollars was spent toward this initiative in FY2018. In addition, the UA Presidents Scholarship for Foster Youth Award provides tuition waivers for eligible applicants, up to 144 credits (University of Alaska Land Management, n.d.).

Many individuals and organizations have spoken out to caution against the negative impacts the proposed gravel pit would have on the environment, the population, and community partnerships that have stakes in decision making. What is consistently missing is public voice! What actions can the stakeholder group take to provide education that encourages community involvement, connections, and relationship building? Busy lifestyles demand innovative problem-solving strategies. Community members need and deserve reliable, accessible, comprehensive, and transparent information so they can participate in decision making that impacts their lives and livelihoods, potentially in remarkable ways. According to University of Alaska Board of Regents policy, “The Office of Land Management shall provide public notice and seek public comment prior to approval of development plans and disposal plans. Notice shall be provided not less than 30 days before the proposed action. (BP 05.11.042).” What steps might the stakeholder group take now to educate community members and welcome them into discussions and consideration of current options? Inclusion is important because it represents acknowledgement and respect for the values of diversity, equity, fairness, social and environmental justice, and sustainability, while simultaneously creating and extending these values.

Former MSB Mayor Verne Halter, the City of Palmer, and Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, among others, have written letters to the University of Alaska Board of Regents (UA BOR) in opposition to the gravel pit. University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor, Daniel White, indicated that the Board of Regents had received four hundred letters commenting on the proposed gravel pit as of 2020 (Rockey, 2020). I have brought this to the attention of current MSB Mayor, Edna Devries, and District 2 Assemblywoman, Stephanie Nowers. The University of Alaska Board of Regents have ultimate authority and I urge the public to consider writing to Chair, Sheri Buretta, at ua-bor@alaska.edu, or you may call her at 907-261-0310. For more information, the public can consider following Friends of the Matanuska Greenbelt on Facebook.

Special thanks to Matanuska Greenbelt Trails Organizer, Dot Helm, whose knowledge of the Greenbelt’s history and collaboration work is critical to the health of our community and from which much of the information was obtained. Additional thanks to Claudia Sihler, member of the Mat-Su Back Country Horsemen of Alaska for her advocacy and partnership. Additional thanks to Jodie Anderson, Interim Associate Director Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Extension University of Alaska Fairbanks Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, for contribution to information regarding MEFEC research initiatives.