Transitions underway at Envision Mat-Su

Envision Mat-Su is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 and based in Palmer. Our mission is to actively engage Mat-Su residents and other Alaskans in the conservation, restoration, enhancement and stewardship of our region’s most valuable resources — our unique communities and natural assets.

Formerly Friends of Mat-Su, the organization represents one of the oldest community-based conservation groups in the Mat-Su Borough. Envision Mat-Su’s goal is to build a strong foundation of support for a sustainable future for the region. This goal is timely as the Mat-Su faces a rapidly growing population, large-scale development threats, and a lack of regional land use and business development guidelines that combined, threaten our quality of life. Since the organization was founded in 1998, the primary focus has been on land use planning and conservation advocacy. Now, the focus is shifting toward building a more holistic and collective vision for sustainable community development in the Mat-Su Valley.

As an organization, some of Envision Mat-Su’s most noteworthy involvements over its 15-year history have been serving on the Mat-Su Recreation and Trails Advisory Board, serving as a founding steering committee member of the Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership, serving on the Alaskans for Energy Freedom steering committee, participation in watershed education projects engaging students and our strong alliances with community groups.

Some of the organization’s most outstanding achievements over the years include writing the first draft of the Mat-Su Borough’s Green Infrastructure Plan in 2009 in coordination with borough staff and conducting several community water quality education and salmon restoration projects such as the Cottonwood Creek Restoration and Enhancement project of 2012. Envision Mat-Su’s ongoing efforts include organizing the annual “Wild & Scenic Film Festival” as well as a monthly conservation lunch group. The organization assists community members regarding new residential and commercial developments that impact them, promotes the creation of community comprehensive plans, engages the public on land use decisions and monitors natural resource development issues in the Mat-Su Borough.

Many recognize Envision Mat-Su for leading the campaign on coal bed methane, engaging in the campaign on coal fire power plants and helping to organize the Mat Valley Coalition’s recent efforts in opposition to coal mining in the Mat-Su. While not directly involved in this work at present, Envision Mat-Su continues to advocate for sustainable solutions.

Envision Mat-Su is now in the process of expanding its ongoing efforts and shifting its organizational focus in order to pay greater attention to the full scope of its mission and vision. The organization builds on this momentum with the addition of myself, Liz Robinson, as the new executive director. I was born and raised in the Mat-Su Valley and educated at Portland State University in Portland, Ore. I am happy to be back in Alaska and excited to take the helm at Envision Mat-Su.

Currently, the organization is working to fully develop a Livable Communities program in order to build a more comprehensive vision for sustainable and viable growth. We “envision” the Mat-Su Borough becoming the most livable region in Alaska, all while protecting the integrity of region’s natural resources and way of life. This vision includes safe, resilient, and vibrant communities with thriving local businesses, a healthy natural environment, locally driven leadership and shared benefits such as jobs close to home, affordable access to local foods and more.

As part of the Livable Communities program, we are pleased to co-host the Valley Winter Farmer’s Market and Food Day Celebration from 3 to 8 p.m., Nov. 1 at the Palmer Depot. This event, organized in partnership with Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District and the Alaska Farmland Trust, is intended to support local farmers and promote local food sources. There will be local produce and value-added products for sale, demonstrations and information from community groups, local brew from Arkose Brewery, local music from the Mountain Waxwings and the Squash Blossoms, and activities for kids. Food Day is an annual, nationwide celebration of healthy, affordable and sustainably produced food.

Envision Mat-Su is also pleased to announce our upcoming open house event, to be held Nov. 18th at 202 S. Alaska St., Palmer. Please join us from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to meet me, the new executive director, as well as our current board members and to learn more about the organization, our vision and how to get involved. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, visit envisionmatsu.org or email me at liz@envisionmatsu.org. I look forward to working together to create a more sustainable, livable and prosperous future for our region.

Liz Robinson was born and raised in the Mat-Su and is the new director of Envision Mat-Su.