Glacier Bay National Park covers 3.3 million acres of distinctly Alaskan wilderness that David Bohn once argued, “should exist intact solely for its own sake and no other reason.”
Today, we had the opportunity to experience firsthand the landscape and cultural significance that has inspired such passionate conservation efforts. Before cruising through the park’s deep glacial fjords, we were joined by a National Park Service ranger and a Tinglit cultural interpreter who helped provide context for the park’s natural and cultural history.
Matthew Crombley, the NPS ranger, discussed Glacier Bay’s formation and ways in which the park is changing with a warming climate. Later in the afternoon, Lalot, native Alaskan and Tinglit cultural specialist, told stories and recounted history that connect the area’s indigenous people to the region’s forests, fjords, glaciers, and coastlines. Along the way, we got an up-close view of the Margerie Glacier and spotted diverse wildlife including wolves, otters, eagles, and bears. By the end of day, we were awed and inspired by one of the national park system’s gems.
