09/30/2026
We are seeking new board members to help guide the next phase of our organization’s growth and evolution. We are a small but steadily expanding nonprofit that has recently embarked on a refreshed strategic direction. As we strengthen our identity, programs, and collaborative partnerships, we are looking for dedicated leaders who are energized by our current momentum, inspired by the heart of the work we do, and ready to support a dynamic, high-impact organization. We have undergone—and are still in the midst of—a meaningful organizational transformation, and we believe it is important for prospective board members to understand how we arrived at this moment before considering a leadership role.
Our History
The story of our organization began with the creation of the Kenai Mountains–Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area (KMTA NHA). Established in 2009 as a federally designated National Heritage Area, the KMTA NHA was created in recognition of the region’s unique cultural, historical, and natural significance. The designation was the result of a grassroots effort of local residents, historians, and community leaders who sought to ensure these landscapes and stories would be preserved for future generations. In keeping with the structure of all National Heritage Areas, a nonprofit was established to coordinate this work: the Kenai Mountains–Turnagain Arm National Heritage Corridor Communities Association, commonly known as KMTA.
For the first 15 years of our operations, KMTA invested directly in the communities within the NHA boundaries through a federal pass-through grants program. Leveraging annual appropriations, we supported mission-aligned projects led by local partners. We invested $1.5 million in community preservation projects during this period, many of which remain visible and meaningful to this day.
A Critical Juncture
By 2020, the NHA program nationwide was nearing the end of its initial 15-year authorization. Because all National Heritage Areas were originally created with time-limited eligibility for federal funding, the future of KMTA and our peer NHAs was uncertain. This prompted a robust, multi-year advocacy campaign. In January 2023, the National Heritage Area Act (S. 1942) was signed into law, reauthorizing KMTA and the nation’s 61 other NHAs for another 15 years. Passed with strong bipartisan support as one of the final bills of the 117th Congress, the legislation ensured continued stewardship of these treasured landscapes.
Our Evolution
With reauthorization secured, KMTA entered a period of introspection and strategic planning. We set ambitious goals, updated our mission and vision, and refined our priorities with long-term sustainability in mind. Recognizing the need to diversify our revenue streams and reduce reliance on federal funding, we transitioned away from our sub-granting model and toward developing our own staff-led programs shaped by community input. Today, our work includes year-round outdoor education, stewardship projects, recreational races, and collaborative cultural preservation and storytelling projects that foster deeper connection to place.
Additionally, as our scope expanded, it became increasingly clear that our organizational identity had become intertwined—and at times confused—with the NHA we steward. The NHA is a physical region; our nonprofit is the organization that cares for it. After thoughtful discussion, our board voted to adopt a new name: Alaska Living Lands. While the KMTA NHA will remain a core program within our mission, it no longer defines the entirety of our work.
This evolution marks a new chapter—one focused on financial sustainability, a clearer identity, and deepened community impact.
Seeking Board Members for this Next Chapter
As we move forward, we are seeking board members who believe in the power of place-based outdoor learning, storytelling, cultural and public lands stewardship, and collaborative leadership. We welcome individuals who bring curiosity, lived experience, regional or cultural knowledge, and a commitment to strengthening communities across Southcentral Alaska.
Board members play an essential role in shaping strategy, supporting organizational sustainability, and championing our mission within their networks. This is a hands-on, high-impact board where thoughtful leadership truly matters.
If you are inspired by our evolution and excited about joining a small yet highly impactful organization poised to build on its recent success, we invite you to consider joining the board of KMTA—soon to be Alaska Living Lands. Your leadership can help ensure that the lands, stories, and heritage of this region continue to thrive for generations to come.
Board of Directors: Voluntary, legal governing body of a nonprofit.
Mission: Our mission is to honor the living heritage of the Turnagain Arm and Kenai Peninsula by connecting people to its lands, stories, and communities.
Vision: We envision a place of belonging and shared responsibility.
Core Values:
1. Community and Partnership- We believe in the power of collaboration, recognizing the best outcomes are achieved when we work together. We believe that by building strong relationships with individuals, organizations, and communities, we can amplify our collective impact and reach shared goals.
2. Learning and Openness- We embrace curiosity and continuous growth, fostering a culture of learning and a willingness to engage with, listen to, and respect diverse perspectives to inform and improve our work.
3. Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility- We are committed to creating inclusive opportunities that allow all people to connect with and contribute to this place, striving for equitable access and representation for everyone.
4. Resilience and Responsiveness- We embrace change as a natural part of life and recognize that meeting present-day needs requires flexibility and innovation to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of this region.
Our board culture today is deeply collaborative, respectful, and supportive of both staff and the organization. In recent years, our board engaged in a thoughtful and sometimes challenging process of self-reflection and governance strengthening. This important work naturally led to changes in board composition. As we clarified expectations, implemented term limits, strengthened conflict-of-interest policies, and updated long-overdue governance structures (often with guidance and support from the Foraker Group), some long-serving board members stepped away after many years of service, while others chose not to participate in this evolution. This was a normal and healthy part of our growth, and the process ultimately made the board stronger and more aligned.
Today, the result is a small but highly cohesive board that works extremely well together, shares a clear sense of purpose, and is genuinely excited about the direction of the organization. We have a values-driven, forward-looking board culture and are now ready to grow by welcoming new members who believe in our mission and the work ahead.
For many years, board recruitment at KMTA focused almost entirely on geography, ensuring we had someone on the board from each community we served. While well-intentioned, this approach meant that “where someone lived” was often the primary qualifying factor, without consideration for diversity of experience, cultural perspective, personal or professional background, or even motivation to support the organization. It did not ensure we had a board that was truly inspired by, or connected to, the heart of our work.
As our work has grown and our governance practices have matured, we recognize that we cannot live our core values, especially that of equity, inclusivity, and accessibility, without a board that is itself more inclusive and representative. To fulfill our mission, our board leadership must reflect the full range of communities, cultures, and stakeholders we serve, and bring a variety of skills, perspectives, and lived experiences to the table. A diverse board brings broader insight, stronger decision-making, and deeper community accountability. It ensures our mission and programs are guided by a wider range of voices and experiences, strengthening our ability to serve the many communities that define the KMTA region.
A diverse board also allows us to tap into different skillsets, experiences, and strengths, enabling members to support one another and work collaboratively toward a shared vision and common goals.
P.O. Box 1934
Girdwood AK 99587
Website: https://www.kmtacorridor.orgWebsite
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KMTANationalHeritageAreaFacebook
EIN:
92-0173900
Year of Incorporation:
2001
Location: Statewide
Focus: Youth & Education
Operating Budget: $500k-$1 Million
Number of Staff: 5
Number of Board Members: 4
Guidestar page:
https://www.guidestar.org/profile/92-0173900#mission
Primary Contact for Board Recruitment:
Rachel Blakeslee (She/Her)
Executive Director:
Rachel Blakeslee (She/Her)
