Inspiration Ridge Preserve

A haven for wildlife

Inspiration Ridge Preserve is an expansive mosaic of forests, bogs, meadows, ponds, and creeks. The Preserve encompasses 693 acres of critical wildlife habitat, and is known for its visiting summer population of sandhill cranes. The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies manages the Preserve, continuing a legacy of stewardship and care provided by Nina Faust and the late Ed Bailey. Together, Faust and Bailey worked for decades to ensure this gem of an ecosystem remains intact for both wildlife and people, and the Center is proud to carry that legacy forward.

Four people smile at the camera while on a hike through Inspiration Ridge Preserve's lush green meadows. Some pink fireweed is starting to bloom in the foreground, while dark green spruce trees dot the hillside in the background.

Visit Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Take in the views of Kachemak Bay and the Kenai Mountains, explore ten miles of trails, and discover the wildlife who call this vast landscape home. 

Our trained naturalists will lead you on a hike through well-maintained trails where you will search for wildlife, learn about the history of the Preserve, and experience first-hand what makes this ecosystem so unique. 

The snow-covered Kenai Mountains across Kachemak Bay, as seen from a portion of Inspiration Ridge at sunset.

Snowshoe Tour

Explore pristine winter landscapes under the watchful eye of the snow-capped Kenai Mountains on this one-and-a-half hour guided tour of Inspiration Ridge Preserve. 

Snowshoes provided!

Two people stand in a summertime meadow of bright pink fireweed at Inspiration Ridge. They face the camera, and the fireweed surrounds them, taller than they are.

Walking Tours

Traverse rolling trails and summer wildflower meadows with stunning views of Kachemak Bay on these one-and-a-half or three-hour guided tours of the Preserve.

Events Calendar
Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve
Jul 3
Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Writer’s Workshop! Utilize the beauty of Homer’s near-endless summer light across a view of Kachemak Bay to inspire your writer’s mind.

Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve
Jul 7
Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Clay Bouquet Pressing! Create your own decorative clay plaque using flowers and plants from around Inspiration Ridge Preserve.

Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve
Jul 17
Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Natural Fiber Dyeing! Learn the art of natural fiber dyeing using plants collected from Inspiration Ridge Preserve!

Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve
Jul 21
Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Learn the basics of cyanotype printing at Inspiration Ridge! Join us for a short hike and an afternoon of printing with natural materials on paper and fabric.

Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve
Jul 31
Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Sweet scents of yarrow! Learn about the medicinal uses of this popular native plant while participating in a harvest at Inspiration Ridge Preserve. Use your freshly collected yarrow to make beautiful yarrow-scented candles.

Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve
Aug 4
Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Get your Jam on! Join us in celebrating Alaskan abundance at Inspiration Ridge Preserve with a responsible berry harvest and processing workshop.

Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve
Aug 14
Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Celebrate the many uses of the familiar Devil’s Club at Inspiration Ridge Preserve with a bead-making workshop!

Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve
Aug 18
Weekly Wildcrafting at Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Join us for a short hike and learn about the medicinal uses of native Alaskan flowers and herbs, and then collect your own. We will demonstrate how to properly dry out the plants, and share a cup of fresh tea.

Upcoming Events at the Preserve

Learn more about Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Stories
Eager for Beavers
Eager for Beavers

Fritz Creek watershed, where Inspiration Ridge Preserve is located, is one of the many areas where beavers have been removed from the landscape. A team of researchers from the University of Michigan conducted a study to find out what would happen if beavers were introduced on this landscape.

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One piece at a time
One piece at a time

Learn how Ed Bailey and Nina Faust conserved Inspiration Ridge Preserve in an effort to alleviate development pressure that would have cut wildlife off from critical habitat.

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Two on the Alaskan Coast
Two on the Alaskan Coast

Nina Faust and Ed Bailey conducted wildlife surveys along the entire Alaska Peninsula coastline to help plan the future footprint of the Refuge. Their careers set the stage for their conservation efforts to protect Inspiration Ridge Preserve in retirement.

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Introducing Inspiration Ridge Preserve
Introducing Inspiration Ridge Preserve

Inspiration Ridge Preserve protects habitat for diverse wildlife, and is an example of the relationship locals have with a special species of bird.

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Where corridors converge
Where corridors converge

Homer, Alaska residents Edgar Bailey and Nina Faust spent their careers and lives supporting watersheds and wildlife habitat. This is the story of their work to conserve Inspiration Ridge Preserve.

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