1. What information can you give me on National Parks in Alaska?
APLIC has the Alaska
National Parks brochure and the Alaska Official State map showing
National Parks. Additional material on specific parks is also available
depending on the topic of interest, such as outfitter-guide lists,
and culture, history, or geology.
2. What information can you give me on Alaska State Parks?
APLIC has the Alaska
State Parks brochure, listing camping and facility information,
individual flyers on State Parks, the Chugach State Park's Ridgelines newspaper
and some specific hiking, birding, canoeing, and public use cabin information.Alaska Public Lands Information Centersalso sells State Park camping, day use and boating stickers.
3. Are there public lands facilities serving the disabled in Alaska?
Any other information or agencies we might contact?
APLIC has a list of accessible federal and state campgrounds, and ratings
of some facilities and trails. Challenge Alaska and Alaska Welcomes You
publish flyers and newsletters. (AWY).
4. I want to try my hand at gold-panning. What are the rules and
where can I do it?
Recreational gold-panning is permitted, with some restrictions, on most
public lands in Alaska. These lands include national forests, wildlife
refuges, some state parks, national parks (more restricted), and lands
administered by the Bureau of Land Management and
the State of Alaska. If you want to actually file a mining claim, check
with the Bureau of Land Management or the State Division of Mining depending
on who manages the land of interest. Our handout packet includes a general
guide to recreational gold-panning, descriptive fliers on Nome Creek
and Caribou Creek Recreational Mining areas, time-saving tips, and a
fact sheet on panning in Alaska State Parks.
5. I want to file a mining claim, where can I do it?
In Alaska, there are two sets of mining regulations to familiarize yourself
with - state and federal. First step, is to determine the land status
for the area you are interested in mining.Alaska Public Lands Information Centerscan direct you to the
Bureau of Land Management and the Alaska
Division of Mining and Water Management.
There is no federal homesteading program in Alaska. Any land disposal
is through the State of Alaska.Alaska Public Lands Information Centerscan give you a general information
handout, but the proper source for land information is the Public Information
Center at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources on 36th and C (Frontier
Building) in Anchorage (Monday-Friday, 11-5).
7. We need topographic maps for our trip, where can we buy them?
The U.S. Geological Survey map shop
is in Grace Hall on the Alaska Pacific University campus. Alaska Natural
History Association (ANHA) outlets also have a selection of topographic
and hiking map s.Alaska Public Lands Information Centershas an ANHA outlet. There is also a commercial
map shop and numerous sporting goods stores in Anchorage that carry maps.
Staff will be happy to direct you to any of these sources.
8. We don't have time to drive all the way to DNP, can we see Mt.
McKinley from here?
Actually, you can see the McKinley mastiff from numerous places in Anchorage:
Kincaid Park Chalet, Glen Alps overview and high points throughout town.
On the George Parks Highway, views of Mt. McKinley begin at about the
100 mile point. One of the best views is on the spur road to Talkeetna.
From Trapper Creek north, turn-outs provide excellent views of the mountain.
The Alaska
Department of Fish & Game holds the lottery in March. Applications
come out in January. To get your name on the mailing list, call Fish & Game
in Anchorage, (907) 344-0541 or mail a postcard to: Alaska Department
of Fish & Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Attn: McNeil Lottery,
333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518-1599.
10. Where can I get road and weather information for our trip?
An excellent brochure to carry on a road trip in Alaska is Help Along
the Way, which covers emergency medical services available while
on the road. Live and pre-recorded weather reports for various cities
in Alaska are available from the National
Weather Service Web Page.Alaska Public Lands Information Centerscan provide those numbers. State
wide road conditions are also available.
During the summerAlaska Public Lands Information Centershas a full schedule of talks, slide shows, demonstrations
and a daily film schedule. Monthly schedules are available.
12. After touring Alaska, we want to move here, where can I find
information about living in Alaska?
A demographics packet is available from the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
(907) 272-2401. Various Chambers of Commerce can provide information;Alaska Public Lands Information Centershas address and phone lists. Visit the Loussac Library for newspaper
and magazines on Alaska.
13. I have a friend coming from France who speaks only a little English.
Do you have any foreign language brochures?
Yes, we have brochures for the National Forests, Glacier Bay and Denali
National Parks in French. We also have some brochures in German, Spanish,
and Japanese.
14. Where can I learn how to be safe around bears, moose and other
animals?
Most of what you need, you already have...common sense. Keep
your distance, let them know you are there, and don't run in panic. Bear
Facts is a good brochure to review. Many public lands brochures
discuss how to safely enjoy Alaska's wildlife.
15. Where can I buy books and maps on Alaska, if I'm calling
from Montana?
A good source is the Alaska Natural History Association (ANHA)
mail order catalog. Many of APLIC's special handouts have
recommended reading lists. Let us know your specific interests
while visiting Alaska and we will be happy to send a recommended
reading list. Also try your local library or book store.
16. We want to learn more about Alaska's cultural heritage.
What can you tell us?
APLIC has general information on Native groups in relation to
Alaska's public lands and a reference guide to native corporations.
Information is available on Native interpretive sites, such as
the Chugach N.F. Kenaitze Indian Tribe site on the Kenai Peninsula,
or the Bering Land Bridge (BLB National Preserve). The best sources
of general information would be the Museum of History and Art,
Loussac Library, and groups such as TAHETA, a Native arts and
cultural group located in Anchorage.
17. We backpack and camp regularly in California, what can
you tell us about minimum impact and safe camping/backpacking
in Alaska?
We have minimum impact camping/backpacking brochures covering
water safety, clothing, gear, and general trip planning. Some
of the differences between California and Alaska involve lower
summer temperatures, more moisture, and greater potential for
wildlife contacts.
18. My child is an elementary school student doing a project
on Alaska. Can you send us any information?
Our student map has helpful information on Alaskan history,
culture, geography, climate, etc. Depending on the report's emphasis,
additional educational materials can be mailed.
19. Can I carry my gun while hiking in national and state
parks?
A quick summary for firearms: NO in some national parks,
but YES in others. National forests, state parks, fish & wildlife
refuges, BLM land, general state lands: YES, but, check
concealment laws. In other words, always check before carrying
firearms.Alaska Public Lands Information Centerscan help you contact the correct park or
agency.
20. I want to volunteer as a campground host. Where do I
go to find information?
APLIC has a federal and state agency reference list to help
potential volunteers connect with a program. Many agencies publish
brochures on volunteer opportunities.
21. I am a teacher in Arkansas. Do you have information about
Alaska that I can use?
A teacher packet is always available for pick-up or can be mailed
to you. In addition you can take advantage of the wide variety
of information desk materials ranging from gold-panning and wildlife,
to national parks and wildlife refuges. More information is available
on our Educational Adventures
Pages.
22. I am a middle school teacher with a class of 25. Can
I get a program or movie for my kids?
APLIC's education staff provides a full range of on-site programs,
education kits and video loans, and a traveling puppet show.
Education staff is available Monday through Friday year-round
to help.