We are very appreciative of the operational grant we recently received through the City of Homer Grants Program through the Homer Foundation. We are one of many nonprofits that offer important services to Homer residents. The allocation of the funds for nonprofits by the Homer City Council once again affirms the importance of nonprofit organizations to the community. These local government dollars will leverage funds for federal grant funds to our organization to participate in community-based marine debris cleanups on our local beaches and to provide leadership in other Alaska coastal communities about the Kachemak Bay Coast Walk program as a model for stewardship of local beaches. They will complement the donations of hundreds of hours of volunteer time and substantial contributions of goods and services from businesses in the generous community of Homer.

Operational funds are critical to "keeping the doors open" and our educational facilities staffed in our Homer, Peterson Bay, Wynn Nature Center, and Homer Spit locations. Thanks to their continuing help, we reached more than 11,000 people in 2008 with environmental and stewardship education about the Homer area.

Beth Trowbridge, acting executive director

Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies