"Wetlands, Going With the Flow," opens Friday at the museum starting at 5 p.m. with a panel discussion by several of the artists and scientists involved following at 6:30 p.m.
It will include wetlands-inspired artwork by 16 artists statewide, around half of which are local, as well as information about these delicate ecosystems from a more scientific perspective.
Art exhibits, walks and presentations will be presented through June on wetlands, all coordinated through the museum program, which will be on display through June.
"It's a really fascinating venture," she said. "Science can only tell you so much. It can ask and answer certain questions. But partly, concern will only come from a love and appreciation of wetlands, and art portrays that really well."
Kim Terpening, coordinator of the exhibit, said the idea came from a realization that both scientists and artists had a vested interest in wetlands conservation. Since the museum was interested in raising awareness about the natural beauty and ecological importance of wetlands, the collaboration seemed like a effective way to do that.
Walker said at the time she heard about the possible collaboration, the reserve was working on a Geographic Information System digital map of area wetlands.
Walker said the CD dispels some of the misinformation about the type of environment northern wetlands encompass.
"Our wetlands are very different from the common wetlands" often pictured on the East Coast or other areas of the Lower 48. "They are very acidic, very cold."
The wetlands of the north are often filled with peat, low brush and black spruce, as can be seen along the highway near Anchor Point as well as off Kachemak Drive and surrounding the airport.
While some areas have standing water, others do not.
Walker said the Anchor Point community requested more information on the ecosystems after some noticed changes in the water tables.
While not the typical reeds and marshes, northern wetlands are very fragile and have a significant impact on the streams and rivers they feed. In addition, they are home to many species of plants and wildlife not found elsewhere.
"In the northern climate where we live, the wetlands are very delicate and important in terms of nutrient cycling," Walker said.
Information gathered by the reserve for the CD will be available at the museum's exhibit through a computer station that will have basic information about wetlands, as well as video footage of what it's like to go underwater in an Alaska wetland, and other interesting facts.
Large informational boards with artful images of the wetlands will include more information from both the reserve and the Cook Inlet Keeper.
On the art side of things, Alaska artists inspired by wetlands will display their works through June at the museum, as well as through other exhibits around town this summer.
Works include paintings by Ray Troll, baskets by Mavis Muller and silver boxes by Rika Mouw that Terpening describes as shrines to wetlands.
"I think there's a natural bridge between science and art," said Terpening. "Wetlands were traditionally thought of as swamps, but everyone's learning they are so rich with life, they can be compared to rain forests and coral reefs."
For a complete list of wetland-related events and activities, contact the museum at 235-8635.
Carey James can be reached at cjames@homer-news.com
For Coowe Walker, watershed coordinator with the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, it's a collaborative effort that reaches out to more people than either discipline could individually.
Now in the final stages, the GIS information, along with basic information on wetlands, video and pictures, will be available on CD to all interested.
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