LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & HISTORY
Alaska Botanical Garden occupies 110 acres in Anchorage and is located on the traditional lands of the Upper Cook Inlet Dena’ina Athabascans near Qin Cheghitnu, “Crying Ridge Creek” (Campbell Creek).
The Dena’ina have long been and continue to be the stewards of this land, caring deeply for the earth, water, flora, and fauna with strong traditions passed down for generations. It is with sincere gratitude and appreciation that the Alaska Botanical Garden recognizes and celebrates Dena’ina culture–past, present, and future. It is with honor and respect that we recognize all Indigenous people who live in our community and the State of Alaska. China’an (thank you).
Planning for the Alaska Botanical Garden began in 1983 as members of the Alaska Horticultural Association considered the creation of an arboretum, and the idea grew. The organization was incorporated as an Alaskan non-profit in 1986, and began the process of developing a Master Plan to guide the creation of gardens and infrastructure elements. In 1990, ABG signed a land use agreement with the Municipality of Anchorage, followed by another long-term lease with the Municipality for additional adjacent acreage in 2003. The first gardens were planted and the Grand Opening took place on July 25, 1993.
The intent is for the majority of the land occupied by ABG to remain in a natural state, with individual “gardens-within-the-Garden” interconnected by trails through the boreal forest. The Garden has two hardy perennial gardens, an Herb Garden, Anchorage Heritage Garden, Trailside Gardens, a Rock Garden, Rockery featuring sub-alpine, an entry shade garden, Wildflower Trail, Outdoor Classroom, Research & Development site, Forest Health Trail and Lowenfels-Hoersting Family Nature Trail. ABG is open year-round to the public.
Through colonialism, the land occupied by ABG has been under federal, state, and eventually municipal administration. During the 1940s and 1950s, the area was used for training by the US Army. The trails in the area were a part of the “Bull Dog Trail” network that extended from Ft. Richardson to the Army Air Corps’ Campbell Airstrip in what is now Far North Bicentennial Park.
OUR COMMITMENT
Alaska Botanical Garden is committed to recognizing, celebrating, and welcoming Dena’ina and all Indigenous people. We will carry forward this tradition of stewardship through our continual process of learning, collaborating, and building relationships within our community. Our ongoing learning will guide our actions to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space.
This is an organic, living document that will be updated as we learn more. It is only a start. If you have ancestral knowledge about the history of this land where the Garden resides and you are willing to share, please reach out to us at our ABG office (907) 770-3692.