Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center - Homer, AK
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 59° 38.468 W 151° 32.954
5V E 581790 N 6612339
The Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center is a joint operation that has exhibits about the wildlife, especially birds, and the research going on to understand the changes in population, as well as boardwalks and viewing areas outside.
Waymark Code: WMA85D
Location: Alaska, United States
Date Posted: 11/30/2010
Views: 7
In Homer along the Sterling Highway, is the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. This facility is a museum that features the fauna of the Alaskan coast.
This facility is a joint venture with several organizations, grouped in two. The first is the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, a joint operation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).
The building is a modern structure with plenty of glass to look outside. When you enter inside, the first thing you see is a dory (a type of sturdy rowing boat). Admission is free, but there are stations where donations are gratefully accepted, including by the door. You then walk in an open area with that has access to exhibits, a viewing area, and a gift shop.
There are several exhibits all around the building. There are recreations of rock with sculptures of a sea otter and a walrus that people can touch. There is a nice mural of an Alaskan shore, with a large smoking volcano in the background and a large "V" of flying birds. In front of this mural are displays showing and explaining how research is being done to study the wildlife. Another exhibit has transparancies with the state of Alaska and colored areas of habitat ranges for animals to lay over one another and compare. There is an amphitheater where films are shown.
There is an Alaska Geographic store, which has publications related to the history, culture, and wildlife found in Alaska.
Art exhibits are also shown in this center. There is a stained glass window, and a photo gallery.
A door off the back leads you to a patio outside. There are monoculars available to look at the shorebirds along the Beluga Shough. From this patio, there is a network of trails to take you into the marsh and to the beach. During my visit, I saw three sandhill cranes fly overhead, and all around the area are bald eagles (they are quite common in Homer).
In addition to the exhibits and walking area, the facility has education programs geared to schools. There are interpretive walks available, and there are also volunteer opportunities.
Admission Fees:
$0
Hours of operation:
Summer
Memorial Day through Labor Day
Open Daily
9 am to 6 pm
Fall, Winter, and Spring
September 7 - September 30
Open Tuesday through Sunday
10 am to 5 pm
October 1 through May 3
Open Tuesday through Saturday
12 noon to 5 pm
Closed on Federal Holidays
May 4 - Memorial Day Weekend
10 am to 5 pm Daily
Services Provided:
Souvenir shop, education programs, initerpretive walks.
Parking: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
There will be no requirement for posting a visit; but a photo of you with your GPS or just your GPS somewhere on the museum grounds or in the museum would be fun. Preferrably at the entrance or near the museum sign. Actually going IN the museum is also NOT required for posting a log.