Join us in celebration of the 53rd Annual Iditarod!Enjoy a full week of FREE programs with Bering Land Bridge National Preserve! We are excited to partner with Norton Sound Health Corporation, Deja Vu Sled Dogs, Comstock Kennel, KNOM Radio Mission, Kawerak Inc, Cornell University, and artists from near and far to bring you exciting talks and workshops this year. Join us for a snowshoe hike, try your hand at glass art, or break out your camera for a photography workshop. We hope to see you there!Due to the renovation of the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve Visitor Center, all programs will be hosted at the Katirvik Cultural Center, inside the Richard Foster Building. Monday, March 10Mushing Beyond the Iditarod Trail5:30 PM - Talk (1.5 hours) Meet two local mushers, Sarah Richards of Deja Vu Sled Dogs and Burr Lemaire of Comstock Kennel! They will share their stories, talk about what it takes to run dogs in rural Alaska, and give a virtual tour of their kennels. After the presentation, you will meet a few members of the team during an outdoor mushing demonstration. Tuesday, March 11Skindigenous: Alaska10:00 AM - TV Series (30 min) Follow Kunaq Marjorie Tahbone of Nome as she revives traditional tattoo practices in her community. The Old Nome Spirit: A History of Nome’s Battle with the Sea1:00 PM - Talk (45 mins) Situated along a straight coastline with no natural harbor, Nome has been at the mercy of fierce storms since its beginnings. History buff Carol Gales guides us through a journey in time, using historic photos and newspaper reports to recount the region’s stormy past, and then looks ahead, warning of the intense storms yet to come. Virtual Tour of Bering Land Bridge3:00 PM - Talk (45 min) Visit the preserve from the comfort of our Visitor Center. Explore hot springs, volcanic formations, and more. Wednesday, March 12Bering Family Reunion10:00 AM - Movie (1.5 hours) Follow Inupiaq healer Etta Tall as she crosses the Bering Sea to reunite with her relatives in Russia. Separated for decades by the Cold War, this heartfelt journey captures the emotional reunion of a family long divided by borders and time. Muskox on the Seward Peninsula1:00 pm – Talk (45 min) Join Wildlife Biologist Letty Hughes to learn about the iconic Ice Age animal that still roams Nome today! The Original Sled Dog Race to Nome3:00 PM - Talk (45 min) Join Ranger Tori as she explores the Serum Run, the 1925 race to Nome that captured the world’s attention. Thursday, March 13Haulout: Melting Sea Ice Pushes Walruses to the Brink
“A lone scientist on the coast of the Siberian Arctic finds that warming seas have taken a toll on the walrus migration.” The Science and Story Behind Sled Dogs1:00 pm – Virtual Talk (1 hour) Learn how Balto’s DNA compares to modern sled dogs and how Siberian Huskies diverged into their own lineage, distinct from Greenland sled dogs, 11,800 years ago. Former dog musher, now Professor of Animal Genetics, Heather Huson, describes her research on sled dog genetics. Snowshoe Hike3:00 PM - Excursion (2.5 to 3 hours) Join us on a guided snowshoe excursion on the tundra. Snowshoes provided! All youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up early by emailing bela_information@nps.gov or drop by KCC starting on Tuesday! Max group size: 14 Friday, March 15Arctic Currents: A Year in the Life of a Bowhead Whale10:00AM - Movie (30 min) “The film explores whale taxonomy, physiology, diet, behaviors and their widespread movement through Subarctic and Arctic waters.” Photography Workshop1:00 pm – Workshop (45 Minutes) Join Ben Townsend from KNOM for a workshop filled with tips and tricks on capturing stunning photos of all kinds! No specific camera required. Art in the Park: Make a Memory3:00 pm – Workshop (2 hours) Join glass artist Molly Naaktgeboren in making your own unique ornament using copper foil on glass to memorialize the "Last Great Race." Sign up early by emailing bela_information@nps.gov or drop by the Katirvik Cultural Center starting on Tuesday! Max group size: 20. Katirvik Cultural CenterRichard Foster Building, 100 W 7th Ave, Nome, AKNPS Hours: Monday: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Tuesday - Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, closed during snowshoe hike. For more info call 907-759-8020 |
Last updated: March 5, 2025