Maya Kaup, Volunteer and Communications Coordinator
Staff
So Long and Happy Trails from Executive Director Steve Cleary!
“This agreement will begin on 18 June 2012” – that’s when it all started for me at Alaska Trails.
I was a stay-at-home parent at the time and my son Liam was just starting part-time pre-school. I ran into one of the Alaska Trails founders, Jack Mosby, at a bicycle and pedestrian safety training. Jack asked if I would like to work at Alaska Trails. So, I signed up for 15 hours a week and began figuring out what was next for me and for Alaska Trails.
I was mostly keeping the lights on at the time, with the help of a small board of directors. We staged a robust conference in 2014, with too many breakouts. Some of the sessions had more speakers than attendees. But we hit our stride with the conference, even after COVID shut it down, and it is now an annual April event. Through the support of the BLM, we added the Land Manager Forum in November to bookend the trail season.
With the help of the National Park Service – Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance program, we launched the Alaska Trail Stewards (ATS) program in 2015. One of the first events led by Blaine Smith had us using a bathroom scale to weigh boardwalk pieces that were going to be removed by helicopter. From those humble beginnings, and a lot of help from a dedicated cadre of volunteers, the program now hosts 25 events a summer and contributes significantly to the maintenance backlog for many land managers.
In 2018, we were fortunate enough to partner with the Anchorage Park Foundation and the Municipality of Anchorage on the Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) program – and that continues to this day. YEP employs nearly 30 young people a summer to work on parks and trails project in the Anchorage area, and Alaska Trails is proud to be a part of that vital effort.
Trail Tales began as a copy of the popular Arctic Entries storytelling series. In the month we started in 2016, there were four other non-profits trying to put on a similar event. We made it over the hump, and now during the winter months 150-200 people gather at the Museum to hear stories about adventures and connections. We have split over $30,000 with our partners while bringing the community together.
The Alaska Long Trail has galvanized the organization and given solid focus on connecting trails from Seward to Fairbanks. There have been many advocates and partners pushing for the projects and planning that will keep connecting the many dots across this beautiful strip of Alaska. Alaska Trails is poised to continue this great work, and I can assure you that we have a solid base upon which to do so – thanks to the generous support of the Rasmuson Foundation, the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, and the Race Across Alaska Winter Challenge.
I will be leaving Alaska Trails to take a position with the Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP). I was on the founding board of REAP nearly 20 years ago in my position with AkPIRG. I have long supported and admired their work and am passionate about bringing more renewable energy to Alaska. It was a difficult decision to leave Alaska Trails after more than a decade, and I am committed to completing my remaining time with Alaska Trails as well as planning for and executing a smooth transition for the organization.
While I am sad to leave Alaska Trails, I am pleased with the position that the organization now occupies – with both a sustainable financial outlook and a growing presence as a committed voice for the many benefits of trails. I look forward to more great work in the coming decades for Alaska Trails and its partners.
Thank you for all your support,
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Happy Trails!
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Maya Kaup, Volunteer and Communications Coordinator
maya.kaup@alaska-trails.org
Maya Kaup joined the staff of Alaska Trails in May, 2022 as the Volunteer and Communications Coordinator. She developed an appreciation for nature and outdoor recreation at a young age, always preferring the forest and all its critters to indoor spaces. Maya is a seasoned traveler and is constantly seeking her next adventure. She has been a community organizer and leader, starting two organizations: one to reduce food waste and feed the hungry and another to plant and preserve trees. She has a wide variety of experience in environmental activism, research, and public speaking, ranging from an Environmental Protection Agency Fellowship to being a TEDx talk speaker. Having received her Master’s degree in Biology, Maya has since worked in wildlife rehabilitation and animal welfare as a technician, animal care specialist, and administrative assistant. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking with her dog, bird watching, and practicing wildlife photography. She has a passion for connecting people with beautiful places and wildlife. Maya is excited to join the Alaska Trails team so she can help share the wonders of Alaska and the joy of hiking and connecting with nature through trails.
Mariyam Medovaya, Alaska Long Trail Project Coordinator
mariyam.medovaya@alaska-trails.org
Mariyam Medovaya joined the Trails Initiative program of Alaska Trails in 2019. Mariyam brings diverse experience and skills needed for our ambitious initiative. This includes guiding hikes for a local ecotourism business and developing interpretive programs on natural and cultural history of Prince William Sound for the US Forest Service. She has worked in the non-profit world, including positions with the World Wildlife Fund, Center for Sustainable and Cooperative Culture, and the Girdwood Art Institute. Mariyam grew up in Russia and holds MS in Marine Environmental Sciences from Stony Brook University, as well as MA in Cultural Geography from U of Colorado, Boulder.
Haley Johnston joined the staff of Alaska Trails in January 2021 as the Tongass National Forest Sustainable Trail Strategy Project Manager. When that project concluded she transitioned into her role as Trails Initiative Manager and now serves as Alaska Trails' Deputy Director. Prior to her work at Alaska Trails, Haley was the Business Specialist at the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage and spent a decade working in Alaska's adventure tourism industry. Haley passionately believes outdoor recreation is critical to the quality of life in Alaska, the health of our communities and the resilience of the Alaskan economy. When she's not working, Haley spends as much time as possible skiing and hiking on local trails and in Alaska's remote backcountry.
Haley Johnston, Deputy Director
haley.johnston@alaska-trails.org
Ben Ervin, Trails Program Officer
ben.ervin@alaska-trails.org
Ben Ervin joined Alaska Trails in 2021 as the Trail Technician and Youth Employment in Parks Contractor. His experience in trail construction and maintenance comes from his time in Rocky Mountain National Park, Chugach State Park, Kachemak Bay State Park, and as a journeyman carpenter before joining the Alaska Trails team. He is a graduate of Aurora University with a bachelor's degree in political science and communications. Ben lives in Anchorage with his wife and dog where they spend their time backcountry skiing, bikepacking, camping, hiking, and listening to music.
Carl Battreall, Trails Project Manager
carl.battreall@alaska-trails.org
​Carl Battreall and his wife moved to Alaska in 2001 to live as close to glaciated mountains as possible. Carl spent 25 years working as a professional photographer and is the author of two photography books of Alaska’s Wilderness. Carl has also worked as a wilderness guide, mountaineering instructor, nordic ski coach and mountain bike skills instructor. In 2020, Carl began working in the trail building industry, first as a trail crew member and more recently, working in trail layout, design and project management. Carl and his family enjoy cycling, backpacking, skiing and exploring unique and challenging trail networks all over the world. Carl’s greatest challenge though, is learning to play a musical instrument in his 50’s, having never touched an instrument in his life.
Board of Directors
Shirley Banks
Board Member (Anchorage)
Shirley was born in Palmer and raised on a homestead in Chugiak. After living in Georgia for several decades, they returned to Alaska to work as a chaplain. Shirley had a career in health education and promotion in a university setting before going to seminary. Their skills include program planning, implementation, and evaluation, training, and group facilitation. Shirley spent all the time she could in the woods as a child in Alaska. Later, summer camp counselors in Georgia and North Carolina taught Shirley skills in hiking, backpacking, paddling, camp craft, and outdoor ethics. In 2006, Shirley started volunteering with American Hiking Society (AHS), which gave them the opportunity to lead trail crews all over the United States. Since then, Shirley has led over twenty trail maintenance Volunteer Vacations for AHS, each a week long. Shirley loves being outside every day in the woods, bogs, and mountains, with a cattle dog mix named Palmer.
Lisa Oakley
Board Member (Anchorage)
​​Lisa Oakley grew up hiking and skiing in the Cascade Mountains, which gave her a lifelong love of being outdoors, particularly in the mountains. She’s been an Anchorage resident for nearly 40 years. Her career path took the winding way through small business operations to nonprofit organizations. She semi-retired in 2016 and started a gardening service. Lisa plays hockey in the winter and enjoys mountain and snow biking in addition to hiking.
Irene Turletes
Board Member (Anchorage)
​Irene was born and raised in Anchorage, where she spent summers hiking and winters in love-hate relationship with nordic skiing. She didn't realize how much she loved Alaska until she fell in love with the landscapes of southern New Zealand, which also reminded her of home. Irene graduated from University of Alaska Anchorage with her Bachelors in Civil Engineering. Her career has focused in water resources and trails - she's worked in both private and federal sectors, and most recently Irene joined the team at HDR Alaska. Her work has allowed her to participate in some fascinating projects and see some beautiful parts of the state. Irene's outdoor pursuits involve trying a little bit of everything, but she can usually be found enjoying Alaska's trails by bike, foot, or skis with her friends and pup. She also enjoys micro-beers, and live music, traveling to new places, and supporting her great community.
Bryant Wright
Board Secretary (Fairbanks)
Bryant grew up living between Fairbanks, Alaska and Tulsa, Oklahoma. He studied art and ran competitively at Trinity University in Texas, finding inspiration during summer training runs on the trails around Fairbanks. Ultimately wanting to help people access the outdoors, he sought another degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks where he earned his Masters of Science in Natural Resources Management. Bryant now works for the Fairbanks North Star Borough as their Trails Coordinator. He helps to develop, plan, and implement a community wide trails plan in Fairbanks. Bryant’s dedication for getting people outdoors inspired him to develop the Trails Challenge program which encourages locals to stay active and curious by highlighting nearby trail opportunities. While he is new to serving on a non-profit board, he is eager to gain experience and support Alaska Trails. When he’s not problem-solving on the trails Bryant is an avid runner and skier, spends time with his family and dogs, and keeps his creative mind healthy through music and art.
Mark Spano
Board Member (Anchorage)
Mark’s volunteer involvement with trails began after he retired from a 30-year career in water quality, environmental compliance and water/wastewater utility operations. He has been active in the Alaska Trail Stewards and served two terms on the Chugach State Park Citizen Advisory Board along with doing other trail volunteer work. Mark grew up mostly in Idaho, earned a biology degree, and headed north to Alaska in 1981. He enjoys the Alaska outdoors through boating, biking, skiing and hiking.
Katherine Ginsbach
Board President (Anchorage)
​Katherine Ginsbach moved to Alaska for a one-year fellowship at Alaska Native Medical Center and has been here ever since. She grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota and adopted an early appreciation for the outdoors. She received a degree in Environmental Studies from College of the Holy Cross (MA) and then moved to Boulder, CO where she fell in love with mountain biking. After grad school, she moved to Alaska where she realized her love for skiing and learned how to bikepack (thanks Grande and Dusty!) Since then she’s been taking advantage of all Alaska has to offer, but mostly skiing, biking, or trail running. She currently works on pandemic preparedness and response legislation, global health governance, and disease surveillance at Georgetown University Law School. When not working you can find her on the trails behind her house, usually with a pocket full of sour patch kids.
Grace Kubitz
Board Member (Anchorage)
​Grace is a life-long Alaskan who grew up in Southcentral Alaska and has spent the past four years living between Juneau and Anchorage. She holds a Master's in Public Administration with a focus in public policy from the University of Alaska, Anchorage and a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sustainability from the University of Michigan. After spending several years as a staff member in the Alaska State Legislature working closely with lawmakers, stakeholders, and members of the public to advance Alaska-focused policy, Grace has continued her career in government, policy, and business development by joining NANA Regional Corporation as their External Affairs Manager. In her free time, Grace can be found fishing, skiing, and mountain running, often with her favorite doggy-nephew, Niles.
Susan LaGrande
Board Member (Anchorage)
Susan LaGrande is a long time Alaskan, an artist, an educator, and a retired psychologist. She
arrived in Alaska as an east coast city person who cared little for the out of doors. The turning
point for her was a hike North of Livengood, when looking out over the vastness, realized the
shear beauty and power of nature. She views access to trails as an opportunity to connect
community and inspire protection of the environment. She spends as much time as possible
hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and paddling a kayak. Summers are spent exploring coastal
Alaska on a boat.
Molly Redilla
Board Member (Fairbanks)
Molly Redilla moved to Fairbanks to lead environmental sampling across the taiga and tundra and has been there since. Currently, Molly serves as the Vice President of Lands for Doyon, Limited, which is the largest private landowner in the state. She is responsible for the management of Doyon’s Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act lands. Molly earned her Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife with a concentration in Wildlife Biology and Management and a Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry and Spatial Ecology from Michigan State University. Molly was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at North Carolina State University where she researched ways to help stop the spread of the most invasive forest insect in North America to date. She has spent years studying and researching forest health and ecology and modeling landscape changes across space and time. She has devoted her career to understanding the land we live on and determining ways we can help manage it. Outside of this, she is an avid trail user and spends as much time as possible in Alaska’s wilderness.
Debra Perala
Board Treasurer (Anchorage)
Debra grew up in Seattle, and her first big purchase with her baby-sitting money was a pair of all leather boots from REI with which she started exploring the mountains. She moved to Anchorage in 1981 after earning a degree in Economics from Whitman College. Her career was spent in accounting/finance positions in the oil and gas industry. Currently she is treasurer for the William H Seward Yacht club and is also a volunteer AARP Tax Aide. Debra enjoys hiking, biking, and skiing in the Chugach, Anchorage, and around the State. She also is a sailor in the summer, doing coastal cruising out of Seward.​