We're excited to share some great news: Inspiring Girls* Expeditions Alaska (IGE AK) has been awarded a grant from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)! The award is focused on empowering the next generation of community resilience leaders in Gulf of Alaska coastal regions, and represents a wonderful opportunity for IGE AK to continue and grow our ocean-based programs.
Our work for this grant will center leadership training for youth aged 16-18, helping them gain crucial skills and knowledge to address climate challenges in their own communities. We will work closely with local partner organizations in our expedition launch sites of Homer and Seward, such as the Chugach Regional Resources Commission and Alaska Ocean Observing System, to build in opportunities for community-based ecosystem health monitoring. This initiative builds upon existing frameworks paving a way for a future in which empowered youth are well-prepared to take impactful local action for community resilience.
Thanks to this funding, we'll be able to host our 12-day sea kayaking expeditions, Girls* on Water and Girls* in Icy Fjords, once per year through 2026. These programs will explore the nearshore coastal environment in Kachemak Bay and the icefield-to-estuary ecosystem in Kenai Fjords, providing immersive science, art, and outdoor experiences and educational outdoor expeditions for our youth.
We're grateful for the support from NASEM and the Gulf Research Program. This support will allow us to continue creating opportunities for discovery and growth for Gulf of Alaska youth!
More information on the grant and other awardees can be found here.