Alaska Fish Mural Adventure

As public art, murals have been used throughout history to draw public attention to various issues, convey messages, create tourist attractions to boost economic income, and beautify community aesthetics. The process of mural planning and creation can also serve as a way to engage local communities in thinking about and appreciating fishery conservation issues. During the summer of 2011, youth from Anchorage, Alaska will participate in pilot program designed to promote awareness of fisheries careers and local fisheries/habitat conservation issues.  Phase 1 will consist of an overnight “adventure” whereby youth will interact with local fishery/habitat restoration biologists in the field, be exposed to a variety of local fishery and aquatic resources, and participate in a Bioblitz. This will be followed by a mural planning process in which participating youth will be guided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and a local artist to develop a mural theme that centers on fisheries conservation and/or celebrates Alaska’s native fish diversity. The program will end with an all-day mural painting event in downtown Anchorage along a popular urban waterway. Participating youth will document their entire experience using video, photos and other new media. Desired outcomes include exposing underserved urban youth to fisheries conservation careers and local fisheries resources, as well as bringing visibility to Alaska’s fisheries resources to Anchorage visitors and residents.