Funding alert
May 29, 2006

Despite our rather late but concerted efforts to garner funding from the State Legislature and from our Washington legislators, funds for code work and improvements will not be forthcoming this year, so now is the time YOU can be of greatest assistance to keep the Museum alive.

If you have not renewed your membership, please take a few minutes of your day to call, email or renew online. Membership levels are $30 for adults, $50 for families, $25 seniors and military and business sponsorship starts at $100. If you plan to bring your touring family into the museum this summer, why not own a piece of the museum by purchasing a family membership? You’ll save money now and later when you visit again!

Alaska has the most generous population in the U.S., supporting more nonprofit organizations than any other state. And while we fully understand that because of this one must choose their giving wisely, (after all we are donors to other organizations too), we hope that you see the value to Alaska in having a museum of natural history in our midst. We are a small museum with a big mission, and we have the heart and soul to accomplish it, but we cannot do so without your help.

If you have children of school age, the Museum will offer more interactive learning experiences each year with hands-on exhibits, video, multi-sensory education tools, science activities designed for both parents and kids, outreach programs to schools and bush communities and traveling exhibits for remote schools.

Tourists, and local families alike can have experiences that will bring them closer to the wonders of Alaska and its people with displays, discussions and programs on topical issues such as global warming, fisheries management, rising coastal waters, the importance of women in Alaska sciences and so very much more.

All of this takes time, and funding, but the value to society is tremendous. Those who are in schools today will be those who are making the decisions for us in the near future. It is eminently important that these kids, and their families, understand the relationships of all parts of the whole to one another in order to make the rational, sound decisions we expect from them. We are living creatures sharing the planet with a world of others, and this is Alaska’s place to learn about those relationships.

Before fall arrives, we will be asking for your support again by lobbying your legislators in person, by mail or email, and to keep up the pressure throughout the year ahead for funding assistance. Your voices, financial support and volunteer time will fill the gaps in education about the natural history of our state and region, our history and the impact we will continue to have, and everything science in between.

As you enjoy this early summer weather, please keep us in mind as a place to bring your kids, visitors and neighbors, and do consider helping with your gracious support.

Sincerely,
Tom D. Bennett
Former Director
Alaska Museum of Natural History