About Us

The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area (KMTA NHA) was incorporated in 2000 and the KMTA National Heritage Area was established in 2009 to recognize, preserve, and interpret the historic resources and cultural landscapes of the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm transportation corridor.

The Association fosters planning and partnerships among the communities within the Corridor, as well as among individuals, businesses, borough, state, and federal agencies, to promote the public enjoyment of these resources. The association also receives and administers funds, appropriated by Congress and other sources, to support communities in developing projects that recognize, preserve, and interpret the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm’s rich and scenic heritage.

Grants

We award grants from federal Funds and the season begins in January with Grant Recipients being notified in May. KMTA seeks to equitably fund diverse activities geographically distributed throughout the communities and transportation corridor of the Heritage Area.

We also offer mini-grants throughout the year for school field trips and community training courses.

Management

KMTA-CCA has a Management Plan designed to allocate federal grant funds for various community-supported projects such as:

• Restoration of historic structures

• Rebuilding of historic trails

• Development of interpretive signs and displays

• Creating handbooks on the geology, history, and wildlife of the area

• Recording the stories of living Alaska pioneers

KMTA Historic Area

The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area (KMTA NHA) encompasses a distinctive landscape of mountains, lakes, rivers, glaciers, and fjords. The area is comprised of north-south road, rail, and trail corridors from Bird to Seward and includes the communities of Girdwood, Portage, and Moose Pass. To the west, the area includes Cooper Landing, Sunrise, and Hope. To the east lie Portage, Whittier, and the wild waters of Prince William Sound.

Location

We are located in Girdwood, Alaska but our office is virtual. Please contact us via our website.