The Alaska Whale Foundation (AWF) mobilizes a growing team of scientists, students, University partners, storytellers, and community collaborators to ensure the long-term health and well-being of whales and coastal ecosystems. From a small facility in Baranof Warm Springs, AWF has built one of the world's largest whale health monitoring programs, which uses cutting edge, non-invasive technologies to track the health of Southeast Alaska's whales and their ocean ecosystem in the face of changing climates and vulnerable seascapes.
As AWF enters its 30th year as a nonprofit organization and its tenth year operating its flagship monitoring program, ti has reached a ceiling. The organization's small 5-person field station in Baranof Warm Springs is at full capacity, and this is limiting its ability to expand its critical research, education, and community programs.
Yet, a transformative opportunity now sits just afew hundred yards away. Mike and Sally Trotter, owners of the Baranof Wilderness Lodge, wish to transition their remarkable property to AWF and, in doing so, allow the organization to greatly expand its impact on research and conservation in Alaska.
Together, we can secure a legacy where rigorous science, community collaboration, and top-tier research safeguard Southeast Alaska's whale and ocean ecosystems - and show the world how dedicated action can protect the places we rely upon and the species we treasure for generations to come.
AWF advances its research and conservation initiatives through strategic partnerships with Universities, researchers, regional non-profits, and governmental authorities. Acquiring the Baranof Wilderness Lodge would create a place to host these partners in the heart of Southeast Alaska. It would also offer unique opportunities to strengthen partnerships with long-term funders, such as NationalGeographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions, to ensure the long-term sustainability of AWF's vital work with whales and ocean ecosystems
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The Vision for Legacy
In a rapidly changing world, resilient, dedicated, expansive, high impact research and conservation have never been more important. Acquiring the Baranof Wilderness Lodge would transform AWF into a world-class hub for whale and ocean research and conservation. Specifically, it would.
*Enhance AWF's programmatic capacity through additional housing, vessels, and resources for research personnel, internship/mentorship programs, field courses, workshops, and an onsite stranding/disentanglement team.
*Provide much-needed housing for administrative staff, site/vessel managers, and communications, development, and personnel. Present new opportunities to generate revenue through donor engagement, facility use fees, and grants to support new initiatives tied to our increased capacity.
Alaska Whale Foundation is seeking a single donor to support the acquisition of the Lodge and the establishment of a Legacy Fund to support its operation in perpetuity. By doing so, the donor would help secure a legacy where rigorous science, community collaboration, and top-tier research safeguard Southeast Alaska's whale and ocean ecosystems.
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The Endowment
The initial donor contribution will include the purchase price of the real estate and establish an endowment fund invested at a target goal of 5% to offset annual operating and maintenance costs of the facility.
The property features a range of well-maintained structures. The main lodge serves as the central hub for food service, presentations, and research processing. The Point Cabin will host VIP's that look to the AWF for their philanthropy. The five guest cabins wil offer private accommodations for current staff, visiting researchers, graduate students, and interns.
More importantly, Endowment Philanthropy, it will also inspire further contributions that can allow Alaska Whale Foundation to grow.
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The Real Estate
The Baranof Wilderness Lodge is an ideal facility for a research and conservation institute.
Meet the Team
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Andy Szabo, PhD
Executive Director
Alaska Whale Foundation
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Dr. Lauren Eckert
Board President
Alaska Whale Foundation
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Charlie Powers
Owner-Broker
Powers Land Brokerage, LLC
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Mike & Sally Trotter
Current Owners- Founders
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The Location and Use
10.21 7:00-8:00PM
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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The Partnerships
10.21 7:00-8:00PM
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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History
10.21 7:00-8:00PM
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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In a rapidly changing world, resilient, dedicated, expansive, high impact research and
conservation have never been more important. Acquiring the Baranof Wilderness Lodge would transform AWF into a world-class hub for whale and ocean research and conservation. Specifically, it would
Enhance AWF's programmatic capacity through additional housing, vessels, and resources for research personnel, internship/mentorship programs, field courses, workshops, and an onsite stranding/disentanglement team.
Provide much-needed housing for administrative staff, site/vessel managers, and communications/development personnel. Present new opportunities to generate revenue through donor engagement, facility use fees, and grants to support new initiatives tied to our increased capacity.
Alaska Whale Foundation is seeking asingle donor to support the acquisition of the Lodge and the establishment of a Legacy Fund ot support its operation, ni perpetuity. nI doing so, the donor
would help secure a legacy where rigorous science, community collaboration, and top-tier research safeguard Southeast Alaska's whale and ocean ecosystems.
-
The initial donor contribution will include the purchase of the real estate and establish an
endowment fund, which, when invested at 5%, wil generate funds to support annual operating costs. However, through Endowment Philanthropy, it will also inspire further contributions that can allow Alaska Whale Foundation to grow.
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The Support Infrastructure:
The Baranof Wilderness Lodge is an ideal facility for a research and conservation institute.
A short scenic boardwalk carved into the ocean side cliffs connects the lodging facilities to a D R permitted tide land dock, boat house, and fuel bay. Al facilities are tied into hydro generated powerand fresh water. The well appointed storage space and tool sheds wil be repurposed to support research vessels, equipment, and other needs
As you continue down the boardwalk you arrive at an impressive home built on a rock bluff situated perfectly to watch whales feeding along the shore, almost close enough to touch.
Moored to the floating dock, and included in the sale, can be a selection from an extensive fleet of watercraft to cater to Alaska Whale Foundation operational needs.
Accommodations include a duplex cabin and five single cabins, each elegantly furnished with pine paneling and armoires, featuring private bathroom facilities with hot showers, wash basins with hot and cold running water, and flush toilets.
An additional ten crew quarters ensure comfortable living spaces for more support personnel.
The property also includes a hydropower house, powered by nearby Sadie Creek, which provides 24-hour electricity (60hz AC) to the entire lodge and two separate back up diesel
generators. Additionally, there are dedicated facilities for storing waders and boots, a storage shop with a food room, and separate laundry facilities.
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The property features a range of well-maintained structures. The main lodge serves as the central hub for food service, presentations, and research processing. The Point Cabin wil host
VIP's that look to the AWF for their philanthropy. The five guest cabins wil offer private accommodations for current staff, visiting researchers, graduate students, and interns.
Baranof Warm Springs lies within Tlingit Territory (Lingit Aani). It is famous for its natural hot springs, which have been enjoyed for centuries, including by original Tlingit stewards. Once a herring reduction plant, the site was chosen for its protected setting, deep water, and abundant flowing fresh water from Sadie Creek that transects the property.
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The Alaska Whale Foundation is partnered with
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Owned and operated by Mike and SallyTrotter, Baranof Wilderness Lodge brings together over three decades of experience in fishing, exploring, and outfitting in Alaska
Now ti is time for the property to serve as a beacon for whale and ocean health research.
