On December 9, Ed Bailey permanently protected the natural habitat and moose travel corridors on his 32 acre homesite atop the Homer Bluff off Skyline Drive. KHLT is pleased to hold this conservation easement because the property is located in one of our high priority protection areas as identified in our long-term protection strategy. Several wildlife corridors on the sharply defined ridges between the bluff and the benchlands below provide essential routes between summer and winter habitats. The seven acres along the bluff consist of mixed spruce and cottonwood stands as well as willow and alder thickets. A well-worn lateral trail runs along the bluffs edge and is used year-round by mammals in this transition zone. In addition, the property is in close proximity to the Anchor River/Fritz Creek Critical Habitat Area and one corner abuts 80 acres of Kenai Peninsula Borough land designated for habitat and watershed protection. Ed's conservation easement prohibits subdivision and limits development to one two-acre pre-existing homesite for singlefamily residential or nonprofit use. Further disturbance of the natural vegetation outside the homesite is generally prohibited except for a limited network of pedestrian trails.

Like most conservation easements protecting natural habitat, this property is not open to public access, which raises an often-asked question, "What is the public benefit if the public can't use it? Our community benefits because limiting development on this property significantly enhances the viability of many wildlife species we are fond of living among, especially our increasingly displaced moose population. Setting aside high-value natural habitat helps maintain the aesthetic qualities that make this such an attractive place to live and visit, and this contributes directly to a healthy economy.

Ed and his partner Nina Faust came to Homer in 1981; he, as a biologist, to open the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and she, as a teacher, to begin the Quest program at the high school. Both retired from their professional responsibilities in the mid-90s to devote more time to the environmental causes close to their hearts. They volunteer for at least one major conservation project each year, enjoying visits to exciting destinations such as Haleakala Crater National Park on Maui where they helped re-establish the Nene (Hawaiian goose) and to Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge where they worked in the California Condor Recovery Program. Other working vacations sent them to the remote islands on the south side of the Alaska Peninsula and to Channel Island National Park in California.

Ed and Nina participate in the local Natural Resources Conservation Service Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program, through which they are developing wildlife ponds on their property and replanting depleted fields with grasses to improve natural habitat. Nina prepared the Baseline Documentation for their conservation easement describing the natural values and condition of their property at the time of the donation. They are now concentrating on expanding the protected natural habitat in their neighborhood by acquiring adjacent parcels with the intent ofincluding them under easement with KHLT. Asked how he developed such a strong conservation ethic, Ed responded "As a refugee from southern California, I have witnessed the metastasizing subdivisions and shopping malls and don't want to see it replicated here. I want to set aside important wildlife corridors to allow free movement of moose between summer and winter ranges and avoid fragmentation of habitat occurring in most other locations." KHLT was delighted when Ed and Nina responded to our introductory materials promoting our Homer bench protection program and we look forward to working with them to provide an expanded sanctuary along this important wilderness corridor.