BLM-Alaska Hosts Iditarod Ceremonial Start Activities
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Anchorage – On Saturday, March 1, from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., the Bureau of Land Management’s Campbell Tract will host public viewing and the finish of the Anchorage route for the Iditarod Ceremonial Start for the 42nd Iditarod Sled Dog Race. The 730-acre tract is about 45 minutes by dog sled from where the mushers and their Idita-riders start in downtown Anchorage. The BLM Campbell Creek Science Center will feature Iditarod National Historic Trail exhibits, activities, hot cocoa, and a place to warm up for visitors from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free shuttle buses will run to race viewing areas on Campbell Tract from parking lots at Kasuun Elementary School and Abbott Community Park. Listed by the Anchorage Daily News (Feb. 23, 2014) as one of the six “best places to view the ceremonial start,” the BLM’s Campbell Tract and Campbell Airstrip provide both forest-lined viewing, open viewing, and access to the area where mushers pack for their trip to the restart of the official race in Willow, Alaska. Due to safety concerns, the BLM reminds visitors to the BLM Campbell Tract for this event to leave their dogs at home. The BLM serves as the federal administrator for the Iditarod National Historic Trail. The BLM also issues recreation permits for other events on the Iditarod National Historic Trail and the Yukon Quest route, and is a partner in the Iditarod Trail to Every Classroom! (ITREC!) teacher training program. |
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.