We’re enthused to have kicked off this season’s first Wasilla Winter Speaker Series on Monday, January 11th at the Mat-Su Health Foundation with Mike Buck, the Director of Alaska Safe Riders. A huge thank you to Mike for sharing his time, experience, and deep commitment to backcountry snowmachine safety with our community.
Mike Buck’s presentation reflected the values at the heart of responsible backcountry travel: thoughtful trip planning, preparedness and awareness, good judgment, and respect for the unpredictable environments we recreate in. Through real-life stories and hands-on examples, he emphasized mindset over gear alone, reminding us that the brain is often the most important tool we carry into the backcountry. One story that stuck with many in the room described a rider who fell through river ice and, thinking creatively under pressure, used spare spark plugs he was carrying in his pocket as improvised ice picks to pull himself out.
Events like this speaker series are part of Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation’s broader mission to make outdoor recreation more accessible and to support safe, confident use of the trails and public lands that surround us. In partnership with Revel Treks and Tours, we offer free, community-based learning opportunities and aim to reduce barriers, build knowledge, and help people engage more responsibly with the beautiful outdoor spaces we share.
This was the first Winter Speaker Series event of the season, and it set a strong, thoughtful tone for what’s ahead. Missed the event? You can still connect with Mike Buck and Alaska Safe Riders this winter through their educational events, trip reports and resources, and trip planning tools, and if this talk was any indication, he’s got plenty more wild stories full of lessons in his pocket. Learn more at alaskasaferiders.org.
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While applying for their PFD online, Alaskans can choose to Pick.Click.Give. in increments of $25. All donations are tax deductible and donors will receive tax documentation from the State once their donations have been processed. Permanent Fund Dividend applications are available from January 1 to March 31, though Alaskans may choose to add or adjust their pledges online through August 31.
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