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Inian as New Stewards of a Permanent Home

The Hobbit Hole homestead, with deep roots as a Tlingit summer camp and more recently a fisherman’s haven, is now a field school for education, science, sustainability, community & culture.

INIAN ISLANDS, February 10, 2018 – The Inian Islands Institute team is celebrating the end of a three-year, million-dollar fundraising journey – and the beginning of a much larger journey to build a thriving institute to educate and inspire rising leaders from their new land base at the Hobbit Hole, a beautiful homestead on Inian Island across from Elfin Cove. Inian Islands Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit field school that brings scientists and student groups for field-based, hands-on courses focused on the natural world and our place within it.

“We have so many supporters to thank, including right here in Southeast Alaska,” says Zach Brown, the Institute’s founder and executive director, who grew up in Gustavus. “Epic thanks to the Skaggs Foundation, Juneau Community Foundation, and so many others – we could not have built the dream without you.” The Institute also sends deep gratitude to the Hobbit Hole’s previous owners, Jane Button, Greg Howe, and Fred Howe, who have touched countless hearts over the years as they made the Hobbit Hole the incredible place it is. Says Brown, “Inian Islands Institute is just the next chapter in the legacy of this special land.”

To all of you out there, far and wide — endless thanks for your support. Because of you, this place will serve students and community members of all walks of life for generations to come. In celebration of this, join the Institute and its supporters for a shindig at the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau on March 3, featuring hot local bands and an opportunity to meet Inian’s Executive Director and Board members. Be there as we celebrate this giant step forward. Truly, we are just getting started!

Event details on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/583821528625642/

Press Contact
Zachary Brown
PhD, Stanford University
Executive Director, Inian Islands Institute
zwbrown@inianislandsinstitute.org; 907-697-2210

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