We are a family run small business
that supports our local community

Sustainable Operations Our Community Certifications

Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge acknowledges that we are gathered in the Dena'ina and Alutiiq/Sugpiaq homeland. We thank and acknowledge the tribes of the region. The heritage and culture of the Dena’ina and Alutiiq people continue to enrich our communities.

We believe that a responsible environmental policy is as much a part of our business and lifestyle as our clients’ safety and satisfaction. Wildlands and biological diversity are under threat and disappearing rapidly.

We hope to nurture a wholesome sense of stewardship and make a small contribution by protecting our biologically rich and beautiful coastline. We want our clients to experience the natural world, becoming a part of it by walking softly and understanding the wonder of Kachemak Bay, one of the world's richest marine ecosystems.

Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge - Homer, Alaska - Mission

Sustainable Operations

From our daily operations to the experiences we offer our guests, we work hard to keep our practices as sustainable as possible. Living and working in a remote location makes these practices challenging but rewarding. Here are some things we are implementing:

We hire locally.

We shop locally.

Commitment to apply the circular economy principles (i.e. reduce, reuse, recycle).

Use electric, battery operated equipment.

We have 36 solar panels and are net metering.

Dispose of our hazardous materials properly.

We grow produce in the Lodge garden and greenhouse.

We shop at our local farmers market.

We compost food waste from our kitchen.

Our guests are encouraged to actively participate in our environmental initiatives (i.e. water saving, energy saving, waste saving/recycling, food waste reduction, etc.).

We work with local vendors

We use non-toxic cleaning products, soaps and detergents.

Our guests have the option to reuse towels.

We supply our guests with reusable water bottles and lunch totes.

Prioritize using the native flora already present, in our on-property landscaping.

We practice Leave No Trace principles.

Our Community

The Lodge’s sustainability efforts go beyond environmental awareness; we focus on fostering teamwork and uniting people to support the social and economic well-being of our community. We respect and welcome diversity and we are proud to be LGBTQIA+ friendly.

Lodge Family and Team

The Lodge team is like a summertime family, and we attract dedicated employees who return year after year. We maintain high workplace standards, which are reflected in our commitment to excellence. We respect human rights in the workplace and strive to be an outstanding employer. Although we are a small family-run seasonal business, we offer competitive wages, generous benefits, and opportunities for growth year-round.

Promoting local economic activity within our area helps add value, fostering a stronger, more vibrant community. This not only enhances the customer experience but also preserves culture and creates jobs.

Local Giving

Over the years, the Lodge has sponsored major donor events for Cook Inletkeeper, Alaska Center for the Environment, The Pratt Museum, Bunnell Street Arts Center and many other charitable organizations.

For over 40 years, we have hosted 4th-grade public school outdoor education programs each spring. We partner with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies and HoWL (Homer Wilderness Leaders), to help provide access across the bay.

Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge and the McBride family commit a significant part of our income to local non-profits and environmental/conservation efforts.

Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge - Homer, Alaska - Mission

We invite our guests to join us by supporting our local community:

The Alaska Center
Alaska Conservation Foundation
Anchorage Symphony Orchestra
Alaska SeaLife Center
Center for Alaska Coastal Studies
Cook Inletkeeper
Kachemak Land Trust
South Peninsula Haven House
Homer Food Pantry
The Homer Foundation
Homer OPUS
HoWL
KBBI
Kachemak Bay Conservation Society
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic
Kachemak Land Trust

Artist and Vendor

Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge and the McBride Family have always supported the amazing talent of the artists and builders in our community. Alaskan artists are on display everywhere you look, from the plates and bowls you eat from, to the stained-glass window you look through in the sauna. Local artists include:

Asia Friedman

Brad Hewes

Carolyn Reed (Unalaska)

David Kaufmann

Deeland Anderson

Diane McBride

Halibut Cove Artists

Alex Combs

Annette Belemy

Diana Tillion

Janet Carol

Jay Greene

Judy Miller

Marrian Beck

Sydney Bishop

Toni Maury

Jerry Fredricks

John Mitchell

Leo Vait

Maygen Jannetta

Paul Dungan

Rie Munoz (Juneau)

Toby Tyler

Valisa Higman (Seldovia)

Reading List

If you are looking to learn more about the area before you come, or if you are missing Alaska after your visit, our team has created this list of books by Alaskan authors we have read and enjoyed. There are many great places to curl up and read at the Lodge, and we have all of these books on hand.

We encourage you to find these books locally at the Homer Bookstore or the Old Inlet Bookshop during your trip, or support a local bookstore near you.

Lodge Family Reading List

Where the Sea Breaks Its Back by Corey Ford

Kachemak Bay Years: An Alaska Homesteader’s Memoir by Elsa Pedersen

Kachemak Bay by The Homer Foundation

Kachemak Bay Communities:Their Histories Their Mysteries and Archaeology of Kachemak Bay, Alaska by Janet R Klein

Discovering Wild Plants by Janice J. Schofield

Entangled by Marilyn Sigman

The Last Wilderness by Michael McBride

Beluga Days and Fishcamp Life on an Alaskan Shore by Nancy Lord

Tisha by Robert Specht

Cold Mountain Path by Tom Kizzia

2 Old Women by Velma Wallis

Certifications

Spending time in China Poot Bay and the surrounding Kachemak Bay makes it clear why we are motivated to incorporate environmentally responsible practices into everything we do. We are continuously thinking of ways we can improve. Certifications and audits require hard work, time, and attention to detail. We believe in being accountable for our actions and transparent in our reporting.

Adventure Green Alaska

Adventure Green Alaska is the state’s only sustainable tourism certification program. AGA is the result of a statewide effort to grow sustainable tourism in Alaska, and promote model businesses practicing economic, environmental and social sustainability. The AGA program and its members represent and take the lead in developing the sustainable tourism industry in Alaska.

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Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace is a nonprofit organization using the power of science, education and stewardship, to ensure a sustainable future for the outdoors and the planet. LNT creates programs to inform visitors about reducing the damage caused by outdoor activities, particularly non-motorized recreation. Leave No Trace principles and practices are based on an abiding respect for the natural world and our fellow wildland visitors.

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What We Are Working Towards

Adding more solar panels with the goal of achieving net zero.

Hosting a Zero Emission Week for guests.

Donating a greater portion of the Lodge’s profits to local charities.

Eventually incorporating electric boat engines.

Biosphere Sustainable Certification

Biosphere Sustainable

Biosphere Sustainable was created by the Responsible Tourism Institute in collaboration with the United Nations. The certification program is a promising step into the new world of sustainable and regenerative tourism. It is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and 169 targets of the United Nations. Beyond the environmental factors, the program also promotes social sustainability, including providing a secure and healthy work environment for team members and a lasting legacy for our families and community.