This page is a work in progress!
We will continue to update it with studies, research findings,
statements from subject matter experts, and other relevant information as we come across it.
NEW 7/31/24: View our response to
Heritage Land Bank's Request for Proposals regarding Parcel 2-156.
An immense effort has gone into bringing our vision for Alaska Natural Burial to fruition. This page gives a birds-eye view of our site selection process and then takes a deep dive into some of the information we've gathered along the way. 

Site Selection

Our site selection process was a lot like finding a needle in a haystack. First and foremost, it was important that the site we chose was in need of active conservation efforts and that those efforts could be facilitated through the operation of a Conservation Burial Cemetery. Also important were the specific site features (eg., geological, hydrological) as they needed to be conducive to natural burial. Heritage Land Bank Parcel #2-156 checks all of the boxes that matter. 

And it came with a bonus -- a treasure trove of information in the form of commissioned studies conducted over the past 40 years as various development efforts were attempted. It means we already have a really good idea of the soils, slope, and hydrological features that we'll encounter on Parcel #2-156. Parcel #2-156 is contiguous with approximately 300 acres of urban forest, sandwiched between Potter Marsh and Goldenview Drive in south Anchorage. This urban forest serves as an important wildlife corridor between the Chugach Mountains and Potter Marsh. Parcel #2-156 is approximately 0.6 miles away from Potter Marsh, a critical wetland ecosystem. Just over a half mile away (and several hundred feet of elevation higher) the soils of Parcel #2-156 are well-drained, consisting primarily of glacial till. The hillside slope is described as gently undulating (0-12%) though there are certainly steeper areas that exceed this. There are no underground aquifers beneath the property, nor are there any wells downhill from the property. There are no wetlands, streams, or other surficial waterways on Parcel #2-156. The land is not prone to flooding. One feature that does represent somewhat of a concern is our anticipation of areas with very shallow depth to bedrock -- natural burial and shallow bedrock are not a good match, and further site-specific work will need to occur so we may better understand the extent of this condition.
Because housing is such a concern within the Municipality, it's worth mentioning that this parcel is not believed to be well-suited to residential development. Numerous attempts have been made in the past. It is cost-prohibitive to bring in the infrastructure (roadways, utilities) to support such a development. The extent of disruption to the existing ecosystem, especially with the amount of impermeable surfaces, is likely to have a large negative impact on water runoff patterns and on the wildlife corridor. There are currently plans to conserve the approximately 300 acres of urban forest contiguous to Parcel #2-156; conserving Parcel #2-156 as a Conservation Burial Ground ensures that the land will remain wild for generations to come. 

​We have had countless conversations with USDA soils scientists, wildlife biologists with ADF&G, arborists, local funeral home professionals, landscape architects specializing in municipal and cemetery projects, the area community council, and many other members of the community. At the end of the day, we're all about following the data. We believe this project is a win-win for the community and for the perpetual conservation of this parcel. As long as the data continue to support the merits of this project, we plan on forging ahead.
Picture
Grounds at Ramsey Creek

​Below you will find:
  • ​links to previous site studies dating back to the 1970s
  • links to current regional, district, and neighborhood plans, and related projects, including a white paper speaking to the shortage of cemetery space in Anchorage
  • ​a collection of other information, including info on wildlife encounters and on cemeteries as a source of pollution
Here are previous site studies:

Triad Engineering documentation pertaining to a proposed subdivision. Includes detailed information about financial and environmental barriers to development, especially for the collector road and to bring utilities to the parcels. 
Picture
Grounds at Carolina Memorial Sanctuary

Property descriptions of the large hillside parcels between 2013 - 2015, in the context of a potential consolidation.​
R&M Consultants and correspondences related to the 2012 division of an HLB parcel with the north portion going to AWWU and southern portion becoming what we now refer to as HLB Parcel 2-156

1998 - 2002 appraisal and studies 1983 Zoning and Muni soils log from test sites along Goldenview Drive Soils study from 1977
Here are the relevant regional, district, and neighborhood plans, and related projects:  
The Potter Marsh Watershed Community Forest is a plan to conserve the approximately 300 acres of urban forest next to Parcel #2-156.  Letters of support:
​White papers and other opinions:
USDA Soils Map
Additional information:
  • If you want to dig into the primary literature addressing the potential for cemeteries to represent a source of environmental pollution, this list of academic papers or a Google Scholar search is a good place to start. Some of the key points will include the following:
    • Poor choices for cemetery locations include those that are prone to flooding or erosion, or that contain anaerobic soils which would promote putrefaction rather than decomposition. Cemetery policies play the greatest role in environmental impacts. These include practicing high-density burial, permitting caskets that contain toxic resins or other chemicals, and the application of pesticides and herbicides.
Picture
Natural burial at Foxfield Cemetery

    Subscribe to Newsletter
Alaska Natural Burial
PO Box 220112     Anchorage, AK     99522