A place for the birds: the legacy of Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge

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Ryan, Jessica A.
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http://hdl.handle.net/11122/6444
Abstract
This thesis details the farming history and current importance of the Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks, Alaska. More significantly, it is the story of a grassroots effort by the community of Fairbanks, working with a kindly old farmer, to preserve open land in the heart of a rapidly expanding city for the benefit of the thousands of migrating cranes, geese and ducks that rely upon the grain fields each spring and fall. Because of their vision, Creamer's Field has become a center for environmental education, outdoor recreation, and biological research while actively providing for the needs of wildlife.
Description
Thesis (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2003
Table of Contents
Introduction -- ch. 1. (Prehistory). The natural history of the Tanana Valley -- ch. 2. (1870's-1902). Early contact and the founding of Fairbanks -- The discovery of gold and the birth of a city -- ch. 3. (1889-1904). Two family histories leading up to Fairbanks -- The Creamers -- Anna Carr and the Hinckleys -- ch. 4. (1904-1928). Establishing a dairy in early Fairbanks -- Establishment of Fairbanks Agricultural Experiment Station -- Fairbanks business distric burns -- The Hinckleys expand the dairy in Fairbanks -- Anna and Charlie leave Alaska and Marry -- ch. 5. (1928-1938). The Creamers purchase and modernize the dairy -- Building the herd -- Increasing crop production -- Adding farm equipment and a fleet to the dairy -- Farmhouse and dairy improvements -- Construction of the first Louden barn -- Birds during the farming years -- ch. 6. (1938-1965). Changes during and after World War II -- Creamers Dairy production increases to meet population growth -- Growing up as farm kids -- Charlie takes up potato farming -- Transportation advances and competition affect the dairy -- Dairy regulations tighten with statehood -- The writing on the wall -- ch. 7. (1965-1979). From farm to wildlife management area -- Fairbanks citizens organize to save the farmland -- The flood of 1967 -- Money is raised to secure the land -- State and Federal revenues finalize the sale -- Uses of the land as a wildlife management area -- What became of the Creamers? -- ch. 8. (1979-Present). Managing Creamer's field as a migratory waterfowl refuge -- Volunteer activities on the refuge -- ADF & G manages farmland for the birds -- Refuge field management -- Managing the refuge for multi-use -- Future management plans -- Conclusion -- Selected bibliography.
Date
2003-12
Type
Thesis
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