LifeAlaska · June 1, 2026
this wild coast is protected now
One of the last private pieces of a wild Alaska island just became public land forever.
Daily Alaska staff · June 1, 2026
The Conservation Fund and the Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation announced on May 19, 2026, that they protected the final privately held parcel on Nuka Island, adding about 24 acres known as Herring Pete's Cove to Kachemak Bay State Park. The property sits on the west side of Nuka Island, just south of Kenai Fjords National Park and across Kachemak Bay from Homer.
The acquisition means the entire island is now in public hands, closing off any chance of private development and keeping the land open to the boaters, kayakers and anglers who use the area. The surrounding waters and shoreline support seabird colonies, seals, sea otters, whales, black bears and salmon-bearing streams.
The Conservation Fund purchased the parcel and transferred it to the state park system rather than see it developed. Over the past three years, roughly 52 acres connected to Kachemak Bay State Park have been newly protected through similar efforts.
For residents of Homer and Seldovia, and for anyone who fishes or paddles the waters of Kachemak Bay, the move preserves a stretch of coastline exactly as it has been, with no cabins, no gates and no restricted access.
In this story
Questions people ask
Where is the new protected land on Nuka Island?
It's at Herring Pete's Cove on the west side of the island, just south of Kenai Fjords National Park and across Kachemak Bay from Homer.
How big is the protected parcel?
About 24 acres, the last private piece of Nuka Island.
Who protected this land?
The Conservation Fund bought the parcel and transferred it to the Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, making it part of Kachemak Bay State Park.
Can the public use Nuka Island now?
Yes, the whole island is now public land, open to boaters, kayakers and anglers with no private development possible.
Evidence
Sources
Claims and where they come from
- The Conservation Fund and the Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation protected the final privately held parcel on Nuka Island on May 19, 2026. · youralaskalink.com
- The protected parcel, Herring Pete's Cove, is about 24 acres and was added to Kachemak Bay State Park. · youralaskalink.com
- Roughly 52 acres connected to Kachemak Bay State Park have been newly protected over the past three years. · youralaskalink.com
Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing. How we use AI →