Wild berries are an important Alaskan natural resource and were the subject of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge's Wild Berry Fun Day on August 17.

Alaska is known for many things, from wonderful and unique wildlife to spectacular glaciers and mountain vistas.  An often overlooked Alaskan resource is its variety and abundance of wild berries.  Blue berries, cranberries, crow berries and more all ripen late each summer and provide a critical food supply for wild animals such as bears, and for many people who also depend upon the land for sustenance.  Kenai National Wildlife Refuge hosted the first Wild Berry Fun Day on August 17, 2007 at their headquarters in Soldotna.  One hundred and fifty-eight visitors learned about berry identification, Native use of berries, and which berries are used by animals.  Along with the educational information, participants also were rewarded with wildberry lemonade, wildberry honey tea, ice cream with raspberries or blue berries, and crackers with cranberry jelly.  Ninety-one people also participated in one of six guided hikes to identify berries and native plants along the Refuge's Keen-Eye nature trail.