PRESS RELEASE from Mat-Su Park & Trails Foundation
Developing a world-class parks and trails system in the Mat-Su Borough through direct community investment just got a little closer to becoming a reality. We are proud to announce that long-time community leader and public land advocate, Kim Sollien, has join our team as our new donor relations officer.
The Foundation was formed in 2011, to act as a community catalyst and grant making organization dedicated to enhancing recreational amenities throughout the Mat-Su Borough. Through strategic investments made by the Mat-Su Health Foundation, the Mat-Su Borough and individual donors, the Foundation has awarded over $400,000 in grant funds to local non-profit organizations resulting in the development of over 350 miles of new trail and 12 new park areas.
“With Kim onboard, we are looking forward to growing the Foundation's assets and increasing our annual grant making to further our mission to support the development and maintenance of an interconnected trail and park system throughout the Mat-Su,” said Stuart Leidner, executive director.
“I could not be happier to be joining the Foundation. I am looking forward to working closely with residents, communities, local governments and trail advocates to celebrate all the amazing recreational assets the Mat-Su has to offer. We have an incredible opportunity right now to work towards building world-class trails and parks for every community in the Mat-Su. Doing so will enhance community health and quality of life, support the tourism and recreation sector of our economy and protect the outdoor lifestyle Mat-Su residents value. I am excited to get to work developing a vision for future trails and parks in the Mat-Su while creating meaningful opportunities for the community to invest in making this vision a reality,” said Kim.
Prior to joining the Mat-Su Trails and Park Foundation, Kim worked as the Mat-Su Program Director for Great Land Trust and as Interim Director of Health and Social Services and Sustainable Foods Coordinator for Chickaloon Native Village. Kim has served on Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership Steering Committee, Mat-Su 2050 Committee, the Mat-Su Borough Parks, Recreation and Trails Advisory Board and as president of Fishhook Community Council. Kim holds a Masters of Arts in sustainable community design from Alaska Pacific University and a Bachelors of Arts in social work from University of Southern Maine. She also has certificates in non-profit management, green infrastructure design and permaculture design.
For more information about the Mat-Su Trails and Park Foundation, please visit our website at www.matsutrails.org.
