Nome National Forest

Nome National Forest
Map showing the location of Nome National Forest
Map showing the location of Nome National Forest
Geography
Coordinates64°29′39″N 165°24′03″W / 64.4942°N 165.4009°W / 64.4942; -165.4009
Administration
EstablishedMid-1990s
Governing bodyCharlie Lean

Nome National Forest is a seasonal artificial forest in Nome, Alaska. Containing 100 trees on average, it is planted on the frozen Norton Sound in early February and stays until the ice starts to melt. Other than trees, it also contains about 50 animal figures made from plywood. Charlie Lean, a resident of the town and member of its Rotary Club became keeper of the forest in 2016 and is helped by community volunteers.[1][2]

The animals do not last very long and have to be remade every few years, sometimes by people from the Anvil Mountain Correctional Center.[1] On especially cold days, the trees are placed in holes filled with water, which freezes the tree in. In the spring the trees are used to create a fish spawning habitat.[3]

  1. ^ a b Deedy, Alexander (February 13, 2021). "Alaska Magazine - Nome National Forest". Alaska. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference nn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Foresting a Treeless Town". KNOM. December 4, 2017. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.