SCS's Sea Pony Farm Property

In 2018, the renowned Southeast Alaska artists Eric and Pam Bealer left their remote homestead property to the Sitka Conservation Society’s endowment, the Living Wilderness Fund. The property is in the Lisianski Inlet of Chichagof Island near K’udeis’x̱’e Pelican, AK and only accessible by boat and small plane. It is surrounded by the magnificent West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness, which SCS original members spent years working to get established by bringing policymakers and other key people to the area in order for them to form their own meaningful connections to place; ones you can only get from first hand experience.

The Bealers were deeply connected to the lands and waters surrounding their home and that was reflected in both their lifestyle and art. They strived to live a life on the Sea Pony Farm where they were as self reliant as possible and used only materials that they could gather and harvest from the surrounding natural environment. Eric’s incredibly detailed wood engraving prints of nature scenes developed from moments living life in this place were sold in the community at local shops and he was well known throughout the state. His work inspired and connected people to the scenery, landscapes, and fine details of the place. The Bealers asked that SCS use the property “to continue to help and protect this land that we so love.”

Sitka Conservation Society is caring for, restoring, and updating Sea Pony Farm while using it as an outpost for wilderness stewardship projects and a place to host artists, change makers, and community members to experience the Tongass, feel its rhythms, and be inspired to care for it. Guests find inspiration in old-growth forests, wild coastlines, and the abundance of intact ecosystems—experiences that transform into art, music, writing, and ideas that travel far beyond Southeast Alaska.

Support Our Work at Sea Pony Farm

Sea Pony Farm

Vision: Use the Sea Pony Farm property to host a robust and diverse Wilderness Residency and Stewardship Program with outcomes that build sustainable and resilient natural and human communities.

Our Programs: Creativity, Stewardship, Community

We invite artists, writers, wood workers, printmakers, musicians, creative thinkers, storytellers, scientists, leaders, and conservation advocates to visit Sea Pony Farm and work with us to build transformational relationships, steward nearby lands and waters, recharge and rejuvenate, and inspire voices for the Tongass and its communities in creative and collaborative ways.

Wilderness Residency Application