Sustainable Practices in the Alaskan Wilderness
Protecting the Land We Call Home
Sustainability at Katmai Sky Lodge:
At Katmai Sky Lodge, every decision is guided by respect for the wilderness. From minimizing waste and using eco-friendly lodge materials to careful wildlife interaction and energy-conscious operations, sustainability is at the heart of our mission. Guests can enjoy the Alaskan wilderness knowing that their experience supports the preservation of this pristine landscape—ensuring that brown bears, salmon-filled creeks, and vast tundra remain wild for generations to come.
Powered by the Sun: A Quiet, Clean Off-Grid System
Our entire lodge runs on solar power, a state-of-the-art off-grid system designed to keep our footprint as small as possible. With 24 solar panels mounted on the main lodge roof and a brand-new high-efficiency battery and inverter setup, we’re able to power guest cabins, lodge operations, refrigeration, lighting, and essential communications without the constant hum of a diesel generator.
This not only keeps the environment silent — preserving the peaceful soundscape of wind, water, and wildlife — but it also dramatically reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. We burn only a fraction of the diesel that many remote lodges require, allowing us to operate cleanly, quietly, and responsibly in the heart of bear country.
Small Lodge, Small Footprint
With only six guests per week, Katmai Sky is intentionally small by design. Fewer visitors mean:
Less pressure on fragile riverbanks and trail systems
Lower daily water usage
Smaller waste streams
More mindful wildlife encounters
And a far deeper, more intentional guest experience
We believe that big wilderness is best enjoyed in small groups. Keeping our capacity low ensures that our presence in Katmai remains gentle and that the ecosystems around Olga Lake continue to thrive undisturbed.
Partners in Conservation: Save Bristol Bay & Trout Unlimited
We’re proud to be active members of the Save Bristol Bay Guide Ambassador Program, standing alongside conservation groups like Trout Unlimited to protect the rivers, salmon runs, and intact landscapes that make Katmai what it is.
As lodge owners and guides who rely on healthy watersheds, we use our platform to:
Support science-based conservation
Advocate for the protection of Bristol Bay’s world-class salmon fishery
Educate guests about local ecology and responsible recreation
Work with TU to stay informed on threats and opportunities for stewardship
Our business depends on the health of these rivers — and we’re committed to defending them.
Waste Reduction & Responsible Materials
We avoid single-use plastics wherever possible, choose durable and eco-friendly building materials, and prioritize products that can be reused, repurposed, or recycled. Every supply we fly in or boat in matters — so we choose carefully.
Wildlife-Centered Guiding Practices
Our guiding philosophy places wildlife first. We maintain safe distances, respect bear behavior, avoid high-pressure encounters, and let bears dictate the rhythm of the day. We follow (and exceed) NPS wildlife-viewing guidelines.
Leave No Trace, Every Day
From the moment guests arrive to the moment they depart, we model and teach Leave No Trace principles — minimizing impact on fragile tundra, waterways, and vegetation.
Sustainability Is Our Future
Sustainability isn’t a project for us — it’s a way of being. It shapes how we build, how we travel across the landscape, how we guide, how we teach, and how we operate every single day. We want guests to experience the wildness of Katmai exactly as it is: unspoiled, intact, and alive with bears, salmon, and sweeping tundra.
By choosing to visit Katmai Sky Lodge, guests help support a style of tourism that honors the land rather than impacts it. Together, we can keep this place wild — not just for now, but for everyone who will follow.
