Alaska's Capital Fears Future as Glacier Retreats Amidst Tourist Boom

Juneau, Alaska, is grappling with the challenges posed by a record number of tourists visiting the Mendenhall Glacier, which is rapidly receding due to climate change. As the glacier retreats, the city is considering how to manage the influx of visitors and reduce environmental impacts. The Tongass National Forest is proposing new trails and facilities to accommodate future tourism, even as they anticipate a time when the glacier may no longer be visible. Other sites, such as the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, offer a cautionary tale as visitation declined when the glacier became less visible. Juneau is now discussing a sustainable tourism industry and considering limits on visitation to improve the visitor experience.