Album: Richard L. Proenneke Site, Lake Clark NPP, Alaska

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

The Richard L. Proenneke Site is located on the southeast shoreline of Upper Twin Lake in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska. The landscape commemorates the life of Richard L. Proenneke, a legendary writer, wildlife photographer, and conservationist who lived alone in a cabin he built by hand. Proenneke received immense public recognition in 1973 when his journals and photographs were included in the book One Man’s Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey. The book sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide and won the National Outdoor Book Award in 1999. Proenneke later made several films about of his life at Twin Lakes and was featured in numerous documentaries including the 1978 NOVA production Alaska, The Closing Frontier which examined the pros and cons of conserving 100 million acres of Alaskan wilderness in the National Park System. The production included the testimonies of Alaskans from all walks of life including Alaskan Natives, politicians, miners, oil company representatives, Sierra Club members, big game hunting guides, and of course Richard Proenneke. Proenneke’s testimony advocated for the establishment of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and informed the public of the majestic beauty and precious natural resources of the Twin Lakes area. His role in this television production along with the publication of One Man’s Wilderness made him a prominent figure supporting the conservation of Alaska wild lands and helped inform the public about the worthiness of the greater Lake Clark area as a national park. Proenneke continued to live at Twin Lakes until health complications forced him to leave in 1998. Upon his passing in 2003, Proenneke left his cabin to the National Park Service for the public to enjoy. His cabin is a popular destination within the park and allows visitors to interpret his life there. A virtual tour of the Proenneke Cabin is available here: www.nps.gov/lacl/learn/historyculture/proenneke-cabin-vir... Additional Resources: www.nps.gov/lacl/learn/historyculture/richard-l-proenneke... www.nps.gov/lacl/planyourvisit/visit-proenneke-cabin.htm www.nps.gov/lacl/learn/historyculture/proennekes-cabin.htm 14 minute video - No Place Like Twin Lakes: www.nps.gov/av/akr/avElement/lacl-no-place-like-twin-lake...