We arrived at Elfin Cove at about 8:00 pm on June 15th- approximately 85 miles from Juneau. Elfin Cove is a small, beautiful community, home to just 38 permanent residents- a number that decreases to about a dozen (or less) during the winter months, according to local accounts. A wooden boardwalk circumnavigates the bay, winding through the steep, forested terrain, linking homes and fishing lodges along the shoreline. Bald eagles perch on trees overhead that engulf the bay in green.
From the moment we stepped ashore, the importance of community was evident. A free book library lay on the same path as a free clothing and items rack. We were warmly encouraged to take what we wanted, and a couple of books joined us for the journey. As we explored the path further, we were invited to join the live music scene. We followed the sounds of laughter and guitar and soon found ourselves in a circle of about ten people of all ages, singing, and enjoying each other's company. We had arrived just in time for their Sunday evening potluck.
We handed out stickers, danced, and exchanged smiles with the locals. One young girl, no older than eight, curiously asked about our work after receiving a sticker. I explained that we’re studying the ocean and mentioned the phrase “protecting the ocean.” She paused and asked, “What are you protecting it from?”
Her question stopped me—so simple, yet so profound. One day, she’ll likely understand more deeply. But in that moment, her curiosity sparked a meaningful exchange. We talked about balance, food webs, and how every action in nature connects to another. Her thoughtful questions revealed a natural grasp of ecosystems—how solving one problem can shift another.
In Elfin Cove, I met a budding ecologist.
-Tess