Sitka Conservation Society (SCS) has been working to protect the temperate rainforest of southeast Alaska and Sitka's quality of life since 1967. We are based in the small coastal town of Sitka, Alaska, located on the west coast of Baranof Island in the heart of the Tongass National Forest.
The Tongass National Forest, at 17 million acres, is the largest national forest in the U.S.and the largest remaining temperate rainforest in the world. The Tongass, which comprises almost all of Southeast Alaska, is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, but it is owned by all U.S.citizens. View map of the Tongass.
We have the dual goals of protecting the Coastal Temperate Rainforests of Southeast Alaska and developing economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable communities living within the Tongass National Forest. Our tools include traditional grassroots advocacy, innovative collaborative partnerships, educating the next generation of conservation leaders, and well-honed defensive techniques.
Please browse through the Program Menu to learn about our work, and browse the Organization Menu to learn more about us and the places we love.
Sealaska Resolution
The City of Sitka l passed a resolution on Tuesday, February 23, which asks that a Senate field hearing be held in Sitka on the Sealaska Corporation Lands Bill (SSB 881). Mayor Scott McAdams has scheduled a town meeting on Friday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m at the Harrigan Centennial Hall.
Please plan on attending, even if you don't wish to testify. It is important to show that Sitkans have concerns about this controversial bill.
Click on the map below to see a larger version.
Please contact these Senators to ask for a field hearings and to express your concerns.
A new version of the Sealaska Land Exchange bill was introduced in Congress on April 23, 2009. Although we say "new", the bill looks very much like the previous versions. Some changes have been made but they seem to be token changes that fail to address the larger community concerns. The current bill (SB 881) selects lands that are treasured by local residents for their ecological, subsistence and recreational values outside of the original ANSCA selection box. It also includes a series of enterprise sites scattered around the Tongass and set of cultural sites which are important to local tribes. There are many concerns that need to dealt with on this bill and details that are still uncertain.
The Sitka Conservation Society has long advocated for environmental, social, and economic health and vitality for our community and its surrounding public lands. The Groundtruthing and Community Stewardship Projects are key components to help us achieve these goals. The following link provides reports and background material on many of our current projects.
The Backwoods and Waters Natural History Series is held every year, autumn through late spring. Events take place monthly on Monday evenings and usually includes a slideshow and talk on a nature-related topic. Talks are always free and open to the public.
The next program will be:
Pinnacles to Peak: Habitats and Uses of South Kruzof Island
DATE: Thursday, March 18
TIME: TBA
LOCATION: Pioneer Home Chapel
MORE:
The land and sea comprising the south Kruzof volcanic range boasts a surprisingly diverse array of habitats, resources and local uses. How are coastal forests, intertidal environments, an island bird sanctuary and submerged pinnacles interrelated? What considerations play into the management of these habitats? How has this area been used and depended upon by Sitkans? What makes this island so unique?
A panel of experts will discuss these questions and more at the presentation moderated by Andrew Thoms. Panelists include Leslie Slater, Wildlife Biologist with Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Cleo Brylinsky, Groundfish Project Manager with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Annemarie LaPalme, Cabin Trail Planner with the US Forest Service, and David Kelley, Regional Manager with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Land, Mining and Water.
The Sitka Community Wilderness Stewardship project brings together people and wilderness in an original and exciting way. Funded by the National Forest Foundation and the Sitka Conservation Societys Living Wilderness Fund, this project creates a working partnership between the USFS Sitka Ranger District, the Sitka Conservation Society, and a broad spectrum of community members to conduct scientific research expeditions and community monitoring in the two Wilderness Areas surrounding Sitka. By kayaks, float planes, skiffs and on foot, volunteer Sitka residents and Wilderness Rangers are exploring some of the most wild and remote places in Southeast Alaska this summer. Working together for the common goal of stewardship, they are experiencing wildness first hand and gathering needed baseline data about these significant areas.
Sitka Conservation Society (SCS) has been working to protect the temperate rainforest of southeast Alaska and Sitka's quality of life since 1967. We are based in the small coastal town of Sitka, Alaska, located on the west coast of Baranof Island in the heart of the Tongass National Forest.
