Issues
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.
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 check out our program areas below to learn more about our work and the places we love.
Our Tongass programs include the work we do on-the-ground to protect and restore this great place.
In Sitka, we have the opportunity to develop our communities in harmony with our environment. Our Community programs are directed toward achieving that goal.
Related posts:
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Living with the Land: Seaweed Harvest
“Living with the land” means having knowledge and familiarity with the natural environment that surrounds you. Part of that knowledge is knowing what are the edible plants in the environment and when they are ready for harvest. On the outer coast of Alaska in the Tongass National Forest, that also means knowing what seaweeds are [...]
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Energy Star Rebate Program Makes Dent in Electric Consumption
The Energy Star Rebate Program kicked off in late February and provided electric users with the opportunity to upgrade to an Energy Star appliance and receive a rebate ranging from $165-$1,500. The program was well received by residents in the first few months and is already showing great potential to make a dent [...]
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Celebrating a Year of Fish to Schools
The Sitka Conservation Society’s Fish to School Program has nearly completed its first full school year with raving reviews, community support, and strong partnerships. These local fish lunches are served as a hot lunch option through the school lunch program. Lunches are available to all students, totaling about 700 students with about half of those [...]
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“Calvin” Cave
CALVIN CAVE is named for Jack Calvin one of the original founders of the Sitka Conservation Society who helped to protect West Chichagof as a Wilderness area. The following report and map were produced by Kevin Allred with the Tongass Cave Project. Kevin joined the SCS Wilderness crew on a trip to West Chichagof in [...]
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Students share their research with the community
On May 1, students from the Science Mentor Program, Sitka High Field Science Class, and Mt. Edgecumbe High School shared their research with the community. Nearly 50 people attended. Standing room only! Students projects included research in microbial fungal communities in young growth forests, vegetation mapping to target wildlife habitat restoration prescriptions, whale acoustics and [...]
