The Roadless Rule Repeal Is Coming—Again.
The fight to protect the Tongass is far from over. The Trump administration is once again moving to dismantle the Roadless Rule, putting Southeast Alaska’s old-growth forests, economies, and communities at risk. This time, it’s not just Alaska that is targeted; the administration is set to repeal the rule nationwide.
Thanks to people like you—who showed up, spoke out, and stood firm—we’ve been able to overcome rollbacks to our public land protections. Now, we need your voice again. We know that it can be disheartening to see the pendulum swing on these policies - especially when Southeast Alaskans have been resoundingly clear about their views. However, being consistent about advocating for your vision of a sustainably managed Tongass that provides fuel for our livelihoods, communities, culture and economies is not wasted time. Your advocacy is setting the stage for the next era of Tongass stewardship - and every time you speak out, you reaffirm that the future of the Tongass will be written by those who stand up for it. This latest push is expected to move fast, with little room for public input. That’s no accident—they know these decisions are wildly unpopular. We’ll have only a short window to respond, and it’s critical we’re ready.
Sitka Conservation Society will be tracking every development and making sure you know exactly when and how to speak up. Even if our elected leaders choose to not listen, they can't claim we were silently complicit.
Let’s stay alert. Stay loud. And stand together to defend the Tongass.
Building a Sustainable Future—One Beam at a Time
SCS and the Sustainable Southeast Partnership were recently featured in the Juneau Empire’s “Threads of the Tongass” series, which explores local perspectives on timber in the Tongass National Forest. Read the full article here!
The article highlights how SCS and partners are helping grow a sustainable young growth timber industry in Southeast Alaska from stand inventory to harvest,milling, transport, and construction. For over 15 years, SCS has worked to link these steps and build a local timber economy.
SCS’ Andrew Thoms explained that the goal is to practice responsible forestry by protecting large areas of intact habitat and old growth forest while using previously logged areas to sustainably harvest and use local wood products to spur economic development in the region.
A recent example: SCS purchased young-growth posts and beams from Alaska Timber and Truss mill in Petersburg and had them delivered to Sitka on a flatbed truck via the Alaska Marine Highway System. The lumber will be used to build an outdoor learning pavilion at Pacific High School for students to process foods under.
Fish to Schools Donation Drive Returns for Its 15th Year!
The Annual Fish to Schools Coho Donation Drive kicks off on August 1 and runs through August 15! For 15 years, the Fish to Schools program has brought locally-caught seafood into school cafeterias throughout Sitka, helping students build a deeper understanding of salmon, fishing, and the local food systems that sustain us.
This program connects youth to place, teaches respect for resources, and celebrates our unique Alaskan way of life. Through school lunches and a salmon-focused curriculum, students learn not just where their food comes from—but the hard work, values, and stewardship that go into harvesting it.
The program’s success is made possible through strong partnerships with Sitka Sound Seafoods, Seafood Producers Cooperative, Sitka School District, Mount Edgecumbe High School, and—most importantly—the local fishermen who generously donate their catch.
How to Donate:
Fishermen can contribute by letting scale operators at SPC or SSS know how many Coho they’d like to donate when offloading. Yelloweye overage donations are also welcome.
Thank you to our fishing fleet and community partners for nourishing the next generation—with healthy food and meaningful connection to our home waters.
For more information, contact:
📞 Sitka Conservation Society at (907) 747-7509
📧 Chandler O’Connell, [email protected] | (907) 738-0357
📧 Zia NoiseCat, [email protected] | (505) 412-9299
From kayaking to bikepacking, and wild edible harvesting to dipnetting…Summer Camps are in full swing with our 4-H Alaska Way of Life Project….
Salmon-Focused Culture Camp: Honoring Tradition, Teaching the Future
This summer, youth in Sitka were invited to participate in Salmon-Focused Culture Camp—a week rooted in culture, connection, and teachings of the salmon. For the first time ever, student leaders traveled to Kunaa Shak Áayi (Redoubt Lake) to harvest G̱aat (sockeye salmon) through the practice of dipnetting. This learning journey honored the vision of beloved culture bearer and former SCS board member, the late Gheistéen Daanax.ils’eik Chuck Miller, who dedicated his life to passing down a legacy of stewardship and cultural continuity.
On the anniversary of Chuck’s passing, four youth stood at the rushing falls of Redoubt, guided by cultural educators and mentors. There, they learned to read the water, time the net, and harvest with care. With each salmon caught, generations of knowledge were carried forward.
Back in Sitka, the camp continued with hands-on lessons in filleting, preservation, and respect. Under the guidance of Mr. Charlie Skulka, students practiced filleting techniques and learned the importance of using every part of the fish. As Charlie said, “If you take away anything from this camp, it’s to keep your knives sharp.”
The following day focused on smoking and canning. Youth explored different preparation techniques, learned to brine and hang salmon in the smokehouse, and practiced jarring the fish for future meals. The food they processed will help feed upcoming youth programs—creating a full-circle experience rooted in reciprocity.
One of the most powerful moments of the week was seeing older students mentor younger campers—teaching them how to make salmon patties from leftover meat, and proudly sharing their newly acquired canning skills. Through this peer-to-peer sharing, the camp's purpose came to life: honoring tradition and the transmission of knowledge, deepening respect for the salmon, and growing future leaders.
This camp was made possible through the partnership of the Sitka Native Education Program, Sitka Conservation Society’s 4-H Alaska Way of Life Project, and the Sitka Spruce Tips Molly of Denali 4-H Camp. Gunalchéesh to everyone who contributed time, knowledge, and heart to this unforgettable experience.
Powering the Vision at Sea Pony Farm
In 2018, renowned Southeast Alaska artists Eric and Pam Bealer left their remote homestead property to the Sitka Conservation Society’s Living Wilderness Fund. To honor their legacy, we’ve turned this property into Sea Pony Farm–a creative retreat and wilderness field station. With more artists, carpenters, volunteers, and community members spending time at Sea Pony Farm, we’ve recognized the need for expanded off-grid energy capacity. In 2025, this became a priority project for Sitka Conservation Society.
As we began planning, we discovered a perfect connection: Samuel Dennis, father of former SCS intern and Sea Pony Farm volunteer Carly Dennis, is a solar energy expert. Sam retired from BP in 2016 and has been leading solar projects in Alaska since 2017. He teamed up with Jon Muller, a retired VA doctor turned renewable energy enthusiast, who has completed a similar off-grid solar project at his own remote cabin.
Sam and Jon, long-time family friends, jumped in with enthusiasm. “Sam and I met in 2003 through our daughters,” Jon shared. “We’ve geeked out on projects ever since. When he asked if I wanted to help with a project in Pelican, my response was, ‘Sure. Where’s that?’”
Beginning in early 2025, the two worked closely with SCS staff Andrew Thoms and Lione Clare to plan and design an upgraded solar system for the property. Sam and Jon’s support has been extraordinary—donating time, expertise, and muscle. Together, they sourced materials, engineered the system, and spent four full days at Sea Pony Farm installing rooftop panels, running wiring, and setting up the power shed with batteries, inverter, and charge controller.
We are incredibly grateful to Sam and Jon for helping bring this vision to life. Their contribution supports Sea Pony Farm’s role as a home for the Wilderness Residency and Stewardship Program—a place where artists, leaders, and land stewards can build connections, care for the surrounding ecosystems, recharge, and amplify voices for the Tongass through creativity and shared purpose.
Wild gratitude to these dedicated volunteers and their investment in helping Alaskans take climate action through renewable energy.
Thank You, Allie!
We’re sending our deepest thanks to Allie Prokosh for the heart, creativity, and joy she brought to our youth programs over the past two years.
Allie first joined us as a Jesuit Volunteer and later stepped into the role of Youth Program Coordinator, where she crafted fun and meaningful experiences that helped young people build lasting connections to the Tongass. Whether through playful games or thoughtful lessons, her warmth, care, and energy left a lasting impression on everyone she worked with.
We’re so grateful for all she shared with our community—and we wish her all the best in her next adventure. We hope to welcome you back to Sitka someday, Allie!
Join Our Final Cruise of the Summer Season
📅 Saturday, August 16
Wilderness Cruise
Departing at 5:00 PM – Returning around 8:00 PM
An evening tour into wild landscapes, perfect for soaking in the serenity of Southeast Alaska. Our Wilderness cruises pay homage to our founders, and their belief that sharing the wild, enchanting landscapes of Southeast Alaska with people far and wide would inspire an ethos of stewardship that continues to ripple outwards.
Tickets will be available beginning two weeks prior to each cruise at Old Harbor Books.
Thank you for being part of our wild community. Whether you give your time, your voice, or your support—you help us work towards a resilient, thriving Sitka. If you have any feedback or there is anything specific you would like to see more of in our newsletters in the coming year, please reach out to us at [email protected].