The far north is changing at unprecedented rates. This showcase features projects aiming to address some of our pressing challenges amidst these changes, including how changing environmental and social conditions are influencing infrastructure, food security and health and wellbeing. Find out what types of Arctic research community partnership opportunities and products for local decision making are coming out of the ...

Environmental managers from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Aviation Administration, Defenses Logistics Agency, US Air Force and US Coast Guard will present information on their respective environmental cleanup projects in Alaska. The discussions will address progress that has been made in the past year to accomplish remediation goals that protect human health and the environment.Presenters: Ken Andraschko, Army ...

This session will include a discussion of youth engagement activities that are eligible under GAP, presentations by organizations that provide opportunities for youth, and presentations by GAP staff that have taken innovative approaches to involving youth in their communities. Moderator: Tia Allen, EPAPresenters: Santina Gay, EPAMike Brubaker, Alaska Native Tribal Health ConsortiumAnn Mayo-Keily, Alaska Conservation Foundation.

Where there are humans, there is artificial light. But dark skies - free of artificial lighting - are beneficial for animals and humans. Artificial light can impede animal migrations and interfere with circadian rhythms of animals and people. And excessive artificial lighting is annoying and costly, as well as a waste of energy. Come hear about ways you can benefit ...

In this session you’ll hear from members of the Alaska marine debris community on recent and planned efforts, what they’re finding, and what they’re learning. Across Alaska there is an active and dedicated marine debris community working to address and prevent marine debris impacts. Projects use diverse and innovative methods but all have the common goal of understanding, removing, and ...

The growing product stewardship movement in the U.S. seeks to ensure that those who design, manufacture, sell, and use consumer products take responsibility for reducing negative impacts to the economy, environment, public health, and worker safety. This includes the disposal of products. These impacts can occur throughout the lifecycle of a product, and are associated with energy and materials consumption; ...

This interactive session will include 1) a brief overview of some of the changes being observed in our berry species and 2) regional break-out groups to discuss issues, concerns or ideas related to berries in our local communities. This discussion is part of a series of listening sessions on berries hosted by the Alaska CASC Tribal Resilience Learning Network and ...

Planning and implementing a backhaul project in your community can be overwhelming. Questions like - Where to start?, What to collect?, and How to store material?, are discussed in this thought-provoking session. Topics are intended for small rural landfill improvement projects and backhaul efforts. Information in this session has been gathered from proven processes and approaches in rural Alaska. Presenter ...

Various entities are promoting nuclear power as a carbon-neutral green energy alternative. Other groups are still concerned about the long-term storage of radioactive waste and potential radiological health impacts. For decades there has been discussion of small nuclear reactors for use on military bases and villages across Alaska. Now Eielson Air Force base in the Interior has been slated as ...

The Alaska Forum on the Environment is pleased to announce that Kathleen Dean Moore will return to provide a Keynote address sharing perspectives on climate change impacts and the environment.Kathleen Dean Moore, Ph.D., is a philosopher and writer, whose most recent books include Great Tide Rising; Earth’s Wild Music; and Bearing Witness: The Human Rights Case Against Fracking and Climate ...

In this session you’ll hear about the recently launched project to study the Arctic Frozen Commons (FC), defined as the ice, snow, and permafrost landscapes collectively used and governed by communities and numerous non-local stakeholders. While significant knowledge exists around biophysical characteristics of the cryosphere, this remains largely separate from its cultural and social understandings among local and Indigenous communities, ...

Billions of dollars for brownfields are coming with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. How can Alaskan communities position themselves to take advantage of this investment within ANCSA? We will: review the increase in funding and proposed changes to EPA’s MARC and 128a programs; explore with attendees how communities can leverage other funding and capitalize on current federal priorities; and discuss how ...

This session will provide a brief overview of river ice observing efforts around Alaska and facilitate discussion on concerns about changing river ice conditions, information needs and coordinated river ice observation methods, apps and information sharing platforms. Moderator: Brook WoodsPresenters: Chris Arp, UAFKatie Spellman, UAF

This session is aimed to gather communities’ concerns and experiences about Arctic ice, snow, and permafrost landscapes collectively used and governed by communities and non-local stakeholders. This project will advance transdisciplinary research by converging Arts, Science, Local and Indigenous Knowledge systems for developing a deeper understanding of frozen commons resilience and sustainability. The questions for discussions during the session: 1) ...

This session will include a discussion of the GAP work plan template for environmental education activities, presentations by organizations that provide opportunities for youth, and presentations by GAP staff that have taken innovative approaches to involving youth in their communities. Moderator: Tia Allen, EPAPresenters: EPA, Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR), Native Village of Napaimute, and Alaska Youth for ...

Michael S. Regan was sworn in as the 16th Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency on March 11, 2021, becoming the first Black man and second person of color to lead the U.S. EPA. Administrator Regan is native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he developed a passion for the environment while hunting and fishing with his father and ...

In this session you’ll hear from members of the Alaska marine debris community on recent and planned efforts, what they’re finding, and what they’re learning. Across Alaska there is an active and dedicated marine debris community working to address and prevent marine debris impacts. Projects use diverse and innovative methods but all have the common goal of understanding, removing, and ...

Do you enjoy watching the unique wildlife of Alaska? In this session you’ll hear about two successful citizen science programs in southcentral Alaska, the Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership and Birds ‘n’ Bogs, and learn how your pastime can be turned into science.Presenters:Suzanne Steinert, Beluga Whale AllianceAudrey Taylor, University of AlaskaModerator: Bridget Crokus, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Chinook salmon populations in the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim region have declined during a period of rapid environmental change. We are kicking off a project that will draw on the latest climate science and fisheries data to better understand why, how, and what the future might bring. We are looking for input on key natural and human-driven changes to consider in our study. ...

Ductless heat pumps, a type of air source heat pump, have a large potential to reduce carbon footprint and energy costs in Juneau. Building on the success of several Alaska solarize campaigns as well as previous and on-going air source heat pump educational and research programs in Juneau, Alaska’s first ‘thermalize campaign’ was launched in early 2021. The Thermalize goal ...

Did you know that the coffee you drink can have an impact on birds in Alaska? The Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certification does more than any other certification to conserve habitat for birds and other wildlife on coffee farms. During this talk, Bird Friendly® Program Manager Kirstin Hill will describe the link between coffee and conservation and share what makes Bird ...