Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission

“In Alaska, people are part of the ecosystem.” – Mark Miller, NPS AITRC is thrilled to be featured in a National Park Service-commissioned article that highlights our efforts to tackle food security challenges in Alaska’s Copper River Valley. Through salmon preservation workshops and weekly in-season fisheries teleconferences, AITRC is creating opportunities to share traditional knowledge, monitor salmon health, and strengthen subsistence practices. These initiatives not only support harvesters but also promote community resilience in the face of climate change. The article, written by Laura Vachula, shines a spotlight on the powerful collaboration between AITRC and NPS in addressing the unique challenges of maintaining food security in Alaska’s rural communities. Dive into the full story to learn how these local efforts are making an impact: https://lnkd.in/e9VE994J

AITRC is honored to have presented at the 34th Annual BIA Tribal Provider’s Conference, held December 3-5, 2024, at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. The theme of this year’s event, "Renewing Our Strength, Resilience, and Perseverance," reflects the vital work we are doing to support our communities and natural resources. AITRC's Wildlife Biologist, Sterling Spilinek, delivered an engaging presentation on our ongoing projects, including, fisheries management, our bear study and information about our wolf capture and collaring efforts. We are proud to share our work and collaborate with other tribes and organizations to strengthen our shared resilience and connection to the land.

As Karen Linnell, Executive Director of the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission, noted, ‘We all want the same thing—healthy populations so we aren’t fighting over the last moose, caribou, or salmon. We have to put our egos aside to get things done.’ This spirit of cooperation underscores the importance of traditional knowledge, relationship-building, and trust in conservation efforts. Despite challenges like climate change and increased human activity, there remains a strong commitment to sustainable management for future generations. At the recent North American Caribou Workshop, leaders from Indigenous communities, caribou management boards, and co-stewardship organizations shared invaluable insights on protecting caribou herds across Alaska and northern Canada. Central to the discussion was a commitment to ‘put on your caribou hat’—setting aside individual perspectives to focus on the collective well-being of caribou and their ecosystems. Link to view article: https://lnkd.in/ex8m5hej

What does the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission do? We work on projects to conserve, manage, and develop the fish, wildlife, and plant resources of the Ahtna Region according to culturally relevant values. Some of those projects include: - A sonar on the Klutina River to estimate escapement - Assessments of parasite burden in Copper River Salmon - Testing for heavy metals in moose in the Ahtna Region - Monitoring wolf distribution and diet - Assessing how many bears are on the land to help better inform management - A lot of advocacy work, from attending regional advisory committee meetings to federal subsistence board and board of game/fish - Creating a tribal historic preservation office to protect culturally sensitive sites - Administering surveys and writing reports to document local ecological knowledge of caribou And so much more!!

Kelsey Stanbro, an ecologist and wildlife and fisheries biologist at Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission, recently spoke as a guest in Katie Bobowski's Conservation of Natural Resources class. The class revolves around managing and preserving natural resources, specifically learning skills that might be used by field technicians collecting data. Students are introduced to various sampling techniques used for natural resource inventory, monitoring, and research throughout the semester. Stanbro used a hands-on approach to teach students about sustainable resource management, population dynamics, and the interplay between economics and conservation by having them dissect a salmon. The technique the students learned was part of a sampling protocol that AITRC uses to monitor parasites in salmon migrating up the Copper River. Participating in a salmon dissection is an interactive and educational experience that teaches students about fish anatomy, ecosystem dynamics, fisheries management, and conservation principles. It highlights the significance of scientific sampling in research and resource management, emphasizing its role in informed decision-making for the sustainable utilization and conservation of natural resources. This activity also fosters critical thinking and a deeper appreciation of environmental issues. We want to thank Rob Unger and Solomon Gulch Hatchery staff for their salmon contribution to this activity.