Sustainable Southeast Partnership

Southeast Alaskans are interested in a whole community approach to landslide risk reduction, information dissemination, and landslide response,” said Ella Neumann, SSSC’s research data manager. “We are dedicated to connecting people to the information and resources they need because we understand firsthand that resilience is a community effort.” Community involvement is key to understanding geohazards and creating effective, inclusive solutions. The ?utí Project follows a knowledge co-production framework, bringing together Indigenous knowledge and Western science to address local challenges. With partnerships across Southeast Alaska, from Sitka to Skagway, and core partners such as Tlingit & Haida, the project empowers communities to guide research and build resilience to landslide risks. Together, in partnership with regional partners like the US Forest Service and local Tribes such as Sitka Tribe of Alaska, we’re working towards a whole-community approach to safety and resilience. Read the whole story in our Juneau Empire column and on our website. Photos by Lee House, Annette Patton, and Zofia Danielson, Story by Lisa Teas Conaway #?utí #CommunityScience #Geohazards #Alaska #landslides

Climate adaptation begins with growing our understanding of the lands and waters we depend on. The Hoonah Native Forest Partnership (HNFP), led by the Hoonah Indian Association @hia_environmental, is a collaborative land management approach to caring for, monitoring, and managing lands and waters near Hoonah across different ownership. For over 9 years, HNFP has worked to enhance, understand, restore, and care for watersheds in ways that prioritize local employment and local priorities. Their work is informed by a watershed management plan developed by the members of the partnership and a Climate Adaptation Plan developed by Hoonah Indian Association and the community of Hoonah in 2022, that looks at the impact of changing climate on critical cultural and community resources. Pictured, the crew map anadromous streams that have not previously been documented. Understanding salmon distribution and health on the landscape is critical in Southeast Alaska for addressing climate change. – To complement our September @juneau.life Woven Peoples & Place story introducing Annika Ord, our Climate Adaptation Catalyst with the Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, we are sharing some of the inspiring climate work already being championed by our partners around the Southeast.? Photos by @leehows @sitkawild

Nestled in Keku Strait on Kupreanof Island sits the Lingít community of Kake. Around 500 people are lucky enough to call this community, with its inspiring landscape, history, and flourishing culture, home. Kake has a long history of living in balance with local lands and waters. Most people hunt, fish, and gather. In 2023, SSP Regional Catalysts gathered in Kake to support the Ke?ex’ Kwa?an Culture Camp — harvesting and processing traditional foods with youth like halibut, deer, moose, seal, and more. In 2024, Kake hosted us for our annual work planning retreat for the upcoming year. Over the years, Ke?ex’ Kwa?an Community Forest Partnership received valuable skills training while working with the USDA Forest Service and Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition to restore salmon habitat on Kuiu Island that had been damaged by past logging practices. The first annual Ke?ex ? Kwa?an Traditional Food Fair was held in 2023 and included a recipe competition and food prepared by the Alaska Youth Stewards crew to distribute to elders and community members. #KakeAlaska #KakeCommunity #SoutheastAlaska #TlingitCulture #AlaskaLiving Photos by Muriel Reid, Shaelene Moler, and Bethany Goodrich

Over the past ice age, glaciers sculpted Southeast Alaska into the dynamic and awe-inspiring landscape we see today. Dramatic fjords and steep forested hillsides jut up from the ocean. The forests that have taken root here only have a shallow layer of topsoil to cling to above bedrock. Along with the growing forests a vibrant and complex culture of people have thrived. The Tlingít, Haida, and Tsimshian people have tended to Southeast Alaska since time immemorial, shaping the land and being shaped by it in turn. As an abundant temperate rainforest, heavy precipitation is part of the land and livelihoods of the people. When heavy rainstorms saturate the topsoil, it can become unstable and the risks of landslides are all too clear. The ?utí project, a Sitka Sound Science Center project, focusing on landslide risk reduction by integrating Indigenous knowledge with scientific research is expanding across Southeast Alaska. Originally started in Sitka after the 2015 landslide, the project now collaborates with tribal governments and other organizations across communities to create locally tailored alert systems and environmental monitoring. By engaging local youth through the Alaska Youth Stewards program in hands-on geohazard research, ?utí fosters community resilience and prepares future leaders in this work. This unique effort stands out nationally as a model for cooperative, community-centered hazard mitigation. Read our new column piece “Woven Peoples and Place: ?utí expands across Southeast Alaska” by Lisa Teas Conaway, Sitka Sound Science Center Communications Coordinator on our website?https://lnkd.in/geutFiQP?or in the Juneau Empire?https://lnkd.in/gKwWHkgi. Photos by Bethany Goodrich and Zofia Danielson

Restoring Salmon Habitats, Strengthening Ecosystems Earlier this summer, Clara Mooney and Addy Mallott joined the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP) as Storytelling and Engagement interns. With an analog camera and journals in hand, they traveled to Kasaan, Klawock, Craig, and Hydaburg to document these important projects and the people behind them— one of these projects being the Alaska Youth Stewards. Led by Tlingit & Haida, the Alaska Youth Stewards (AYS) program is giving young people hands-on experience in natural resource management, community service, and cultural stewardship. Over summer, the Prince of Wales crew worked on a salmon stream restoration project, learning from Klawock Indigenous Stewards Forest Partnership Coordinator, Quinn Aboudara, on how to enhance salmon habitats by adding logs for shade and shelter. Healthy forests and healthy salmon streams are deeply connected—trees provide vital shade and structure for salmon, while salmon, in turn, nourish the forests when they return to spawn. With a changing climate, creating these habitats is more important than ever. Across the region, our partners are working to restore balance and protect Alaska's precious ecosystems. Read “Húus dáng hl kíngsaang (I’ll see you again): Reflections from Prince of Wales” now on our website or in the Juneau Empire.?https://lnkd.in/gY5khZTn Story and graphics by Addy Mallott and Clara Mooney #AlaskaYouthStewards #SalmonRestoration #HealthyForests #ReciprocalEcosystems #ClimateAction #SustainableSoutheast #CulturalStewardship #Storytelling #NaturalResourceManagement

Húus dáng hl kíngsaang (I’ll see you again): Reflections from Prince of Wales “Kasaan is a place that carries a special kind of magic—one that comes alive under towering 60-foot totems and alongside breaching killer whales. When we arrived at the carving house, we were greeted by a totem that reminded us of our cyclical connection to the past, present, and future. Haida carver Nang K’adangáas Eric Hamar shared the significance of totems and the land they stand upon, teaching us that a totem's life begins when it 'stands up,' as reflected in the Haida word for totem, 'gyáa’ aang,' which means ‘standing up.’” Earlier this summer, Clara Mooney and Addy Mallott joined the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP) as Storytelling and Engagement interns hosted with the Sitka Conservation Society through the Sealaska Internship Program. With an analog camera and journals in tow, the two journeyed to Kasaan, Klawock, Craig, and Hydaburg.?These are reflections of the people they met and the experiences they had along the way. They reflected on all they learned across Prince of Wales Island, recognizing the organizations within the Sustainable Southeast Partnership that are working to preserve their culture. These organizations supporting arts programs and developing land management strategies to protect old-growth red and yellow cedar trees, ensuring the tradition of totem pole carving endures for future generations. Read the rest of their reflections in our monthly column Woven Peoples & Place in the Juneau Empire: https://lnkd.in/ggVWeNG4 or on our website: https://lnkd.in/gY5khZTn #Kasaan #HaidaCulture #TotemPoles #CulturalHeritage #SoutheastAlaska #SustainableSoutheast #OldGrowthCedar #IndigenousTraditions #ArtAndLand #CulturalPreservation #PrinceOfWalesIsland #TotemLifeCycle #AncestralLands Story and graphics by Addy Mallott and Clara Mooney

Húus dáng hl kíngsaang (I’ll see you again): Reflections from Prince of Wales ?? Clara Mooney and Addy Mallott, our 2024 Storytelling & Engagement Interns, spent their summer capturing the heart of Prince of Wales Island. From Kasaan to Klawock, Craig to Hydaburg, they explored the land during 'Back to the Lands Week,' documenting their journey with an analog camera and heartfelt reflections. ???? Check out their story and film photography, highlighting the incredible people and places they encountered along the way. Read more: ?? Sustainable Southeast Partnership https://lnkd.in/gY5khZTn ?? Juneau Empire https://lnkd.in/ggVWeNG4 Story and graphics by Addy Mallott and Clara Mooney #SustainableSoutheast #Storytelling #IndigenousCommunities #BackToTheLands #PrinceOfWales #SSPInterns #FilmPhotography #HúusDángHlKíngsaang

Partners within the SSP created e-bike incentives for Southeast Alaska communities. Sitka Conservation Society (SCS), The Leighty Foundation and utility Alaska Power & Telephone (AP&T) created a new partnership to promote use of electric bikes. Together, the organizations offer cash incentives to AP&T power customers who purchase e-bikes for use in AP&T’s service areas, which includes communities on Prince of Wales Island, Haines, Skagway, and Gustavus. Katie Riley of SCS commented “E-bikes are a great way to expand access to healthy, low carbon transportation options while utilizing clean electric energy. We're excited to partner with AP&T and The Leighty Foundation to support this initiative and invest in building bicycle-friendly and climate-conscious communities in Southeast Alaska.” Incentives are available for up to 10% of the purchase price, with a maximum payment of $200. Klondike Electric Bicycles, a small-business participating in this program located in the heart of Skagway, Alaska, offers a thrilling way to explore Skagway and the surrounding area's breathtaking landscapes. Klondike Electric Bicycles makes it easy and fun for everyone, regardless of fitness level, to discover the stunning beauty of Skagway and beyond. From scenic rides around the community to unforgettable journeys into the Yukon, they provide an eco-friendly way to experience the most awe-inspiring sights. By taking advantage of these incentives, customers can be part of a movement towards clean, sustainable transportation. Next time you are in Skagway, visit Klondike Electric Bicycles! #ExploreAlaska #ElectricBikes #EcoFriendlyTravel #SustainableTourism #KlondikeBikes #CleanEnergy #CommunityPartners #AdventureAwaits Photos by Shaelene Grace Moler

Living in Southeast Alaska is a constant source of inspiration. This is something Kushxeet Sienna Reid can speak to as an artist and small business owner. Kushxeet Sienna Reid is one of our newest steering committee members. The Steering Committee provides overall program oversight for SSP and is responsible for policy development, fundraising, annual budget review, participation in the hiring process and nomination of the Program Director position, and network partnership relations. Kushxeet Sienna currently works with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska to protect our traditional plants through the Kayaaní Commission. As a multimedia artist, their journey has been about reconnecting with their culture and identity through their art. With their small business, Xoodzí ("falling star"), they create pieces that reflect strong feminine energy and contemporary Lingít imagery. ?? Art isn’t just a passion; it’s a community builder. Kushxeet Sienna believes in supporting fellow artists, not seeing them as competition. Our traditions are rich and unique, and together we uplift one another. They are thankful for the Tribes and Native corporations that foster learning and growth in our artistic community. Read the full interview in our magazine Woven: https://lnkd.in/gbqsVqU4 #LingítArt #SupportLocalArtists #communityvoice

Today is National Voter Registration Day and we are less than two months from the national election. Kuxhadahaan Adaayoo.analgein (Stop, observe, examine, act) — these guiding principles that we follow at the Sustainable Southeast Partnership illustrate why it’s crucial to inform yourself. Here at the SSP, we approach decision-making with intentionality, seeking continuous improvement through reflection and adaptation. Just as we act with strategy and purpose in other areas of life, voting should reflect thoughtful planning and understanding. An informed vote is a powerful action that contributes to positive, meaningful change in our communities. Ready to vote? Here's how to register in Alaska. 1?? Eligibility: You must be a U.S. citizen, an Alaska resident, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. 2?? Register: Online: Visit?https://lnkd.in/gvj2fRC In-person: Head to your Division of Elections Office or DMV. By mail: Download the form from?elections.alaska.gov?and send it in. 3?? Deadline: Register at least 30 days before Election Day (Election Day is November 5) to be eligible. 4?? Check your status: Confirm you're registered at?myvoterportal.alaska.gov Your vote shapes the future! ????? Illustration by Sienna Reid @xoodzi for First Alaskans Magazine #AlaskaVotes #RegisterToVote #YourVoiceMatters #AlaskaElection #CivicEngagementAK