In March 2016 the U.S. Arctic Youth Ambassadors converged in Fairbanks, Alaska for the Arctic Science Summit Week, an annual gathering of international scientists and policymakers who advance Arctic research. A number of other international Arctic events also took place in Fairbanks last week including the Arctic Observing Summit, the Model Arctic Council, and an Arctic Council Senior Officials Meeting. Throughout the week the young leaders had the opportunity to interact with hundreds of Arctic experts from around the world. Read more…

Jimena Cuenca was a Student Conservation Association intern for the Chugach National Forest in 2016! She coordinates outreach for the forest with a specific focus on increasing volunteerism and engaging new audiences. Prior to working on the volunteer program, Jimena did field work related to migratory birds out of the Chugach National Forest’s Cordova Ranger District as an Environment for the Americas Intern. Originally from Los Angeles, Jimena has fallen in love with the Chugach and with Alaska. We recently interviewed her to find out more about what she does! Read more…

“America has changed dramatically since the birth of the National Park Service in 1916. The roots of the National Park Service lie in the parks’ majestic, often isolated natural wonders and in places that exemplify our cultural heritage, but our reach now extends to places difficult to imagine 100 years ago—into urban centers, across rural landscapes, deep within oceans, and across night skies.” – NPS Centennial Initiative

Happy Centennial, National Park Service! While the Park Service officially turns 100 on August 25, 2016, Centennial celebrations are already well underway. Read more…

We are thrilled to welcome Reth Duir, Chugach Children’s Forest, SCA, and NOLS alum – and one of the Arctic Youth Ambassadors – to our education staff! Reth will be working part-time to help implement our National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Urban Refuges grant with the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

We first met Reth Duir when he participated in one of our Chugach Children’s Forest Habitat Restoration Kayak Expeditions in 2013. Read more…

Denali Science School is a new outreach program coordinated by Alaska Geographic and the National Park Service to get Alaskan elementary school kids outside and learning in Denali National Park!

The goal of the program is to increase local kids’ awareness of Denali National Park and other public lands in Alaska, introduce them to park science, and to build their scientific literacy with hands-on activities. One of the main strengths of the program is modeling scientific techniques, such as permafrost probing and wildlife tracking using radio collaring. Read more…

In December 2015 four Alaskan teens traveled to Washington DC as representatives of the Chugach Children’s Forest. The occasion? To celebrate the lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, which made a 4,000-mile cross-country journey from Alaska’s Chugach National Forest to the nation’s capitol.

In addition to participating in the festivities surrounding the lighting of the tree, the teens had the opportunity to present to the Chief of the Forest Service Tom Tidwell. Read more…