Isabel, Tristan, Noelani, and Gloria are four Alaskan teens who 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, and an array of other USFS staff in Washington DC, about their personal connection to the Chugach National Forest and their participation in Chugach Children’s Forest programs. The teens shared about the transformative experiences they had on Children’s Forest expeditions, their passion for stewardship, and their ideas on how to engage more diverse youth in the outdoors. Read More