Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission

Great opportunity from the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, check it out!

🗺️ Don't Forget to Register! ArcGIS Resources for Tribal Nations

📅 November 18, 2026 | 2:30–3:30 p.m. MT
💻 FREE Virtual Webinar

🪶 There's still time to register! Join NAFWS for a free virtual webinar exclusively for Tribal staff and representatives to explore available ArcGIS training, resources, and support.

🌟 Learn about resources to support ArcGIS implementation for Tribal Nations, including:

🔹 Free virtual trainings offered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
🔹 Esri training resources
🔹 Additional support available through Tribal GIS

⚠️ Don't wait! Registration is limited to the first 500 participants!

📲 Scan the QR code or visit the link below to register:
www.nafws.org/training-and-workshops

📢Alaska Tribal Leaders: Nominations Are Open!📢

The Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) is accepting nominations for two Alaska representative positions!

RTOC provides Tribal input and guidance to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on programs and policies that impact Tribal communities.

Who is eligible?
Elected Tribal Officials or staff from federally recognized Tribal Governments who are willing to serve a three-year term beginning January 1, 2027.

📅 Nomination Deadline: October 31, 2026

📩 To request a nomination packet, contact Ashley Corrao, RTOC Tribal Leadership Program Director, at [email protected]

Official ballots will be distributed in November, with election results announced in early December.

Help ensure Alaska Tribal voices are represented in decisions affecting our communities!

Last month, AITRC's Ecologist Kelsey Stanbro and Wildlife Biologist Sterling Spilinek traveled to Sitka for the 2026 Native American Fish & Wildlife Society (NAFWS) Alaska Regional Conference!

Hosted by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, this year's conference centered on the theme "Asserting Sovereignty through Science." The annual gathering brought together 69 Tribal fish and wildlife professionals, partners, and community members to share research, strengthen partnerships, and discuss natural resource management.

During the conference, Sterling gave a presentation titled "Tribal-led Monitoring of Wolf Pack Range, Distribution, and Diet in Ahtna's Eastern Territory," highlighting AITRC's ongoing wolf research and Tribal-led wildlife monitoring efforts.

Tsin'aen to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and NAFWS for bringing together natural resource professionals from across Alaska for a week of learning, collaboration, and connection!

AITRC hosted a Regional TCD Meeting as part of the larger Alaska TCD Network! This regional meeting focused on why form a Tribal Conservation District (TCD) and what to do after formation.

We were honored to have representatives from Kake, Kawerak, Bering Sea Interior, Tyonek Tribal Conservation District, and Yakutat join us! We also had contractors who are working on various project in the AK TCD Network from Ginga & Ignin and Strategic Prevention Solutions. We also welcomed speakers from AITRC, Native American Fish & Wildlife Society, and Copper River Growth Company.

During the two-day conference, we explored:

• What is a Tribal Conservation District?
• Why build a TCD?
• Tribal resolutions and the formation process
• Board structure and responsibilities
• TCD organizational structure
• How to assess community and natural resource priorities
• The fundamental building blocks of a TCD
• Developing a roadmap and action plan

Each TCD worked on an action plan identifying responsible staff, milestones, deliverables, and next steps to bring back to their Tribe or Council.

It was a wonderful meeting filled with learning, sharing, collaboration, and connection. We are stronger when we work together!

The future of Tribal Conservation Districts is bright, and we’re excited to see what comes next for this growing network! 🌱🤝

It’s always such a great time to join WISE and others at the Changing Seasons event!

Federal Subsistence Board Approves Wildlife Special Action Request Regarding Moose in Units 11 and 13

The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) approved Emergency Wildlife Special Action Request WSA26-10, regarding moose in Units 11 and 13. The Board’s action was conducted via email consistent with the time sensitivity of the request and Board policy. This Special Action implements two April 2026 Board actions in time for the moose season, as a result of a delay to the final rule publication in the Federal Register.

Wildlife Special Action Request WSA26-10, submitted by a member of the public, requested the Board extend the 2026 moose season in Units 11 and 13 consistent with the Board’s actions on Proposals WP26-28a and WP26-28b. The Board adopted WSA26-10 to extend the Unit 13 moose season to close September 30, and to establish a may-be-announced moose season in Unit 11 from September 21-30 and to delegate authority to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve superintendent to open/close a season between September 21-30. WSA26-10 aims to implement the Board's adoption of WP26-28a with modification and WP26-28b until the new federal subsistence wildlife regulations are published.

Federal Subsistence Board Approves Wildlife Special Action Request Regarding Moose in Units 11 and 13

The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) approved Emergency Wildlife Special Action Request WSA26-10, regarding moose in Units 11 and 13. The Board’s action was conducted via email consistent with the time sensitivity of the request and Board policy. This Special Action implements two April 2026 Board actions in time for the moose season, as a result of a delay to the final rule publication in the Federal Register.

Wildlife Special Action Request WSA26-10, submitted by a member of the public, requested the Board extend the 2026 moose season in Units 11 and 13 consistent with the Board’s actions on Proposals WP26-28a and WP26-28b. The Board adopted WSA26-10 to extend the Unit 13 moose season to close September 30, and to establish a may-be-announced moose season in Unit 11 from September 21-30 and to delegate authority to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve superintendent to open/close a season between September 21-30. WSA26-10 aims to implement the Board's adoption of WP26-28a with modification and WP26-28b until the new federal subsistence wildlife regulations are published.

🐟 Our LAST Salmon Teleconference of the season is tomorrow!

We’re wrapping things up in Tazlina, and ALL are welcome! Seriously. Salmon expert? Welcome. Casual salmon enjoyer? Welcome. Just heard there’s food and free T-shirts? We see you. 👀

📅 Thursday, August 27
⏰ 12–1 PM
📍 Tazlina Hall, Mile 110.5 Richardson Highway or on Zoom

🍽️ It’s a potluck! Bring a dish to share, bring your salmon questions, bring your neighbor, bring that one uncle who has a lot to say about this year’s run.

👕 We’ll also have Salmon Teleconference T-shirts for attendees while supplies last. Come for the salmon talk, stay for the food, leave with a shirt if you’re quick enough. 🏃💨

More info, directions & Zoom link: ahtnatribal.org/teleconferences

📢 NRCS Alaska State Technical Advisory Committee Meeting | TOMORROW, August 19th

NRCS Alaska is hosting a State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19, from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. AKST. Participants can attend in person at the NRCS Alaska State Office in Palmer or virtually through Microsoft Teams.

This meeting will focus on the new Regenerative Pilot Program and provide an opportunity for participants to share recommendations on:
🌱 Critical natural resource concerns
💧 Eligible land uses
🌿 Primary and additional regenerative conservation practices
💬 Questions, comments, and other recommendations

NRCS identifies natural resource concerns across Soil, Water, Air, Plants, Animals, Energy, and Human (SWAPAE+H) categories. These include issues such as soil erosion and health, water quality, plant condition, fish and wildlife habitat, and more.

📅 Wednesday, August 19, 2026
⏰ 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. AKST
📍 NRCS Alaska State Office
800 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645
💻 Virtual option available via Microsoft Teams

In-person attendees: Please RSVP to [email protected].

Microsoft Teams Meeting
Meeting ID: 297 340 879 773 797
Passcode: zC7ta2zV

🔗 Join virtually: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/297340879773797?p=ZSRoVCwTHkhVz9IWjs

Fish techs Trevor Alexander and Bella Ranck sampling out on Mentasta Lake!

📍 CHITINA COMMUNITY HARVEST SYSTEM (CHS) REGISTRATION & NPS PERMIT EVENT

Need to register for the AITRC Community Harvest System (CHS) or pick up your Federal permit? We'll be in Chitina this Saturday to help!

📅 Saturday, August 8
🕐 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 Chitina Ranger Station (Mile 33 Edgerton Highway)

AITRC and NPS staff will be available to:
✅ Register eligible participants for the Community Harvest System (CHS)
✅ Issue Federal permits
✅ Answer questions about eligibility, registration, harvest reporting, and the CHS program

If you've been meaning to get registered or have questions about the process, stop by while we're in your community!

Learn more about the Community Harvest System:
🌐 ahtnatribal.org/harvest

We look forward to seeing you there!