**Mark new items in this issue.

April 11, 2012Compiled Weekly by Peg TilestonOn behalf of the Alaska Women’s Environmental Network (AWEN), Alaska Center for the Environment (ACE), and Alaska Conservation Alliance (ACA)

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, TRAINING

REGISTRATION is NOW OPEN for SUMMER COURSES AT THE WRANGELL MOUNTAINS CENTER IN MCCARTHY inside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Early bird and membership discounts are available for many programs. This year's residential programs include courses in natural history, field sketching and journaling, plein air painting, nature photography, creative writing, surface design and art quilting, and much more. Scholarships for several of these courses as well as our 31st annual upper division undergraduate college field course are being accepted through the end of March, downloadable from our programs page. Also, save the date, April 20, for our spring celebration and fundraiser in Anchorage.. The WMC fosters understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of wildlands and mountain culture through scientific and artistic inquiry in the Wrangell Mountains. Learn more at http://wrangells.org/index.html or write to info@wrangells.org.

April 12, 19 & 26PALMER - HIGH TUNNEL GROWER TRAINING will be held at the UAF Experiment Farm on Trunk Rd. from 6 to 10 each evening. Cost $50. High tunnels also presents special challenges in disease and pest control, irrigation, and nutrients. Save yourself years of costly mistakes and snap up this rare blast of knowledge offered by Dr. JEFF SMEENK and ELLEN VANDE VISSE. You’ll glean in-depth information about efficient growing methods (organic & inorganic). To register, go to www.goodearthgardenschool.com.

April 13 - 14ANCHORAGE - SCHOOL YARD HABITAT TEACHER WORKSHOP at Government Hill School – Learn how to use your schoolyard to teach math, science, language arts and more with the Alaska Wildlife Curriculum. Contact Elizabeth. Manning at emanning@alaska.gov, call 267-2168 or sign up on My Learning Plan Anchorage School District..

April 13 - 14SEWARD - TAPPING INTO SPRING! BIRCH TREE TAPPING CREDIT WORKSHOP . Location to be determined - using Project Learning Tree and the Alaska Wildlife Curriculum. For more information, contact Meg Burgett at asburgett@alaska.edu or call 907- 376-0580

April 14ANCHORAGE - ALASKA MASTER GARDENER CONFERENCE will be held from 8:15am to 4:30pm at the Anchorage Senior Center, 1300 E. 19th Avenue. The theme this year is GARDENING REALITIES: A KNOWLEDGE BASED APPROACH TO GARDENING IN ALASKA. Keynote speakers include Dr. LINDA CHALKER--Scott, Extension urban horticulturist at Washington State University; and MARION OWEN, photographer, garden

writer, entrepreneur, chief cook and bottle washer aboard the Sea Breeze and Kodiak Master Gardener. Additional experts from around the state who will share their knowledge include: PAT HOLLOWAY, University of Alaska Fairbanks (Winter Hardiness), RITA JO SHOULTZ, Fritz Creek Gardens, Alaska Hardy® Peony (Peonies), PATRICIA JOYNER, Alaska Community Forestry, Anchorage (New trees), STEVE BROWN, UAF Cooperative Extension Service, Palmer (Garden experiments), LORRI ABEL, In the Garden Nursery, Anchorage (New perennials), PAT RYAN, Alaska Botanical Garden, Anchorage (First Responder), and MICHAEL RASY, UAF Cooperative Extension Service, Anchorage (Citizen Scientist). Meet and greet the speakers at a reception on Friday, April 13, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Green Connection. Tickets are $5 -and space is limited. RSVP to Nickel LaFleur: at Tagalak@alaska.net . The meet and greet is sponsored by Green Connection. Garden vendors,fabulous door prizes and the party Friday night promises to make this year's conference great fun. Full conference information and registration is available at www.alaskamastergardeners.org or http://www.uaf.edu/ces/anchorage.

April 14FAIRBANKS - COLD CLIMATE HOME BUILDING TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP will be held from 9am to 5pm in the UAF Schaible Auditorium, Bunnell Bldg. The topics to be covered are windows, ventilation, retrofit, walls, indoor air quality, roofs, and permafrost foundations. For more information or to register, go to http://www.wisdomandassociates.com/education/in%20person/classes/cold_climate.html.

April 14 & 15GUNSIGHT MOUNTAIN HAWKWATCH WEEKEND will be held at Mile 118 on the Glenn Highway. Celebrate the return of spring migrating raptors with this annual Anchorage Audubon first field trip of the spring. Migrating raptors that can be seen along the ridgeline near MP 119 include golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, northern goshawk, American kestrel, peregrine falcon and merlin. Swainson's hawk and osprey have also been seen migrating through this area. Bring warm clothing, binoculars, spotting scopes, lunch, snacks, and lawn chairs and sit back while you watch migrating raptors glide over the nearby ridge. Rooms are available at Sheep Mountain lodge, and a special Hawkwatchers' Dinner will take place Saturday night by reservation only. For Reservations, call the lodge at (907) 745-5121. Meet at 10am at the wayside at Milepost 119, Glenn Highway. A short raptor identification talk will take place at 10:30am. On Sunday, Mat-Su Birders will host their annual Hawk Watch Potluck BBQ at the same location. For details, go to www.matsubirders.org/html/calendar.html.

April 17 - 19JUNEAU - COASTAL TEMPERATE RAINFORESTS: INTEGRATING SCIENCE, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, and COMMUNITIES will be held at the Centennial Hall beginning at 8am on Tuesday and 9am on Wednesday and Thursday. This event will highlight the science, resource management, and community development of the rainforests of the North Pacific! You are invited to attend and to submit proposal to present a poster. The event is a 3 day look at the history, current use, and future of coastal rainforest management, with great science, dynamic sessions, and exciting keynote speakers. For more information contact 907-796-6146, acrc@uas.alaska.edu or Scott Owen at 703-358-2636 or email: Scott_T_Owen@fws.gov. To

register, go to https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=wrqtfgiab&oeidk=a07e55v49is184c81b1&oseq=.

**April 19 & 20 (Online registration ends April 16)ANCHORAGE - 4th ANNUAL BUSINESS OF CLEAN ENERGY IN ALASKA CONFERENCE will be held at the Dena’ina Center. Join business, civic and government leaders from across Alaska and leading industry experts from around the nation. Clean energy is a $250 billion-a-year business worldwide, and Alaska has the potential to be a world leader in this growing field. Keynote speakers: JON WELLINGHOFF, Chair, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and Retired Vice Admiral DENNIS V. MCGINN President, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE). Help create a clean energy future for Alaska! Register at www.BCEAconference.com or call 907-929.7770. Exhibitor and sponsor opportunities also available. For more information, contact Stephanie Nowers, Communications Director, 907-929-7770 or 907-229-1982 cell.

April 20 & 21FAIRBANKS - TEACHER CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT COURSE - ALASKA’S ANTLERED UNGULATES will be held from 4:30 to 9pm on April 20 and from 9am to 4:30pm at the ADF&G building, 1300 College. This workshop lends insight into the natural history of our state’s ungulate resources, their habitats and management challenges all based on Fish and Game’s latest kids publication ‘Alaska Wild Wonders- Alaska’s Amazing Antlered Ungulates’. Learn how to use this publication to integrate science, math, social studies, careers and language arts - using ungulates as a theme. *Get an up close and personal view of a live ungulate! *Meet a Fish and Game moose biologist. *Taste test some wild game! *Learn how to identify between ungulate species. *Get a FREE classroom set of AKWW this year andyou’ll automatically be signed up for our next edition on Wildlife TRACKS! Cost: $20 materials fee + $74 credit fee. For more information or to sign up, contact: Mike Taras at mike.taras@alaska.gov or call 459-7230.

April 20 -21SOLDOTNA - TAPPING INTO SPRING! BIRCH TREE TAPPING CREDIT WORKSHOP will be held at the Kenai River Center using Project Learning Tree and the Alaska Wildlife Curriculum. For more information, contact Meg Burgett at asburgett@alaska.edu or call 907- 376-0580.

April 23ANCHORAGE - Join Green Star and Chugach Electric for an informational FREE workshop from 11am top 2pm at the Crowne Plaza (Borealis Room), 109 W. International Airport Road for a WORKSHOP ON HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC).Learn fundamentals of your HVAC system; Gain ideas to improve your existing systems; Monitor your energy-savings strategies and upgrades; Hear about Alaska SeaLife Center's seawater heat pump. Speakers: HANK KIEFERT, General Manager of CCI Automated Technologies, will discuss the fundamentals of Heating, Cooling and Air Conditioning. BRIAN MILLER, Chief Technology Office at CCI Automated Technologies, will share information about creating efficiencies using controls and new technologies. TARA RIEMER JONES, PhD., Chief Operating Officer at Alaska SeaLife Center, and DARRYL SCHAEFERMEYER, Operations Manager, will describe the Center's experiences with its new seawater heat pump

system. Complimentary coffee, beverages, and lunch included. RSVP to info@greenstarinc.org or 278-7827. SPACE IS LIMITED.

April 23 – May 5ANCHORAGE - PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE lays the foundation for understanding and working with natural systems to design sustainable human environments that produce food, shelter, and energy. During this two-week course, participants will engage in lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, field trips, optional evening workshops, and a group design projects. This course puts particular emphasis on home-scale and community-scale solutions appropriate to Alaska including neighborhood and intersection repair, place-making, economic and legal issues, and alternative affordable efficient housing. For more information or to register, go to: http://akpermaculture.wordpress.com/ or contact Saskia Esslinger at 907-563-1119 or alaskasaskia@gmail.com.

April 25 to May 2ANCHORAGE- ASLCA GARDEN DESIGN WORKSHOP 2012 is sponsored by the Alaska Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects This workshop is an opportunity for homeowners to learn about landscape design as well as innovative design elements and then create a design for their home, cottage or cabin. There are two lectures that will be given by local landscape architects DWAYNE ADAMS of LDN/USKH and M. ELISE HUGGINS of Earthscape and are 6:30-8:30pm on April 25th and May 2nd. The workshop also includes a 2-hour, one-on-one design session with a landscape architect on May 12th. Walk away with your own landscape plan! This is an annual class that raises funds for a scholarship for Alaskan students studying landscape architecture. It’s the biggest fundraising event for our Chapter, and many of Anchorage’s landscape architects participate in the Saturday session, donating their time. Cost for the classes and workshop is $225. Call 222-2859 for information, or email gardendesignworkshop@gmail.com. For more information, contact www.akasla.org.

April 26PALMER - The WILD AND SCENIC ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL 2012 will be held from 6 to 10pm at the Historic Palmer Train Depot. The festival combines award winning environmental and adventure films with the energy of local activism. This year, we've chosen a powerful selection of environmental and adventure films that are sure to inspire and inform. This fun filled community event will include guest speakers, live music, local foods, drinks, stellar door prizes and an inspiring program of films the whole family will enjoy. Ticket Prices: $10 per person for advance tickets (children under 10 are free) or $12 at the door (Space is limited so advanced ticket purchase is recommended). To purchase advanced tickets go to http://www.valleyfilmfestival.com/ or contact Jeremiah Millen at director@foms.net.

April 26, May 1, 3 & 7Open House meetings will be held at the following locations to discuss the ANCHORAGE TRAILS PLAN

April 26 - from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Wendler Middle School, 2905 Lake Otis Parkway May 1 - from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Spring Hill Elementary School, 9911 Lake Otis Parkway May 3 - EAGLE RIVER from 5:30 to 7:30pm in the Community Meeting Room at the

Eagle River Town Center, 12001 Business Blvd.

May 7 - GIRDWOOD - from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Girdwood Community Center in the Girdwood LibraryThe Municipality is embarking on developing the ANCHORAGE TRAILS PLAN, the third and FINAL ELEMENT OF THE NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION PLAN, an element of the Comprehensive Plan. (The other two elements are the Pedestrian Plan, adopted in 2007, and the Bicycle Plan, adopted in 2010.) The Anchorage Trails Plan, which focuses on recreational trails and trail use, will replace the 1997 Areawide Trails Plan. More information on the plan revision process can be found at http://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/Planning/AMATS/Pages/AnchorageTrailsPlan.aspx. For more information, email amatsinfo@muni.org or call 343-7991.

April 27ANCHORAGE - FIRST of SEVERAL FREE ALASKA ENERGYSMART EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS will be held from 5 to 9pm at Begich Middle School by the Alaska Center for Energy & Power UAF and Renewable Energy Alaska Project..The workshop will train teachers how to use the new AK EnergySmart energy efficiency curriculum and will provide hard copies of lessons to all attendees. Go to http://alaskarenewableenergy.org/2012/03/new-alaska-energy-efficiency-curriculum-underway/ to learn more about the curriculum and to download a registration form. For more information, contact Courtney Munson at REAP at 907-929-7770 or email c.munson@realaska.org.

April 27 - 29SUTTON - 2ND ANNUAL INDIGENOUS WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM. This symposium is a coordinated effort with several partner organizations including: Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT), International Indian Treaty Council (IITC), Chickaloon Village Traditional Council, and the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI-IIWF). For more information, ACAT at 907-222-7714 .

April 28ANCHORAGE - The ALASKA WIND FOR SCHOOLS offers training to help teachers incorporate wind power education in their classrooms at this all-day workshop to be held at Begich Middle School. The workshop is free to all educators on a first come, first serve basis. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and hands-on energy kits will be available for loan to all workshop attendees through the Alaska Wind for Schools program. To register, go to https://www.regonline.com/activereports/smartLink.aspx?eventid=D9T127nlnSs=&crid=778153. For more information, contact Courtney Munson at REAP at 907-929-7770 or email c.munson@realaska.org.

**May 3 - 6COPPER RIVER DELTA SHOREBIRD FESTIVAL,Highlighting a vast number of migratory shorebirds stopping over on the Copper River Delta, this is truly a great festival in the wonderful little town of Cordova. For more information go to http://cordovachamber.com and click on the shorebird festival tab on the left hand column.

**May 3-4

MAT-SU - TAPPING INTO SPRING! BIRCH TREE TAPPING CREDIT WORKSHOP will be held at the Matanuska Experimental Farm using Project Learning Tree and the Alaska Wildlife Curriculum. For more information, contact Meg Burgett at asburgett@alaska.edu or at 907- 376-0580 or sign up on My Learning Plan Mat-Su..

**May 4SEWARD - COOPERATIVE WEED MANAGEMENT AREA (CWMA) ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE will be held from 10am to 4pm at the UAF Marine Science Center (Rae building) on 3rd Avenue. This event is free to the public. Topics of discussion include: Railroad vegetation management, control projects from Homer to Seward, freshwater invasive plant identification and control, understanding herbicide labels, cost estimates for invasive species prevention and control statewide, integrated pest management practices for gardeners, and responsible landscaping choices. Please contact Jen Kain at sewardweeds@yahoo.com for more information on the event.

WEBINARS, WEBCASTS & TELECONFERENCES

April 24 (WEBCAST)DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF AN INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM MODEL FOR ALASKA will be held from 10 to 11am Alaska Local Time. Hydrologic changes associated with climate variability have implications for ice road construction on the North Slope. Tundra Lakes Project, DANIEL WHITE, Project Lead) AMY BREEN, Scenarios Network for Alaska & Arctic Planning will leed the discussion. Ongoing climate change may affect ecosystems and the services they provide to Alaska and the nation. The physical and biological components that characterize arctic and boreal ecosystems are tightly linked and sensitive to climate change. Understanding the effects of climate change on ecosystem services is challenging due to the lack of available tools to forecast the rate and ways that landscape structure and function may respond to change. The Alaska Integrated Ecosystem Modeling (IEM) Project is a collaborative project that takes a multi- disciplinary approach to understanding ecosystem change. This presentation will describe the development of a dynamically linked model framework for Alaska's terrestrial ecosystems that incorporates climate-driven changes to vegetation, disturbance, hydrology, and permafrost, and their interactions and feedbacks. To see more on the project, go to http://arcticlcc.org/assets/factsheets/2010/IEM_factsheet_Jan_2012.pdf. To hear the audio presentation during a webinar:1) With a regular telephone dial: 1- (877) 594-8353. 2) When prompted, enter the Participant passcode: 83847342. To view the presentation during a webinar: 1) Point your web browser to: http://infiniteconferencing.com/Events/accap/, 2) Enter Participant Code 83847342. 3) Enter the rest of the requested information (The name and organization you enter will be seen by other participants, but your contact information will remain confidential) 4) Click the blue "log-in" button.

**April 25 (TELECONFERENCE SEMINAR)ASSESSING the PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS of COAL TRANSPORTATION and EXPORT: from WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON to SEWARD, ALASKA will be held from 9 to 10am as part of the Alaska Collaborative on Health and the Environment teleconference seminar series. In Whatcom County, Washington a group of 160 physicians is

calling for a comprehensive Health Impact Assessment for the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal project at Cherry Point, citing concerns over increased exposure to diesel particulate matter, coal dust, and noise pollution. In Seward, ongoing community concern over coal dust blowing from storage piles and the export facility spurred a citizen air quality monitoring project. The project aims to answer questions about how much fugitive coal dust is getting into the air residents breathe and what substances it contains. Alaskans are particularly concerned about the public health impacts of increased coal exports in light of proposals to develop new coal mines at Wishbone Hill and Chuitna. PRESENTERS: JAMES FRANK, MD and DENNY LARSON, executive director Global Community Monitor. For more information, or to join this FREE call and receive the dial-up instructions, please RSVP to ACAT at diana@akaction.org or call (907) 222-7714.

**April 26 (TELECONFENCE MEETING)Public meeting will be held LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE » GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT vie Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AlaskaNPS) and twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/AlaskaNPS) from 10 to 11am. Please attend this public meeting to share your ideas, concerns, and thoughts about the alternative concepts and draft management zones.

**April 26 (TELECONFERENCE MEETING)JUNEAU/ANCHORAGE - CRUISE SHIP WASTEWATER SCIENCE ADVISORY PANEL MEETING, will meet from 8 to 10am. The public is invited to attend this conference call at the DEC Main Conference Room, 410 Willoughby Ave., Juneau, or the DEC First Floor Main Conference Room at 555 Cordova St., Anchorage. The draft agenda and more information about the Panel will be available at http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/cruise_ships/SciencePanel/index.htm . GRANTS/AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS/CONTESTS

April 15 Deadline for applications for the AK Dept. of Transportation & Public FACILITIES SECTION 5311 RURAL PUBLIC TRANSIT GRANTS for SFY2013. Purpose of the grants are to: Encourage communities to identify and address deficiencies in their rural public transportation, and intercity connections; Assist local areas in determining community benefits and support for rural public transportation, or intercity bus connections: Provide funding to preserve or enhance rural public transportation or intercity bus connections where there is a demonstrated need and measurable benefit; Support a sustainable network of services within and between communities: Establish opportunities for local jurisdictions, regional organizations, private sector agencies, state and federal governments, and tribal governments in Alaska to work collaboratively; ensure stakeholders have a voice in project development; and encourage appropriate cost sharing on projects; and Require local agencies to coordinate their services with other transportation providers in their area, as well as programs who may be able to use or purchase the services. For more information, go to http://dot.alaska.gov/stwdplng/transit/pub/SFY2013Section5311GrantInfoInstruc.doc.

April 20

Deadline for application for the VOICES OF THE WILDERNESS ARTIST RESIDENCY-2012. Residency programs are held on both the Chugach and Tongass National Forests and take place at various times from June through September. The program is open to artists and art professionals in all media – visual (two and three dimensional: photographers, sculptors, painters), audio (musicians, singers, composers), film (video/filmmakers), and writers (poets, fiction, essays, storytellers). Participating artists are paired with a wilderness ranger and actively engage in stewardship projects, such as research, monitoring, and education. The idea is to give artists a sense of the stewardship behind America’s public lands, fostering an artistic exploration of these natural and cultural treasures. As a volunteer, each artist will assist with some basic ranger duties, which may include boarding a tour boat to provide education, participating in research projects, such as seal counts or climate change studies, walking a beach to remove litter, or other generally light duties. However, an emphasis for the artist will be experiencing the wilderness and exploring how to communicate its inspirational qualities through their artwork. To learn more about the program and download an application, visit www.myalaskaforests.com or contact Barbara Lydon at (907) 783-0090, e-mail: blydon@fs.fed.us.

April 30Deadline for applications for the NOAA RC/ FISHAMERICA RESTORATION GRANTS for local efforts to accomplish meaningful on-the-ground restoration of marine, estuarine and riparian habitats, including salt marshes, seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and freshwater habitats important to anadromous fish species (fish that migrate to and from the sea). Emphasis is on using a hands-on, grassroots approach to restore fisheries habitat across coastal America, the Great Lakes region, and the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Awards will range between $10,000 and $75,000 per project. Proposals may be part of a larger restoration project funded through additional sources, however, FAF/NOAA-funded on-the-ground restoration activities should be completed within one year of a grant award. Download Grant Applications at http://www.fishamerica.org11. For more information, go to http://www.fishamerica.org/grants.html or contact Erika Ammann at erikaammann@noaa.gov or 907-271-5118, Fax 907-271-3030 or email erika.ammann@noaa.gov or see http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/.

April 30Deadline for applications for the WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS, offered by the National Environmental Education Foundation’s Classroom Earth program, that will enable applicants to take one six-week online course offered by the Wildlife Conservation Society to create a strong foundation in wildlife conservation. Participating teachers will be better equipped to bring wildlife conservation into the classroom, facilitate scientific learning and to connect students with their natural surroundings. This Classroom Earth grant opportunity will also support teachers to earn graduate level credit. For more information, visit www.classroomearth.org/2012wcgrants.

June 1Deadline for the 2012 GREAT AMERICAN ARCTIC BIRDING CHALLENGE. Birds that breed in the Arctic have ranges that reach all 50 states and 6 continents. Some of them could be in your backyard! So round up a team, get the Great American Arctic Birding Challenge Checklist, and start birding! The Challenge contest runs from now to June 1. Each team member

on the winning team will receive a prize: First Place: The new book On Arctic Ground: Tracking Time through Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve. (Learn more about the book.); Second Place: Bird Songs of Alaska 2-CD set; birding maps for Anchorage, Kodiak, and Fairbanks; Third Place: Limited Edition “I (heart) Birds” T-shirt. For more information, go to http://ak.audubon.org/2012-great-american-arctic-birding-challenge..

June 28Deadline for applications for the 2013 NON-PROFIT GRANT APPLICATIONS for GIRDWOOD SERVICE AREA .The Girdwood Board of Supervisors will consider applications for 2013 Parks and Recreation Non-Profit Grants as they begin overall budgeting. Application for this funding is competitive. To be eligible for these grants, your organization must be a non profit recognized by the State of Alaska and serve the Girdwood Limited Road Service area. Applications are available by contacting Lazarusjv@muni.org. This is a ‘received by’ deadline. For more information, please call 783-8146 or go to http://www.muni.org/Departments/parks/Pages/GirdwoodParksRecreation.aspx.

DEADLINES

April 13Comments are due on the application for a RENEWAL of an OIL DISCHARGE PREVENTION & CONTINGENCY PLAN, PETRO MARINE SERVICES, HOMER BULK PLANT FACILITY. This facility has a capacity of 1,608,180 gallons; its petroleum products are Jet-A, Avgas, diesel, and gasoline. This facility is located at 4755 Homer Spit Road. Potential Results. For more information or to submit comments, contact Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Div. of Spill Prevention & Response, 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501 or call (907) 269-7886.

April 13KENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - Comments are due on the proposal from NordAq Energy, Inc. for the CONSTRUCTION and OPERATION of FACILITIES ASSOCIATED with EXPLORATION and PRODUCTION OF NATURAL GAS in the northwestern portion of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge approximately 4 miles southeast of the end of the road in Captain Cook State Recreation Area. Subsurface rights are owned by CIRI who have entered into a lease with NordAQ to develop these gas resources. Fish & Wildlife Service wished to gather information necessary for the preparation of an environmental document. Project information is available at http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/planning/nepa/pdf/Shadura1_EA_kenai.pdf . For more information or to submit comments, contact Peter Wikoff at fw7_kenai_planning@fws.gov or fax 907-786.3965.

April 15Deadline for comments on the proposed BIG GAME GUIDE CONCESSION PROGRAM (GCP). The program DNR is proposing will competitively select qualified individuals to conduct big game commercial guiding on state land. The program’s allocation process would involve qualified individuals submitting an application with supporting documentation to the DMLW Lands Section, which would then be reviewed and scored by a panel of agency

personnel. Concessions would be awarded and managed by the Div. of Minerals, Land, & Water (DMLW). A concession would grant access to the land within a guide concession area and permit commercial big game guiding. This program does not address any other commercial or private entities or any other non-participating landowners. DMLW is currently working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and DNR, Div. of Parks & Outdoor Recreation (DPOR) on the potential of implementing the GCP on their lands. DMLW has conducted agency meetings with both landowners and is working towards Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) that would outline how the GCP would apply to their lands. BLM staff has expressed interest and support of the GCP and are reviewing what its implementation on BLM land would require. DPOR staff are in the same process. If the GCP is implemented on these lands, it may be that only the concession permittees will be able to operate on BLM and DPOR lands. To see the entire proposal and comment form, go to http://www.dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/gcp/. For more information, contact For questions and comments regarding this program, and to submit comments via email, fax, or mail, contact: Clark Cox at (907) 269-8565, Fax (907) 269-8913, or email dnr.mlw.gcp@alaska.gov.

April 16FERC just accepted a Preliminary Permit application for a project that would USE WATER LAKE ELVA AND GRANT LAKE WITHIN WOOD TIKCHIK STATE PARK from the Nushagak Electric & Telephone Cooperative, Inc. for a preliminary permit proposing to study the FEASIBILITY OF THE DILLINGHAM AREA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT to be located on Elva Creek and Grant River, near Dillingham. The sole purpose of a preliminary permit, if issued, is to grant the permit holder priority to file a license application during the permit term. A preliminary permit does not authorize the permit holder to perform any land-disturbing activities or otherwise enter upon lands or waters owned by others without the owners’ express permission. The proposed project has two developments. The total installed capacity of both developments would be 3.2 megawatts (MW) and the total estimated annual generation of the Dillingham Project would be 20.057 gigawatt-hours (Gwh). Lake Elva Development project would consist of: (1) a 50-foot-long, 10-foot-high rock-fill diversion dam constructed on the outlet of Lake Elva; (2) a 4,100-foot-long, 4-foot-diameter lake tap pipeline; (3) a 3,200-foot-long, 3- to 3.5-foot-diameter penstock leading from the lake tap pipeline to the powerhouse; (4) a powerhouse containing two 0.75-MW Francis turbine/generator units; (5) a 40-foot-long, 20-foot-wide tailrace discharging flows from the powerhouse into Elva Creek; (6) a 49-mile-long, 34.5-kilovolt (kV) transmission line extending from the project powerhouse to a new substation approximately 5 miles north of Dillingham; (7) an approximately 3-mile-long access road; and (8) appurtenant facilities. The estimated annual generation of the Lake Elva development would be 7.927 GWh. Grant Lake Development would consist of: (1) a 900-foot-long, 20-foot-high rock-fill diversion dam constructed on the outlet of Grant Lake (main dam); (2) a 1-mile-long, 20-foot-high diversion canal excavated approximately 1-mile-north of the main dam; (3) a 300-foot-long, 20-foot-high rock-fill diversion dam constructed at the terminus of the diversion canal; (4) an intake structure on the diversion dam leading to a 5,000-foot-long, 5-foot-diameter pipeline; (5) a 3,100-foot-long, 4-foot-diameter penstock leading from the pipeline to the powerhouse; (6) a powerhouse containing a 1.7-MW Turgo turbine/generator unit; (7) a 40-foot-long, 20-foot-wide tailrace discharging flows from the powerhouse into Grant River; (8) a 46-mile-long, 34.5-kV transmission line extending from the project powerhouse to a new substation approximately 5 miles north of Dillingham; (9) an approximately 2.5-mile-long

access road; and (10) appurtenant facilities. The estimated annual generation of the Grant Lake development would be 12.13 Gwh. NOTE: Elva and Grant Lakes are within the boundary of Tikchik State Park, our nation's largest state park Deadline for comments is April 16.and may be filed at FERC’s website, http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp or at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp.More information about this project, including a copy of the application, go to http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number (P-14356) in the docket number field to access the document.

April 20Comments are due on the reissuance of the OPERATIONS AND MONITORING PLAN FOR THE NIXON FORK MINE, a small underground gold mine located 32 miles northeast of McGrath. Copies of the application reissuance documents and draft state decisions are available at www.dnr.alaska.gov/mlm/mining/largemine/nixonfork/index.htm. For more information or to submit comments, contact Sharmon Stambaugh, Large Project Coordinator at 908-269-0880, Fax 907-269-8930, or email sharmon.stmbaugh@alaska.gov.

**April 20 (DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 31)Deadline for comments on the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Pre-application for an ORIGINAL LICENSE FOR THE UNCONSTRUCTED SUSITNA-WATANA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT. The Pre-application Document (PAD) provides engineering, operational, economic, and environmental information about the Project and Project area resources that is reasonably available at this time. The license project would have a concrete gravity or rock-filled dam for which different configurations are under consideration with a height above the riverbed of approximately l700 and 800 feet. The crest length would be approximately 2,700 feet based on a 700 foot high dam, but somewhat longer if a project with a larger dam is proposed. The project would also have a 39-mile-long reservoir with a normal surface elevation of 2,000 feet mean sea level of 20,00 acres, and a usable storage capacity of approximately 2,400,000 acre-feet based on a 700 foot dam, and commensurately greater dimensions if a project with a larger dam is proposed to be licensed. Optimization studies are ongoing and capacity proposed for licensing is expected to be between 600 and 800 megawatts, depending on the results of future updates to the Railbelt Integrated Resource Plan. A copy of the documents are available at www.susitna-watanahydro.org. Submit comments to the FERC website at http://ferc/gov/docs-filing/docsfiling.asp and include Sustina-Watana Hydroelctric Project, FERC No. 14241.

**April 23Deadline for comments on the 2012-2015 STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (STIP) AMENDMENT 1. For details on this amendment, go to www.dot.alaska.gov/stip. For more information or to submit comments, contact (907) 465-6441, Toll Free (888) PLAN-DOT (752-6368), Fax (907) 465-6984, Free Fax (888) PLAN-FAX (752-6329), or email dot.stip@alaska.gov.

**April 23Deadline for comments on the request for a Corps of Engineers PERMIT to CONSTRUCT a FERRY LANDING on the ANCHORAGE SIDE OF UPPER COOK INLET that will allow

a 129 passenger/20 vehicle ferry to travel between Ship Creek Point near the Small Boat Launch and Port MacKenzie. The first phase would include a 564-foot long by 26-foot wide vehicle trestle extending from the south dike of the Small Boat Launch to a 100-foot by 160-foot platform dock; and a 5-foot 8-inch wide pedestrian gangway that would be 150 feet long and would connect to a 60-foot by 150-foot fender barge. To see the entire permit request, go to http://www.poa.usace.army.mil/reg/PN_Scanned/2012%20March/POA-2006-1250.pdf. For more information or to submit comments, contact Shane McCoy at 907-753-2715, fax 907-279-0064 or email shane.m.mccoy@usace.army.mil.

**April 23Comments are due on application to reissue an INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT PERMIT for the Nixon Fork Mine located about 32 miles northeast of McGrath. Nixon Fork Mine is an existing underground gold mine. Containment and disposal of mine tailings, and other mine-related wastes are subject to regulation under a DEC Waste Management Permit. Copies of the proposed permit and application documents are available at http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/wwdp/index.htm. For more information or to submit comments, contact Tim Pilon at 907-451-2136 or emailtim.pilon@alaska.gov.

**April 23Comments are due on an application for an OIL DISCHARGE PREVENTION & CONTINGENCY PLAN for SAVANT ALASKA, BADAMI PRODUCTION FACILITY.. Savant Alaska LLC has taken over the ownership and operation of the Badami Production facility (excluding the crude oil transmission pipeline, which will take longer due to the permitting stipulations) from previous owner BPXA. For more information or to submit comments, contact ADEC, Div. of Spill Prevention & Response, Industry Preparedness Program, 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501 or call (907) 269-3072, within 30 days of publication of this notice. Copies of the renewal application and plan are available for public review at the Department’s Anchorage and Fairbanks offices.

**April 23Deadline for comments on the PROPOSED STATEWIDE BIG GAME GUIDE CONCESSION PROGRAM from 6 to 8:30pm at Central Middle School. The proposed program will select qualified individuals to conduct big game commercial guiding on state land through an allocation process that would involve registered and master guides submitting an application with supporting documentation to the div. Of Mining, Land & Water. Through this process a limited number of commercial guides will be selected to operate in designated areas throughout the state. The Proposal and supporting documents are available at http://www.dnr.alaska.gov/mlw.gcp. For more information, call 907-269-8587 or email dnr.mlw.gcp@alaska.gov.

**April 25KENAI - Comments or request for a public hearing are due on the proposed NIKISKI COMBINED CYCLE PLANT (NCC), a electric generation facility, owned and will be operated by Alaska Electric and Energy Cooperative, Inc. (AEEC). The facility is located along Mile 21.5 of Kenai Spur Highway. AEEC is converting their existing simple cycle electric generation facility to a combined cycle electric generation facility which will increase power

generation capacity from 40 megawatts (simple cycle configuration) to 77 megawatts (combined cycle configuration). The facility will discharge treated process wastewater into Cook Inlet. Treated wastewater streams to be discharged include reverse osmosis reject water, carbon filter back washes, and wash down water. There will be one wastewater outfall associated with the facility that discharges into Cook Inlet. The outfall, which is fitted with a diffuser, will extend approximately 1,000 feet from the mean lower low water shoreline, and extend vertically approximately five feet above the seafloor. The Department proposes to authorize a circular mixing zone with a radius of eight meters from the diffuser for chlorine, temperature, arsenic and copper. All Water Quality Standards will be met at the boundary of the mixing zone. A draft individual permit, fact sheet and associated documents are available at http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/wwdp/index.htm. For more information, request for public hearing or to submit comments, contact Melinda Smodey at (907) 269-7564 or email 13melinda.smodey@alaska.gov. All comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the committee and a concise statement of comment on the permit condition(s) and the relevant facts upon which the comment is based.

**April 25DILLINGHAM - Comments are due on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS to the DILLINGHAM AIRPORT. including: Constructing approximately 800 feet of West Airport Road to connect around the north side of the General Aviation Apron for airport and residential access; Close the public connection of North Airport Road with Wood River Road; and Relocate fences and FAA facilities/utilities to facilitate the improvements. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer. The EA is available at http://www.DillinghamAirport.com. For more information, contact Teresa Zimmerman, Environmental Team Leader at 907-269-0552 or email teresa.zimmermannn@alaska.gov. Submit comments to Brian Elliott, Environmental Manager at (907) 269-0539 or email brian.elliott@alaska.gov.

**April 27Comments are due on the TRIENNIAL REVIEW of WATER QUALITY STANDARDS. Every three years, the AK Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) conducts a comprehensive review of the water quality standards as required by law. This “Triennial Review” helps update pollution limits for Alaska's waters by integrating the latest science, technology, and federal requirements into state water quality regulations. DEC is providing an additional 60 days for public comments on high priority issues for potential revisions to water quality standards regulations. These high priority issues will form the basis of the department’s work plan for the 2011-2013 Triennial Review. No regulation revisions are being proposed in this public notice. There are more potential issues than can realistically be addressed during this three-year period. The final 2011-2013 Triennial Review work plan may also include information-gathering tasks for potential revisions that may not occur until the following Triennial Review. During the Triennial Review process, the public may also submit nominations for a specific water body to be designated as an outstanding national resource due to exceptional recreational or ecological significance.A summary of current 2011-2013 Triennial Review issues, the overall review process, and fact sheets are available at http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/wqsar/trireview/index.htm. For more information or to submit comments, contact Jim Powell at (907) 465-5185, Fax (907) 465-5274

or email Jim.Powell@alaska.gov.

**April 27Deadline for comment on the SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PRE-APPLICATION DOCUMENT (PAD). As proposed, the Project would include construction of a dam, reservoir and power plant on the Susitna River starting at river mile (RM) 184, approximately 34 miles upstream of Devils Canyon. Transmission lines connecting into the existing Railbelt transmission system and an access road would also be constructed. The FERC License Application is scheduled for filing on or about September 2015. AEA looks forward to working with FERC, other federal and state agencies, Alaska Native entities, local governments, and members of the public to timely develop a license application and supporting record that fully serves the needs of all agencies with permitting authority for the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric project. To see PAD documents, go to http://susitna-watanahydro.org/PAD.html. For more information, contact Emily Ford Public Outreach Liaison, at 907-771-3961 or email eford@aidea.org.

**April 27Comments are due on the DRAFT SPILL BASELINE AND ACCIDENT CAUSALITY STUDY from the COOK INLET RISK ASSESSMENT PROJECT. The study builds from the Vessel Traffic Study that was completed in February 2012. The intent of the Spill Baseline and Causality Study is to: Estimate the spill frequency, and project spill size distribution, by vessel type, Develop an oil spill baseline over the 10-year study period based on projected movements of oil and the estimated average spill rate, Characterize spills from high-risk accidents, and Provide accident scenarios based on the five most dominant accident types. The results of the report will be presented to the Cook Inlet Risk Assessment Advisory Panel and Management Team at their April 23 meeting in Anchorage.. The draft report and comment form are available on the Cook Inlet Risk Assessment project website: http://www.cookinletriskassessment.com. For more information about this announcement, or the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council and its programs, contact Jerry Rombach, Director of Public Outreach, at 907-283-7222 or email jerryrombach@circac.org.

**April 28HOMER - Comments are due on notice of intent to begin ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES FOR THE SADIE COVE MATERIAL SITE located on the tip of Sadie Cove Island. The purpose of this proposed project is to remove riprap material from the material site that has been historically used as a material site for repair to Ninilchik Beach Revetment in Ninilchik The proposed work would include: Remove approximately 5,200 cubic yards of riprap material monthly. Transport material to Ninilchik Beach by barge. Equipment on site will be: backhoe, loader, dozer, fuel truck, rock sorter and barge. Environmental Best Management Practices for sediment transport control; wattles, silt fence or foam booms for water. Construction for the proposed project is anticipated to begin in Spring, 2012. For more information or to submit comments, contact Brian Elliot, Regional Environmental Manager, at 907)269-0539 or email brian.elliott@alaska.gov.

EVENTS & MEETINGS \ANCHORAGE - EAGLE RIVER & GIRDWOOD

April 12Public meeting will be held from 4 to 7 pm at the Campbell Creek Science Center to hear comments on the LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE » GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT. This summer a NPS planning team is beginning to work on an amendment to the park's 26-year-old general management plan. This plan will guide management decisions and provide an overarching vision for resource protection and visitor use that will best achieve the National Park Service's mandate to preserve resources unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. For more information, tohttp://parkplanning.nps.gov/documentsList.cfm?parkID=17&projectID=36331

April 12Undergraduate Research & Discovery Symposium presents LAURENCE C. SMITH, PhD at 7pm in UAA ARTS Building, Room 150 speaking on .THE WORLD IN 2050: FOUR FORCES SHAPING CIVILIZATION’S NORTHERN FUTURE .Dr. Smith is Vice-Chair and Professor of Geography and also Professor of Earth and Space Sciences at UCLA. His research interest include topics of northern hydrology, climate change, carbon cycles and satellite remote sensing. His influential book, The World in 2050, synthesizes cross-cutting themes of population demographics, economic globalization, natural resource demand, and climate change with particular emphasis on northern countries.

April 12, 19 & 26BLM-Alaska hosts April NPR-A lecture series at 7pm at the BLM Campbell Creek Science Center on the NATIONAL PETROLEUM RESERVE-ALASKA (NPR-A), a place few get to visit, yet is home to some of our nation’s most significant and important resources. It is a place of oil and gas reserves, where the Teshekpuk and Western Arctic caribou herds breed and graze and numerous species of waterfowl breed and nest in its world-class nesting grounds

April 12 - PREHISTORY OF THE NPR-A - Join us as BLM archaeologist MIKE KUNZ of the BLM Arctic Field Office describes the story of human migration from the Old World into what is now Alaska.

April 19 -LOOKING FOR OIL IN THE NPR-A - Learn about the geology of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. LOU NIGLIO, geophysicist with the BLM-Alaska State Office, will describe efforts to find and develop the area’s oil resources. April 26 - BIRDS OF THE NPR-A - Discover the tremendous variety of bird life found in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Join DEBBIE NIGRO, wildlife biologist of the BLM Arctic Field Office, to learn more about particular bird species that BLM has identified as being of special conservation concern. For additional information please call 907-267-1247 or visit http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/sciencecenter.html.

**April 13ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: A PUBLIC FORUM will be held from 7 to 9am in the UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 307. The Department of Philosophy invites you to a discussion of approaches and issues surrounding environmental justice and climate change. Speakers include CANDACE CRONEY, Ph.D., (Animal Sciences, Purdue University), PAGE BRANNON, (Library Science, UAA/APU Consortium Library) and DANE SCOTT, Ph.D. (Center for Ethics, University of Montana). All are welcome. Refreshments served.

**April 17Open house meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Campbell Elementary School, 7206 Rovenna Street, to discuss the FINAL DESIGN OF THE WEST DOWLING ROAD PHASE II: C STREET TO MINNESOTA DRIVE project. The project aims to decrease congestion and improve east-west mobility. Learn more about the project’s design considerations and next steps. For more information contact Julie Jessen at 644-2075 or email Julie.Jessen@hdrinc.com or go to www.dowlingroad.com.

**April 18ANCHORAGE GREEN DRINKS will be held from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Sierra Club office, 750 W. 2nd Avenue, Suite 100). Sierra Club and Alaskan’s for Energy Freedom will be hosting this month’s event. Free drinks and lite snacks will be provided by this months sponsor so bring your own mug (21+ only).Every month in Anchorage, people who care about sustainability get together at informal gatherings known as Green Drinks. Green Drinks includes a lively mixture of people from NGOs, businesses, academia, government and the local community across political and economic spectra who enjoy the opportunity to chat and network under a broad umbrella. This is a fun way to catch up with people you know and a great way to make new contacts and learn about organizations and individuals interested in all things sustainable. Everyone is welcome to invite someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organizing network. The Green Drinks committee is currently in need of sponsors for the new 2012 format. To become a sponsor or for updated information regarding events check out http://www.greendrinks.org/AK/Anchorage or follow us on Facebook@Anchorage Green Drinks or contact the Green Drinks committee via e-mail at jason_leppi@tws.org

**April 18Anchorage Audubon's program will feature a super-special SHOREBIRD PRESENTATION by BUZZ SCHER. at 7pm at the BP Energy Center. Buzz is the author of the "Field Guide to Birding in Anchorage," and his name appears in the acknowledgments of every major birding publication in Alaska from the "Anchorage Birding Map" to George West's "A Birder's Guide to Alaska." Buzz loves shorebirds, and this evening will be an incredible opportunity to sharpen your shorebird skills. This is not just a program of field marks, but will address how you look at the bird to find those field marks.

April 18FRAN ULMER presents THE MEANING of DEEPWATER HORIZON for ALASKANS: WHAT WE MUST LEARN from 5 to 7pm at the UAA Campus Bookstore. Many of us are familiar with Fran Ulmer’s years of service in Alaska include being a mayor, legislator, two terms as lieutenant governor, director of the Institute of Economic and Social Research, UAA Chancellor and currently, UAA's Arctic Research Scholar. Fran Ulmer also served as a member of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling and is the chairperson of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. Everyone is encouraged to come to this event, ask questions and consider how best to plan for our future. For more information see http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/bookstore or contact Rachel Epstein at 786-4782 or email

anre@uaa.alaska.edu. There is free parking for this event in the South Lot, just across from the bookstore.

April 20HOWARD WEAVER will presents WRITE HARD, DIE FREE from 4 to 6pm at the UAA Campus Bookstore. This event is sponsored with the Alaska Press Club. For more information see http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/bookstore or contact Rachel Epstein at 786-4782 or email anre@uaa.alaska.edu. There is free parking for this event in the South Lot, just across from the bookstore.

April 20WRANGELL MOUNTAINS CENTER will hold its SPRING BREAK CELEBRATION AND FUNDRAISER. Doors open at 6:30pm at 11101 Magnolia Street. Enjoy live music with Piggy Note Boys, Moose’s Tooth beer, and Everyday Gourmet Catering. There will be a silent auction, kid’s playroom, live auction begins at 8 and the band begins another set at 9pm. For more information email info@wrangells.org or go to www.wrangells.org.

**April 21SCOOP the POOP DAY will be held from 11am to 3pm at University Lake, South Anchorage Sports Complex, Connor's Bog. Be the solution to pollution. Saturday, April 21 from 11 am to 3 pm. Locations: University Lake, South Anchorage Sports Complex, Connor's Bog. All equipment will be provided and participants will receive thank-you gifts (Mutt Mitts, etc.). For more information, contact Matt Kays at 529-9289 or email matt@anchoragecreeks.org. Sponsored by Anchorage Waterways Council www.anchoragecreeks.org and the Scoop-the-Poop Committee

**April 20PASSIV HAUS DESIGN FORUM will be held from 1 to 5pm at the Alaska Craftsman Home Program, 3400 Spenard Road, Suite 9. The speaker is BRONWYN BARRY, Passiv Haus Consultant. Passiv Haus is an international standard for building construction approaching net zero. Bronwyn is a designer and window specialist for super-insulated construction. She currently works with Passiv Haus US and presents detailing for windows in super-insulated construction. She will review the Passiv Haus program and energy efficient modeling and construction detailing for super-insulated window installation. This will include looking at the heat loss detail analysis program Therm designed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Limited Seating is available, register today at http://acat.org/current-workshops/?ee=13. Cost $50, ACAT members $20.

**April 22NATURE ART: CREATING WITH NATURE will be held at 2pm at the Eagle River Nature Center. Be awed and inspired by the impactful yet fleeting works of Nature Art. Naturalist-in-residence STACY SHUTTS gives a slideshow presenting works of Nature Art (also called Land Art, Landscape Art, Earth Works) by artists such as ANDY GOLDSWORTHY and ROBERT SMITHSON. It will highlight patterns in nature that have been explored in design. After the presentation, join Stacy at the Classroom yurt for a chance to create your own ephemeral art

from natural materials (you may want to bring a camera). Open to all ages. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

**April 23DENALI OVERFLIGHTS ADVISORY COUNCIL will meet from 9am to 5pm at the Marriott Residence Inn Midtown, 1025 E. 35th Avenue. The meeting is open to the public. The Denali National Park Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council advises the Superintendent, through the Secretary of the Interior, on mitigation efforts that should be made to reduce the impacts from aircraft overflights at Denali National Park and Preserve. The group is developing voluntary measures for assuring the safety of passengers, pilots, and mountaineers and for achieving desired future resource conditions at Denali that were outlined in the 2006 Backcountry Management Plan. Council membership contains broad representation of interested stakeholders and has a balance of local, state, and national interests. Information on the Advisory Council can be found at http://www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/currentprojects.htm. Information on Denali's 2006 Backcountry Management Plan is located at http://www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/gmp.htm. For additional information on the meeting, please contact Miriam Valentine at 907- 733-9102 or miriam_valentine@nps.gov.

**April 23ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY'S EARTH DAY CELEBRATION will be held at the Atwood Center from1 to 5pm.Participants will include the Alaska Center for the Environment, Campbell Creek Science Center, BirdTLC, and the Alaska Botanical Gardens. Also APU's outdoor programs, outdoor studies, residence hall council, and basketball club. There will be tie-dying, freecycling, a recycled art contest, food, music, giveaways, games, competitions, and much more.

**April 24Science for Alaska lecture ALASKA - AS SEEN FROM AN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT will be presented at 7pm by GREG WALKER of UAF's Poker Flat Research Range, location to be announced. Greg Walker graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1986 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. As an Army officer, Walker received an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University in 1988. He worked at the NASA Langley Research Center (1990-1995), before resigning from the Army to launch a technology development business commercializing his unmanned aircraft research. He has lead the design and construction of control systems for 58 unmanned aircraft of seven different configurations ranging in size from a micro air vehicle with a 6 inch wingspan to a full scale unmanned helicopter. In 1998, Walker accepted an assignment with the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska. He currently supervises university staff supporting NASA’s sub orbital rocket program, satellite ground station operations, and is leading the university’s unmanned aircraft applications program.

**April 24Alaska Huts Presents: A 'GRAND JOURNEY AFOOT: HIKING THE LENGTH OF THE GRAND CANYON at in the Marston Theater, Loussac Library. Longtime local mountain trekker TUCKER SPOHR hiked the length of the Grand Canyon—three trips covering 250 miles in 32 days, almost entirely off trail. Along the way: no water where water was expected;

snow and ice up high but also at the bottom; route finding through the ‘red wall’; gnarly side canyons; and fantastic beauty. This multimedia slide show is the heart of Alaska Huts' annual meeting for members and the public. Information presented and/or on display will include the recent permit for renovation and use of Manitoba Cabin as the organization's first hut, and progress at toward other huts at the Whistle Stop Project. Wine from CRUSH, juice, refreshments. AK Huts maps & information. Doors open 6:30. Show at 6:45. Free. For more information, go to www.alaskahuts.org pr call 907-279-4663..

**April 25PROTECTING OUR EYE-DENTITY: NEW METHODS FOR INFORMATION SECURITY is the program for the Science of Alaska Series at 7pm, location to be announced. BOGDAN HOANCA and KENRICK MOCK of UAA will give the presentation. Bogdan Hoanca is a Professor of Management Information Systems at UAA Before joining UAA, Prof. Hoanca co-founded, started up and sold a company that builds components for fiber optic communications. He also helped start and consulted with a number of other startup companies in optical fiber communications. Dr. Hoanca received a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1999, a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University and an Electronics Engineer degree from the Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest, Romania. His current research interests revolve around information security and societal implications of technology. He is a co-inventor on three patents and has published more 70 papers, book chapters and case studies.

**April 26EAGLE RIVER - Open House: will be held from 7 to 9pm at Ravenwood Elementary School, 9500 Wren Lane, to discuss the design of the EAGLE RIVER ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT. The Eagle River Road project impacts lands that are currently part of the Chugach State Park. Chugach State Park received federal funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This funding requires the land to be permanently dedicated to outdoor recreation use. In order to rehabilitate Eagle River Road, it is necessary to acquire approximately 8.5 acres of the adjacent Chugach State Park. To compensate for the withdrawal of the 8.5 acres of LWCF land, DOT&PF will be acquiring Tract C of the Campbell Canyon Subdivision (103.14 acres) and converting it to Chugach State Park, as required by LWCF. To learn more about the project please visit www.eagleriverroad.com. For additional information, please contact Jim Amundsen at (907) 269-0595 or Anne Brooks, Brooks & Associates, Public Involvement Coordinator, at 907-272-1877 or email mycomments@brooks-alaska.com.

**April 26KNIK ARM BRIDGE and TOLL AUTHORITY (KABATA) will hold a Board of Directors Meeting at 1:30 PM. This meeting will be held at the KABATA Office conference room located at 820 E 15th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska. This meeting is open and the public is invited to attend. Any questions, please call the KABATA office at (907)269-6698.

**April 27The ALASKA CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT will hold it SPRING AUCTION at Kincaid Chalet from 6 to 10pm..This fun event features fine wines from the Cellar at Crush, great local beer from Broken Tooth Brewing Co., delicious foods and desserts, live music with

Hot Dish, and a fabulous live and silent auction featuring outdoor adventure trips, art, and much more. Biking, hiking, carpooling, and designated drivers are strongly encouraged. If you are interested in volunteering please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sarah at sarahschwicht@gmail.com. Tickets are $40 for members and $55 for nonmembers. To purchase tickets, contact Jessica Cler at 907-274-3647 or email jessica@akcenter.org.

**April 28EAGLE RIVER - GARDENING the ORGANIC WAY: FOUNDATIONS for ABUNDANCE will be held at Eagle River Heart Song from 2 to 3:30pm. Cost: $25. Learn about composting, organic fertilizers, and non-toxic pest management.

MEETINGS & EVENTS OUT OF ANCHORAGE

**April 12JUNEAU - TRAVELS THROUGH NORTHERN TANZANIA GAME PARKS is the program for the Juneau Audubon Society at 7pm in UAS Egan Building, Lecture Hall, Room 112. In late October, 2010, ALISON ELGEE and her husband DOUG RICKEY joined an Overland Adventure Travel tour of the northern Tanzanian game parks. Over two weeks, they visited the foothills of Kilimanjaro, Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park. Alison’s pictures capture much of the African wildlife seen during the trip.

April 12JUNEAU - Public meeting will be held from 7:15 to 9pm in UAS Recreation Center Room 116 to discuss proposed GLACIER HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS between Fritz Cove Road and Seaview Avenue. The purpose of the project is to provide for the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles. The need for the project is due to geometric design deficiencies along the corridor that create poor sight distances, inadequate crossings for pedestrians, and conflicting traffic patterns (turning patterns).A brief overview of the project will be presented at 7:15 PM. Following that, DOT&PF and the consultant team will be available to answer questions and meet one-on-one with you. For more information, contact 465-2393 or email glacierhwy@uskh.com.

April 12JUNEAU - ALISON ELGEE will present her program on her TRAVELS TO TANZANIA, EAST AFRICA at the April Audubon Program at 7pm.

April 13PALMER - The MAT VALLEY FISH & GAME ADVISORY COMMITTEE will meet at 7pm at the MTA building to propose baiting for both black and brown bear in unit 16 and unit 13 for residents and non-residents and any other BOG proposals, consider the Governor’s appointments to the Boards, discuss how accidentally killed bull moose are dealt with by enforcement. For more information contact Bill Folsom at 745-4339. To see the proposals that are under consideration by the board’s, go to http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/. For more information, contact Sherry Wright at 907-267-2354.

April 16, 23, 24, May 7, 16 & 17

Open house and public meetings will be held in the following locations on the EASTERN INTERIOR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN and ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.

April 16 - CIRCLE from 5:30 to 8pm at the Community CenterApril 23 - EAGLE from 5:30 to 8pm at the Eagle SchoolApril 24 - EAGLE VILLAGE - from 2;30 to 6pm in the Tribal HallMay 7 - CENTRAL- Open house from 4 to 7 and public meeting from 7 to 9pm in the

Historical MuseumMay 16 - TOK - from 6 to 9pm in the Tok SchoolMay 17 - DELTA JUNCTION from 4 to 8pm at the Community Center

The plan covers 6.7 million acres, including the White Mountains Recreational Area, the Steese National Conservation Area, the Fortymile Area, and Upper Black River region where this is BLM's first plan. It covers three Wild and Scenic Rivers (Beaver Creek, Birch Creek, and Fortymile) and Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail. Documents and reports are available at https://www.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/planAndProjectSite.do?methodName=dispatchToPatternPage&currentPageId=10151

April 16FAIRBANKS - The STATE OF THE OCEAN’S ANIMALS will be shown at 8pm in the UAF Pub. Beneath the surface was an unspoiled universe of natural beauty, a living tapestry of biological diversity, a landscape overflowing with the promise of an inexhaustible resource. But contrary to what we always believed, the abundance of ocean animals is in reality, and environmental illusion. For more information, go the http://www.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth/sop_oceans/index.html.

**April 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 26, 30 and May 3 A 10 Year Reunion Open to All! Chugach National Forest invites the public to reflect on a decade of management under current forest plan, share unique experiences on the Chugach, and consider future of the Forest at the following locations: All meetings, with the exception of Cordova, start at 6pm. Cordova will begin at 6:30pm.

**April 16 - KENAI/SOLDOTNA:at Kenai Peninsula College, Steffy Building**April 17 - COOPER LANDING:at Cooper Landing Community Center**April 18 - MOOSE PASS: at Moose Pass School**April 19 - SEWARD:at Legends Building**April 24 - CORDOVA: at Masonic Lodge at 6:30**April 26 - VALDEZ at Prince William Sound Community College, Training Room**April 30 - HOPE:at Hope School Gym**May 3 - WHITTIER:at Whittier School

The Chugach National Forest has been selected as one of eight national forests across the country to start forest plan revision under a new planning rule for the National Forest System. The Forest is currently in the early stages of preparing for plan revision, and is committed to incorporating strong public participation from the very beginning. The meetings will be led by Dr. Shannon Donovan of the University of Alaska Anchorage. During the sessions participants will be encouraged to share perspectives with each other in a variety of formats including maps, worksheets, and small group discussion. With the help of the University of Alaska Anchorage, an exciting new interactive mapping tool is scheduled to go live on April 16. Watch for it at:

www.yourchugachforest.com. For more information, contact Sara Boario, Public Affairs & Partnerships Staff Officer at 907-743-9500 or go to Twitter@ChugachForestAK. April 17PAXSON - The PAXSON FISH & GAME ADVISORY COMMITTEE will meet at 6pm at Paxson Lodge. Items for the agenda are AC elections, Game proposals, predator control programs, Susitna Dam project, fish stocking and new business. For more information contact John Schandelmeier at 388-6039.

April 17FAIRBANKS - NATIONAL PARK SERVICE OPEN HOUSE will be held from 5 to 8pm at the Morris Thompson Visitor Center. Join officials to hear plans and share your ideas on how the National Park Service can enhance Alaska’s parks, leading up to its 100th birthday in 2016. The Park Service is especially interested in your thoughts on Alaska-specific topics, including how state predator control and intensive wildlife management programs are affecting national park units. NPS also seeks your ideas on improving the online offerings of national parks to better serve both in-person and virtual visitors, and operational changes that could make national parks easier to visit. The program will start with NPS Regional Director SUE MASICA providing a brief introduction of the Service's operations in Alaska and the nationwide centennial themes of how to better connect people to parks, how to advance the NPS education mission, and how to better preserve America's special places. Areas will be set up at the Center for each of the three themes, with NPS staff to moderate discussion, record comments and answer questions. For additional details and ideas to help prepare for this unique opportunity with your National Park Service, visit www.npca.org/alaskaopenhouse. A copy of the national Call to Action is available at http://www.nps.gov/calltoaction/.

April 17SITKA - GARDENING for ALASKA’S POLLINATORS- THE BIRDS, BEES and BEETLES!” will be presented at 7:30pm in UAS Room 106 by DEBORAH RUDIS, Wildlife Biologist and the Environmental Contaminants Specialist for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Office in Juneau, where she has worked since January 1989. She is the FWS Alaska Region – Pollinator Coordinator and is encouraging the National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska to initiate bee surveys. She is particularly interested in the promotion of flowering plants, especially in their importance to native pollinator species.

April 17HAINES - Public meeting will be held from 6 to 8pm at the American Bald Eagle Foundation to discuss CHILKOOT RIVER CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS. The purpose of the workshop is to gather public input on Chilkoot River corridor management recommendations and improvements planned for the area. There will be representatives from various agencies available at the workshop to answer questions and discuss corridor concerns. To learn more about the project, visit: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/plans/chilkootlk/chilkootriver.htm.

April 17 - 19JUNEAU - 2012 ALASKA COASTAL RAINFOREST CENTER SYMPOSIUM: COSTAL TEMPERATE RAINFORESTS: INTEGRATING SCIENCE, RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITIES will be held in Centennial Hall The event will synthesize best practices, foster collaboration for future projects, and improve community engagement in science and resource management. There will be more than 35 speakers from throughout the United States and Canada ranging from academics at leading universities, researchers and directors from state and federal agencies, resource managers, policymakers, traditional knowledge bearers, and educators. The presentations and discussions will be directly linked with projects currently underway in ecosystem management, land planning, forest management, recreation and wilderness resources, fisheries management, trans-boundary data integration and policy decision making, conservation, climate change, and education. For more information and to register, go to http://acrc.alaska.edu/acrc_sw/symposium/registration_new.html.

April 18JUNEAU - Two open house session will be held from at the Nugget Mall Community Room #2 from Noon to 2pm and from 5:30 to 7:30 to provide information on the proposed IMPROVEMENTS TO OLD DAIRY AND TROUT STREET INTERSECTIONS WITH GLACIER HIGHWAY. Between 2004 and 2008, there were 27 crashes at this intersection, 17 of which involved vehicles exiting Old Dairy Road or Trout Street while crossing or turning left onto Glacier Highway. Although DOT&PF has put up signs prohibiting left turns coming out of these side streets during the afternoon rush hour, accidents persist - not only during peak times but all hours of the day. To address the safety issue, The Department intends to construct small concrete islands on Old Dairy Road and Trout Street, where they physically meet Glacier Highway. These will enhance safety by forcing traffic to the right and inhibiting left turns and thru traffic out of Old Dairy Road and Trout Street. Traffic desiring to turn left onto Glacier Highway from Trout Street would instead cross over Jordan Creek via the bridge and proceed to the Jordan Avenue traffic signal. Traffic desiring to turn left onto Glacier Highway from Old Dairy Road would access the Jordan Avenue signal via Crest and Mallard Streets. For more information or if you would like to submit comments outside the public meeting please contact: David B Epstein at 907-465-4483 or email david.epstein@alaska.gov . Deadline for comments is May 4.

April 18DELTA - The DELTA FISH & GAME ADVISORY COMMITTEE will hold a public meeting in the Delta City Hall Conference Room at 6:30pm. Agenda items will include: o Delta ADFG Staff Update, and o Presentation on 20A Moose Movement-Kalin Seaton, ADFG. For further information contact Nissa Pilcher.907.459.7263, Fax 907.459.7258 or email nissa.pilcher@alaska.gov.

April 18DILLINGHAM - Public hearing will be held from 6 to 8pm at the Dillingham City Hall for comments on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DILLINGHAM AIRPORT. including: Constructing approximately 800 feet of West Airport Road to connect around the north side of the General Aviation Apron for airport and residential access; Close the public connection of North Airport Road with Wood River Road; and Relocate fences and FAA facilities/utilities to facilitate the improvements. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer. The EA is available at http://www.DillinghamAirport.com. For

more information, contact Teresa Zimmerman, Environmental Team Leader at 907-269-0552 or email teresa.zimmermannn@alaska.gov.

April 20 & 21FAIRBANKS - INTERIOR ALASKA GREEN STAR will accept ALL ELECTRONICS FREE OF CHARGE at the ELECTRONICS RECYCLING DEPOT thanks to a generous grant from the FNSB Recycling Commission. The Depot will be open to collect old and unwanted electronics for recycling. Collections are held at the Alaska Waste Recycling Center, 3050 Phillips Field Road (west of Peger Road) from 10am to 4pm both days. More information about this and other recycling programs can be found at www.iagreenstar.org, or contact us at info@iagreenstar.org or 452-4152.

**April 21TALKEETNA - 12TH ANNUAL EARTH DAY CELEBRATION will be held from11am to 3pm at the Sheldon Community Arts Hanger in downtown Talkeetna. Everyone is invited tocome enjoy the changing of the season, and the activities suitable for all ages. The theme for this year’s celebration is COMMUNITY EARTH. Earth friendly products, information, arts, and crafts will be available to peruse or purchase in order to demonstrate how local choices can benefit the health of the global community. Free fair trade coffee will be available to participants who bring their own mug or other beverage container. Those without a container can purchase coffee for $1.00. ARAMARK is facilitating recycling for this event. Community residents andother participants are encouraged to bring cardboard, #1 and#2 plastics, aluminum, and steel cans for recycling. The event will not be able to accept glass and scrap metal. Earth Day activities are made possible by many volunteers, businesses, and organizations that support sustainable living. For additional information or to reserve exhibitor space, please contact Bob Henry, National Park Service Education Specialist, at 907-733-9110 or robert_henry@nps.gov.

**April 21WASILLA - PASSIV HAUS DESIGN FORUM will be held from 1 to 5pm at Agate Inn. The speaker is BRONWYN BARRY, Passiv Haus Consultant. Passiv Haus is an international standard for building construction approaching net zero. Bronwyn is a designer and window specialist for super-insulated construction. She currently works with Passiv Haus US and presents detailing for windows in super-insulated construction. She will review the Passiv Haus program and energy efficient modeling and construction detailing for super-insulated window installation. This will include looking at the heat loss detail analysis program Therm designed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Limited Seating is available, register today at http://acat.org/current-workshops/?ee=13. Cost $50, ACAT members $20.

April 21SITKA - ELECTRONICS RECYCLING will be held from 10am to 4pm at the Recycling Center, 802 Sawmill Creek Road. Monitors and Televisions cost $12 to recycle. ALL OTHER ELECTRONICS ARE FREE.

April 21PALMER HAY FLAT WALK will start at 9am. DELESTA FOX will be leading the annual Audubon field trip on the Palmer Hay Flats. The walk will start promptly at 9am from the

parking lot at the Hay Flats. Late comers will be able to catch up. Each year the depth of Cottonwood Creek varies, hip boots are suggested as the water could be a ‘tad’ higher than knee-boots. Children are welcomed, although they may need to be carried while crossing the creek. If you have, bring binocs, scope, bird book and a lunch. PLEASE NOTE IF THE WALK IS CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER..APRIL 28 IS THE BACK-UP DATE. Directions: Take the Parks Hwy. from the Glenn Hwy. Take the second exit to the right, which is the Fairview Loop/Hyder exit, turn left at the stop sign and continue under the Parks Hwy. At the ‘T’, turn right, about half way up the hill, watch for the Fairview Loop Rd. sign and turn left. Continue on the Loop Rd for approximately 9.6 miles, then watch for a paved road on the left called Hayfield Rd. Turn left onto Hayfield and travel about 1.2 miles, watch for a sign on the right called Lucy Lake Rd. Just past the L.L.Rd sign, on the LEFT, is a narrow dirt road, (there may be a sign referencing the Palmer Hay Flats) take this road as it winds down to the Hay Flats. Park on the Left. There are no bathroom facilities, although bushes are available near the parking area. For more information, contact Delesta AFTER April 10th at 258-6425.

April 22PALMER - NATIONAL PARK SERVICE OPEN HOUSE will be held from 7 to 8:30pm in the Depot/Community Center. Join officials to hear plans and share your ideas on how the National Park Service can enhance Alaska’s parks, leading up to its 100th birthday in 2016. The Park Service is especially interested in your thoughts on Alaska-specific topics, including how state predator control and intensive wildlife management programs are affecting national park units. NPS also seeks your ideas on improving the online offerings of national parks to better serve both in-person and virtual visitors, and operational changes that could make national parks easier to visit. The program will start with NPS Regional Director SUE MASICA providing a brief introduction of the Service's operations in Alaska and the nationwide centennial themes of how to better connect people to parks, how to advance the NPS education mission, and how to better preserve America's special places. Areas will be set up at the Center for each of the three themes, with NPS staff to moderate discussion, record comments and answer questions. For additional details and ideas to help prepare for this unique opportunity with your National Park Service, visit www.npca.org/alaskaopenhouse. For more information, go to A copy of the national Call to Action is available at http://www.nps.gov/calltoaction/.

**April 22SITKA - The 11TH ANNUAL PARADE OF SPECIES, hosted by the Sitka Conservation Society will be held on Earth Day. Parade participants are invited to dress as their favorite animal or plant and join us at Totem Square at 2pm. The parade will begin at 2:15pm when we will gallop, slither, swim, or fly down Lincoln Street to the Rasmusen Center on Sheldon Jackson Campus where a number of community organization will be hosting games and activities for the whole family! Prizes will be awarded for: Best Use of Recycled Material, Most Creative, Most Realistic, and Best Local Animal.

**April 23TOK - The UPPER TANANA FORTYMILE FISH AND GAME ADVISORY COMMITTEE will meet at 7pm in the UA Tok Center. Agenda items include: • Discussion of Interior BOG meeting results, • Discussion of BOF proposals to be submitted by AC, and •

Federal Subsistence Harvest-Chisana Caribou Herd; NPS. For further information, contact Nissa Pilcher 907.459.7263, Fax 907.459.7258 or email nissa.pilcher@alaska.gov.

**April 28PALMER - ALASKANS FOR PALMER HAY FLATS STATE GAME REFUGE will hold THEIR ANNUAL CLEAN UP of REFLECTIONS LAKE at Knik River Access on the Glenn Highway from 9am to Noon. Wear gloves, dress for weather; bags will be provided and pizza lunch for all volunteers!

**April 28HOMER - ELECTRONICS RECYCLING will be held from 10am to 3pm at Spenard Builders. They are on track to break the 100,000 pound milestone of total collected e-waste since this event first started in Homer! Find out all the details, including how to volunteer to help, at http://inletkeeper.org/blog/homer-electronics-recycling-event or call Dorothy 235.4068 x34.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

**HOURS OF OPERATION FOR USGS MAP STORE are now 10am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. The Map Store sells every available USGS topographic map for the entire state of Alaska, plus state-wide nautical charts, recreation maps and guides, geologic maps, and other earth science publications. The Map Store is located in Anchorage on the campus of Alaska Pacific University.,4210 University Drive, Room 208. For more information, contact Kate Sangster, Counications Director, at (907) 771-8490, Fax (907) 274-8343 or email ksangster@alaskageographic.org.

**REPORT ANCHORAGE POTHOLES TO 343-MEND. . You can also report these them online at the Street Maintenance Feedback Form.at http://webapps1.muni.org/pdpw/streetmaint/feedback/.

For more INFORMATION CONCERNING OCEAN DEBRIS from the Japanese tsunami, go to http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/japanfaqs.html.

ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE has issued their FOURTH PLANNING UPDATE on the Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The booklet summarizes the public comments received on the Draft CCP/EIS.During the public comment period, more than 612,000 communications (e.g., letters, emails, faxes, website submissions, statements at public meetings, etc.) were received. Of these communications, 1,990 were unique, 115,468 were customized form letters, and the remainder were identical form letters originating from 28 different organizations. The Planning Update booklet quotes a subset of the communications received to provide insight on the breadth of public comments. Every communication was read and reviewed. Each was evaluated to determine if it addressed specific elements of the Draft CCP/EIS, and Refuge staff are in the process of writing responses to these communications. The Service's responses will be published in the Final CCP/EIS later this year. Go to http://arctic.fws.gov/ccp.htm to read the planning update booklet or for more information on the CCP planning process. For more information, contact ArcticRefugeCCP@fws.gov.

POWER COST EQUALIZATION FUNDING FORMULA REVIEW by ISER researchers GINNY FAY, ALEJANDRA VILLALOBOS MELÉNDEZ, and TOBIAS SCHWÖRER examines how the current Power Cost Equalization (PCE) program formula affects incentives for rural communities to increase their energy efficiency and add renewable energy sources. The state PCE program helps bring the high cost of electricity in small rural places closer to costs in urban areas, by paying eligible utilities part of the costs of the first 500 kilowatt hours of electricity for each residential customer every month. PCE rates are currently linked to fuel costs and use. The analysis looks at the history of the PCE program and levels and patterns of electricity consumption across regions of Alaska, and finds that the PCE program ultimately affects the price of electricity in four ways, which in turn affect incentives for efficiency, innovation and conservation. First, PCE broadly affects prices and consumption. A second way PCE affects the price of electricity is through the specific application of the current PCE formula, as written in statute and administered by the Regulator Commission of Alaska (RCA). A third is how PCE affects heat sales in high-penetration wind-diesel systems. A fourth way PCE affects the price of electricity is how the savings from integrating lower-cost renewable resources are distributed among kilowatt hours that are eligible for PCE, those that are not eligible, and the PCE program. The analysis found that an alternative PCE formula—a seasonal fixed-payment formula—would have several benefits and could help encourage communities to reduce how much they rely on diesel. If you have questions, get in touch with GinnyFay at 907-786-5402 or vfay@alaska.edu.

RUN TO FAILURE; BP AND THE MAKING OF THE DEEPWATER HORIZON DISASTER by DAN LAWN is now available. The book is the fruit of more than two year’s work digging into the history of the company we all know so well for its oil spill in 2010. The story, though, is not about what happened in the Gulf, but why it happened, and who allowed it. The narrative traces the lives of John Browne -- BP’s famous former chief executive and others to explore a deep cultural strain running throughout the corporation. Using leaked internal BP documents, court records and interviews, the book demonstrates how profit-making and cost cuts were consistently placed ahead of safety and environmental protection. As a result, over two decades, more than 45 people have died, BP has faced three criminal convictions, but no individual BP employee or manager has yet been held accountable for their actions. For more information, go to http://www.amazon.com/Run-Failure-Deepwater-Horizon-Disaster/dp/0393081621.

IZEMBEK LAND EXCHANGE/ROAD CORRIDOR DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) has been released for public comment on the Proposed Land Exchange/Road Corridor. The draft EIS evaluates a three-party land exchange that would add approximately 56,000 acres to the Izembek and Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuges, designates approximately 43,000 acres as wilderness, transfers 1,600 acres of refuge lands on Sitkinak Island to the State of Alaska, and transfers an estimated 200-acre, 9-mile corridor through Izembek Refuge and Izembek Wilderness to the State. The purpose of this land exchange is to allow a road to be constructed between the communities of King Cove and Cold Bay. The Service analyzed five alternatives in the draft EIS: no action, two road alternatives, a hovercraft service six days a week and a ferry service. The draft EIS does not specify a preferred alternative, but the Service will evaluate public comments and identify a preferred alternative in

the final EIS. In the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (the Act), Congress directed the Secretary of the Interior to prepare an EIS to conduct an analysis of the proposed land exchange with the State of Alaska and the King Cove Corporation. In addition, the Act required an analysis of a road corridor through Izembek NWR in designated Wilderness between the communities of Cold Bay and King Cove. A copy of the draft plan is available at: http://izembek.fws.gov/EIS.htm Public comments may be submitted by email to: izembek_eis@fws.gov by fax to 907-786-3965; or by mail to: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Stephanie Brady, Project Team Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Rd.,MS-231, Anchorage, AK 99503. During the 60-day comment period, the Service intends to hold informational public meetings in Alaska at these locations: Anchorage, Cold Bay, False Pass, King Cove, Nelson Lagoon and Sand Point. Official testimony will be recorded at each meeting. Public meeting details may be found at http://izembek.fws.gov/EIS.htm . For more information about the refuge visit, http://izembek.fws.gov. Deadline for comment is May 18.

ANCHORAGE MUNICIPAL PLANNERS have produced a website that DESCRIBES PLANNING AND ZONING CHANGES found in the provisionally adopted code. It clearly shows: Why multifamily design standards are needed, and height transitions from commercial to residential districts; pedestrians should be able to walk safely from the sidewalk to a building's entrance, the benefits of 'private open space' in commercial and multifamily development, and more! To see the website, go to http://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/Planning/Documents/PZC_2011-104-T21RewriteChptrs-techedits.pdf.

FREE COMMERCIAL ENERGY AUDITS FOR KENAI PENINSULA SMALL BUSINESSES The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advocates have secured a USDA energy grant to provide small businesses with subsidized commercial energy efficiency audits and help with paying for your energy efficiency upgrades. For more information, contact Taz Tally at taztally@me.com or 235-3793.

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND FISHERIES: ALASKA'S CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE is the topic of the latest Alaska Seas and Coasts publication from theAlaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program. Author TORIE BAKER, an Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program agent based in Cordova, explains ocean chemistry basics needed to understand the effects of increasing acidity in northern waters. This issue also highlightssome of the current research under way aimed at better understanding likely impacts on increasing acidification on Alaska's marine ecosystems. To download this free, must-read, primer on ocean acidification in Alaska, please visit the Alaska Sea Grant Bookstore at:www.alaskaseagrant.org.

TEACHERS AND FACILITATORS! AK Fish & Game have a number of WORKSHOPS AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES on the horizon! Please check out adfg’s calendar for educators at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=educators.teachertraining. Call Brenda L Duty, Project WILD/Youth Education Coordinator, at 907.267.2216 or email brenda.duty@alaska.gov for more information. Facilitators, please remember you can attend these workshops as part of your training where appropriate.

18-YEAR STUDY PROVIDES INSIGHTS ON WOLVES is available at http://www.nps.gov/yuch/naturescience/wolves.htm. The latest data from a two-decade-long wildlife study in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve reports a healthy and rebounding wolf population. Wolf abundance and distribution has been monitored in the 2.5 million acre national preserve since 1993 using radio collars on animals within most of the packs using the area. No wolf study in Alaska, other than one at Denali National Park, has been in place for more years. A separate AK Dept. of Fish & Game study of the Forty Mile Caribou Herd, a primary food source for the Yukon-Charley wolves, shows a population of 51,000 – a 50-year high. When the wolf study began in 1993, the herd numbered about 21,000 animals. Liebscher said that across 18 years of collar data, there appears to be little correlation between the size of the caribou herd and the number of wolves in the preserve, adding that factors such as winter weather, range condition and predators outside the preserve have a significant effect on the caribou population. The 2011 annual report notes that wolf density was above the 18-year average (5.09 wolves/1000 square kilometers versus an average of 4.23) and that the mean pack size was 7.4 wolves. Pack sizes have fluctuated over the 18-year study, from a low of 4.3 to a high of 9.1, and average 7.1 over the length of the study. Currently, nine packs are tracked by the National Park Service; pack sizes range from one to 18 wolves. In 2010, the total population ranged between 58 animals in the spring and 74 animals in the fall. Since 1993, National Park Service scientists have been able to determine the fate of 139 wolves collared in the preserve, creating a snapshot indicative of wolves throughout Interior Alaska. Fully 30 percent of the collared wolves (42) dispersed from the preserve where they were no longer tracked. A quarter of the collared wolves (33) were trapped or shot in or near the preserve, either by hunters, trappers or in State of Alaska sponsored predator control programs. Some wolves (23 animals/17%) were killed by other wolves, and a few (6 animals/4%) were killed by prey. Only six wolves (4%) died of starvation, and 7% died from unknown natural causes. Researchers lost contact with 20 wolves, either from failed collars or dispersal. State-sponsored predator control outside the preserve but within the area used by the Forty Mile Caribou Herd has varied considerably over the years, and is expected to resume later this month.

BLM has released the EASTERN INTERIOR DRAFT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN/ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (RMP/EIS) for public review and comment. When finalized, the plan will provide future direction for approximately 6.7 million acres of BLM-administered public land, including the White Mountains National Recreation Area, Steese National Conservation Area and Fortymile area, three wild and scenic rivers, and lands in the upper Black River and greater Fairbanks area currently not included in a land use plan. Comments are due by July 23. For information about the Eastern Interior planning process, go to http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/planning/east_int_rmp.html or contact the BLM at (907) 474-2340 or (800) 437-7021 (within Alaska).

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND FISHERIES: ALASKA'S CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE is the topic of the latest ALASKA SEAS AND COASTS PUBLICATION. Author TORIE BAKER, an Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program agent based in Cordova, explains ocean chemistry basics needed to understand the effects of increasing acidity in northern waters. This issue also highlights some of the current research under way aimed at better understanding likely impacts on increasing acidification on Alaska's marine ecosystems.

To download this free, must-read, primer on ocean acidification in Alaska, go to Alaska Sea Grant Bookstore at www.alaskaseagrant.org.

VOLUNTEERS OPPORTUNITIES

The newly formed AMATS BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE is seeking applicants for four PUBLIC MEMBERSHIP SEATS. (“AMATS” is Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions, the state/city Metropolitan Planning Organization that plans for and distributes federal transportation funds to improve the transportation system in Anchorage.) The committee plans to meet four times per year (at minimum) and will advise the AMATS Technical Advisory Committee and Policy Committee on bicycle and pedestrian issues and concerns. For a complete description of the committee's duties and membership structure, download the by-laws from http://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/Planning/AMATS/News/Pages/BicyclePedestrianAdvisoryCommitteeSeeksMembers.aspx. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please send a statement of interest and your resume to Erika McConnell at mcconnelleb@muni.org by May 15.

Applications Being Accepted for the VOICES OF THE WILDERNESS ARTIST RESIDENCY-2012. Residency programs are held on both the CHUGACH AND TONGASS NATIONAL FORESTS and take place at various times from June through September. The program is open to artists and art professionals in all media – visual (two and three dimensional: photographers, sculptors, painters), audio (musicians, singers, composers), film (video/filmmakers), and writers (poets, fiction, essays, storytellers). Participating artists are paired with a wilderness ranger and actively engage in stewardship projects, such as research, monitoring, and education. The idea is to give artists a sense of the stewardship behind America’s public lands, fostering an artistic exploration of these natural and cultural treasures.As a volunteer, each artist will assist with some basic ranger duties, which may include boarding a tour boat to provide education, participating in research projects, such as seal counts or climate change studies, walking a beach to remove litter, or other generally light duties. However, an emphasis for the artist will be experiencing the wilderness and exploring how to communicate its inspirational qualities through their artwork. To learn more about the program and download an application, visit www.myalaskaforests.com or contact Barbara Lydon at (907) 783-0090, or email blydon@fs.fed.us.

COASTWALK JAPAN TSUNAMI DEBRIS MONITORING - As debris from the tsunami in Japan makes its way to our shores, it is important to learn as much as possible about the issues connected with it and to stay up to date on the facts as they become known. The CENTER FOR ALASKAN COASTAL STUDIES is a statewide leader in marine debris prevention education and community cleanups through our CoastWalk program, need a few VOLUNTEERS who have experience with our CoastWalk program to begin more regular monitoring of select beaches. Through monthly monitoring we hope to be able to track changes in the debris items and amounts. When confirmed sightings of debris are made in Alaska, we will expand or monitoring and cleanup efforts to include more beaches and more frequent CoastWalks. By comparing incoming data to the past 28 years of data we have collected, we will be able to observe if the type or amount of debris is changing and what the impact of the new debris is. For

more information, contact Patrick Chandler at 907-235-6667. For more information about the CoastWalk monitoring program, marine debris, or to report debris items on local beaches, please contact the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies at 907-235-6667 or info@akcoastalstudies.org.

KENAI PENINSULA: STREAM WATCH, an award winning volunteer program founded in 1994, is making a difference on the Kenai Peninsula! Join the team of more than 60 trained Ambassadors to share river stewardship information and complete river restoration projects along the pristine waters of the Kenai, Kasilof and Russian Rivers. Protect world famous fisheries while enjoying the beauty of the peninsula. All of the training and supplies are provided for a great day in the great outdoors. Volunteer camping sites available. For more information, visit our webpage at www.KenaiWatershed.org or email StreamWatch@kenaiwatershed.org.

CENTER FOR ALASKAN COASTAL STUDIES are celebrating their 30th ANNIVERSARY and looking for some help. At this time, we are looking for someone to work about 10 hours/week for about a month. We recognize and appreciate that amount of time and commitment. So we’d like to offer the person who fulfills this volunteer opportunity for Intertidal & Forest Ecology Exploration and overnight stay at Peterson Bay! We can pay for RT transportation for 3 to the Field Station. Our heated yurts will sleep up to 8 (bunk beds for 6) so you may bring your family/friends if you pay just that transportation fee. The Field Station has a full kitchen with all the amenities so you just have to bring food, sleeping bags and a sense of adventure. If you are interested in ‘applying’ for this, contact Melanie Dufour at (907) 235.6746, FAX: (907) 235.6668, or email melanie@akcoastalstudies.org. For more information, go to www.akcoastalstudies.org.

FAIRBANKS - INTERIOR ALASKA GREEN STAR is SEEKING NEW MEMBERS for its BOARD OF DIRECTORS. If you care about promoting green living, recycling, and community sustainability, this is the position for you. We are looking for energetic, creative, and enthusiastic people to support Interior Alaska Green Star’s mission to encourage households and businesses to practice waste reduction, energy conservation and pollution prevention. Benefits of becoming a board member include forming meaningful and lasting connections in the community, contributing to the impact Interior Alaska Green Star makes in our community, and supporting locally-based sustainable practices. If this sounds good to you, we would love to hear from you! For more detailed information about the time commitment and required duties, please visit: www.iagreenstar.org/participate/join-the-board for links to additional information, or email us at info@iagreenstar.org.

MAT-SU/COPPER BASIN AREA CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS are needed. Each member's term is three years, with an option to renew. Board members are recruited from the community at large to represent the various recreational, historical, and cultural resource interests in a balanced manner for the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. The Citizen Advisory Board members fulfill an important role of communication between Alaska State Parks and Mat-Su/Copper Basin communities. In the past year, the board considered issues such as the Hatcher Pass Management Area Plan Revision, the South Denali Project development, Fishhook Hydroelectric Projects, and cell towers in Denali State Park. This year the board will be working on the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area Management Plan update, the Denali State Park Trails Plan, and capital improvement projects in the

Mat-Su/Copper Basin Area. Each fall, the board assists with a legislative briefing for the Mat-Su Legislative Delegation. Board meetings are held September through May, on the second Tuesday of each month, at the Wasilla Middle School Library. Members from outlying areas can attend meetings telephonically. The board welcomes the public to attend its monthly meetings. Go to http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/misc/brdappgeneric.pdf for the on-line PDF application. Applications are also available at the state parks office at 7278 East Bogard Road in Wasilla. For more information, contact the Park office at 745-8935.

INTERNSHIPS

ALASKA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION (ACF) is offering five 6-month, paid internships, which can be viewed at http://alaskaconservation.org/internships/internship-job-descriptions/.. Applications can be submitted through April 20. The titles and host organizations for the positions are: 1. Coal Campaign Communications Intern - hosted by Friends of Mat Su http://alaskaconservation.org/internships/internship-job-descriptions/#coal 2. Data Enhancement Intern - hosted by Alaska Conservation Alliancehttp://alaskaconservation.org/internships/internship-job-descriptions/#data3. Gas Licensing and Alaska's Communities Intern - hosted by the National Parks Conservation Association http://alaskaconservation.org/internships/internship-job-descriptions/#gas4. Innovative Funding Intern - hosted by the Alaska Marine Conservation Councilhttp://alaskaconservation.org/internships/internship-job-descriptions/#funding5. Mining Intern - hosted by Southeast Alaska Conservation Council.http://alaskaconservation.org/internships/internship-job-descriptions/#mining.

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNSHIP for the SPENARD FARMERS MARKET for the 2012 Market Season. The Spenard Farmers Market encourages sustainability through local agriculture and community development, it is the only nonprofit farmers market in Anchorage. The ideal candidate would have an interest in local food issues and excellent communication skills. While the internship is unpaid, it is part time, extremely flexible and can be outside! This would be the perfect opportunity for someone seeking college credit, building their resume or networking within the nonprofit and environmental community before college graduation. Email a resume and statement of interest to spenardfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE with ALASKA YOUTH for ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION. AYEA is a youth leadership and civic engagement program for high school students from across Alaska to build skills and take action on issues they care about. We host youth leadership summits focused on project planning, community organizing, and political action, and we support youth-led projects throughout the school year. We are currently looking for volunteer interns to lead a variety of projects in 2012. Gain mad skillz in community organizing, navigating the political system, event planning, communication, and/or fundraising. AYEA staff are super cool and it will probably be the best internship EVER. Rolling deadline. Positions open until filled. Applicants do not have to live in Anchorage to be eligible. For more information, go to http://ayea.org/?s=internship.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

**ACCOUNTING/PROGRAM ASSISTANT for the ANCHORAGE PARK FOUNDATION to perform various clerical accounting tasks according to standard operating procedures. These tasks may include processing invoices, cash receipts, creating donor records, filing and completing related documentation and reporting functions. Hours of Work: 9a.m. to 6 pm – Monday through Friday. This work environment is very flexible. Knowledge/skills/competencies: Self-motivated and a self-starter. Must enjoy working with people but also be able to work independently with minimal supervision. Able to multi-task, set priorities and adapt to changing office needs. Attention to detail and follow through critical.Able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms. Able to use standard Microsoft Office applications; Quickbooks, Adobe Creative Suite and/or database management skills are preferred Responsibilities: Accounting Duties, Donor Services: Administrative Support, and Program Support:. Position Requirements: High School diploma. AA or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university preferred. Minimum of two years work experience that demonstrates the required skills; experience working in an office setting preferred. The ideal candidate will have a passion for parks and recreation as cornerstones of a healthy community. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits package and flexible scheduling. For more information, go to www.AnchorageParkFoundation.org. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Beth Nordlund at Beth@AnchorageParkFoundation.org. Deadline to apply is April 30.

GREEN STAR is looking for a PART-TIME STAFF MEMBER TO ASSIST WITH BIKE TO WORK DAY LOGISTICS. This position will run from April 16th to May 31st. The selected applicant will work approximately 80 to 120 hours in total to complete this project. Minimum qualifications: 21 years of age and older, active or recreational bicyclist, independent worker with flexible schedule, reliable transportation, valid drivers license and proof of insurance. This is a FUN position that requires doing outreach to community businesses so we will be looking for a personable, outgoing team member. Resumes can be sent to Josh Sherwood at joshua@greenstarinc.org. GREEN STAR affirms its commitment to afford all individuals who have the necessary qualifications an equal opportunity to compete for employment and advancement with the organization. To assure equal employment opportunity, there shall be no discrimination and/or preferred treatment concerning any individual or group because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or veteran status or as otherwise prohibited by applicable state, federal or local law.

SCA AK CONSERVATION CREW OPPORTUNITIES Enroll now, application deadline is Apr 15. Open to Youth 15 – 19 years of age The SCA Alaskan Youth Conservation Crews are a tuition-free conservation service learning experience. We have 5 Alaska-based crews that will serve our public lands. The crew will consist of 6 crew members & 2 adult leaders. Crew members will camp & work outdoor...s together on conservation and restoration projects. Location: Chugach National Forest –Kenai & Cordova1st Crew: June 11 - July 10, 2nd Crew: July 16 - August 14, Location: Lake Clark National Park – Port Alsworth Crew Date: July 23 – August 11, Location: Talkeetna Lodge –CIRI Crew Date: June 18 – July 9, Contact Jillian Morrissey at jmorrissey@thesca.org or text/call 907.715.2381 for questions. For more information, go to www.thesca.org.

AMERICORPS POSITION CREW LEADER for the term of March 19 – August 17. SAGA’s Mission: SAGA provides service learning to enhance lives, lands, and communities in Alaska. We are dedicated to helping young people make the connection between what they learn and how they live. Program Summary: Serve Alaska Youth Corps (SAYC) is the youth division of the Alaska Service Corps, and is specifically designed to provide leadership, work readiness, and life skills to young Alaskans who have barriers to their education or employment. These skills are gained through the service projects performed and through educational activities on nights and weekends. Position Summary: Serve Alaska Youth Corps (SAYC) Crew Leaders have experience in both the essential technical and interpersonal skills needed to assure projects are completed in a safe, efficient, and team-based manner with high-quality results. Crew Leaders will be selected to co-lead and live with a crew of five to six Crew Members. These AmeriCorps members are 17 to 24 years old, come from a diverse array of backgrounds, and travel from rural and urban communities in Alaska. These young adults may be struggling in school, with prior experience involving chemical dependency, defiance, depleted motivation, or no prior work experience – willing to take the steps to reconnect with a positive lifestyle. Member development and educational activities occur throughout the term of service. These may include organizing volunteer projects, gaining skills in cross-cultural communication and group living, and educational/vocational planning. SAYC Crew Leaders are responsible for developing these activities with the support of the Education Coordinator. Member development and educational activities will take place in the evenings and on weekends. Following a two-month orientation at our facilities in Juneau, which includes Wilderness First Responder and hard and soft skills training needed to work successfully with young adults and disconnected youth, Crew Leaders will work on projects as a crew before meeting the incoming Crew Members and receiving crew and location assignments. Crew Members work on service projects throughout Alaska while living and working with their crew in a field camp setting. Following a weeklong orientation, members receive their crew assignments and project locations before being deployed. Project Summary: Serve Alaska Youth Corps projects are located throughout Alaska. All projects are located outdoors and are completed in all weather conditions. Typical projects include roadside safety projects (tree clearing, brush removal, clearing behind highway guardrails), invasive species removal and train maintenance. Projects such as stream restoration and cabin maintenance are also possible. Project Sponsors: We serve the Alaska Department of Transportation, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Alaska State Parks, local municipalities, trail associations, and Alaska Native groups. Project Locations: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, Kodiak Island, Valdez, Yakutat, Juneau, and Prince of Wales Island are representative of project locations. Most projects are front-country, where crews will live in established campgrounds – possibly within a community – and have access to services. Backcountry projects are possible, where access to services will be limited or not present. Our crews are often more than 1,000 miles apart. Education Summary: The SAYC education program connects what your crew members learn with how they live. During the service day, crews travel to some of Alaska’s most beautiful areas. In the field camp at night, you will help them connect with their fellow crew members to learn about these areas, as well as helping them gain effective communication skills, group living skills, and an introduction to the world of work including job searches and resume building. Responsibilities: • Co-lead a crew of AmeriCorps Members while living in field camps; participate in and ensure completion of camp chores and evening and weekend activities, • Perform strenuous physical labor while completing outdoor service projects in all weather conditions, • Ensure projects are

completed in a safe and timely manner according to project specifications, • Uphold and follow SAGA’s policies and procedures, • Take action and respond appropriately if emergency situations arise, • Promote safety and positive crew morale by facilitating conflict resolution and addressing dysfunction in crew dynamics, • Serve as the on-site liaison between project sponsors, your crew and SAGA staff, • Complete paperwork related to service projects and member development in a timely manner. Position Requirements: • Must be at least 21 years of age, • U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident alien with current passport for Canadian border crossings, • High school diploma or GED, • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record, • No drug or alcohol convictions in the last three years, • Experience working in a supervisory role or prior leadership experience, preferably in a team-based model, • Excellent communication skills, • Tolerance for adversity and uncertainty, • Sincere interest in being a healthy role model and leader for disconnected youth, • Must be comfortable co-leading a crew in outdoor settings in extreme weather conditions, • Willingness to maintain a rigorous crew schedule, • Willingness to make team-based decisions that have a positive impact on the crew without jeopardizing project success, • Trail work or comparable experience, • Chainsaw and power tool experience, • Able to provide the gear necessary to live and work for nine months in the Alaskan outdoors, • Must be committed to completing the full term of national service, • Selection is contingent upon passing national criminal background and sex offender checks. Benefits: • Approximately $1,000 monthly living stipend, • AmeriCorps Educational Award of $2,775 upon successful completion of term of national service, • Reimbursement of the partial cost of Wilderness First Responder training, • SAGA’s paid Leadership Training Modules, including: Power Tool Operation and Maintenance, Professional Driving, Alaska Trail Construction and Maintenance, Leadership and more • Living in Alaska’s wild backyard with world-class recreation at your fingertips. Transportation: Travel to & from program: Each Crew Leader is responsible for the cost of travel to SAGA’s orientation site (Juneau or Anchorage). You can make reservations with Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Marine Highway System (ferry), or choose to drive a personal vehicle via the Alaskan-Canadian Highway (note: personal vehicles are to remain parked at SAGA headquarters during the project season). Travel within Program : SAGA provides 15 passenger vans and ferry travel for project-related travel. Interviews: Ongoing Until Positions Filled Term of National Service: 900 hours & 22 weeks. To Apply: Please call or email with additional questions: SAGA Recruiter at (907) 790-6412 or recruiter@servealaska.org or Fax: (907) 789-3118 or go to www.servealaska.org.

AMERICORPS POSITION TRANSPORTATION SAFETY CREW LEADER for the term of March 19 – October 31, 2012. SAGA’s Mission: SAGA provides service learning to enhance lives, lands, and communities in Alaska. We are dedicated to helping young people make the connection between what they learn and how they live. SAGA is a statewide Service Corps dedicated to fulfilling our mission by providing high-quality services throughout Alaska. Project Summary: Alaska Service Corps projects are located throughout Alaska. For the 2012 project season, SAGA will form two Transportation Safety Crews to serve most of their terms of service in the Interior of Alaska, in service to the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT). All projects are located outdoors and are completed in all weather conditions. The bulk of the service projects will focus on road safety projects – tree-clearing, brush removal and clearing behind highway guardrails and fences. Project Sponsors: This crew will primarily serve the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. Some service projects may be done for other public land agencies. Project Locations: This crew will serve on DOT projects in the Interior

(Fairbanks, Tok, Healy, Valdez) for most of the season, as well as a few other locations in South Central Alaska (Anchorage, Wasilla, Homer). Position Requirements: • Must be at least 21 years of age • U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident alien with current passport for Canadian border crossings, • High school diploma or GED, • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record, • No drug or alcohol convictions in the last three years, • Experience working in a supervisory role or prior leadership experience, preferably in a team-based model, • Excellent communication skills, Selection is contingent upon passing national criminal background and sex offender checks. Benefits: • Approximately $1,000 monthly living stipend • AmeriCorps Educational Award of $4,243 upon successful completion of term of national service • Reimbursement of the partial cost of Wilderness First Responder training • SAGA’s paid Leadership Training Modules, including: Power Tool Operation and Maintenance, Professional Driving, Alaska Trail Construction and Maintenance, Leadership and more • Living in Alaska’s wild backyard with world-class recreation at your fingertips. Transportation: Travel to & from program: Each Crew Leader is responsible for the cost of travel to SAGA’s orientation site (Juneau or Anchorage). You can make reservations with Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Marine Highway System (ferry), or choose to drive a personal vehicle via the Alaskan-Canadian Highway (note: personal vehicles are to remain parked at SAGA headquarters during the project season). Travel within Program : SAGA provides 15 passenger vans and ferry travel for project-related travel. Interviews: Ongoing Until Positions Filled Term of National Service: 1,350 hours & 32 weeks Please call or email with additional questions: SAGA Recruiter at (907) 790-6412 or recruiter@servealaska.org or Fax: (907) 789-3118 or go to www.servealaska.org.

AMERICORPS POSITION TRANSPORTATION SAFETY CREW LEADER for the term of March 19 – October 31, 2012. SAGA’s Mission: SAGA provides service learning to enhance lives, lands, and communities in Alaska. We are dedicated to helping young people make the connection between what they learn and how they live. SAGA is a statewide Service Corps dedicated to fulfilling our mission by providing high-quality services throughout Alaska. Project Summary: Alaska Service Corps projects are located throughout Alaska. For the 2012 project season, SAGA will form two Transportation Safety Crews to serve most of their terms of service in the Interior of Alaska, in service to the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT). All projects are located outdoors and are completed in all weather conditions. The bulk of the service projects will focus on road safety projects – tree-clearing, brush removal and clearing behind highway guardrails and fences. Project Sponsors: This crew will primarily serve the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. Some service projects may be done for other public land agencies. Project Locations: This crew will serve on DOT projects in the Interior (Fairbanks, Tok, Healy, Valdez) for most of the season, as well as a few other locations in South Central Alaska (Anchorage, Wasilla, Homer). Position Requirements: • Must be at least 21 years of age • U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident alien with current passport for Canadian border crossings, • High school diploma or GED, • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record, • No drug or alcohol convictions in the last three years, • Experience working in a supervisory role or prior leadership experience, preferably in a team-based model, • Excellent communication skills, Selection is contingent upon passing national criminal background and sex offender checks. Benefits: • Approximately $1,000 monthly living stipend • AmeriCorps Educational Award of $4,243 upon successful completion of term of national service • Reimbursement of the partial cost of Wilderness First Responder training • SAGA’s paid Leadership Training Modules, including: Power Tool Operation and Maintenance, Professional

Driving, Alaska Trail Construction and Maintenance, Leadership and more • Living in Alaska’s wild backyard with world-class recreation at your fingertips. Transportation: Travel to & from program: Each Crew Leader is responsible for the cost of travel to SAGA’s orientation site (Juneau or Anchorage). You can make reservations with Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Marine Highway System (ferry), or choose to drive a personal vehicle via the Alaskan-Canadian Highway (note: personal vehicles are to remain parked at SAGA headquarters during the project season). Travel within Program : SAGA provides 15 passenger vans and ferry travel for project-related travel. Interviews: Ongoing Until Positions Filled Term of National Service: 1,350 hours & 32 weeks Please call or email with additional questions: SAGA Recruiter at (907) 790-6412 or recruiter@servealaska.org or go to www.servealaska.org.

ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT for COOK INLET REGION, INC. (CIRI). Position will provide high level administrative and related project support for the Energy Development Department and/or the Company’s affiliated subsidiaries. Prepares materials and packets for Board of Director and Board Committee meetings and project meetings. Plays key administrative role in coordinating energy projects. Handles confidential and sensitive information. Minimum Experience: Two or four years of college in business, finance, natural sciences or related field and three years progressively responsible related experience; or any combination of education and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. A high degree of technical and online research skills required. Required Contacts: CIRI executives, management and staff, Executives, management and staff of CIRI subsidiaries, wholly-owned and affiliated non-profit companies, Executives, management and staff of other ANCSA corporations and villages. Local, state and federal government and agency representatives and staff. Community and business leaders and the General public. To apply: contact Katherine Cox, HR Generalist, at 907-263-5123 or go to http://www.ciri.com.

ARCTIC ALASKA AVIAN FIELD BIOLOGISTS for the WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY (1) FIELD ASSOCIATE and (1) CREW LEADER needed from 25 May to 25 July 2012 to participate in two projects with the Wildlife Conservation Society in an oil-developed area near Prudhoe Bay. For Project 1: we will conduct an artificial nest experiment assessing predation rates near and far from oil field infrastructure. For Project 2: we will assess breeding bird usage of rehabilitated sites previously disturbed by oil drilling activity. Duties will include placing artificial nests along transects and monitoring them for nest survivorship. A subset of artificial nests will be monitored with remote cameras. For the rehabilitation project, duties will include nest searching and monitoring, floating eggs to determine age, area search surveys and behavioral observations of all bird species at both rehab and undisturbed sites. Micro-site habitat characteristics will we be measured using a bird-centered vegetation sampling approach. Data entry and proofing will also be required. The crew will access sites in the oilfields using a vehicle and will interact with oilfield personnel on a daily basis. Preferred applicants will have excellent bird identification skills, solid nest-searching experience, and be familiar with using a compass and GPS. Applicants must be enthusiastic, in excellent physical condition and willing to hike many miles each day in hip boots, and be able to work independently as well as with others for long hours in, sometimes, difficult field conditions. Field conditions will often be wet and cold, then buggy later in the season. Applicants must be comfortable working in bear country. Employees will be paid a monthly stipend of $1200 - 1800 depending on experience. Travel/hotel costs within Alaska will be provided. Room and board (at facilities in the Prudhoe

Bay oil field) will be provided. Travel to Alaska will be partially covered ($500 voucher) by WCS. Please send a cover letter, resume and at least three references (with contact information) by email to Joe Liebezeit at jliebezeit@wcs.org. A valid driver's license is required. A B.S. degree in wildlife ecology or a related field is preferred, but not required. *Please send application materials as a SINGLE MICROSOFT WORD DOCUMENT*. Non-U.S. citizen applicants must have (or obtain) a social security number. Include in your cover letter any relevant experience and your interest in applying for this position. Application deadline: April 15 although hiring will begin AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

PRESIDENT and CEO for the ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER in Seward. The President & CEO, under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company, shall have general oversight and direction of the Company’s operations. Minimum Qualifications, Skills & Knowledge: 15+ years in a senior-level position that has had oversight and management responsibilities of multiple programs. A balance of scientific research and facilities operation a must; aquarium experience preferred; must have demonstrated excellent communication skills with the ability to be a relationship builder. Must have a background in fundraising and development coupled with knowledge of foundations and other donors who have a philanthropic desire to support similarly situated programs and research activities. Education/Training Requirements: While a PhD is desired, an advanced degree is required coupled with an academic and/or scientific background. Travel: The successful incumbent can expect extensive travel within Alaska as well as between Alaska and the lower 48. More information about ASLC and the position is available at http://www.alaskasealife.org/. Please send electronic versions of a letter of application and resume/curriculum vitae to: Cindy L. Ecklund at cindye@alaskasealife.org.

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