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August 5, 2011

Compiled Weekly by Peg Tileston

On behalf of the Alaska Women’s Environmental Network (AWEN), Alaska Center for the Environment (ACE), and Alaska Conservation Alliance (ACA)

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, TRAINING

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August 5 - 7

NINILCHIK - SALMONSTOCK, a CELEBRATION OF ALASKAN SALMON and the people who depend upon them, will be held at the Kenai Peninsula Fairground. It's also about the power we have in protecting our resources and our livelihoods. Salmonstock will showcase two stages and 30+ acts featuring top Alaskan, Northwestern and National artists. There will also be local brews in an extensive beer garden, Alaskan cuisine, local merchant crafts and an informal center providing festival goers with the knowledge and resources necessary to make their own positive impact on wild salmon habitat and an "Action of Art" orchestrated by 2011 Rasmuson award recipients Mavis Muller and Ray Troll. Get your tickets early for a screaming deal! For more information visit .

August 6 & 7

MIKE HANNISIAN, Associate Naturalist of the New Jersey Audubon Society’s Cape May Bird Observatory (CMBO), will offer PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS for the BEGINNING to INTERMEDIATE PHOTOGRAPHER. This is perfect for friends & families of serious photographers. Workshop will be divided between shooting in the field at various locations, beginning at 8am on Saturday at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center at Portage & afternoon classroom sessions at the Alaska Zoo on equipment, composition, exposure, and image sharing. $175 for full weekend. For more information and to sign up, go to or call 907-317-4667. For more information about Mike, go to

August 8 & 9

PALMER - The MAT-VALLEY COALITION will hold CITIZEN ADVOCACY TRAINING from 4 to 9pm at the Church of the Covenant, 415 S Bailey St. Join professional outreach staff with experience on a local and national scale how to: set concrete and achievable goals, participate in the political process, listen to and talk with diverse audiences, effectively work with media, and more! You will also have the opportunity to take action on important energy, transportation, planning, and other community issues that need our help. The Citizen Advocacy Academy is FREE. Space is limited. Please RSVP either Christiana at or Heather McCausland, contact number 746-0128 or email .

August 9-12

DENALI NATIONAL PARK - FIELD COURSE – PALEONTOLOGY: SEARCHING FOR DENALI’S DINOSAURS will be offered by Alaska Geographic through the Murie Science and Learning Center. Do something exciting this summer! Come help the National Park Service search for and catalog new evidence of dinosaurs and plant life of the cretaceous period. The very first dinosaur track in Denali was discovered by a student while on a geology course in 2005, and more evidence is found each summer. As a citizen scientist on this course, you will take part in the exciting and sometimes challenging work of documenting and gathering geo-referencing data from each discovery. The evidence gathered will help us better understand the environment and climate of 65 million years ago as well as give us insight into the warming climate of today. Participants will stay at a field camp located 29 miles inside Denali National Park along the Teklanika River. The Field Camp includes rustic tent cabins and a common dining tent. All meals, accommodations, transportation, and instruction are included in the $360 course fee. Professional development credit is available through UAA. For more information or to register, go to email , or call 907-683-1269.

August 13

DENALI NATIONAL PARK - A FAMILY EXPLORATION OF BIRDS will be held from 1 to 5pm. Join the Murie Science and Learning Center for our final Denali-ology course -a fun family-oriented exploration of Denali’s birds. Denali attracts birds from all over the world. It is also home to a group of hardy resident birds. With National Park Service biologist MARK PAULSON we’ll learn about the birds passing through Denali and the birds preparing for the long winter ahead. Register at the Murie Science and Learning Center in Denali National Park or call 907.683.1269. $10 per adult, $5 per child

August 13

SEWARD - 12TH ANNUAL ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER FISHING INVITATIONAL & BANQUET.- This popular event includes a day of fishing for salmon and halibut in beautiful Resurrection Bay followed by a dinner and banquet at the Alaska SeaLife Center. This year the event coincides with the opening day of the annual Seward Silver Salmon Derby, which adds to the fun and excitement as fish caught during the event will be eligible for the Derby prizes. Registration options: 600 for each fishing participant (includes fishing license fee) $100 for each banquet only guest. To reserve your spot, go to or contact Lexie Mizaras at 907-644-6717 or email .

August 13 (WEBSITE CORRECTION)

ANCHORAGE - ALASKA RENEWABLE ENERGY FAIR: Mark your calendars now! REAP's 7th annual Alaska Renewable Energy Fair is back this year with even more great music, exhibitors, arts & crafts, kids games and fabulous FREE opportunities to learn about renewable energy and energy efficiency from what you can do in your own home to the latest big wind, tidal and geothermal projects.

**August 14

CHENA HOT SPRINGS - 2011 RENEWABLE ENERGY FAIR: A GREEN DREAM will be held from 10am to 6pm hosted by Chena Hot Springs Resort. The event is designed to bring experts in renewable energy and sustainability together with the public to share information on all things renewable and sustainable. During the event Chena displays its own tried and true renewable technologies as well as some of our newer cutting edge developments. This year we will be displaying our new Plastic to Oil machine which transforms recycled plastic into usable petroleum, a refurbished gasifier powered Ford Model T, and our new Chena Power Hydroponic Forager Unit which can fully grow animal feed in a controlled environment in as little as six days. In addition to these, other renewable energy technologies will be on display from various organizations. The keynote speaker is Acting Geothermal Program Manager, Dr. JOANN MILLIKEN. Chena Hot Springs is also honored this year to host the GOVERNOR of the COMMONWEALTH of the NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS, BENIGNO FITIAL. SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI and GOVERNOR SEAN PARNELL will return again this year to show their support for renewable energy as well. The Renewable Energy Fair will provide free workshops, seminars hosted by speakers on various topics, and lessons for children of all ages. There will be a variety of renewable energy vendor booths and once again there will also be free food offered to all attendees. This is a free admittance, non-profit event open to the public so bring your whole family and all your friends. Free Renewable Energy Fair Van Shuttle will be available. For schedule and reserve a seat, call 907) 451-8104 ext. 0 or 7. If you are interested in sponsoring, volunteering, presenting, or having a vendor booth at the event, please contact Max Frey at .

**August 15

ANCHORAGE - BERING STRAIT ACCESS WORKSHOP will be held at the Dena¹ina Civic & Convention Center sponsored by the Institute of the North, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the U.S.

Coast Guard. This will be a fast-paced, facilitated discussion leveraging the collective expertise of the attendees. Participants will work to identify route(s) through, and management of, the Bering Strait. Identify primary stakeholders and local, state, regional, and national actors, address comprehensive considerations for route preference, provide options for vessel management systems, and develop working list of key and related issues pertaining to Bering Strait access. For more information or to register, go to

August 17-20

DENALI NATIONAL PARK - FIELD COURSE – DENALI’S LARGE MAMMALS will be offered by Alaska Geographic through the Murie Science and Learning Center. Denali National Park is well known for its legendary populations of large mammals such as bears, wolves, sheep, caribou, and moose. Join the Murie Science and Learning Center education staff for this fascinating exploration of large mammal habitat, natural history and research. We will spend our days in the field learning about each of these animals as we explore Denali and experiment with the tools of scientists. Participants will stay at a field camp located 29 miles inside Denali National Park along the Teklanika River. The Field Camp includes rustic tent cabins and a common dining tent. All meals, accommodations, transportation, and instruction are included in the $370 course fee. Professional development credit is available through UAA. For more information or to register, go to email , or call 907-683-1269.

August 20 & 21

SUTTON - SUSTAINABLE TRAILS 101, AND ADVANCED TRAIL LAYOUT & DESIGN WORKSHOP will be held from 9am to 5pm in theChickaloon Village Traditional Council Government Building, mile 61.5 Glenn Hwy. This training will cover a half-day version of Alaska Trails' Introduction to Sustainable Trails, and a one-and-a-half day version of Alaska Trails' Layout & Design Advanced Module. Both days will include classroom time and hands-on field time. The training is made available free of charge by a partnership between Alaska Trails, the Mat-Su Health Foundation, and the Chickaloon Village Tribal Council, and is intended to help people working in the trails field become more familiar with the process and standards for laying out sustainable trails. Please RSVP by August 1st to or cal 907-334-8049 to reserve your place in the classroom as there are only 25 seats available. We will devise a waiting list once we reach 25. Even though this training is free of charge, we encourage you to join Alaska Trails by visiting: Instructors: GABE TRAVIS CHRISTINE BYL of Interior Trails.

**August 24 - 25

ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Department of Transportation and NASA Ames Research Center

co-host CARGO AIRSHIPS FOR NORTHERN OPERATIONS at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Discuss practical approaches to developing and deploying cargo airship systems for commercial transport of goods and materials to meet the needs of remote communities and industries in Alaska and Northern Canada. Workshop participants will share from their experience in meeting the challenges of transport in northern regions. Airship experts will describe both the possibilities airship cargo transport offers, and the challenges of developing practical and cost effective heavy lift airship systems. Registration by August 10: $150. To register, please visit:

**August 26 - 28

DENALI STATE PARK - AK STATE PARKS to host ARTS EVENT. Artists and art enthusiasts are invited to spend the weekend at Byers Lake in Denali State Park. This is envisioned as the first of many “arts-in-the-park” events across Alaska hosted by the parks division. Artists from all over the state – including plein air artists who specialize in outdoor painting – will spend the weekend drawing inspiration from Byers Lake, an idyllic spot that provides dramatic views of Mt. McKinley. The event is open to artists in all mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture, storytelling, acoustic music, poetry, dance and theater. Planned events include a juried art show, a Saturday potluck and a group art project for children. The event is not just for artists. Anyone who is interested in art and spending time outdoors – families, aspiring artists and others – is welcome to attend. Alaska State Parks plans to host similar events in park units throughout the state. Artists are encouraged to help organize and plan these events. For more information on the Byers Lake event or to share ideas for future art events, please contact Claire LeClair at 907-269-8702 or email . Byers Lake is accessed at Milepost 147 of the Parks Highway and features a 73-unit campground, picnic sites, drinking water, a boat launch and hiking trails.

August 26 - 28

DENALI NATIONAL PARK - FIELD COURSE – THE TURNING TUNDRA: HOW DENALI’S PLANTS AND ANIMALS PREPARE FOR WINTER will be offered by Alaska Geographic through the Murie Science and Learning Center. Late August brings brilliant fall color to Denali as its flora and fauna prepare for the long winter ahead. Join long-time Denali resident and naturalist Nan Eagleson to uncover an intriguing web of stories taking place during this spectacular time of year. By looking at the patterns of life that revolve around the changing seasons in the natural setting of Denali National Park, we'll learn to truly see, understand, and appreciate what is there before us. Participants will stay at a field camp located 29 miles inside Denali National Park along the Teklanika River. The Field Camp includes rustic tent cabins and a common dining tent. All meals, accommodations, transportation, and instruction are included in the $340 course fee. Professional development credit is available through UAA. For more information or to register, go to email , or call 907-683-1269.

September 18 -21

ANCHORAGE - INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON EROSION AND LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION (ISELE) will be held at the Hilton Anchorage Hotel. Soil erosion caused by water and/or wind is a continuing problem throughout the world that threatens the capacity of the Earth to produce food, fiber, and renewable sources of energy for an ever-increasing population. Additionally, eroded sediment is a major air and water pollutant, causing many detrimental off-site impacts. Erosion by wind and/or water processes continually impacts the evolution of landscapes. With global climate change, erosion and landscape evolution may be accelerated, particularly in regions such as Alaska, where increases in air temperature of just a few degrees may shift large landscape areas from frozen to thawing and more erodible conditions. This symposium provides a forum for participants to discuss the current status and the future of soil erosion research. For symposium information contact: Dr. Debasmita (Debu) Misra, Symposium Co-Chair, at (907) 474-5339, Fax (904) 474-6635, or email or Dr. Prasanta Kalita, Symposium Co-Chair, at (217) 333-0945, Fax (217) 244-0323 or email . For additional information, go to

WEBINARS, WEBCASTS & TELECONFERENCES

**August 9 (WEBINAR)

SALMON STREAM TEMPERATURES: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE will be presented by SUE MAUGER, Science Director, Cook Inletkeeper from 10 to 11am Alaska Local Time. Will changing air temperature and precipitation patterns influence stream temperatures? Are Alaska's salmon streams warmer than they used to be? And will they get any warmer? Through the Stream Temperature Monitoring Network, Cook Inletkeeper is leading a collaborative effort to collect the data that will help answer these questions. The Temperature Network is a multi-year regional monitoring program designed to capture recent annual variation and will play an important role in identifying the most temperature-sensitive salmon streams in Cook Inlet. With this information, state and federal resource managers can prioritize habitat protection and restoration efforts to ensure Alaska wild salmon endure as thermal change continues. How to Participate / Log-In to the Alaska Climate Webinar: 1) With a regular telephone dial: 1- (877) 594-8353, 2) When prompted, enter the Participant passcode: 83847342. PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONE DURING THE PRESENTATION. To view the presentation during a webinar: 1) Point your web browser to: 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.

**August 24 (WEBINAR)

TOXIC CHEMICALS THAT DISRUPT HORMONES: IMPACTS TO FISH AND PEOPLE is a one-hour discussion with environmental biologist Dr. FRANCES SOLOMON. Dr. Solomon has more than 25 years of experience in state and local environmental agencies, focusing on the biological impacts of toxic water pollutants, pollution prevention and control, and cleanup of contaminated sites. Join this call to learn more about: Toxic properties of EDCs, human activities that discharge EDCs to water bodies, and exposure pathways for fish and humans; Routes of exposure for people living in the Arctic; Why young humans and young fish are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of EDCs; Impacts of phthalates and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) on fish and humans; Proposed regulatory reform including the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 and the Safe Cosmetics Act; and How you can reduce your exposure to EDCs. To join this free call and receive dial-up instructions, email .

GRANTS/AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS/CONTESTS

September 16

Deadline for submission to the PICTURE THE HEART OF HOMER - BELUGA SLOUGH & BISHOP’S BEACH PHOTO CONTEST Sponsored by the Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges

and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge at Islands & Ocean. Who can enter? Amateur Photographers: For the purposes of this contest, a professional photographer is considered to be a photographer who has clients, depends on photography for their income, markets their services and/or writes off their expenses as a business owner. Photos must be taken in Beluga Slough or on Bishop’s Beach and owned by the entrant. Entries must be digital files, 3MB minimum size. Each entry must have: photographer’s name; age category (15 and under or adult); address; phone number; email; when and where the photo was taken. Photos will be displayed at the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center and online. Email entries to . For more information, contact Sharon Baur at 907-299-1132 or email or Marianne Aplin at 907-226-4619 or email .