**Mark new items in this issue.
April 11, 2012
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
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 or write to .
April 12, 19 & 26
PALMER - 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
April 13 - 14
ANCHORAGE - 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 , call 267-2168 or sign up on My Learning Plan Anchorage School District..
April 13 - 14
SEWARD - 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 or call 907- 376-0580
April 14
ANCHORAGE - 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 . 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 or
April 14
FAIRBANKS- 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
April 14 & 15
GUNSIGHT 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
April 17 - 19
JUNEAU - 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, or Scott Owen at 703-358-2636 or email: . To register, go to
**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 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 & 21
FAIRBANKS - 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 or call 459-7230.
April 20 -21
SOLDOTNA - 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 or call 907- 376-0580.
April 23
ANCHORAGE - 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 or 278-7827. SPACE IS LIMITED.
April 23 – May 5
ANCHORAGE - 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: or contact Saskia Esslinger at 907-563-1119 or .
April 25 to May 2
ANCHORAGE- 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 . For more information, contact
April 26
PALMER - 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 or contact Jeremiah Millen at .
April 26, May 1, 3 & 7
Open 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 Library
The 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 For more information, email or call 343-7991.
April 27
ANCHORAGE - 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 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 .
April 27 - 29
SUTTON - 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 28
ANCHORAGE - 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 For more information, contact Courtney Munson at REAP at 907-929-7770 or email .
**May 3 - 6
COPPER 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 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 or at 907- 376-0580 or sign up on My Learning Plan Mat-Su..
**May 4
SEWARD - 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 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 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: 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 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 ( and twitter ( 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