Formed in 1967 to advocate for the preservation of the Tongass National Forest, the Sitka Conservation Society has since continued and expanded its work. In its early years, it pushed for the creation of what became the West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness Area, which received formal protection by an act of Congress under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980.
Today, the Conservation Society still advocates against clear-cut logging through support of the 2001 Roadless Rule, but has vastly expanded its role in the community as well.
Through the height of the pandemic, SCS operated a mutual-aid program that delivered food to Sitkans in need. It’s also involved with a variety of sustainability-focused programs such as Sitka 4-H youth programming, the Sustainable Southeast Partnership, and more.
Additional information is available at sitkawild.org or on the group’s Facebook page.
