Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science …...Student Training Hosted By : University of Alaska Fairbanks Bristol Bay Campus 2 Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference

Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference Forum 2016

March 9-12, 2016 Dillingham, Alaska

9th Western Alaska Interdisciplinary

Science Conference and Forum

Biomedical Learning and

Student Training

Hosted By :

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Bristol Bay Campus

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9th Western Alaska Interdisciplinary

Science Conference and Forum (2016)

“Adaptation: Tides of Change”

UAF Bristol Bay Campus

Dillingham, Alaska

March 9-12, 2016

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Cover Image: “Tim Troll

Insert photo :Todd RadenAAAAbaugh

Layout and Design by Tara Borland and Todd Radenbaugh

Copyright ©2016 UAF Bristol Bay Campus.

Visit www.uaf.edu/bbesl for reprint, usage and contact information

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WELCOME TO WAISC

WAISA HOSTS THE WESTERN ALASKA INTERDICIPLINARY SCIENCE CONFERECE

Election of the Executive

The last elections were held during the WAISA General Meeting in Kotzebue on April 23-24, 2014 following the Keynote Ad-

dress. Elections are held every two years. There will be elections in 2016 Annual Meeting.

The elected Executive consists of a President, a Secretary/Treasurer, four Executive Members-At-Large, and a Student Member.

Major duties

President – to convene and chair an annual meeting and to convene such other activities as the Executive deems appropriate.

Secretary/Treasurer – to be responsible for notifying all members of details of the annual meeting at least one month in advance

of that meeting. He/She shall have charge of the finances of the Association, shall be responsible for producing a Newslet-

ter, and shall keep the files of the Association. The Secretary/Treasurer shall also provide liaison between members.

Four Executive Members-At-Large – responsible for assisting the Secretary with liaison between the Executive and the general

membership. They shall also assist in conducting the business of the Association.

Student Member – responsible for assisting the Secretary with liaison between the Executive and the general membership. The

Student Member shall also assist in conducting the business of the Association.

Current Executive:

President: Todd Radenbaugh

Secretary/Treasurer: Claudia Ihl

Four Executive Members-At-Large: Tara Borland, Open, Open, Open

Student Member: Open

WAISC Sciences Awards

Colleagues who have demonstrated excellence are presented awards at Thursday night Keynote Banquet

Excellence in Interdisciplinary Science

Given to an individual showing achievement in interdisciplinary science through contributions in research, teaching, and

service in western Alaska.

Leadership for Sustainable Communities

Given to an individual or organization to recognize their success on initiatives that promote sustainable communities in

western Alaska.

Educational Leadership

Given to an educator that has distinguished themselves as leaders in western Alaska institution through innovative edu-

cational programs and curriculum.

Distinguished Teaching Award

Given to a teacher in Western Alaska that have made extraordinary contributions to the field of science teaching

Distinguished Contributions in Science - WAISC Special Award

Given to an individual selected by the WAISA organizing committee who has shown significant contributions in pro-

moting science in western Alaska.

WAISC Student Awards

Interdisciplinary Science Student Award

Award for the best paper on interdisciplinary science presented by a student at the WAISC

Community Stewardship Award

Award to the best student paper that shows success and excellence in stewardship in a Western Alaska community.

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DILLINGHAM WELOCMES YOU

The region surrounding the modern city of Dillingham has been inhabited primarily by the Yupik people for thousands

of years. It is on the shores of Nushagak Bay an eastern estuary in Bristol Bay a region charted by Captain Cook in 1778.

The place name Nushagak, is a Yupik term that means a place where different groups from the Kuskokwim River, the

Alaska Peninsula and the Cook Inlet came to trade or live at the post. The first European settlement was the Russian built

Alexandrovski Redoubt in 1818, which became an important trading post and later known as Nushagak. In 1837, a

Russian Orthodox mission was established at Nushagak.

In 1881, Alaska was purchased by the United States, and the United States Signal Corps built a weather station at

Nushagak. In 1883, the Arctic Packing Company built the first cannery in Bristol Bay at Kanulik just east of the site of

modern-day Dillingham. With the large salmon runs, ten more canneries were built by 1900. A post office was built

across the river east of Nushagak at Snag Point in 1904 and was named after United States Senator Paul Dillingham, who

toured Alaska with his Senate subcommittee in 1903. It was that post office that gave the town its name.

In 1918 and 1919, an influenza epidemic stuck leaving fewer than 500 survivors in the Nushagak region. This

established a hospital and orphanage 6 miles (10 km) south of Dillingham at Kanakanak.

The first regional AM radio station (KDLG) for the Bristol Bay region was built by Dillingham City School District in

1974. The station rapidly became an important source of information, education, entertainment, and safety for to the

fishing fleet and the surrounding communities. It is part of the National Public Radio (NPR) and Alaska Public Radio

(APRN) networks. You can still call in to the radio station and wish good fortune to friends and family on the show

“Open Line” every day from 11am to noon.

Amenities

Airlines: Location: Phone Number:

Pen Air Airport 842-5559

Cab Services:

Nushagak Cab 842-4403

Red Line Cab 842-8294

Westside Taxi 842-0333

Places to Eat:

Spruce Kitchen Boat harbor near town 842-4453

Twin Dragon Airport 842-2172

Bayside Dine Downtown-Bristol Bay Inn 842-4050

Subway Downtown 842-1426

The Rack Lake Road 842-1825

Grocery/Take Out:

N&N Deli Downtown 842-5283

AC Grocery Downtown 842-5444

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yupik

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yupik

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuskokwim_River

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Peninsula

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Inlet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1818


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Purchase

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Signal_Corps

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Dillingham




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanakanak%2C_Alaska

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Public_Radio

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Public_Radio

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Registration Desk

The WAISC registration staff will assist you with registering and receiving your name badge when you first

arrive. They will also provide assistance with program information and other administrative needs. The

registration desk will be open:

Wednesday, March 9 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm: Pre-Registration and Check-In.

Thursday, March 10 from 8:00am to 5:00pm: Bristol Bay Campus Lobby

Friday, March 11 from 8:00am to 5:00pm: Bristol Bay Campus Lobby

Conference Fees

Advance online registration by credit card; cash or check only at Registration Desk.

Full Conference* (3 days): $20

Pre-Registration Social at Sea Inn: $20

Keynote Banquet at Willow Bar: $30

For those who only want to attend 1 or 2 sessions: free

*You can earn 1 college credit by enrolling in ENVI F193P Special Topics in Environmental Science by

attending all 3 days and completing an assignment given by Dr. Todd Radenbaugh, Instructor. Your tuition

will be sponsored under a USDA grant, so there is no charge to you. Ask for more information at the

Registration Desk.

Coffee and Lunch Breaks

Coffee and light snacks will be available free throughout the day for all registrants inside the conference area.

Meeting Room Key

115= Room 115 SL= Science Lab AS=Applied Science

General Conference Information

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Keynote Speaker Bob King Former News Director, KDLG Radio, Dillingham

Sustaining Bristol Bay Fisheries: The first 100 years

Bob King was news director at public radio station KDLG in Dillingham from 1978 to 1994

where he extensively reported on Bristol Bay’s salmon, herring, crab and other

fisheries. He later served as press secretary for Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles and most

recently as legislative aide on fisheries and related issues for U.S. Senator Mark Begich.

King has also written extensively on Alaska fisheries and its history for trade publications,

magazines, and groups including the ADFG, IPHC, BBEDC, Alaska Historical Society, and

others. He lives in Juneau.

Keynote Speaker

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Plenary Speaker Milo Adkison, PhD

Professor, Fisheries/School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences,


Additional Information from Genetic

Samples in a Mixed Stock Fishery

Milo Adkison received his Phd in Fisheries from the University of Washington, and did post-doctoral work at Simon Fraser University. He’s currently a Professor of Fisheries at the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he’s worked since 1997. He’s also worked for the Biological Resources Division of USGS and as crew on a Bristol Bay gillnetter.

The research of Dr. Adkison and his students typically involves applying quantitative methods to aspects of Pacific salmon biology and fisheries management. Recent studies have focused on nutrients imported from the ocean by salmon, survival of Chinook salmon, bycatch of salmon in groundfish fisheries, and improving stock assessment models.

Plenary Speakers

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Plenary Speaker Ken Belcher, PhD Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics School of Environment and Sustainability University of Saskatchewan

Practicing Interdisciplinary Research

Dr. Ken Belcher is a professor with a joint appointment in the Department Agricultural and

Resource Economics and the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of

Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He holds an Undergraduate degree in

agriculture, a Masters in Natural Resource Management a Ph.D. in Agricultural

Economics. His research program is in the area of environmental, resource and ecological

economics and has primarily focused on the interactions between economic systems and

the environment. Recent research activities have examined environmental and agri-

environmental policy, natural resource and ecosystems service management and policy,

natural capital, climate change and sustainability.

Plenary Speakers

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Co- Plenary Speaker Todd Radenbaugh, PhD

Associate Professor, Environmental Science

Director, Bristol Bay Environmental Science Lab


Practicing Interdisciplinary Research

Dr. Radenbaugh is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science at UAF Bristol Bay

Campus and Lead Coordinator of the Bristol Bay Environmental Science Laboratory in

Dillingham. In 2007 he was one of the founding members of WAISA and the first

president. He also has been the he president of the Arctic Division of AAAS and in 2011-

2013. His research interest traverses interdisciplinary topics including ecosystem health,

sustainable energy, and paleoecology. He developed an Environmental Studies Certificate,

Occupational Endorsements and and an AAS Degree for UAF's College of Community and

Rural Development. He has published research articles in ecosystem health, paleontology,

ecology, energy, conservation, and environmental science education. He is an advocate for

citizen science for teaching non-traditional students why accurate data collection is

important to their communities. Over the years he has worked with in many countries,

including serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica, and has learned from diverse

cultures.

Plenary Speakers

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Plenary Speaker Denise Thorsen, PhD Associate Professor Director, Alaska Space Grant Program University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Space Grant and NASA EPSCoR Programs

Denise Thorsen teaches electrical engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She

has recently transformed her freshman Introduction to Electrical and Computer

Engineering course to make it more accessible to distance students. Dr. Thorsen is also the

director of the Alaska Space Grant program which seeks to encourage and support students

interested in pursuing STEM careers through student undergraduate fellowships and

higher education grants to support an institutions ability to deliver exemplary STEM

education opportunities.

Plenary Speakers

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Conference Schedule

Wednesday, March 9, 2016 9:00am-12:00pm SouthWest Interagency Meeting (SWIM) – Room 128

12:00 – 1:00pm Lunch

1:00pm – 5:00pm SouthWest Interagency Meeting (SWIM) – R00m 128

5:00pm – 6:00pm Check-In and Registration – Reception

6:00 – 9:00 pm Social Reception – Sea Inn ($20 ticket)

Thursday, March 10, 2016 7:30 – 9:00 am Registration & Coffee

9:00 – 9:30 am

Opening Ceremonies – Room 128

Dr. Debi McLean, Campus Director, UAF Bristol Bay Campus

Alice Ruby, Mayor of Dillingham

Ralph Andersen, BBNA Chief Executive Officer

Plenary Session 1

9:30 – 10:00 am

Dr. Milo Adkison, Professor, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UAF

Additional information from genetic samples in a mixed stock fishery

10:00 – 10:20 am Break

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Conference Schedule

Concurrent Sessions

Fisheries

(Gabe Dunham/Mark Lisac-128)

Sustainable Energy

(Tom Marsik – SL)

Rural Solid Waste

(Ted Jacobson-AS)

10:20 – 10:40 am

Expanding the Nushagak River Chi-nook escapement in-dex: a comparison of two methods

Greg Buck

Feasibility of Using Only Human-Powered Elec-tricity

Andrew Akelkok

Fish Waste Com-posting for Improved Nushagak Water-shed Environment (Nushagak Fish Waste Compost Pro-ject)

Gabe Dunham

10:40 – 11:00 am

Predicting Sockeye Salmon (O. nerka) hatch timing by incor-porating natural varia-bility into an existing model

Morgan Sparks

Energy Efficiency vs. Renewable Energy – Data Analysis and Eco-nomics

Tom Marsik

Legality versus Real-ity

Ted Jacobson

11:00 – 11:20 am

The Effects of Salmon Abundance and Run Timing on the Perfor-mance of Management by Emergency Order

Milo Adkison

Empowering Alaskans with Energy Literacy

Katie Croft

Feasibility of glass recycling vs. deposit-ing in landfill in Dil-lingham, AK

Yvonne Leutwyler

11:20 – 11:40 am

An Interdisciplinary Ex-amination of Sockeye Salmon Escapement Goal Policies in Bristol Bay

Michael Link

Analysis of Deep Energy-Efficiency Upgrades to Existing Home in Rural Alaska

Stephen Elliott

Village MSW Burn-ing, Weather, Maintenance, Sign-age, Collection and Backhaul

Ted Jacobson

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Conference Schedule

11:40 – 12:00 pm

Developing a Conser-vation Planning Atlas for Nushagak River Village Lands

Tim Troll

Department of Energy Arctic Strategy

Drew Cason

Discussion

12:00 – 1:30 pm Lunch (on your own)

Fisheries II

(Gabe Dunham/Mark Lisac-128)

Green Building

(Jonathan Mears-SL)

Rural Science Edu-cation (Tara Borland-AS)

1:30 – 1:50 pm

Economic Rent Dissi-pation and the Poten-tial Effects of Mandat-ed Quality Assurance in Bristol Bay

"Alaska-grown" Myceli-um-based Biofoams for Thermal Insulation

Philippe Amstislavski

Engaging Alaska Na-tive People in Sci-ence – Experiences, Successes and Diffi-culties

1:50 – 2:10 pm

Hydrologic Alterations from Climate Change Inform Assessment of Ecological Risk to Pa-cific Salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska

Christine Woll

Natural Building in Alas-ka

Lasse Holmes

Occupational En-dorsement in Sus-tainable Energy

Tom Marsik

2:10 – 2:30 pm

Where we are and where we need to be to understand regional water temperature trends: An update on the AKOATS and mini-mum data collecting standards

Marcus Geist

Rocket Mass Heaters in Alaska

Lasse Holmes

Occupational En-dorsements in Envi-ronmental Studies

Todd Radenbaugh

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Conference Schedule

2:30 - 2:50 pm

Climate Change in Bristol Bay and Be-yond

Sue Flensburg

Discussion

REACHing out – A rural science educa-tion partnership be-tween UAF K12 Out-reach + Bering Strait School District

Sally Kieper

2:50 – 3:20 pm Break Break Break

Pebble Mine Update

(-128)

Green Building II

(Jonathan Mears-SL)

Rural Science Edu-cation II (Tara Borland-AS)

3:20 – 3:40 pm

Discussion Living with Nature; Liv-ing in Balance

Cindee Karns

Alaska EPSCoR: In-terdisciplinary Re-search and Outreach Across Alaska

Tom Moran

3:40 – 4:00 pm

NetZero Energy Ready Home

Tom Marsik

Cutting-edge re-search opportunities for rural students

Abel Bult-Ito

4:00 – 4:20 pm

Retrofitting from Linear Fluorescents to T8 LED Lighting at UAF Bristol Bay Campus

Jonathan Mears

The Influence of Wild Fish and Game on Human Protein Syn-thesis

Sheri Coker

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Conference Schedule

4:20 – 4:40 pm

Sustainable Housing Possibilities in Alaska

A Web Enabled En-vironmental Data-base for Bristol Bay

Mike Knapp

4:40 – 5:00 pm Discussion

Bioeffects Assess-ment in Kvichak and Nushagak Bay, Alas-ka: Contaminant Baseline

Todd Radenbaugh

5:00 – 5:30 pm Poster Session

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

(At Willow Tree)

Keynote Banquet ($30 ticket)

6:00 – 7 pm, Reception

7 – 8 pm, Dinner

8 – 8:30 pm, Keynote Address: Bob King

Friday, March 11, 2016 7:30 – 9:00 am Registration & Coffee

Plenary Session

9:00 – 9:30am

Ken Belcher PhD, Department of Agricultural and Resource Eco-nomics, School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Sas-katchewan; Dr. Todd Radenbaugh, Associate Professor, Environmental Science, UAF

Plenary Session

9:30 – 10:00 am

Denise Thorsen, Associate Professor, Director, Alaska Space Grant Program, UAF

10:00 – 10:20 a Break

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Concurrent Sessions

Subsistence Science

(Ted Krieg-128)

Ecosystem Health

(Sue Flensburg-SL)

Rural Health Care

(Rebecca Coupchiak - AS)

10:20 – 10:40 am

Chinook Salmon and the Kenai Watershed: A Look at Adaptive Changes to a Dwin-dling Resource

Arctic Microbes: Small Creatures with Large Impacts

Joanna Green

Bed Bugs Detection, Prevention and Re-moval

Jennifer Skarada

10:40 – 11:00 am

Wellness Through the Lens of Gardening, Gathering, and Gro-cery in Barrow, Alaska

Shannon Busby

Water Utility Affordibil-ity Indicator for Rural Alaskan Communities

Distance Delivered Nursing Education: A Solution to Filling Ru-ral Nursing Demand

Rebecca Coupchiak

11:00 – 11:20 am

Methods of Plant Preservation by the Indigenous Peoples of Alaska

Beth Baker

Climate Change Im-pacts on Brownfield Sites

CaSandera Johnson

Discussion

11:20 – 11:40 am

Mercury contents of traditional subsistence vegetation near Golov-in, Alaska

Toby Anungazuk

Use of remote sensing and traditional ecologi-cal knowledge to quantify the impacts of warming climates on movement and abun-dance of pinnipeds in the Gulf of Alaska

Court Pegus

11:40 – 12:00 pm

Showcasing Northwest Alaska's Subsistence Way of Life in the Wake of Rapid Climate Changes Through Film

Sarah Betcher

Understanding Air Pol-lution Hazards in our Village: Let's Clear the Air Videos

Tina Tinker

12:00 – 1:30 pm Lunch (on your own)

Conference Schedule

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1:30 – 3:30 pm Nunaput Scholar Session: Room 145

Rural Science Panel

(Pete Pinney-128)

Ecosystem Health II

(Sue Flensburg-SL)

Subsistence Science II

(Ted Krieg-AS)

1:30 – 1:50 pm

Panel Members:

Pete Pinney, CRCD, UAF

Paul Layer, CNSM, UAF

Denise Thorsen, Alaska Space Grant, UAF

Tina Tinker, BBNA

Jodi Doster, BBC, UAF

Leilani Luhrs, UAF

Tara Borland, CRCD, UAF

Discussion

Applying Economic Tools to Value Wet-land Ecosystem Ser-vices

Ken Belcher

Integrating Western Science and Pici-ryaraq - Our Way of Life in Managing Ma-rine Mammal Re-sources

Helen Aderman

1:50 – 2:10 pm

Diet composition and fate of contaminants in Southeast Alaska sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni)

Kristin Brown

The Division of Sub-sistence - Learning by Doing!

Ted Krieg

2:10 – 2:30 pm

Adapting a Protected Areas Assessment Tool for Northern Re-gions

Rebekah Esau

Dual Management in Alaska

Frank Woods

2:30 – 3:00 pm Break Break Break

Conference Schedule

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Rural Science Panel II

K-12 Climate Change

3:00 – 3:20 pm

Panel Members:

Pete Pinney, CRCD, UAF

Paul Layer, CNSM, UAF

Denise Thorsen, Alaska Space Grant, UAF

Tina Tinker, BBNA

Jodi Doster, BBC, UAF

Leilani Luhrs, UAF

Tara Borland, CRCD, UAF

Discussion

Building STEM pro-grams with traditional and cultural value for the youth in Bristol Bay

Deanna Baier

Caribou Health Sur-veillance Project

Lori Gildehaus and Elizabeth Himschoot

3:20 – 3:40 pm

4-H Activities

Alaska yellow-cedar's slow march north in a changing climate

John Krapek

3:40 – 4:00 pm

Coastal Community Ocean Observers (C2O2): A network of community-driven coastal ocean obser-vations

Peter Winsor

4:00 – 4:20 pm

Forest health monitor-ing in Western Alaska: Current efforts and fu-ture opportunities

Jason Moan and Paul Liedberg

Conference Schedule

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Meeting Locations

128=Room 128

SL=Science Lab

AS=Applied Science

4:20 – 4:40 pm

Recent and upcoming activities advancing understanding & re-sponding to climate impacts in western Alaska

Joel Reynolds

4:40 – 5:00 pm

Adapting Everyday: An Undergraduate Cli-mate Change Course for Western Alaska

Todd Radenbaugh

5:15 – 7:00 pm

Green Building Tour (depart from campus)

This tour showcases examples of new construction and retrofits achiev-ing energy-efficient, healthy, environment-friendly and durable build-ings. It includes the following structures:

1) UAF BBC’s Applied Sciences Center, which is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) facility within the University of Alaska system and also the first LEED project in the Bristol Bay Re-gion.

2) UAF BBC’s main building, which features a solar photovoltaic sys-tem, efficient lighting, controls, insulation, and other energy features.

3) UAF BBC’s Passive Office, which is an extremely energy efficient ex-perimental structure built largely by students.

4) Marsik/Donaldson house, which is officially the most airtight residen-tial building in the world, as recognized by the World Record Academy.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

9:30 – 1:00pm Historical and Geographical Tour of Dillingham (depart from campus)

Sign up and more information available at the registration desk

Conference Schedule

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Integrating Western Science and Piciryaraq - Our Way of Life in Managing Marine Mammal Resources

Helen M. Aderman, Marine Mammal Program, Bristol Bay Native Association, [email protected]

Since time immemorial, Alaska Native’s have been stewards or ‘keepers’ of our traditional resources from the land and the waters where the multi-species resource habitat areas are. The Bristol Bay tribal communities would like to continue their traditional practices of harvesting, processing, and gathering the marine, freshwater, and land resources, and have continued access as our traditional way of life is a year-round subsistence cycle. Presently, some of the traditional ways of harvesting marine, freshwater, and land food resources have changed. The Alaska Native tribes are incorporating the best of western science with local Alaska Native knowledge in managing the resources. In this presentation, I will give successful examples of marine mammal related integrated Alaska Native knowledge and western science research techniques in continued management of tribal marine ecosystem habitat resources.

PLENARY—Additional Information from Genetic Samples in a Mixed Stock Fishery

Milo D. Adkison, Professor of Fisheries, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

Genetic samples from mixed stocks, such as the mixture of Chinook populations caught in Bering Sea groundfish fisheries, are used to estimate stock proportions and the impact of bycatch. The Bayesian mixture analysis estimation methodology developed by Pella and Masuda uses a baseline of trait states (such as the specific allele at a locus) frequencies in each population to provide probability distributions of the proportion of each stock in a mixture of populations, as well as the probability that an individual in a mixture belongs to a particular population. One novel aspect of this Bayesian approach is that the data from the mixture also provides information about the trait state frequencies in each population; that is, you could also view this methodology as using the mixture data to help estimate population characteristics.

This leads to a couple of hypothetical questions. First, could this approach be used to estimate the frequency in a population of trait characters for which there are no baseline data? For example, salmon populations might differ in age or length frequencies when they are caught. Second, assuming the state frequencies of these traits not sampled in the baseline can be estimated, would these traits then be useful for better characterizing the makeup of the population mixture? For example, could we use the age or length of an individual salmon caught in a mixed-stock fishery to better ascertain its identity, and thus improve our estimates of the proportion of each population in the mixed-stock fishery?

Abstracts (listed alphabetically by Presenter last name)

mailto:[email protected]

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The Effects of Salmon Abundance and Run Timing on the Performance of Management by Emergency

Order

Milo D. Adkison, Professor of Fisheries, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks,[email protected]; Curry, J. Cunnigham.

We examine the effect of uncertainty in salmon run abundance and run timing on the ability of managers to achieve escapement goals using inseason regulation of fishery openings, using a detailed model of the arrival of salmon and operation of the fishery, the information available to managers, and managers’ behavior. We supplement this management strategy evaluation by examining historical management performance from Bristol Bay, Alaska sockeye salmon fisheries. We find that uncertainty about run timing exacerbates the effects of uncertainty about salmon abundance. Early-arriving small runs and late-arriving large runs are especially problematic as they produce inseason data that mimics that of a typically-sized run with average run timing. Managers faced with an early-arriving small run will tend to overharvest the fish, particularly the earliest-arriving component. Managers faced with a late-arriving large run will tend to underharvest the fish, and harvest the latest arriving components at a higher rate. This differential harvest of early or late components of the run is important because it might reduce the genetic diversity of the stock, thus reducing its future productivity.

Feasibility of Using Only Human-Powered Electricity

Andrew Akelkok, UAF Bristol Bay Campus, [email protected]; Tom Marsik, Assistant Professor, UAF Bristol Bay Campus, [email protected].

In today’s world, people are often trying to find ways to save money. Reducing the use of fossil-fuel generated electricity is an option to save money that has added societal benefits, such as reducing pollution, conserving resources for future generations and combating climate change. The research question explored in this project was: Is it feasible to power an average household in Dillingham, Alaska solely on human power? An average household in Dillingham uses around 17 kilo-watt-hours (kWh) of electricity a day and a family of four is assumed to be an average household in this project. In order to help answer the research question, an experiment was set up in which selected people pedaled on stationary bicycles for 10 minutes. Their average generated power in watts was measured and recorded. This average power was then used to calculate how much energy in kWh they would produce in 24 hours of non-stop pedaling. The results show that a family of four pedaling non-stop could generate 7.54 kWh of electricity in one day, not even half of the amount needed to power an average household. In conclusion, it is not feasible for an average family of four to power their entire home only with human power.


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"Alaska-grown" Mycelium-based Biofoams for Thermal Insulation

Philippe Amstislavski, College of Health, Department of Health Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage; Zhaohui (Joey) Yang, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, UAA; Maria White, Department of Chemistry, UAA

Polymeric foams, such as polystyrene and polyurethane, are commonly used for thermal insulation in infrastructure and housing construction, particularly in Alaska and in other cold climate regions. These hydrocarbon-based materials are not subject to decomposition or decay and create problems with respect to recycling, reuse, and landfill operation. More importantly, they are non-renewable and their production and use involve complex manufacturing processes, substantial energy inputs and large associated waste streams. Mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, is a hollow tubular root structure that provides a fast growing, safe and inert material as the matrix for a new generation of bioengineered insulating foams, or biofoams. The biofoams can serve as replacements for the petroleum based-polymeric materials for applications in insulation, packaging, noise control, sandwich panels, and offer several advantages over polymeric foams, including freedom from petroleum products, low cost of production, fast renewability, carbon capture and storage, and bio-degradability at end of use. This research characterizes some of the key thermal and mechanical properties of an innovative fungal mycelium-based biofoam. Three different mixing protocols with various substrate materials including wood pulp, natural fiber, and nutritive ingredients and two packing conditions were experimented to produce samples for physical, thermal, and mechanical properties characterization. Dry density, thermal conductivity, elastic moduli including shear and Young’s moduli, and compressive strength were obtained. It was found that densely packed samples following Mixing Protocol II have the highest dry density, shear and Young’s moduli, compressive strength, and comparable thermal conductivity, and have met or exceeded like characteristics of the conventional polymeric thermal foams except dry density. The results suggests that this fungi mycelium-based biofoam offers a strong potential for application as an alternative insulation material for building and infrastructure construction, particularly in cold regions, or light-weight backfill materials for geoengineering applications.

Mercury contents of traditional subsistence vegetation near Golovin, Alaska

Toby Anungazuk, Native Village of Golovin; Deborah Anungazuk, Native Village of Golovin; Claudia Ihl,

Associate Professor, Biology, Northwest Campus, UAF

Rural people are concerned about possible contaminants to their subsistence resources from nearby dump

sites and landfills. We analyzed the mercury content of a variety of plants collected for subsistence purposes

from traditional collection areas around Golovin, Alaska, in July 2015. We will introduce these plant species

and describe their significance in traditional subsistence uses. We will present results of mercury analyses and

discuss their significance for subsistence plant collection.


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Building STEM programs with traditional and cultural value for the youth in Bristol Bay

Deanna Baier, ICWA Caseworker/4-H Tribal Educator, Bristol Bay Native Association/UAF Cooperative Extension Center 4-H

It all started with a Science night in Dillingham, which quickly evolved into the most popular 4-H youth activities in Bristol Bay. Youth want to participate in science, subsistence, and native craft clubs and activities to increase their knowledge and abilities in the STEM fields. Now this interdisciplinary 4-H program includes clubs and weekly activities involving ecology, geography, game trapping, birding, and skin sewing. The programs are popular activities involving diverse students from Dillingham and surrounding communities. The success of this 4-H program has been enhanced by partnering with community agencies such as Alaska Department of Fish and Wildlife, Migrant Education, Tribes and individuals leaders.

Methods of Plant Preservation by the Indigenous Peoples of Alaska

Beth Baker, Kuskokwim Campus, UAF, [email protected]

In the arctic and subarctic regions, edible plants can only be harvested during very limited times of the year. The indigenous peoples of Alaska have used a variety of plant preservation techniques so plants for food, medicine, and clothing will be available throughout the year. This presentation will start by discussing the factors that cause plants to deteriorate. These factors are exposure to oxygen, moisture, light, and heat. Then a few of the plant preservation techniques used by indigenous peoples will be discussed. Many of the plants preserved by these preservation techniques will be listed. The techniques to be discussed will include lactofermentation, drying, cold storage in a barabara or root cellar, and storing in a sealskin poke. The information in this presentation will be from sources that discuss plant preservation methods of a number of Alaskan indigenous cultures including Inupiat, Aleuts, Alutiiq, and Yupik. A brief handout outlining the ways plants spoil, a few of the preservation methods, and a few of the plants preserved by these methods will be handed out to persons that attend this presentation. A list of sources used to gather the information for this presentation will also be available. The session will be given by Beth Baker who recently completed the Ethnobotany Certification Program with the KUC campus of UAF, in Bethel.


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Applying Economic Tools to Value Wetland Ecosystem Services

Ken Belcher, Professor , Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, [email protected]

An important barrier to the development of policy and management aimed at environmental and natural resource conservation is understanding the preferences and values that industry, resource users and society apply to the range of ecosystem services provided. Particularly when many of the important ecosystem services are not represented in markets. Without these values policy makers cannot quantify the consequences of decisions, including the environmental trade-offs, and the final outcome of the policy will be biased in favour of those uses and services that have commercial value. This paper will discuss a non-market valuation study using choice experiment methods to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of this approach when applied to valuing wetland ecosystem services within an agricultural landscape.

PLENARY—Practicing Interdisciplinary Research

Ken Belcher, Professor , Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, School of Environment and

Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, [email protected]; Todd Radenbaugh, Associate Professor,

Environmental Science Director, Bristol Bay Environmental Science Lab University of Alaska Fairbanks,

[email protected]

Environmental and natural resource challenges almost always involve a broad scope of interactions, functions, decision making and processes. As a result, developing ways to effectively address these challenges requires developing understanding of the system based on a number of different disciplinary perspectives. An interdisciplinary approach to addressing these more complex or systems-based types of challenges has been characterized as on that integrates, combines or crosses between or among disciplines. This talk will explore the role of interdisciplinary environmental and natural resource research and discuss developing an interdisciplinary approach. Further, the barriers or challenges to establishing effective interdisciplinary research will be explored .

Showcasing Northwest Alaska's Subsistence Way of Life in the Wake of Rapid Climate Changes

Through Film

Sarah Betcher, Ethnographic Filmmaker, Institute of Northern Engineering, Water and Environmental Research Center - HD Lab, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

An important barrier to the development of policy and management aimed at environmental and natural resource conservation is understanding the preferences and values that industry, resource users and society apply to the range of ecosystem services provided. Particularly when many of the important ecosystem services are not represented in markets. Without these values policy makers cannot quantify the consequences of decisions, including the environmental trade-offs, and the final outcome of the policy will be biased in favour of those uses and services that have commercial value. This paper will discuss a non-market valuation study using choice experiment methods to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of this approach when applied to valuing wetland ecosystem services within an agricultural landscape.


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Showcasing Northwest Alaska's Subsistence Way of Life in the Wake of Rapid Climate Changes

Through Film

Sarah Betcher, Ethnographic Filmmaker, Institute of Northern Engineering, Water and Environmental Research Center - HD Lab, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

It is important to develop sound research to understand today’s rapid changing climate and possible mitigation techniques. Residences of northwest Alaska have had to develop adaptation techniques in order to survive, especially with their reliance on subsistence foods found in their changing environment. The production of ethnographic film, when using a well crafted culturally sensitive methodology, has the ability to produce a medium that can communicate across cultures and different age groups about the ways in which subsistence communities are adapting to rapid changes in climate and development. Filming interviews while interviewees are actively hunting, fishing and gathering provides an environment that not only gives context to the viewer to what is being spoken, but also aids in more appropriate generation of questions and tends to evoke more directed answers. Video material also provides a medium that allows all levels of understanding, background and age to be engaged in the learning process. Ethnographic film producer Sarah Betcher spent several month worth of time among ten villages within northwest Alaska from 2013 to 2015 after receiving approval and support from local tribal organizations and the Northwest Arctic Borough. She will be discuss her cross-cultural filming and film editing methodology and showcase clips from some of her many films produced from her northwest Alaska film work.


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Diet composition and fate of contaminants in Southeast Alaska sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni)

Kristin Brown, MS Fisheries, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]; Shannon Atkinson, PhD, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks

The protection and successful reintroduction of sea otters to Southeast Alaska has led to a rapid rise in their population and increased competition between otters and commercial, subsistence, and recreational fisheries for benthic marine resources. The majority of prey eaten by sea otters are also consumed by humans. Sea otter diet composition has been widely studied via direct observation, scat analysis, and stable isotopes, but little data has been derived through stomach contents analysis. Environmental contaminants may accumulate in benthic species, increasing in concentration as they move up the food chain. Of particular concern are heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) and the emerging polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) contaminants due to their persistent, bioaccumulative nature. Where contaminants get distributed throughout the sea otter body, and contaminant loads for Southeast Alaska sea otters in particular is relatively unknown. The specific objectives of this study were to: (1) identify prey at the species level and determine frequency of occurrence of prey species found in sea otter stomachs, and (2) determine the fate of contaminants as they are distributed throughout the sea otter body by measuring contaminant concentrations in various sea otter tissues and in a representative sample of sea otter stomach contents. Through collaboration with an Alaska Native hunter, brain, kidney, gonad and liver tissues, and whole stomachs were collected from four female and ten male sea otters that were recently killed, though otherwise seemingly healthy, near Glacier Bay. Working with the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, these samples were analyzed for arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, selenium, total mercury, PCBs, and PBDEs following appropriate US EPA methods, and for organic contaminants including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and chlordanes by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/electron capture detection. A photo reference guide for identifying bivalves in Southeast Alaska was used to identify the contents of each sea otter stomach down to the species level. Linear regression and multi-variate analyses are being performed using R statistical software. It is important to understand the environmental contaminants that exist in coastal ecosystems. The impacts of contaminants to sea otter physiology as they biomagnify up through the food chain demonstrates how sea otters act as indicators of ecosystem health. These data provide useful information on the relationship between ecosystem and human health, and the safety of these resources for both subsistence and sport fisheries.


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Expanding the Nushagak River Chinook escapement index: a comparison of two methods

Greg Buck, Alaska Division of Fish and Game

The Nushagak River in Southwest Alaska has major runs of several commercially important species of salmon including the largest Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) run in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The sonar operation that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game uses to measure salmon escapement in the Nushagak River can count upriver migrating salmon in approximately one third of the river channel closest to the river banks. This coverage is sufficient to consider counts of shore oriented migrating salmon species such as chum and sockeye to be estimates of abundance. However, the Chinook count is considered an index of abundance as an unknown proportion of upriver migrating Chinook travel beyond the counting range of the sonars positioned on either bank. Between 2011 and 2014 acoustic tags were used in conjunction with a hydrophone array at the sonar site to estimate the proportion of upriver migrating Chinook that were unavailable to the sonar count. In 2014 and 2015 a mark-recapture estimate of the Chinook escapement was attempted using passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags in conjunction with weirs on the Iowithla and Stuyahok Rivers. These results are compared and discussed.

Cutting-edge research opportunities for rural students

Abel Bult-Ito, Professor, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Department of Biology and Wildlife and Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST), University of Alaska Fairbanks,

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by invasive and persistent thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 2.3% in the United States. We developped through selective breeding for nest-building behavior selected lines which build big nests out of cotton (BIG) and those that build small nests (SMALL) that have predictive and face validity as a spontaneous animal model for OCD. Here, we have utilized these mouse lines to provide a cutting-edge behavioral neuroscience research experience entirely online. We videotaped six different behaviors of males of replicate lines of compulisve-like mice (BIG1, BIG2), non-compulsive-like mice (SML1, SML2) and randomly-bred controls (C1, C2). Students analyzed the nest-building behavior of the mice and confirmed that the BIG mice are compulisve nesters, the SML mice use very little to no cotton to build a nest, and the C mice are intermediate. They also collected and analyzed their own data on marble burying behavior and confirmed that the BIG mice dig much more than the SML mice and the C mice are intermediate. The students collected and analyzed new data of the mice in the open field, which measures anxiety-like behavior, and in the forced swim test, which measures depression-like behavior. They found that anxiety as expressed in the open field was not correlated with the compulsive-like phenotype. They found that the BIG mice showed more depression-like behavior than the SML and C mice during the first 30 seconds of the test, but not for the entire 5-minute testing period, which was probably due to the BIG mice loosing their buoancy within the first minute of the test and forced these mice to swim continuously to keep their head above water. At the end of the semester, students chose an experiment out of four options and chose to evaluate the effects of fluvoxamine, a drug used to suppress OCD symptoms in patients, on elevated plus maze preformance, which measures anxiety-like behavior, of the BIG1 and BIG2 mice. They found that BIG1 mice spent significantly more time on the open arms than the BIG2 mice overall and this showed that the BIG1 mice were less anxiety-like than the BIG2 mice. The strain by dose interaction effect was also significant because the BIG1 mice tended to decrease the time spent on the open arms after fluvoxamine treatment, while the BIG2 mice significantly increased their time on the open arms. These results strengthen our OCD mouse model and shows that online students, including rural high school students, undergraduate students, and college graduates can participate and be successful in cutting edge research in an online environment.


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Wellness Through the Lens of Gardening, Gathering, and Grocery in Barrow, Alaska

Shannon Busby, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

Plants have played a key role in wellness throughout the world, including in Northern Alaska. The food environment in rural Alaska has undergone a rapid transition as communities have gone from subsistence to cash based economies. As this nutrition transition continues and is further impacted by climate change, rural Alaskans need diverse food sources to maintain health and improve resilience. Intake of vegetables and fruits around the nation is lower than recommended and in rural Alaska it is well below the national average. Understanding current perceptions and preferences of different sources of edible plants will help identify where the food system needs strengthening and how to direct nutrition education. Focus groups were used to determine where Barrow community members source their produce, whether there is a perceived difference between the health contributions of store bought produce and gathered native plants, and interest in gardening. Preliminary results show that while most participants get the majority of their plant based food from the local grocery store, there was a strong interest in learning about tundra plants that were traditionally eaten and moderate interest in learning about gardening. Time, knowledge, and monetary resources were found to be the primary drivers for plant food choice and perceptions of wellness. These findings indicate that future nutrition education would do well to have a traditional plant food component. Cultural ties to the land could be an important motivator in improving diet quality while poor quality store bought produce is one reason for low fruit and vegetable intake. Finding culturally suited and economically feasible ways to improve nutrition is vital to improve health and food security in rural Alaska Native communities.

Department of Energy Arctic Strategy

Drew Cason, Professor, Project Manager, Denali Daniels Associates, Inc. , [email protected]

In 2013 the White House released a National Strategy for the Arctic Region (NSAR), which established a process for developing plans for US Federal government's activities in the Arctic. As a part of that process, over the course of the last 18 months, the Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy conducted extensive stakeholder outreach and tribal consultation around Alaska to prepare a Ten Year Renewable Energy Plan for the Arctic. This presentation will discuss the outcomes of that process as well as how that plan has been integrated into the Department of Energy, Office of Indian Energy's day to day operations. The resulting "Arctic Integration Plan" groups more than seventy specific goals and programs into twelve "Operational Target Areas" (which range from "International Engagement" to "Workforce Development") which are further organized under the three overarching program areas utilized by the Office of Indian Energy at the national level: Policy, Innovation, and Deployment.


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The Influence of Wild Fish and Game on Human Protein Synthesis

M. Sheri Coker, PhD Student, Natural Resources and Sustainability, Resilience and Adaptation Program Cohort, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

Based on the amino acid and fat profiles of wild fish and game (WFG), I hypothesize that they will promote a greater increase in the synthesis of human muscle protein, or greater anabolic efficiency (ie., protein synthesis/kcal intake) than commercially available beef. In recent decades, multiple global and regional drivers have caused significant changes in the Arctic, influencing all aspects of Arctic life (1,2,3). Among them are challenges of a short growing season, difficult food transport logistics, climate change issues and the erosion of subsistence lifestyles. Each of these factors influence the availability of food in the Arctic (2). Despite problems associated with food transportation, highly processed foods have become routine in most areas of Alaska. In addition, the convenience of market foods is often more attractive than the inherent difficulties of obtaining healthier food choices (4,5,6). Decreased consumption of traditional foods, particularly WFG, has been one of the most dramatic transitions (2,7). The reduction in overall protein intake is occurring at a time when USDA recommendations for protein are already underestimated by 50% (8). It is recognized that WFG are not only rich in nutrients, but guard against a variety of chronic diseases, possibly due to relatively high levels of mono and polyunsaturated fats (9-11). In addition, elevations in physical activity associated with accessing WFG may also offset obesity related diseases (4,5). Decreased intake of WFG has been coupled with increased reliance on highly processed and nutrient/protein poor market foods (2,7). This trend has had a negative effect on the health and well-being of Arctic peoples (1,3,7). This transition may be a major risk factor in the global increase in chronic disease, and has disproportionately impacted indigenous Arctic populations (12). While cross sectional studies have suggested the protective influence of WFG against chronic disease, the movement toward market foods continues unabated and carries with it detrimental consequences on public health (13). Adequate stimulation of muscle synthesis is a major determining factor in maintaining independence during aging. Loss of muscle is a primary indicator for mortality (14). If the intake of specific intact proteins can positively influence protein synthesis, then it would also increase independence and delay mortality.


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Distance Delivered Nursing Education: A Solution to Filling Rural Nursing Demand

Rebecca Coupchiak, RN, FNP, Assistant Professor of Nursing, UAF Bristol Bay Campus, [email protected]

While the health care industry in Alaska has generated more new nursing jobs than any other industry in the

state, Alaska is still facing a severe shortage in registered nurses. Nowhere is this situation more evident that

in the rural areas of the state where communities have seen a “revolving door” of registered nurses who are

hired often from other states. A solution to the nursing shortage, especially in rural Alaska, is to provide an

accredited educational program that offers distance delivered nursing education. Distance delivered nursing

education enables local residents to gain access and acceptance into the University of Alaska, Anchorage

School of Nursing. The distance delivered AAS nursing program has been deemed important for several

reasons. Local students who live and desire to remain in rural Alaska have the ability to earn their degrees in

nursing. Once the students have completed the nursing program and passed their national test they are

immediately employable in a high demand field. The workforce demand for these nurses is then somewhat

met regionally. Further, healthcare organizations that hire these locally prepared registered nurses are

effectively closing the “revolving door” and establishing a stable workforce.

Empowering Alaskans with Energy Literacy

Katie Croft, Renewable Energy Alaska Project , [email protected]

Energy literacy can be defined as an understanding of the nature and role of energy in the universe and our

lives, and the ability to apply this knowledge to answer questions and solve problems. Alaska’s energy prices

are some of the highest in the nation, making functional energy literacy necessary for any Alaskan citizen,

including our youth. Today’s youth will be called upon in the near future to find solutions to our growing energy

problems as engineers, policy-makers, business owners, and energy consumers. According to the Energy

Literacy Framework published by the U.S. Department of Energy, an energy literate person: can trace energy

flows and think in terms of energy systems, knows how much energy he or she uses, for what, and where that

energy comes from, can assess the credibility of information about energy, can communicate about energy

and energy use in meaningful ways, is able to make informed energy and energy use decisions based on an

understanding of impacts and consequences, continues to learn about energy throughout his or her life. This

session will highlight the importance of an interdisciplinary energy education in Alaska, and provide information

on existing energy education resources as well as some currently in development for children and adults.


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Economic Rent Dissipation and the Potential Effects of Mandated Quality Assurance in Bristol Bay

Gabe Dunham, Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

Economic rent dissipation in fisheries occurs through market and non-market mechanisms. Non-market driven

dissipation can be caused by over-investment in fishing capitol. Market driven dissipation can occur when

fishermen choose to forgo an increase in ex-vessel price in exchange for increased quality. In both

mechanisms, economic rents are dissipated, causing fishermen to observe an increase in cost and a decrease

in revenue, respectively. In the Bristol Bay salmon fishery, non-market rent dissipation can be observed where

fishermen choose not to increase product quality by chilling their catch at the point of harvest; a choice

presumed to be influenced by the constraints of individual production functions. Several commercial

processors have given notice that, in the future, chilling fish on board the harvesting vessel will be no longer

optional. This discussion will use a fish harvesting game to illustrate the extent to which different production

functions can impact the decision to engage in quality improvement practices, and explore how mandatory

chilling may therefore force some operations outside of the confines of those existing production functions.

Fish Waste Composting for Improved Nushagak Watershed Environment (Nushagak Fish Waste

Compost Project)

Gabe Dunham, Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

The Nushagak Fish Waste Compost Project aims to provide an alternative means of fish waste disposal.

Currently, a large amount of subsistence fish waste is either illegally disposed in a manner that creates health

and nuisance problems, or is disposed at the City of Dillingham Landfill. At the present time, fish wastes are

buried at the local landfill site, which is a costly and wasteful endeavor. This project entails the education of the

public on safe and proper disposal and compost of fish wastes, and provides a safe and effective disposal site

that minimizes interaction with bears; improving health and safety of residents. This discussion will describe

the scope and aim of the project, challenges, progress, and current efforts; and plans for 2016.


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Analysis of Deep Energy-Efficiency Upgrades to Existing Home in Rural Alaska

Stephen Elliott, Bristol Bay Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

While many new homes being built in Alaska are very energy efficient, the majority of existing residences in

Alaska are comparatively old and inefficient, which poses economic, environmental, and other challenges.

Obviously not all of those existing homes can simply be replaced, so in order to reduce the residential energy

consumption in Alaska, we must explore the feasibility of energy-efficiency upgrades to older homes.

The project described in this presentation deals with the feasibility of an energy-efficiency upgrade of a specific

home located in Dillingham, Alaska. The house being studied was built in 1977 with 2x4 stud wall cavities and

leaky, wood framed windows. The energy upgrades being considered include air sealing, added insulation,

new windows, new boiler, and heat recovery ventilation. A simulation software is being used to predict the

energy consumption after the energy retrofit. By comparing the known energy consumption of the current

building with the predicted energy consumption of the retrofitted building, this project studies the potential

costs and savings in dollars and CO2 output.

Adapting a Protected Areas Assessment Tool for Northern Regions

Rebekah Esau, M.Sc. Student, Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, University of Saskatchewan, [email protected]

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential for a framework to evaluate the values of protected areas to local communities and groups. The historical development and purpose of the Protected Areas Benefits Assessment Tool (PA-BAT), developed by the World Wildlife Fund, will be presented. The components of the model will be discussed, followed by an analysis of how the model may, and should be, modified to be more applicable in Northern contexts. The potential of the tool for use by communities and park managers will also be addressed.


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Climate Change in Bristol Bay and Beyond

Susan Flensburg, Bristol Bay Native Association, [email protected]

The Bristol Bay ecosystem is already under stress from climate change. Bristol Bay Native Association has been an active participant in several projects to document climate change impacts and to monitor future conditions. This presentation will cover collaborative projects such as the Climate Change Health Assessments with several communities; water quality and stream temperature monitoring; instream flow reservations; and developing a cost-effective methodology for quantitatively measuring the rate of erosion.

Where we are and where we need to be to understand regional water temperature trends: An update on

the Alaska Online Aquatic Temperature Site (AKOATS)

Marcus Geist, Geographer, Alaska Center for Conservation Science, University of Alaska Anchorage; Sue Mauger, Science Director, Cook Inletkeeper; Rebecca Shaftel, Aquatic Scientist, Alaska Center for Conservation Science, University of Alaska Anchorage

As Alaskans continue to feel the impacts of a changing climate, the need for resource managers to understand how these changes will alter aquatic systems and fisheries resources grows. Water temperature data collection has increased in recent years beginning to fill our gaps in knowledge about current thermal profiles. Many entities are collecting temperature data for a variety of purposes to meet project or agency specific goals. AKOATS, the Alaska Online Aquatic Temperature Site, is a comprehensive, statewide metadata inventory of existing (n=498) and historic (n=398) continuous monitoring locations for stream and lake temperature using a common set of attributes. Metadata were gathered from fish biologists, hydrologists, water resource managers, ecologists, and engineers. The inventory is fully accessible via an online, interactive map, via Google Earth, or it can be viewed directly within commercial GIS software. In 2015, through cooperative efforts between UAA, Cook Inletkeeper, and Village IGAP coordinators over a dozen new sites were established in Kvichak, Nushagak, and Mulchatna watersheds. Statewide interest in thermal patterns and increasing data collection efforts provides Alaska’s scientific and resource managing community an opportunity to meet broader regional-scale data needs. A basic set of stream temperature monitoring standards are needed for Alaskans to begin building robust datasets suitable for regional analyses. By identifying minimum data standards, our objective is to encourage rapid, but structured, growth in comparable stream temperature monitoring efforts in Alaska that will be used to understand current and future trends in thermal regimes. These trends will inform efforts to develop strategies for maintaining ecosystem resilience. This work is supported through a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of the Western Alaska Landscape Conservation Cooperative (WALCC).


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Caribou Health Surveillance Project

Lori Gildehaus, Laboratory Research and Teaching Technician, Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Elizabeth Himschoot, Undergraduate Student, College of Natural Science and Mathematics, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Molly Murphy, DVM, PhD, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Natural Science and Mathematics, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) is an iconic arctic species, providing an important subsistence food source to Alaska natives. The population of caribou in two of the most important Alaskan herds, the Western Arctic herd and the Teshekpuk herd, is declining and the cause is unknown at this time. One factor that needs to be explored more thoroughly is the role of infectious agents in caribou health. Additionally, the prevalence of bacterial zoonotic infectious agents in these animals is unknown. Previous serological surveys in Alaska have demonstrated the exposure of caribou to a variety of pathogens with potential reproductive repercussions in ruminants, including Leptospira spp., Brucella abortus, bovine viral diarrhea virus (Zarnke 1983), Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii (Stieve et al 2010), alphaherpesviruses (das Neves et al, Zarnke et al 1983), Coxiella burnetii (Gerlach et al 2011). The current prevalence of these and other infectious disease and parasites within the Western Arctic caribou herd is unknown. Determining the baseline level of disease exposure and parasitism is critical to monitor changes in disease patterns over time and correlate changes to variables such as climate change or human activity. Furthermore, correlation of research findings with reports from hunters in the region of the Western Arctic herd would provide a more holistic understanding of the herd dynamics over time. Through collaboration with rural communities and local hunters, we plan to collect hunter harvested caribou samples for processing and analysis with the assistance and involvement of students. Additionally, there is currently a paucity of baseline information concerning the bacterial microbiome of caribou. By determining the fecal bacterial microbiome of Rangifer species, we can more readily detect perturbations that may be indicative of disease. The detection of potential human pathogens in Rangifer is critical to designing preventive measures in order to protect human health and the subsistence culture. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) collected caribou feces from 16 different animals and the bacterial DNA microbiome from each sample was sequenced using a MiSeq Genome Sequencer. The sequencing results were analyzed individually and as a whole using the 16S Metagenomics Application. The two most common classes found within the samples are Clostridia and Bacteroidia. This project aims to determine the reproductive health status of the Western Arctic caribou herd and the prevalence of selected diseases as well as the fecal bacterial microbiome of Rangifer species by processing hunter harvested samples, engage undergraduate researchers at rural campuses through collection of hunter samples, determine overall health status of harvested animals, and promote the understanding of the function and value of research in communities. This a multi--‐ year project in the start--‐up phase with preliminary data and findings.


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Arctic Microbes: Small Creatures with Large Impacts

Joanna Green, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Linda Nicholas-Figueroa, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Rebekah Hare, Illisagvik College

The effects of global climate change are profound in the Arctic, ranging from the increased rate of sea-ice decline, melting permafrost, and resulting changes in niches for plants and animals. Microbes are most intimately connected to the environment and are thus the first to respond to any changes. The Arctic is warming rapidly (Moritz et al. 2002; ACIA 2005); increasing the length of time soil remains in unfrozen conditions, which allows for greater microbial activity (Wallenstein et al. 2007). Changes associated with these unfrozen conditions (snow conditions, ice layers, summer temperatures, and nutrient cycling) can also lead to bacterial and viral proliferations (ACIA 2005). The role of bacteria in high latitude environments such as the Alaskan Arctic region has been given much attention in recent years (Anderson 2010; Blaud et al. 2015; Campbell et al. 2010; Hansen et al. 2007; Lee et al. 2012; Rinnan and Bååth 2009). For example, Alaskan permafrost is thawing, releasing carbon sources utilized as a nutrient for soil microbiota (Blaud et al. 2015; Boddy et al. 2008; Heal et al. 1981). Our project assesses arctic microbes from specific sites in Barrow, AK. To study arctic microbes in Barrow, we have and will continue to collect surface soil, active layer, and permafrost samples from the Barrow Environmental Observatory (a 7,466 acre, specially zoned Scientific Research District, facilitating field research activities in an accessible yet natural tundra ecosystem). The research has been and will continue to be primarily performed by Iḷisaġvik students as well as Alaskan rural high school students via summer workshops. These students will conduct their own research within the soil microcosm from sampling to culturing and DNA sequence analysis. This project will contribute vital data and discoveries to the field of climate change research; additionally, it will serve our students in the Arctic region by empowering them with knowledge and getting them involved and excited about fieldwork and scientific study. By using Western scientific research techniques and embedding Iñupiat cultural values and history into the curricula, we will be engaging students using place-based education, and illustrating pathways to sustainable STEMrelated fields of study and employment. Current scientific findings from the research are preliminary, as the project has only begun, however progress is not measured only by the research, but also by the community it serves. Not only have we developed the research program and brought in state of the art lab equipment, we have also developed courses to recruit and train students for research. One of the courses designed was an intensive summer workshop for undergraduates and high schoolers taking college credits. These high school students from the 2015 summer workshop created presentations from their experiments, which they gave to the public; embodying ideals of community and communication. These students were immersed in advanced scientific techniques and excelled in their work. They were also the first Alaskan high school students to extract DNA and have it run on the Illumina MiSeq System, a cutting-edge DNA sequencer at UAF.


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Natural Building in Alaska

Lasse Holmes, Canyon Arts School of Natural Building, [email protected]

Building spaces that comfortably help enhance the physical and mental health of the people living in them might be said to be one of the main goals of natural construction. By using breathable natural materials in energy efficient ways we can build beautiful dwellings that are low cost for people and our environment. Example projects: Homer Family Birthing Cottage and utility roundhouse, Ionia community barn in Kasilof.

Rocket Mass Heaters in Alaska

Lasse Holmes, Canyon Arts School of Natural Building, [email protected]

Swapping a wood stove for a mass heater can mean only using a third of the firewood while allowing for more comfort and longer freeze protection of living spaces. Rocket mass heaters are a simple low cost heated furniture built out of mostly local materials adaptable to how people live. Engaging Alaska Native People in Science - Experiences, Successes and Difficulties Claudia Ihl, Associate Professor, Northwest Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected] When western researchers come to rural Alaska to conduct research projects in villages and traditional lands

of Alaska Native people, it should be their goal to bridge the cultural gap and to engage Alaska Native people

in their research. Native people can be involved as guides, technicians or field assistants, but the best

approach is to design research from the start with their input and participation as co PIs, students and fellow

researchers. Grant projects such as BLAST aim to increase representation of Native and rural students in

science careers. The author will present some insight and suggestions from her years of experience working

with Native and rural coworkers and students in western Alaska.


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Legality versus Reality

Ted Jacobson, Solid Waste Tribal Liaison, EPA/SEE program/Alaska, [email protected]

This presentation will cover the reasons for waste separation and for proper handling and managing parts of

the waste stream that has a health impact on humans and other environmental eco-systems. The waste

stream has changed over the last couple decades in the rural communities. The era of the waste stream has

evolved from dog teams, and solid waste forms like wood and canvas to snow go’s, 4 wheelers (gas and oil),

electronics, lead acid batteries and other hazardous type wastes. What should go into a class III landfill? What

has no business going into an unlined landfill, especially one that doesn’t treat the leachate or require test

wells around the perimeter? These issues will be discussed as well as hurdles and possible solutions.

Village MSW Burning, Weather, Maintenance, Signage, Collection and Backhaul

Ted Jacobson, Solid Waste Tribal Liaison, EPA/SEE program/Alaska, [email protected]

This will be a photo montage of solid waste scenarios and solutions. Over the years I have collected many

pictures and seen the good and bad of waste management. The one thing I have come away with is, “it is not

just garbage anymore”, it’s become so much more! I will try to briefly cover this subject and a few others on the

changing waste stream.

Water Utility Affordibility Indicator for Rural Alaskan Communities

Barbara AL Johnson, School of Management, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Joseph M. Little PhD, JungHo

Back PhD, Christopher Wright PhD, School of Management, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) administers funding for the construction of new water utilities in rural parts of the state. One of the deciding factors in how funding is allocated is whether the recipient community can afford to maintain the utility. Thus the community must be able to cover the annual operation, maintenance, repair, equipment and capital replacement costs.Currently, the DEC deems a project affordable if the annual costs account for 5% or less of the community’s median household income (MHI). A survey of the industry’s literature found that the use of MHI as an affordability indicator is problematic as: - MHI fails to reflect the cost burden experienced by below median income households, - MHI is a static snapshot of income, - MHI does not account for high costs of living, - MHI does not account for the demographic composition of a community, - Two communities with a similar MHI can have significantly different income distributions. These deficiencies are particularly acute in rural Alaskan communities.Given these shortcomings we are developing a new multi-faceted indicator to determine affordability. The new indicator has a matrix form and is composed of a Residential Indicator (RI) calculated for every income quintile.Hence, maintenance and operation fees are weighed at every quintile. It is includes a Financial Capability Indicator (FCI)that is calculated by assigning values from 1 (weak) to 3 (strong) to various socio-economic indicators. Since the new indicator will be used by the DEC only readily available data is being used in its construction. This influenced the data collection process, which was driven by interviews of water professionals to identify data bases they have access to. Data collection has now been completed and we data analysis is starting. The first version of the indicator will be completed by the beginning of February and a finalized version should be released by the end of February.


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Climate Change Impacts on Brownfield Sites

CaSandera Johnson, Brownfield Coordinator, Bristol Bay Native Association, [email protected]

In recent years, it has been documented how climate change is impacting many of Bristol Bay’s coastal communities. With warmer weather many coastal communities are noticing the lack of ice pack, extreme storm surges, and melting permafrost has increased the rate of erosion and flooding. With events like these, many brownfield sites within coastal communities impose a risk to human and environmental health. A brownfield is a term to describe an area that may have potential hazardous materials or pollutants that a community wants to put back into reuse. This presentation will discuss several brownfield sites in the Bristol Bay region to illustrate how changing climate conditions could affect these sites and cause greater risks to community health and the environment. The presentation will also cover the steps to sustainably reuse a brownfield site.

Chinook Salmon and the Kenai Watershed: A Look at Adaptive Changes to a Dwindling Resource

Hannah Z. Johnson, Graduate Researcher, Department of Fish and Game, Subsistence Division

Assessing adaptations to changing habitats is an increasingly vital field in which anthropology needs to actively engage. A recent project conducted within the Alaskan Kenai watershed is a key example of this, utilizing local knowledge to evaluate how changes in human activity are made to accommodate ecological unpredictability. This data serves to fill in biological records gaps and offers perspectives from a diverse knowledge set on the drivers of environmental change. Focusing specifically on Chinook salmon returns and their habitat provides a baseline measurement of change for communities who have historically and currently depended on the river and its wild resources.

Living with Nature; Living in Balance

Cindee Karns

In 1985 our Bioshelter home received a National Energy Award from Ronald Regan's Secretary of Energy. The house is a closed loop system which recycles all of our water, captured as rain water, and all of our waste, including our toilet waste. Come and learn all about the bioshelter, and learn how to close your own waste streams where ever you live.


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REACHing out – A rural science education partnership between UAF K12 Outreach and the Bering

Strait School District

Sally Kieper, Outreach Program Developer, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

Raising Educational Achievement through Cultural Heritage (REACH) is a science curriculum project within the Office of K12 Outreach at the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Education, and it is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It is a partnership with the Bering Strait School District (BSSD). The curriculum is aligned to Alaska State Standards and the BSSD Scope & Sequence for both science and cultural education. REACH provides Alaska Native students and their teachers with place-based science curriculum that prepares youth to propose solutions for local climate change problems. REACH seeks to improve K-6 achievement student achievement in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through culturally relevant lessons tied to the community around them. Teachers who participate in REACH earn free UA continuing education credits while participating in professional development and piloting classroom lessons. Teachers also receive materials free-of-charge for leading the hands-on activities, shipped directly to their rural sites. REACH lesson materials and multimedia are reviewed by professional scientists and cultural knowledge bearers to ensure accuracy. Professional scientists and cultural knowledge bearers also contribute their expertise to the program through presentations at professional development workshops and during classroom site visits. One of the greatest measures of success for the REACH program is the feedback we have received from participating teachers, who report increased confidence and efficacy in their own science instruction. Beginning in August 2016, the program will extend to grades 7-12 with a new grant: REACH Up.

A Web Enabled Environmental Database for Bristol Bay

Michael Knapp, Blue Skies Solutions, LLC, [email protected]

In 2013 – 2014, the UAF Bristol Bay Campus (through CIAP) funded a project to develop a web-enabled database that allows users to access Nushagak Bay trawling data (2007 – 2013) collected by the UAF Bristol Bay Environmental Science Lab. The website allows users to interact directly with the data through a map or query interface. It also allows users to export results of data queries in CSV for format for use in Excel and other programs to create reports and graphs. Data can be edited directly from the website, and new data may be entered. This presentation will discuss how and why this type of data warehousing may be beneficial for the Bristol Bay Region and how it could be expanded for use with additional data for other regional projects. The website is located at: http://bristolbayecohealth.org/.


http://bristolbayecohealth.org/

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Alaska yellow-cedar's slow march north in a changing climate

John Krapek, MS Student, School of Natural Resources and Extension, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

Alaska yellow-cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis) is a culturally and economically important tree species which

appears to be undergoing a natural range expansion (north and east) in the Alexander Archipelago and Gulf of

Alaska Region since the Last Glacial Maximum. At the same time, yellow-cedar is experiencing substantial

mortality (known as yellow-cedar decline, YCD) in portions of southeastern Alaska and British Columbia, which

has been attributed to the rapid climate warming since the Little Ice Age. The majority of recent yellow-cedar

research has focused on the mechanisms and ecological implications of YCD (extensive work by the US

Forest Service throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s), but little attention has been paid to where the species is still

healthy. Filling this important knowledge gap will be useful in assessing ecosystem health, adaptive capacity,

and the future of the species in Alaska under anticipated climate change scenarios. We mapped the

geographic extent of 24 healthy yellow-cedar founder populations near Juneau, Alaska to investigate if there

are landscape factors common to new yellow-cedar population establishment. Additionally, we established 30

plots at founder population edges, mapping individual trees, to examine yellow-cedar regeneration and spread

from these newly established stands into existing forest communities. We cored a small subset of trees in

founder populations to examine tree ages within and between study sites. Initial landscape observations show

most stands are located on north-facing slopes, which tend to hold more snow in the winter. Winter snowpack

offers protection from both root-freezing, the proximal cause of yellow-cedar decline, and winter seedling

browse by Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitchensis). At the plot level, yellow-cedar seedling

success is highest in well-drained portions of the landscape with blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) and rusty

menziesia (Menziesia ferruginea) dominated understories; rusty menziesia is an indicator species for high light

conditions in the region. In more poorly drained sites, most yellow-cedar regeneration occurs by vegetative

layering. Tree coring evidence shows that there was likely a large pulse of successful yellow-cedar

regeneration during the Little Ice Age (ca. 150-400 years ago), with relatively small amounts of successful

recruitment in recent decades. Information gained from our study could be integrated with conservation and

management approaches to better understand where yellow-cedar populations might establish and persist on

the landscape under future climate scenarios. If the U.S. Forest Service or State of Alaska considers assisted

migration, selective stand preservation, or other management activities for this slowly migrating tree, our

results should provide information on areas of the landscape in which to prioritize those actions.


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The Division of Subsistence - Learning by Doing!

Ted Krieg, Subsistence Resource Specialist II, Division of Subsistence, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, [email protected]

The Division of Subsistence was established in 1978 as a research section of the Alaska Department of Fish

and Game. This was part of legislation that established the state’s first subsistence statute and established

subsistence as a priority use of Alaska’s fish and wildlife. To help understand subsistence activities within a

broad socioeconomic and sociocultural context division researchers have used a range of established

scientific methods: systematic household surveys, key respondent interviewing, mapping, and participant

observation. This paper presents an overview of recent Division of Subsistence projects in which participant

observation was a component of the research. The projects include: the ethnographic study in 2007 and 2008

of subsistence salmon fishing in the Kvichak River watershed communities of Newhalen, Iliamna, Nondalton

and Port Alsworth (Fall et al. 2010); an ethnographic study at Lewis Point Fish Camp the summer of 2009 for a

presentation to the 2009 Bristol Bay meeting of the Alaska Board of Fisheries; research at Lewis Point on

subsistence fishing in the summer of 2014 and 2015 for the Nushagak Chinook salmon initiative project;

research in 2012 and 2013 for the Lake Clark and Iliamna Lake whitefish project in the communities of

Nondalton, Igiugig, Iliamna, Newhalen, Port Alsworth and Pedro Bay (Hazell et al. 2015); and Togiak herring

spawn on kelp harvest from 2011-2014 (Holen, et al. 2012), a project which provided background information

for options for the amounts reasonably necessary for subsistence (ANS) for Togiak Spawn on kelp presented

to the Alaska Board of Fisheries to consider at their 2015 Bristol Bay finfish meeting (Krieg et al. 2015). The

board determined, and established in regulation, that an ANS of 4,100-12,700 pounds per year of Togiak

Herring spawn on kelp was needed by the communities of Togiak, Twin Hills, Manokotak, Clarks Point,

Dillingham and Aleknagik.

Feasibility of glass recycling vs. depositing in landfill in Dillingham, AK.

Yvonne Leutwyler, [email protected]

The City of Dillingham currently disposes of glass into a landfill separately from trash (which gets incinerated before remaining ashes are deposited in the landfill). The high cost of maintaining active landfill cells, and covering trash with topsoil daily in accordance with state and federal regulations justifies looking into alternative uses for glass. In addition to cost, potential environmental impacts of trash deposits in landfills such as hazards to wildlife, or leachate into groundwater, are a concern. The presentation demonstrates that trash disposal and recycling of materials presents challenges in Bush Alaska communities. The basic principle and motivation for recycling glass in general are discussed, as well as how communities elsewhere handle recycling and processing. Recycling centers and glass processing plants in the Lower 48 recycle the majority of glass into bottles and jars, but his option is not available in Alaska. However, some Alaska communities recycle crushed glass for utilization as construction aggregate and similar uses. Economic opportunities and options for such ways of recycling of glass at Dillingham, vs. disposal in a landfill, are evaluated.


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An Interdisciplinary Examination of Sockeye Salmon Escapement Goal Policies in Bristol Bay

Michael Link, LGL Alaska Research Associates; Curry J. Cunningham, Jocelyn Wang, Ray Hilborn, Chris Anderson, School of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Washington.

We used computer models to simulate the Bristol Bay salmon fishery and the individual salmon stocks on a daily basis under alternate harvest policies to understand differences in key variables such as catch, value of harvest to fishermen and processors, and the inter-annual variability in these. Computer models were constructed that mimic the Bay’s sockeye stocks, management rules (when to open and close the fishery), harvesting and processing revenues, and the effects of escapement levels on subsequent returns. The model was run for 100-year simulations, and these simulations were repeated 100 times for each escapement goal alternative to characterize differences among four escapement goal policies. We characterized the economic performance (i.e., revenue to harvesters and processors) across all escapement goals examined. Generally, moving to higher escapement goals will produce larger and more variable runs and escapements across Bristol Bay, but this is not expected to translate into larger harvests or revenue to harvesters and processors. In some cases, harvests will be smaller under higher escapement goals. We expect a relatively flat plateau of catch and value of catch across a wide range of escapement levels; narrowly defined escapement goals do not seem warranted and, this also has implications for how to define “foregone harvest”. Current and proposed escapement goals are economically robust. In general, the current and proposed escapement goals performed well in terms of harvest and revenue to the harvesting and processing sectors, relative to the theoretical maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Pursuing MSY in Bristol Bay will likely lead to less average yield and more variable yield than the current and proposed escapement goals. Given the dynamics of the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon populations and the fishing industry, MSY is not the practical maximum yield. The fishery cannot take full advantage of occasionally large returns to increase expected catch above alternative policies.

Energy Efficiency vs. Renewable Energy – Data Analysis and Economics

Tom Marsik, Assistant Professor, Sustainable Energy, Bristol Bay Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

The consumption of high amounts of fossil fuels in rural Alaska poses environmental, economic, and other

challenges. Two basic approaches to reducing the consumption of fossil fuels are energy efficiency and

renewable energy. Rural entities often face the question – which approach is more economical? The purpose

of this study is to compare, from the economic perspective, these two approaches by investigating practical

examples of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy installations in rural Alaska. Both real-life data

from existing systems and simulations are used to generate data on the amounts of fossil fuels saved and

evaluate the economic feasibility of the studied options. The results show that even though energy efficiency

is currently typically more economical than renewable energy, there are limitations to the amount of fossil fuels

that can be saved via energy efficiency. Therefore, an economical solution to ultimately eliminating the use of

fossil fuels has to include both energy efficiency and renewable energy. Even though this seems like a

generally known fact, there is often misunderstanding about the specifics. The value of this study is in

providing the specific data.


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NetZero Energy Ready Home


Despite increases in the energy efficiency of homes, the total energy used in the residential sector in the USA

continues to rise. As shown in the residential statistics of the US Department of Energy for the period of 1985 -

2004, the average energy usage per square foot decreased by about 10%, but at the same time, the average

square footage of a household increased by almost 20%. If society acknowledges the importance of reducing

energy consumption, a logical question to ask is: What good does it do to increase the energy efficiency of

homes if it is outweighed by escalations in their size? This question is addressed by the project described in

this presentation. The house built in this project is located in Dillingham, Alaska, and has the following energy

features:

Small size (2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom)

28” thick walls

Heat recovery ventilation (HRV)

Extremely tight building envelope (0.05 ACH50) – world’s tightest known, as recognized by the World

Record Academy

Majority of needed heat comes from internal heat gains (byproduct heat from lighting and appliances, body

heat, passive solar gain) and the rest of the heat comes from an air-source heat pump

In 2015, it cost the homeowners about $160 to heat the house for the entire year

As shown by data included in this presentation, it was successfully demonstrated that by combining super-

efficient construction technology with small house size, an extremely low energy home can be achieved.

Occupational Endorsement in Sustainable Energy


The consumption of high amounts of fossil fuels poses economical, environmental, and other issues all across

Alaska and beyond. A transition towards more sustainable practices requires education in the area of energy

efficiency and renewable energy. The UAF Bristol Bay Campus (BBC) in collaboration with other campuses at

UAF’s College of Rural and Community Development (CRCD) has developed a Sustainable Energy

Occupational Endorsement program to facilitate this need. The program consists of 6 credits of core and 6

credits of electives that allow students to specialize in their area of interest. Some elective subjects are energy

efficient construction, solar photovoltaic systems, and energy science. The core consists of two separate

courses, an introductory course on sustainable energy and a basic mathematics course. The program offers a

100% distance-delivery option, which allows any student with an internet access to complete it even if there

are no related face-to-face classes offered in their location. This presentation provides an overview of the

Occupational Endorsement in Sustainable Energy program.


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Retrofitting from Linear Fluorescents to T8 LED Lighting at UAF Bristol Bay Campus

Jonathan Mears, Environmental and Renewable Energy Program Liaison, Bristol Bay Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, lighting accounted for approximately 37% of

electricity used in all buildings in 2003. If a 50% reduction in energy consumption for lighting could be

achieved, it could save upwards of 18% of a building’s electrical energy expenditure. A new generation of high-

efficiency LED lamps have been designed to replace linear fluorescent lamps and reduce energy consumption

without sacrificing aesthetical qualities. This presentation will explore various aspects of retrofitting to T8 LED

lamps. Topics include available lamp models, parameters, ballast compatibility, liability, electric code, and

economic feasibility of retrofitting to T8 LED lamps. New T8 LEDs are tested against both old and new T8

fluorescents lamps for power consumption and illumination comparisons. A simple payback period is

calculated to determine economic feasibility of a LED retrofit for University of Alaska Fairbanks Bristol Bay

Campus in Dillingham, Alaska.

Forest health monitoring in Western Alaska: Current efforts and future opportunities

Jason Moan, Forest Health Program Manager, Alaska Division of Forestry, [email protected]

Forest health monitoring occurs across the state each year through a network of cooperating groups and consists primarily of aerial and ground surveys. The results of the 2015 forest health aerial detection surveys in Western Alaska and the status and monitoring of forest insects are the focus of this presentation. The annual forest health aerial detection surveys, which are conducted by USDA Forest Service - Forest Health Protection and Alaska Division of Forestry staff, have been ongoing since the 1970s and allow us to monitor forest damage that is visible from the air. This includes damage caused by forest insects, diseases, and abiotic agents. In 2015, approximately 575,000 acres of damage were observed within the 32.9 million acres surveyed statewide. Some of the notable 2015 observations in Western Alaska included defoliation, dieback, bark beetle-caused mortality, and abiotic damage. Forest insects can impact the health of forests in a number of ways and the degree of damage often depends on the populations of these insects and other factors, many of which we can monitor. The spruce beetle, for example, can cause extensive tree mortality across wide areas when the beetles are in outbreak status but generally only causes mortality to scattered trees weakened or damaged by other causes when populations are low. Damage from other insects may cause reduced growth or increased stress in trees and shrubs, making them more susceptible to other forest damage agents. Ongoing forest insect monitoring projects will be discussed including the Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) program for invasive bark beetles and woodborers. Paul Liedberg, a Dillingham cooperator with the EDRR program, will provide a local perspective and discuss the techniques employed in this monitoring effort. The presentation will conclude with notes on opportunities for future monitoring in Western Alaska.


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Alaska EPSCoR: Interdisciplinary Research and Outreach Across Alaska

Tom Moran, Communications Manager, Alaska EPSCoR, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

Alaska NSF EPSCoR (The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) is a university-state partnership supported by the National Science Foundation and dedicated to building Alaska’s research capacity. While EPSCoR research and outreach is concentrated at the main UA campuses, the organization also provides opportunities for rural researchers and students, including annual support for WAISC. The organization is in the fourth year of a five-year research project entitled “Alaskans Adapting to Changing Environments,” which uses biophysical and social science approaches to examine the mechanisms by which communities adapt to environmental and social change. The project is composed of three regional test cases focused on Berners Bay near Juneau; on communities in the Kenai River watershed; and on the North Slope village of Nuiqsut. These efforts are bearing fruit with preliminary research results and with material contributions to Alaska’s visualization and outreach capacities. A team of UA faculty members are currently at work on a proposal for the next 5-year phase of EPSCoR, which would study environmental tipping points in boreal forests and coastal marine environments. EPSCoR is also partnering with Alaska Upward Bound to fund a three-year program that uses unmanned aerial vehicles as the basis for education efforts at high schools in Bethel, Chefornak, Nikiski, Seward and Shishmaref. This presentation will briefly explain and update Alaska EPSCoR’s mission and activities with a specific focus on the organization’s efforts in rural areas.

Use of remote sensing and traditional ecological knowledge to quantify the impacts of warming

climates on movement and abundance of pinnipeds in the Gulf of Alaska

Court Pegus, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

With warming temperatures as a driver for landscape changes throughout Alaska, there is increased interest in identifying the impacts of climate-driven changes to habitats, species, and subsistence cultures. Quantitative information on habitat characteristics is essential in order to monitor these impacts and implement spatial management methods for protecting resources. However, such information is sparse and difficult to obtain for ice-dominated habitats for which high-altitude light-based remote sensing (RS) methods are inadequate for identifying fine-scale details of floating ice structures. Additionally, ecological changes that are observed by traditional hunters are usually unreported to western scientist and hence excluded from research. This study seeks to assess the relative importance of fine-scale and landscape characteristics of tidewater glaciers (TG) on the distribution of free-ranging harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in SC Alaska; enhance diversity in science, and provide a platform for sharing of local and traditional ecological knowledge (LTEK). To accomplish this, we will compare vertical heights of icebergs obtained from RS with precise field surveys to determine the accuracy of the RS method, then use this method in three different TG to analyze physical differences between ice-structures that remain vacant and those occupied by harbor seals. RS aerial surveys will be used to compare species abundance between TG. I hypothesize that harbor seal populations will be correlated to both fine-scale and landscape habitat characteristics. As an outreach component, we will produce an ethnographic documentary that fuses western scientific research on climate-induced changes of TG habitats with LTEK on changes in population dynamics of harbor seals and important fish species used as prey. Classroom activities designed to engage underrepresented groups in science will be included in this documentary. This study will improve our understanding of North Pacific marine ecosystem dynamics and ability to forecast and respond to climate-driven changes in ice-dominated landscapes.


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How Can UAF Better Serve Rural Alaska through Science Education, Research and Outreach?

Pete Pinney, Executive Dean for College of Rural and Community Development, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]; Tara Borland, Science Laboratory Coordinator, College of Rural and Community Development, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

Collaboration with UAF and its regional partners has created a foundation for science in rural communities. With current fiscal concerns, what can UAF do to better respond to the scientific needs of the rural communities? Panelists representing a large spectrum of the science community from UAF will invite discussion on community engagement, science programs and directions we should take to address community needs.

Adapting Everyday: An Undergraduate Climate Change Course for Western Alaska

Todd Radenbaugh, Associate Professor, Environmental Science Director, Bristol Bay Environmental Science

Lab,University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

The communities of Western Alaska are experiencing significant weather variability and extreme geographic events attribute to climate change. Because of this, most western Alaskans not only accept the fact that the climate is changing, but are adapting to it. However, to better adapt, there is a desire to know more about the current science of climate change and the range of potential influences to their subsistence way of life and the ecosystems they depend. The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) College of Rural and Community Development (CRCD) serves the educational needs of this region and in the Fall 2015 semester, a pilot course entitled: Climate Change in Western Alaska was offered across Alaska. Given the low human population density, limited road network, and expensive transportation, the course was offered using modern distance education methods. The course was based on AMS Climate Studies textbook and curriculum, but used local examples and case studies that were tailored to western Alaska. Western Since this region is changing rapidly and is vulnerable, it is in need of more baseline data to help in decision making. A courses such as this train students to be important recorders of climate change and assist in observational research activities such as UAF's Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning (SNAP) program and Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium's Local Environmental Observer (LEO) Network. Students at UAF rural campuses live daily interacting with weather extremes so they are ideal candidates to cooperate with organizations who need local eyes on the rapid changes occurring.


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Occupational Endorsement in Environmental Studies


Lab,University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

Across Alaska accredited training opportunities for entry level environmental jobs are limited but the growth of this workforce could help to support the management of both renewable and non-renewable natural resources. This compels a new environmental initiative between regional organizations, industry and the University of Alaska system to develop more 9 to 16 college credit Occupational Endorsements (OE) in Environmental Studies and Fisheries. These OEs should be designed to provide students with quality academic instruction and the professional development responsive to both community and industry requests. Graduates could then work locally on projects that protect the health and economy of both rural communities and the environment. UAF Bristol Bay Campus and the College of Rural and Community Development had been recognized for its efforts to develop a rural environmental studies program such as the Certificates and Associate Degrees in Environmental Studies. The skills presented in the OEs will serve as a foundation for many entry level careers in rural communities.

Bioeffects Assessment in Kvichak and Nushagak Bay, Alaska: Characterization of Soft Bottom

Benthic Habitats, Sediment Contaminant Baseline, and Animal Body Burden Assessment


Lab,University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]; S. Ian Hartwell, Senior Scientist, Aquatic

Toxicology, NOAA; A. Dennis Apeti; Tony Pait; Ron Britton

This project’s goal was to assess habitat conditions that influence distributions of benthic communities, contaminants, histological and chemical body burdens as measures of environmental health. Bristol Bay boasts the largest commercial and subsistence salmon fisheries in the world. Significant mining activities proposed within the watersheds could impact Bristol Bay, but baseline data are lacking. The NOAA NS&T stratified random design for aquatic habitat characterization was used to characterize the area. Samples were collected at Dillingham, Nushagak and Kvichak Bays, and at Naknek. Dillingham harbor and the mouth of the Kvichak had muddy sediment, while the bays have coarse sand and gravel, which affects chemical and biological distributions. Organic carbon content of the sediment was very low, exceeding 1% only in scattered fine grained sediment. Chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, and butyl-tins were below detection limits or found only at trace levels. Dillingham sediments had relatively elevated PCBs, but were only at trace concentrations. PAHs were relatively higher at Dillingham, but only at trace concentrations, and were dominated by perylene throughout the study area. No trace elements exceeded sediment guidelines except arsenic. Arsenic was present at virtually all stations and appears to be a by-product of background concentrations in the watersheds. Contaminant body burdens in fish were low. Smelt accumulated higher levels of mercury, PCBs and chlorinated pesticides than young starry flounder at Dillingham. Older flounder accumulated more mercury than younger fish. The pattern of PCB congeners in fish tissues indicates that source(s) are due to long range water and/or atmospheric dispersal. Significant histological lesions were absent. Benthic community condition was highly variable, with pockets of diverse communities, but few gradients or spatial patterns. Deeper, saltier, coarser sediments in the lower bays contained more diverse communities, with some exceptions. Bioassays did not indicate acute toxicity due to anthropogenic contamination. The most sensitive bioassay indicated a sublethal toxicity gradient in Kvichak Bay and in the vicinity of fish packing plants and sewer outfalls at Naknek, due in part to pore water ammonia. Clostridium perfringens and coliform counts were higher at the mouths of rivers and/or in the harbor areas.


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Recent and upcoming activities advancing understanding & responding to climate impacts in western

Alaska

Joel Reynolds, Science Coordinator, Western Alaska Landscape Conservation Cooperative, [email protected]; Karen Murphy, Coordinator, Western Alaska Landscape Conservation Cooperative, [email protected]

The Western Alaska Landscape Conservation Cooperative ('LCC') is a partnership focused on improving conservation of western Alaska's natural and cultural resources through providing improved tools and knowledge regarding expected climate changes and their impacts. This talk will provide brief updates on activities in each of three major topical areas: freshwater systems, terrestrial systems, and coastal systems. An overview and status update will be given on the many activities the LCC initiated in federal fiscal years 2014 & 2015 to promote and advance statewide the formation of voluntary participation regional networks for monitoring freshwater temperatures. These included: a statewide inventory of freshwater temperature data collection efforts (AK-OATS); establishment of minimum data standards for regional trend assessments; regional coordination of monitoring networks in the Kodiak Archipelago and the Bristol Bay lowlands; pilot regional analysis for Wood-Tikchik SP & Togiak NWR; investigation of impacts of changes in freshwater temperatures on sockeye salmon embryo survival and development; and other activities. We will announce the LCC's current activities as part of our FY2016 & 2017 program on 'Informing decision-makers about climate change effects on terrestrial habitat features and their impact on important resources/service in western Alaska". These include helping coordinate LIDAR data collection on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, helping partners address the impacts on standard large mammal survey methods from reduced consistency of snow cover, and projects funded under our recent RFP. Lastly, we will briefly discuss the upcoming series of four regional workshops being planned with a variety of partners focused on advancing resiliency of coastal communities and resources.

Bed Bugs Detection, Prevention and Removal

Jennifer Skarada, REHS, Environmental Health Specialist, Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation, [email protected]

This presentation will identify issues that rural Alaskans are facing with the emerging issue of bed bugs. It will focus on the life cycle of bed bugs, how they feed and their reproduction cycle. The presentation will show how to identify bed bugs, where you can find them in your home or in a hotel and how to aide in the prevention of spreading them. It will teach how to eradicate them from the home once they are there. The presentation will focus on methods that are currently being used in rural areas with a minimum amount of tools that are working. Furthermore this presentation will educate on items that are being used to detect bed bugs if you are unsure if you have an infestation. This presentation will also give a brief overview of an EPA grant that BBAHC has been awarded to address bed bugs in rural Alaska.


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Predicting Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) hatch timing by incorporating natural variability

into an existing model

Morgan Sparks, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]; Peter Westley, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]; Jeff Falke, U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, [email protected]; Milo Adkison, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

A powerful example of local adaptation in salmonid fishes is revealed in the relationship between spawn timing and the temperature regime incubating embryos experience at the spawning site. In light of climate change, an important tool for understanding the potential for adaptation is the predicted response of phenology as it relates to changes in early life history developmental temperatures. Because temperature is the primary factor driving development in juvenile salmonids, experienced temperature can be incorporated into existing empirical statistical models to predict hatch and emergence timing with a high degree of certainty. However, experiments investigating the relationship between temperature and developmental rate have been conducted with constant temperature regimes and thus current models for predicting phenology only incorporate average experienced temperatures. Because specific hatch timing is often not known for wild populations, predicting the average temperature over the entire incubation temperature regime can be difficult. Here we present work that extends an existing empirical model to incorporate more realistic daily average temperature in place of constant temperature over the course of incubation. The new model allows users to predict hatch timing without the need to estimate average temperature over the course of incubation and appropriately accounts for average daily temperature and each day’s respective contribution towards development. We apply the extended model to multiple Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon populations that spawn in different habitat types (e.g., lake beaches, ponds, streams) and estimate hatch timing for early, peak, and late spawning fish across this habitat spectrum. Additionally, we hind- and forecast lake temperatures over the course of two centuries for Woody Island in Iliamna Lake from historical and predicted air temperatures and predict hatch timing to investigate developmental phenology as it relates to changing climate conditions. Finally, we are following this work up with an experiment in which we are rearing embryos from two of the studied populations to truth the hatch model and further investigate adaptive capacity in these populations.

Abstracts (listed alphabetically by Presenter last name

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Sustainable Housing Possibilities in Alaska

Evan Sterling, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

This research examines various attempts at sustainable housing in Alaska in order to gain insight into lessons learned for best practices. Designing and constructing efficient, durable, and safe housing has long been recognized as a matter deserving serious consideration in the far north as there are many challenges to overcome in order to meet these targets. Today, this issue is gaining even greater attention, as climate change demands that we adapt our approaches for constructing homes as our landscapes change and fossil fuels grow scarce. The Alaska Residential Building Manual has codified some of the best practices and lessons learned in the area of cold climate housing; however, the extent to which the principles in this manual are understood and followed by builders and homeowners is not widely known. This research project involves qualitative interview methods with homeowners and builders, as well as site visits and a survey of construction photos and other documentation, in order to gain insight into this issue. The research illuminates several common practices, including the use of passive solar design, super-insulation, mechanical ventilation, and masonry heaters. Also, the homeowners and occupants were closely involved with the design and construction phases of their homes and believe that the process, and now the homes themselves, has increased their quality of life. The homes included in the project represent a wide range of sustainable building practices, but the energy usage of these buildings is significantly lower than more conventional homes, as they are incredibly energy efficient.

PLENARY—Alaska Space Grant and NASA EPSCoR Programs

Denise Thorsen, Associate Professor, Director, Alaska Space Grant Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

The Alaska Space Grant and NASA EPSCoR programs are two sides of the same coin. Space Grant seeks to support programs that enhance teaching, research, and educational outreach within aerospace and earth science and other NASA related STEM disciplines throughout Alaska. NASA EPSCoR seeks to build Alaska’s research infrastructure by helping faculty develop their research capability in areas of Earth System Science, Technologies for Space and Extreme Environments, and Aeronautics Research. Space Grant focuses on student engagement. NASA EPSCoR focuses on faculty engagement. I would like to engage in an open dialog to determine how these programs can be used to serve the needs of rural students, rural faculty, and rural communities.


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Understanding Air Pollution Hazards in our Village: Let's Clear the Air Videos

Tina Tinker, Environmental Coordinator, Aleknagik Traditional Council, [email protected]; Thomas Nukwak, Environmental Assistant, Aleknagik Traditional Council, [email protected]

A high priority for Aleknagik Traditional Council is to understand air pollution hazards in our village. In 2011 Aleknagik’s Environmental Program applied for and received a Mini Air Quality Grant from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to monitor air quality in residential homes since we spend a lot of time indoors. Measurements taken in multiple homes included relative humidity, particulate matter 2.5, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and temperature. What we learned from this project was more education on ventilation, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and second hand smoke was needed to improve indoor air quality conditions. In 2013, we received another grant to produce a video with local residents as actors on simple steps homeowners could take to reduce indoor air pollution as part of our educational outreach efforts that could also be used by other communities in rural Alaska facing similar problems. The video was aired at the Alaska Tribal Conference on Environmental Management and well received by participants who also emphasized the need for educating homeowners on using (rather than disabling) their Heat Recovery Ventilation systems. In 2014, we received additional funding to produce a second video on maintaining HRV systems that explains in Yupik (with English subtitles) how HRVs work to remove air pollutants and bring fresh air into the home. Our presentation will focus on the HRV video production and also touch on the next video underway to minimize health risks from wildfire episodes.

Developing a Conservation Planning Atlas for Nushagak River Village Lands

Tim Troll, Executive Director, Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust, [email protected]; Marcus Geist, Geographer, Artesian Knowledge, [email protected].

In the fall of 2009 the Koliganek Natives Ltd (KNL). Board of Directors temporarily designated all of its 92,000 acres as a wild salmon reserve. This project attempts to refine that initial designation by using a combination of habitat and cultural values to identify the highest priorities for long term salmon conservation. Many conservation planning efforts aim to be decision support tools yet are not configured to produce information in useful format or at meaningful scales for the decision makers. Throughout this project, we ask the fundamental question, can this atlas be easily used by the Board and their land management partners? The Planning Atlas focuses analysis at the Section level as these one square mile blocks form the foundation of land management for the Regional and Village Corporations. The Koliganek conservation project can be considered an implementation phase of a project initiated by BBHLT and partner The Nature Conservancy (TNC) with USF&WS Coastal funds. The Land Trust and the TNC have assembled a digitized database of traditional knowledge about KNL lands taken from interviews and mapping sessions with residents of Koliganek and nearby communities. In addition BBHLT and TNC have adapted the approach of the Riverscape Analysis Project of the Flathead Biological Station of the University of Montana, http://rap.ntsg.umt.edu/home , to do a rapid assessment of each section of KNL lands to determine its potential salmon habitat value. The proposed project will combine these datasets, ADF&G’s Anadromous Waters Catalog and Freshwater Fish Inventory, soils data from recent USDA survey, geology from the USGS, recent SPOT imagery acquisitions, and wetlands from the Alaska Natural Heritage Program’s statewide landcover mosaic. Most of this data and information has been mapped and each section of land has been assigned a conservation / subsistence value. The product of this project is an easy to use mapping program and series of layered pdf maps that will allow the user to easily access this information for any section of KNL lands with the ability turn layers on and off and operate offline without an internet connection or special software.


http://rap.ntsg.umt.edu/home

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Coastal Community Ocean Observers (C2O2): A network of community-driven coastal ocean

observations

Peter Winsor, Associate Professor, Marine Science, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, [email protected]

The Coastal Community Ocean Observers (C2O2) is a participatory science program that seeks to build a framework for long-term community-driven monitoring of oceanic environmental variables. Our program combines a cost-efficient means for communities to collect environmental data with local interest, promoting mutually beneficial partnerships and relationships for collecting and sharing information. The C2O2 program has now been initialized in three communities, Kaktovik, Old Harbor, and St. Paul – communities that have uniquely different climates, cultures, and local concerns. Using GPS-enabled conductivity-depth-salinity recorders, all three communities have all generated hydrographic data which is reported in near-real time via a web interface and immediately available on the project website for community residents, scientists and stakeholders. Here we describe our experiences with starting up the C2O2 program, together with some initial results and outline a build-out plan for the future, C2O2 Phase II, including two new communities, Cold Bay, Aleutians and Kotzebue, Chukchi Sea, and interfacing with similar ongoing efforts in Canada to create a linked network of ocean observations in a south-to-north frame work to detect and describe climate change propagation and its impact on local ecosystems and communities.

Hydrologic Alterations from Climate Change Inform Assessment of Ecological Risk to Pacific Salmon

in Bristol Bay, Alaska

Christine Woll, The Nature Conservancy, [email protected]; Cameron Wobus, ABT Associates; Robert Prucha, Integrated Hydro Systems; David Albert, The Nature Conservancy; Maria Loinaz, A.D.A. Engineering Inc.

We developed an integrated hydrologic model of the upper Nushagak and Kvichak watersheds in the Bristol Bay region of southwestern Alaska, a region under substantial development pressure from large-scale copper mining. We incorporated climate change scenarios into this model to evaluate how hydrologic regimes and stream temperatures might change in a future climate, and to summarize indicators of hydrologic alteration that are relevant to salmon habitat ecology and life history. Model simulations project substantial changes in mean winter flow, peak flow dates, and water temperature by 2100. In particular, we find that annual hydrographs will no longer be dominated by a single spring thaw event, but will instead be characterized by numerous high flow events throughout the winter. Stream temperatures increase in all future scenarios, although these temperature increases are moderated relative to air temperatures by cool baseflow inputs during the summer months. Projected changes to flow and stream temperature could influence salmon through alterations in the suitability of spawning gravels, changes in the duration of incubation, increased growth during juvenile stages, and increased exposure to chronic and acute temperature stress. These climate-modulated changes represent a shifting baseline in salmon habitat quality and quantity in the future, and an important consideration to adequately assess the types and magnitude of risks associated with proposed large-scale mining in the region.


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Dual Management in Alaska

Frank Woods, Bristol Bay Native Association, [email protected]

Dual management has been one of the stumbling blocks for natives in rural Alaska to fully engage in resource management for subsistence use. State of Alaska’s Local Fish and Game Advisory Committees and Board of Fish and Game Proposal Processes. For background on the boards and the board process, including information on how to submit proposals to change regulations. The Federal Regional Federal Subsistence Board and 10 Regional Advisory Councils. For background on the boards and the board process, including information on how to submit proposals to change regulations.


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Notes

Documents

Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science …...Student Training Hosted By : University of Alaska Fairbanks Bristol Bay Campus 2 Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference