Fieldnotes Blog

05Sep 2012 by admin
Identification of Potential Restoration Projects in Southeast Alaska

Identification of Potential Restoration Projects in Southeast Alaska

Community Watershed Stewardship
Recent SAWC Project: For the past three months SAWC has been working on identifying potential restoration sites in Southeast Alaska focusing on Haines and Skagway.  It has been extremely insightful to learn about the areas that would classify for restoration as well as work with the community to identify these potential sites.   For each site we have compiled site photographs, maps and project reports using GIS and Google Earth.  We hope to continue this project in many other communities in Southeast Alaska. Here is an example of our Project Report Template and Potential Restoration Site Identification and Inventory Form for each site:   Project Report Template Potential Restoration Site Identification and Inventory Form This project is in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Takshanuk Watershed Council and Taiya…
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07Aug 2012 by admin
Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol for Southeast Alaska (WESPAK-SE) Training!

Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol for Southeast Alaska (WESPAK-SE) Training!

Events, Trainings & Opportunities
This three day training is being taught by Dr. Paul Adamus, the author of thiswetland assessment method and others inthe U.S. and Canada. Using WESPAK-SE,the class will visit and asses up to 5wetlands in the Haines area. The class willlearn how to rapidly assess and score 23functions and values of tidal and non-tidalwetlands in Southeast Alaska!!Participants will learn how to interpretand use these scores to prioritize wetlandsin a watershed or community, as well asevaluate impacts for wetland permitapplications, as well as identify ways toenhance specific wetland functions! Check out the Brochure.....WESPAK-SE Training
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19Jul 2012 by admin
Staff at SAWC

Staff at SAWC

Community Watershed Stewardship
SAWC has an Aquatic Resource Data Technician! Melany is currently conducting an inventory assessment of mitigation sites in Southeast Alaska!  She is documenting site reports and collecting information in order to map each site using ArcGIS and Google maps.  Currently, her focus is on Haines and then she will continue to establish sites in Skagway, Juneau, Yakutat and all communities in Southeast Alaska. Biography:  Melany has worked in scientific research for numerous projects over the years including neutrino research with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, GPS surveys through the Geophysical Institute in Fairbanks, Chinook research in Haines and climate monitoring/air sampling with NOAA in Barrow.  She is developing her skills as a GIS expert and enjoys both working on the computer and conducting field work.  She has lived and worked in…
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19Jul 2012 by admin
Alaska Wetland Information

Alaska Wetland Information

Resources
The State of Alaska includes approximately 63% of the nation's wetland ecosystems (Hall et al. 1994). Estimates place the total acreage at approximately 130 million acres or about one-third of the State. Wetlands help maintain water quality by slowly filtering excess nutrients, sediments, and pollutants before water seeps into rivers, streams, and underground aquifers. They also offer a breeding ground and/or habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants. Wetlands are areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include tundra, permafrost areas, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.[gallery link="file" columns="4"]
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14Jun 2012 by admin
The Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds

The Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds

Uncategorized
Environmentalists and economists frequently suggest that there would be a greater incentive for environmental stewardship if ecosystem services were valued in a manner that reflects the large contribution they have to our economy and society. Assigning a monetary value to a particular service can be very complicated due to issues of scale and the complexity of ecological interactions that make isolating the economic effects of one service difficult. Although challenging, valuation is seen an essential for encouraging conservation. Economists have developed innovative methods that attempt to quantify ecosystem services and the economic benefits of conservation.  Check out the  EPA Article The Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds  
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21May 2012 by admin
Introduction to the WESPAK-SE in Haines AK

Introduction to the WESPAK-SE in Haines AK

Resources
Wetland Ecosystm Service Protocal for Southeast Alaska On Friday May 18th, 2012 SAWC partnered with Dr.Paul Adamus to provide a intorductiory level class to the Haines Community of the WESPAK-SE. Thank you to the class participants and the Haines Public Library!! [styledbox type="information" ]WESPAK-SE Full Training Presentation[/styledbox] The WESPAK-SE is a science-based field method for rapidly assessing tidal and non-tidal wetlands in Southeast Alaksa. This tool can be used by natural resource managers, developers, industry, landowners, municipalities, tribes, and environmental consultants to understand better which wetlands are most valuable to our communities and most important to watershed processes. Natural resource managers and professional who understand WESPAK-SE and how to use it in the field are better equipped to assess wetland functions and values and therefore better able to support  the…
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16Mar 2012 by admin
Community-Based Watershed Management Forum: Re-cap and Resources

Community-Based Watershed Management Forum: Re-cap and Resources

Community Watershed Stewardship
A wide range of diverse stakeholders and user groups, across Alaska, gathered to discuss locally lead watershed projects and management strategies that are making sustainable impacts in communities. The National Forest Foundation and the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition, would like to extend a VERY BIG thank you to Forum presenters, organizers, volunteers, and all of the participants who invested their time and energy by participating at the event. Including, Community-Based Watershed Groups, Municipalities, Tribes, Alaska State Legislature Representatives,  Federal  and State Natural Resource Agencies, Industry, Native Corporations, Businesses, Natural Resources Professionals, and local Citizens. Presentations Restoration: Education & Regulation - Changing Community Perspectives over 15 years of ATV management in Yakutat An Assessment of Habitat Restoration Practices in Juneau (USFWS) Municipal Wetlands Management: Overview of the City & Borough of Juneau…
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