Motivated to protect the majestic and ecologically-important old growth forests from industrial-scale clearcutting, a group of concerned community members formed the Sitka Conservation Society in 1967. Since then, our organization has been instrumental in the creation of over 500,000 acres of wilderness - the West Chichagof Yakobi and South Baranof Wilderness Areas. We have also saved thousands of additional acres of old-growth forests from the chainsaw by advocating for more sustainable logging practices and fighting illegal timber projects.

We have the dual goals of protecting the Coastal Temperate Rainforests of Southeast Alaska and developing economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable communities living within the Tongass National Forest. We are a small community-based conservation organization with a regional impact. We strive to provide a model of a sustainable forest-dependent rural community.

Through traditional grassroots advocacy, innovative collaborative partnerships, educating the next generation of conservation leaders, and well-honed defensive techniques, the Sitka Conservation Society is outlining a new vision for the Tongass National Forest. With our staff of 4 and our board, we work in the following programs areas:

• Sustainable forestry - Our strategy is two-fold - to end industrial-scale old-growth clearcutting with traditional defensive tactics, and to create a sustainable forest management program through collaboration and the development of key community and agency partnerships.
• Community sustainability - By working with local government and community volunteers, we are taking action on reducing our carbon footprint, increasing our food security, and protecting our marine environment.
• Habitat restoration - We are directly involved with restoring wildlife and fish habitat damaged from a half-century of poor forest management - through advocacy, fundraising, and implementing projects on the ground.
• Permanent protection - We work with other regional organizations to legislate additional protections for high ecological-value watersheds, including the proposed establishment of the Kruzof Island - Mt. Edgecumbe National Monument.
• Wilderness Stewardship - Working with the Forest Service and local volunteers, we direct a program of long-term stewardship of the wilderness areas our organization helped create.
• Inspiring the next generation - Through traditional environmental education for all ages, we are building the conservation ethic of our community.