About Us

Organization

Our organization is comprised of a group of volunteers and supporters representing diverse interests, who are dedicated to finding solutions to the issues challenging the Chilkoot River.

Mission

For more than two thousand years humans have shared the Chilkoot River Valley with salmon, brown bears and eagles. As the home for many generations of Chilkoot Natives, the land is a repository of cultural significance, as well as prime wildlife habitat. The lower river corridor is currently used by local residents and travelers for subsistence and sport fishing, for wildlife viewing and commercial tourism. Increased pressure on the resource has called into question whether the balance of human and bear activity can continue. The Alaska Chilkoot Bear Foundation works to forge partnerships to ensure that all elements of the ecosystem will continue to exist in harmony for generations to come.

Board of Directors

The board consists of seven elected directors representing interests of academic, business, Lutak Residents, Native community, professional, scientifc, and sport fishing.

Pam Randles - President

Dan Egolf - Vice President

Tim McDonough - Treasurer

Tom McGuire - Co-Secretary

Ann Puffer - Co-Secretary

Richard Folta - (Director)

Ted Hart - Director

IDENTIFYING ISSUES…
After three years of meetings, the group developed a consensus action plan for preserving the corridor’s rich resources. The plan includes the goals organized here. These goals are the guide for the Alaska Chilkoot Bear Foundation.

Assist Agency

  1. Improve State Agency Ability to Manage Recreational Use

Visitor Education - Issues

  1. Help Visitors Reduce Impacts to the Area by Developing a Code of Conduct to Help Them Self-Monitor

  2. Reducing Overnight Use and Roadside Camping along the CRC- completed

  3. Improve Lakeshore Parking Areas to Better Accommodate Larger Vehicles and Reduce Congestion- completed

  4. Limit Future Impacts of Motorized Use on Chilkoot Lake - completed

Cultural Issues

  1. Minimize Impacts to Chilkoot Historical Resources

  2. Increase Public Awareness of Chilkoot’s Cultural Significance

  3. Support the Continuity of Chilkoot Culture Camp

Wildlife Issues

  1. Reduce Human-Wildlife Conflicts and Monitor and Improve Visitor Activity and Behavior

  2. Conserve Habitat and Scenic Values

  3. Provide Brown Bears Undisturbed Route of Access/Egress to Chilkoot River Feeding Areas

Data Gathering – Research Needs – Future Planning

  1. Identify and Interpret Brown Bear Habitat and Use Patterns to Augment Agency Data Needs and Guide Future Planning and Development Decisions

  2. Utilize Best Available Technology to Monitor Fishery Escapement and Minimize Obstruction to Fish Passage