February is winding down, but this week is jam packed with opportunities to become educated, raise your voice and advocate for the conservation of the Tongass and Inside Passage waters. Here’s five fun quick and easy ways you can get involved today!
1. Rally for the climate Wednesday!
It’s time to act on climate! SEACC is a proud affiliate of the Pacific Northwest’s Climate Action Coalition, which is hosting a “New Day Digital Rally” Wednesday at 11 a.m. Alaska Time. Join us and demand action to address the existing crises on the economic recession, environmental injustices, COVID recovery and climate emergency — mirroring the four priorities of President Biden’s Build Back Better plan. Together, we will (virtually) rally to tell legislators its #TimeToAct on climate. RSVP here!
2. Lunch & Learn with us Wednesday afternoon!
SEACC Climate Organizer Matt Jackson and Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, a Yupik/Iñupiaq pro snowboarder from Bristol Bay, will be the featured guests at a Lunch & Learn virtual event at noon Wednesday, hosted by the Alaska Outdoor Alliance.
3. Tune in to this film premiere Thursday!
We are so excited that “Understory: A Journey Through the Tongass” is premiering this week! Produced by Wild Confluence Media & Last Stands, this 40-minute film follows three women — Elsa Sebastian, Dr. Natalie Dawson, and Mara Menahan — who set sail on a 350-mile expedition through the Tongass, exploring how clearcut logging affects wildlife, local communities and our planet’s climate.
Peak Design is hosting the premiere Thursday at 2 p.m. Alaska Time, with a panel discussion to follow. The film is a limited-time release, available for public viewing through Feb. 28. Learn more about the film here, and watch the trailer here!
4. Deadline coming up!
*** UPDATE: The public comment period has been extended! You may now submit comments until 5 p.m. on March 19, 2021. Click the link below to raise your voice if you haven’t already! ***
March 19 is the last day to comment on the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ proposed changes to the water reservation system. These changes would strip Alaskans of our right to hold a water reservation to protect stream flows for critical purposes like fish habitat. Raise your voice here!
5. Sunday is last day to enter our poetry contest!
Channel your inner Amanda Gorman, champion our Inside Passage waters, express and explore yourself by entering our water poetry contest! We are accepting all ages for the contest, which runs through the end of the month. Four winners will be selected, one for Elementary, Middle, High School, and 18+ age categories, and each winner will be published in our spring Ravencall this year! There’s a word limit and a theme but otherwise, poetry is poetry and we can’t wait to hear the song singing inside of you. Learn more about the contest and enter here!
BONUS: 6. Save the date!
Our next Climate Conversations webinar will cover Biden’s Build Back Better Infrastructure agenda on March 24. Stay tuned for more information, and learn more about the series here!
Thank you so much for your continued support of conservation of the Tongass and Inside Passage waters.
— The Southeast Alaska Conservation Council
