Driven by community priorities and rooted in Indigenous Knowledge, Alaska Youth Stewards (AYS) employs a new generation of environmental and cultural leaders to care for our lands, waters, and communities. Through on-the-ground restoration and community stewardship projects, Alaska Youth Stewards aims to provide youth from rural Southeast Alaska with well-supported pathways to becoming empowered and responsible leaders who contribute to our region’s cultural vibrancy, economic prosperity, and ecological resilience.
The Alaska Youth Stewards partnership includes Tribal governments, Tribal corporations, conservation groups, federal and state agencies, not-for-profits, community entities, and committed individuals to deliver programs in rural communities of Southeast Alaska. Youth (ages 14-25) are recruited from throughout the region to gain experience in fisheries, forestry, engineering, recreation, community service and cultural stewardship. Core partners include the US Forest Service, Sealaska Corporation, National Forest Foundation, Organized Village of Kake, Hoonah Indian Association, Chatham School District and Craig Tribal Association.
The 2024 AYS Season
Youth steward crews are now in their eighth season and are currently based out of four communities: Angoon, Hoonah, Kake and on Prince of Wales Island. The crews are working on a great variety of projects including trail construction and maintenance, stream restoration and ocean monitoring, traditional food harvests and community garden development.
How to view this map:
If you click on the small rectangle on the top left of the map, it will show the layers that correspond to each program site. If you click the button on the top right, the map will open in a new tab and will be easier to view. The blue markers represent different project the crew completed. The purple markers represent other observations including learning moments, bountiful harvests, before & after photos, and more.
