Empowering Local Stewardship: USDA and Chugach Region Tribal Conservation District Forge New Conservation Partnership

SEWARD, ALASKA - (June 17, 2026) -- Surrounded by majestic, foggy mountains and the pristine, cold waters of Resurrection Bay, members of the Chugach Regional Resources Commission (CRRC) hosted a signing ceremony to commemorate the establishment of the Chugach Region Tribal Conservation District, in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), on June 17, 2026 in Seward, Alaska.

Special guest Hans D. Hunt, Assistant Chief for the Western Region for NRCS attended the ceremony alongside NRCS Alaska State Conservationist Alan D. McBee, and signatories for participating Tribes included Boyd Selanoff of Chenega IRA Council (and CRRC Chairman); Angela Butler of the Native Village of Eyak; and Ari Schablein of Qutekcak Native Tribe.

Participants signed a Mutual Agreement document that establishes a formal partnership between the USDA and seven Tribal Nations represented by CRRC: 1) Chenega IRA Council, 2) Native Village of Eyak, 3) Nanwalek IRA Council, 4) Native Village of Port Graham, 5) Qutekcak Native Tribe, 6) Tatitlek Village IRA Council, and 7) Valdez Native Tribe.

"Today's signing ceremony establishing a Tribal Conservation District is an important step for our region and for our Tribes in protecting and managing our lands, our waters, fisheries, and natural resources," said Selanoff said. "It creates opportunities for Tribes to lead conservation work based on our priorities, our traditional knowledge, and the needs of our communities."

The Mutual Agreement commits both parties to the shared purpose and common objectives of supporting natural resources conservation and fostering sustainable resource management and stewardship.

"USDA is committed to working with you through a nation-to-nation relationship, and this signing ceremony today acknowledges and reaffirms that relationship," Hunt said. "By forming this Tribal Conservation District, you are creating a unified voice for locally-led conservation… NRCS leadership and I are excited to work with you as we take this important step forward together."

NRCS Alaska has a long history working with Alaska Native Tribes to implement voluntary conservation programs on private lands. Tribal Conservation Districts help NRCS take this work a step further by establishing local conservation priorities and serving as a conduit and bridge between Tribal landowners and USDA programs.

"Forming Tribal Conservation Districts has been a priority for NRCS Alaska for many years," McBee said. "NRCS Alaska is committed to working with Chugach Region TCD to support our mutually beneficial goals, to empower Indigenous land stewardship, to address food sovereignty, and to protect natural resources for the next generations to come."

Article and Photos by Tracy Robillard, Public Affairs Specialist, NRCS Alaska

View more photos on Flickr.