5 Active Organizations Tackling Issues Important To Alaskans

Groups Working To Preserve & Improve Alaska

8 Great Films Set In Alaska

1. Sourdough (1981)
2. Mystery, Alaska (1999)
3. Road to Utopia (1945)
4. Ice Bears of the Beaufort (2009)
5. The Great Alaskan Race (2019)
6. North to Alaska (1960)
7. The Gold Rush (1925)
8. Alaska: Spirit of the Wild (1998)

Products To Help You Go Green

Climate change could have drastic effects on the Alaskan environment in the years to come. If you want to help lessen its impact, getting some of these eco-friendly products is a good place to start:

• A set of reusable grocery bags
• Stainless steel straws to replace disposable plastics
• A portable greenhouse where you can grow your own food
• Silicone food bags for taking healthy snacks on-the-go
• A vegan cookbook to help you cut back on meat
• Solar toys that will entertain your kids without using fossil fuels
• Some beeswax wraps, a waste-free way to keep food fresh
• A reusable water bottle

How Alaska Became A Part Of The U.S.

In Depth

The largest state in the U.S. by land area, Alaska is a place of incredible biodiversity and natural resources. It takes a lot of care and effort to maintain such an environment, and thankfully there are many organizations that make it their mission to do just that. Focused on everything from protecting natural habitats to advocating for indigenous communities, the groups featured on this list work valiantly on behalf of the state's rich ecology and culture. In no particular order, here are five active organizations devoted to the continual betterment of Alaska.

Coming in at #1 is the Alaska Wilderness League. Dedicated to ensuring a sustainable future for the state and its communities, this organization fights for policies that protect Alaska's abundant public lands and waters. Among the treasured places it seeks to preserve are arctic refuges and national forests, stretches of wilderness that are critical to maintaining a well-functioning ecosystem and global climate. The group strives to defend these areas from the increasing threats of oil drilling and deforestation.

The Alaska Wilderness League understands that safeguarding the state's natural environment also involves protecting the indigenous people who vitally contribute to its culture and wellbeing. Working side by side with such communities, the league aims to make sure its Native partners have a voice, and that they can remain safe from the disruptive developments of the energy industry. Attending town hall meetings and talking to your representatives is a great way to get involved in furthering the organization's cause. Its website provides a toolkit for finding these meetings in your area and learning effective protocol when participating in them.

Its website provides a toolkit for finding these meetings in your area and learning effective protocol when participating in them.

For #2 we have the Alaska Marine Conservation Council. A community-oriented nonprofit founded in 1994, the AMCC advocates for the health and endurance of the state's marine ecosystems and seaside communities. With scientists, business owners, and fishermen among its members, it promotes sustainable fishing procedures and management policies in order to protect Alaska's crucial ocean habitats and those who depend on them. The group not only encourages the application of scientific knowledge in its conservation efforts, but also values lived experience and indigenous tradition.

Recognizing that it's the responsibility of citizens to help take care of the environment, the AMCC is guided by a belief in the power of local stewardship. With leadership development initiatives such as The Young Fishing Fellows Program, it seeks to support and educate the next generation of fishermen and ensure they have economic opportunities. The organization also conducts research through its Graying of the Fleet project, which looks into the various factors impacting the livelihood of coastal communities. To help out, you can sign petitions and write letters to the editor on the AMCC website, as well as speak up at public state and federal meetings.

At #3 is The Alaska Center. With the aim of securing a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations, this group works to educate, empower, and engage the state's citizens to become knowledgeable and active agents of change. The center carries out this mission by spreading awareness of how clean energy, cultural diversity, and natural resources are vital in guaranteeing the long-term wellbeing of all Alaskans. Central to its goal is making sure people have a voice in determining the policies that affect their lives.

Central to its goal is making sure people have a voice in determining the policies that affect their lives.

Using grassroots and direct forms of advocacy, The Alaska Center strives to strengthen the public's involvement in the democratic process, enhance their understanding of their rights, and increase voter turnout. Believing that it is especially imperative to get young people politically engaged, the center hosts a variety of youth programs to encourage kids and teens to become community leaders. There are many ways for others to get involved, including writing to elected officials to pass non-discrimination legislation and donating to stop destructive mining. You can also attend public rallies and forums, which are listed on the organization's site.

For #4 we find the Rasmuson Foundation. Founded in 1955 by Jenny Olson Rasmuson, this organization has operated for decades with the goal of supporting projects and groups that are dedicated to bettering Alaska. With a strong philanthropic focus, it works to effect positive change by issuing grants to nonprofits that invest in community-based services. In the years since its inception, the foundation has made hundreds of millions of dollars in charitable contributions.

Determined to fix social inequities by addressing their systemic causes, the Rasmuson Foundation focuses on areas it believes are critical to building and sustaining thriving communities, including affordable housing, healthcare, and arts and culture. In addition to giving grants to organizations working in these areas statewide, the foundation creates outreach initiatives that supply Alaskans with new educational and economic opportunities. It believes in the ability of the arts to bolster community, and makes donations to individual artists and museums. You can help by sending your own charitable contributions to state nonprofits through PickClickGive.

You can help by sending your own charitable contributions to state nonprofits through PickClickGive.

Finally, arriving at #5 is Sealaska Heritage. Established in 1980, this private nonprofit seeks to promote the culture, history, and art of Southeast Alaskan Native communities. Focusing on the Haida, Tsimshian, and Tlingit populations, Sealaska coordinates events and public services that foster an appreciation of the region's rich and diverse indigenous cultures. At its Heritage Institute, an extensive collection of Native cultural materials are available to use in research and education, including photographs, documents, and art.

In addition to research, Sealaska cultivates and propagates knowledge about Southeast Alaska through public exhibitions, biennial celebrations, and classes. Partnering with academic institutions, it sponsors workshops in traditional art practices such as skin sewing and carving, as well as classes devoted to teaching Native languages and history. Sealaska also provides youth, artist-in-residence, and mentorship programs, all designed to get people engaged in understanding and preserving the culture of the region. The organization depends on donations to keep its myriad programs and events running, and you can make them by phone, mail, or via AmazonSmile or PayPal.