In 2005, Tyonek took a historic step and became the first village in Alaska to start a Tribal Conservation District. The Tyonek Tribal Conservation District (TTCD) was formed through a mutual agreement between the Native Village of Tyonek (NVT), Tyonek Native Corporation (TNC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
As summer reaches its peak, TTCD is continuing to advance conservation, food sovereignty, and youth engagement. Our Habitat Monitoring and Restoration team is transitioning from a successful month-long “pike camp” in Beluga—where more than 1,300 invasive northern pike were removed from District waters—to salmon and water temperature monitoring efforts across the region. Pictured here is Naomi Jones, Farm and Field Technician, with a juvenile salmonid. We’re also celebrating the return of the Tyonek Farmers Market, hands-on science experiences for Tyonek youth, and strengthening Tribal Conservation District partnerships across Alaska.
June marked the start of TTCD’s “pike camp,” where our Habitat Monitoring and Restoration team spends the entire month in Beluga eradicating invasive pike that prey on juvenile salmonids. Pictured is Bella, a staff member of our partner, the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission, examining a northern pike’s stomach contents. June also marked the beginning of the TTCD Youth Summer Internships, ongoing work to complete the yurt at the Tyonek Garden and a summer reading event for Tyonek youth. Plus, TTCD is hiring!
