Southeast Alaska Community Leader Recognized for Outstanding Contributions to Fish Conservation

Learn more about SEAKFHP

​Southeast Alaska is a massive and unique landscape surrounded by ocean and ice fields and dotted with vibrant communities. Communities across Southeast Alaska share a deep-rooted relationship with productive fish habitat. At the recent American Fisheries Society meeting, local Southeast Alaska resident and coordinator of the Southeast Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership, Debbie Hart, received a well-deserved Award of Special Recognition for her fantastic contributions to help organize film festivals at Western Division and the American Fisheries Society meetings over the last 5+ years, with films highlighting great aquatic conservation stories.  

For those of you who are not familiar with Debbie’s work (and that of the Fish Habitat Partnership), these groups work to ensure healthy, thriving fish habitats throughout Alaska that support salmon, steelhead and other anadromous fish.

While overall salmon and other fishery populations remain strong in Southeast Alaska, localized declines and areas facing habitat degradation spurring the formation of the Southeast Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership (SEAKFHP) in the spring of 2014.

The Southeast Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership strives to support cooperative fish habitat conservation and management in Southeast Alaska. In the past, most fish habitat conservation and restoration efforts in the region have been conducted unilaterally by large government organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service or through small collaborative efforts with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with agency partners.  The Partnership brings people together to do more good work for the region’s fisheries.

Trout Unlimited is a proud supporter of the Southeast Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership, and the critical role they play in bringing together local communities, governments, tribes, landowners, businesses, and non-profits throughout the region to help fish habitat.  
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Debbie has played a key role in forming the partnership and facilitating some really fantastic programs under Debbie’s five years of leadership. SEAKFHP has successfully organized and helped fund projects throughout Southeast Alaska, organized film festivals, meetings, and highlighted aquatic conservation stories.

Join us in congratulating Debbie on her great success and her continued support of healthy fish habitat throughout Southeast Alaska! ​