Educator: Place-based Resources

Here, you will find organizations, land agencies, parks, and science-educator resources specific to Alaska (like the Alaska Science Teachers Association).

Organization URL Details
  Public Lands & Resource Management  
BLM (Bureau of
Land Management)
Alaska
https://www.blm.gov
/alaska
NACTEC provides high school students in Bering Strait School District and Nome Public Schools with the necessary resources and skills for employment opportunities, the pursuit of postsecondary education, and independent living skills through instruction in four focus areas: career and technical skills, career exploration, life skills, and work readiness skills.
BLM—Climate
Change
https://www.blm.gov/
about/how-we-manage/
climate-change
This section of the Bureau of Land Management website is dedicated to Climate Change.  It includes drop down menus the learn about related topics like renewable energy, conservation, engagement, and commitment.
Why use a
standardized
assessment system?
AK and Feds
share strategy
https://www.blm.gov/
blog/2022-04-27/
feds-state-share-data-
aiming-save-resources
This section of the Bureau of Land Management website is dedicated to AIM—Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring. Here, data—that has been collected once—can be used for several different projects. Teachers may encourage older students to peruse the resources on this page if they are interested in learning more about how careers can use place-based science.
BLM National
Programs
https://www.blm.gov/
programs
The Programs page of the Bureau of Land Management site offers links to various BLM programs that help to keep America’s lands and landscapes “healthy and productive for commercial, recreational, and conservation activities.” Program links include: Planning and NEPA, Energy and Minerals, National Conservation Lands, Recreation & Visitor Services, Wild Horse & Burro, Lands & Realty, Public Safety & Fire, Cultural Heritage, Paleontology, Natural Resources, Land & Water Conservation, Wildlife Conservation, and Aquatic Resources.
Alaska DNR
(Department of
Natural Resources)
PDF This State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources PowerPoint was presented to the House Resources Committee on 18 January 2017. It outlines Alaska’s resource base, as well as priorities & activities. It could be a useful resource for students and teachers looking into how Alaska’s lands are used.
Alaska Department
of Fish & Game
https://www.adfg.
alaska.
gov/index.cfm?
adfg=home.main
This is the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website where visitors can find information about fishing, hunting, subsistence, species, habitats, and regulations (including licenses and permits) in Alaska. The site also includes links to education with various upcoming events and education opportunities.
  Parks & Monuments  
Cape Krusenstern
National Monument
https://www.nps.gov/
cakr/learn/index.htm
The National Park Service’s website on Cape Krusenstern National Monument provides information on the history and culture, environment, and management of the area. Several links under the “Learn About the Park” tab may be useful for classroom lessons and activities—including the links to archaeology and the archaeology program.
Bering Land Bridge - National Monument https://www.nps.gov/
bela/learn/index.htm
The National Parks Service’s website on the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve could likewise be used in the classroom. Of special interest might be the links on nature and climate change, as well as the interactive “Arctic Animal Discovery” (under the Kids & Youth tab), the visitor center, and the official visitor's brochure.
Serpentine Hot
Springs - Bering
Land Bridge
https://www.nps.gov/
bela/learn/nature/
serpentine-hot-
springs.htm
Part of the National Monument, Serpentine Hot Springs has unique geology and natural hot springs. The area has many archeological sites which date back to humans arrival in the area. History of hot springs as a traditional healing and gathering place. They are open year round.
Pilgrim Hot Springs https://www.pilgrim
hotsprings.com/
This is a lush subarctic oasis owned and managed by a consortium of seven organizations in the Bering Strate region. It has historical remains from the orphanage run by the Catholic Diosease. It has a unique variety of flora and fauna and had been an agricultural site since the early 1900's. Only open in the summer. There is active work on projects for generating thermal energy. 
Kawarek -
Subsistence
Resources
https://kawerak.org/
natural-resources/
subsistence-
resources/
Subsistence Resources advocates on behalf of subsistence users in the protection of customary and traditional harvest of all resources. This program also provides information on subsistence use to state and federal programs, supports proposals and projects that will result in improved management and subsistence resources.
  Environmental Organizations and Data Resources
Alaska DEC https://data-soa-
adec.opendata.
arcgis.com/
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation hosts this open data site where visitors can download and explore data, learn to build apps, and engage in important issues. This could easily be used in the classroom as part of a citizen science project
Alaska DEC
Web Maps
https://dec.alaska.gov
/das/gis/apps/
The Department of Environmental Conservation website hosts a GIS (Geographic Information System) page solely dedicated to public interactive maps, each of which focuses on a specific incident.
Alaska DEC Drinking
water and Nitrates
in the state
https://www.arcgis.com
/apps/MapSeries/index.
html?appid=501a631d
df804a509
5499b7b775d3bad
This link, hosted by the Department of Environmental Conservation, takes visitors to a GIS (Geographic Information System) story map which shows the distribution of nitrates in well and spring water sources. It could be used as part of a science lesson.
Backhaul Alaska https://backhaul
alaska.org/
This is the website of Backhaul Alaska—an organization that coordinates and hauls harmful waste materials out of rural Alaska communities, and ensures they are properly recycled. Students may be interested in jobs within the industry, or may find this a useful resource for research on how to ensure the safety of rural Alaska’s communities and the sustained and responsible use of materials.
Kawerak
Environmental
Program
https://kawerak.org/
natural-resources/
environmental-
program/
This site introduces three local programs: Backhaul & Recycling program with surveys about hazardous waste, Brownfields program about identifying, cleaning up and reusing potentially contaminated sites, and the Energy program proving planning and technical assistance to Tribes developing energy projects. 
  Ecosystem Resources  
Norton Sound
Seafood Products
http://nortonsound
seafood.com/
About-Us.html
Norton Sound Seafood Products is a commercial fishery that uses small boats to sustainably harvest salmon, halibut, and red king crab. Students may be interested in learning more, if they are interested in pursuing commercial fishing after school. Likewise, the website could be useful for career research projects.
Commercial Fishing
in Norton Sound & Kotzebue
Management Area
https://www.adfg.
alaska.gov/index.cfm?
adfg=commercial
byareanorton
sound.main
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s webpage on Commercial Fisheries in Norton Sound and the Kotzebue Management Area could be a valuable resource for students learning about commercial fishing, researching the differences between commercial and personal use fishing, or to understand the different regulations across the state.
Alaska Fish
and Game
http://www.adfg.
alaska.gov/index.
cfm?adfg=
subsistence.main
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s webpage on Subsistence in Alaska dedicates a large swath of information to subsistence fishing. Included on this page is information about subsistence use, regulations and permits, as well as harvest data and reports.
ADF&G—Habitats http://www.adfg.
alaska.gov/index.cfm?
adfg=ecosystems.list
The “Ecosystems” page on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website has several links to learn all about Alaska’s ecosystems. From the tundra and boreal forest in the north, to the coastal rainforest, rivers, lakes, wetland, and sea ice, this page is an excellent place to begin learning about Alaska’s ecoregions.
ADF&G—Endangered Species http://www.adfg.
alaska.gov/index.cfm?
adfg=specialstatus.
akendangered
In Alaska, several species are listed as endangered or of special concern. This "Endangered Species" page of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s website is devoted to animals (including fish stocks) of concern. Exploring this website could be a useful tool when teaching lessons on biology.
ADF&G—Invasives http://www.adfg.
alaska.gov/index.cfm?
adfg=invasive.main
Like the “Endangered Species” page, the “Invasive Species” page of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s website provides information on many different invasive species found in Alaska, including animals, plants, and fungi.
US Forest Service
Alaska Tundra Map
https://www.fs.usda.
gov/database/feis/fire
_regimes/AK_tundra/
MapB.jpg
This map shows the community types and distribution of tundra plants across Alaska.
Fire Effects
Information
System—Tree Species
https://www.fs.usda.
gov/database/feis/pdfs/
Little/aa_SupportingFiles/LittleMaps.html
The Fire Effects Information Systems (FEIS), sponsored by the USDA and the US Forest service, is a database of tree species and where they grow in the US. It could be interesting for students interested in forestry work, fire service work, or for teachers looking for information on tree species in their region.
Fire Effects
Information System—Tundra fires
https://www.fs.usda.
gov/database/feis/fire_
regimes/AK_tundra
/all.html
The page of the Fire Effects Information Systems website is focused on fire on tundra lands in Alaska. The section “summarizes fire regime information.”
Kawerak - Marine Program https://kawerak.org/
natural-resources/
marine-program/
Kawerak’s Marine Program will advocate for local priorities and propose actions to minimize negative impacts of increased shipping in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. Exists to  address potential impacts related to increased marine shipping on individuals, subsistence resources and the environment within our region.
Kawerak - Reindeer Herders Association https://kawerak.org/
natural-resources/
reindeer-herders-
association/
This group exists to provide support to Reindeer herders in having self sustaining viable herds in Western AK. It is a great place to find local Reindeer owners to join your classroom or gather information from. 
  Educator Programming and Organizations  
Alaska Science
Teachers Association
https://asta.wild
apricot.org/
The Alaska Science Teachers Association (ASTA) provides teachers the opportunity to network with colleagues across the state. They offer professional development, mini grants, and a host of resources. As well, they host an annual conference where members gather for special talks and breakout sessions.
UAF GLOBE
Program 
https://uaf-iarc.org/
project/global-
learning-and-
observations-to-
benefit-the-
environment-globe/
AK GLOBE program run through UAF. Provides training for educators and hosts a student science symposium each year for students to highlight their work and educate each other by presenting their findings. Offers connections to other schools participating in GLOBE around the state.