Community Sampling for Ocean Acidification in South Central Alaska Video

CRRC works with the five federally recognized tribes to identify Tribal environmental priorities, develop and operate a regional multimedia environmental program, and maintain an environmental presence in regulatory activities affecting the region. Within the CRRC region, the Native Village of Eyak, the Native Village of Port Graham, the Native Village of Nanwalek, the Native Village of Tatitlek, and the Native Village of Chenega currently have EPA IGAP funding to build capacities to manage local environmental protection programs. Using Tribe’s environmental inventories and EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans, CRRC supports these Tribes and furthers the development of their programs through facilitating communication and providing technical assistance and training to assess and address regional environmental and public health issues. CRRC also assists in addressing Tribal environmental priorities, supporting Tribal environmental program development goals and activities, and developing a collaborative approach to improving environmental protection in our region. The Environmental Program fits into the CRRC organizational structure as a separate program, with the Regional Environmental Coordinator.

The ocean acidification program, conducted by the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute and Chugach Regional Resources Commission, has been bridging the gap between western science and residents of coastal communities in Southcentral Alaska. The continuous ocean acidification monitoring by APMI and discrete ocean acidification samples and exposure studies provide climate data for researchers to utilize in studying trends and high-level science. The discrete ocean acidification sampling program is conducted by Natural Resource Specialists in Alaska Native communities in Southcentral Alaska. This video features Natural Resource Specialists from Native Village of Port Graham and the Seldovia Village Tribe, who have been building their capacities for years to manage local environmental protection programs. Utilizing local residents to conduct the sampling is a cost-effective way to expand the spatial ocean acidification dataset coverage, build capacity in those communities and broaden the local knowledge for residents most affected by changing ocean conditions. Continuing ocean acidification work is critical to understanding the effects of ocean acidification effects on important food resources for the Tribes in the Southcentral region. The community response and interest have been overwhelming and the interest outside the region also continues to grow and this video was made to impress upon the Natural Resource Specialists and community leaders the importance of the ocean acidification sampling program and how it fits into the bigger world of ocean acidification research. It is also intended to educate the samplers and leaders on the results to date and provide them the background needed to share the importance and results to residents of these communities.