Habitat Projects in Process

Habitat Projects in Progress

The Southwest Alaska Salmon Habitat Partnership needs your help to complete critical projects. Projects are funded through a mix of private funds, foundation grants and federal appropriations. Private dollars are very significant. For every private dollar contributed to these vital projects, the partners leverage the donation tenfold with federal and foundation grants. Donations go directly into the land. This is terrific leverage and a great philanthropic investment to secure an enduring legacy of world-class fish and wildlife habitat and all the public benefits it brings. Private contributions are the magnet that allows the partners to secure and match federal and foundation funds.

To make a donation by check in support of these projects contact:
Glenn Elison, Partnership Coordinator
6400 Andover Circle
Anchorage, AK 99516
907-868-7974

You can also make a donation directly to The Conservation Fund. Please specify that your donation is to benefit the Southwest Alaska Salmon Habitat Initiative in the "Additional Information" section of the on-line form.

Western Bristol Bay

Agulowak River: The Agulowak River is one of the salmon rich jewels of Southwest Alaska. This 4.5-mile long river flows from Lake Nerka to Lake Aleknagik within the Wood-Tikchik State Park, the nation’s largest state park. The river provides a robust fishery for sport anglers, subsistence and commercial users. The Partnership has negotiated a conservation easement that provides public access with Aleknagik Natives Limited on their land within the Park including both banks of the Agulowak River and approximately 42 miles of productive and scenic shoreline along Lakes Aleknagik and Nerka; a total of about 20,783 acres. The land has great fish and wildlife values and is heavily used for sport fishing. The conservation easement will be managed by the Wood-Tikchik State Park.

Agulukpak River: The Agulukpak is one of the highly productive, short rivers that connect the large lakes of the Wood-Tikchik State Park. The ‘Pak flows two miles from Lake Beverley to Lake Nerka. Like the Agulowak it is a major spawning area for sockeye salmon and supports a high density of rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.

Togiak River: Southwest Alaska Salmon Habitat Partnership partners are working to protect conservation values along the Togiak River within the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. Salmon rich Togiak Riveris the primary source of salmon for local Native communities, a major supplier of the fish caught commercially in the Togiak District, and supports a popular and productive sport fishery.

Eastern Bristol Bay

Alagnak River: The Alagnak River is a major tributary of the Kvichak River, which historically has produced the world’s largest sockeye salmon runs. The Alagnak is heavily used for sport angling and supports the subsistence needs of local communities.

Big Creek: Big Creek is within Becharof National Wildlife Refuge. It is a tributary of the Naknek River and a major spawning area for king, chum and silver salmon. It is a popular subsistence harvest and sport angling destination.

Becharof Lake: Becharof Lake and its tributaries produce the second largest sockeye run in the world and support one of the states highest brown bear densities.

Alaska Peninsula

State Critical Habitat Areas: The Partnership is interested in acquiring conservation easements within Critical Habitat Areas along the north side of the Alaska Peninsula. Port Moeller/Nelson Lagoon, Pilot Point, Cinder River and other lagoons provide world class migratory bird habitat and are import links for major anadromous fish systems such as the Ugashik, Dog Salmon, King Salmon, Cinder and Sapsuk rivers.

Lower Kuskokwim River

Southwest Alaska Salmon Habitat Partnership partners are interested in conserving habitats along the Goodnews, Kanektok, and Arolik Rivers. All of these rivers are major contributors to the Kuskokwim Commercial fishing district. They support the economies and subsistence needs for local communities and are renowned for their sport fisheries.