Marian King, Board Chair, At-Large
Cassandra Kroto, Board Vice-Chari, Tyonek Native Corportation
Andrea Jacuk, Board Treasurer-Secretary. At-Large
Judd Standifer, Board Director, Native Village of Tyonek
Brandy Standifer, Board Director, Native Village of Tyonek
Angie Cleary, Board Director, Tyonek Native Corporation
Robert Stephan Sr., Board Director, At-Large
Board Chair,
At-Large Seat
Years on Board: 9
[email protected]
Board Vice-Chair, Tyonek Native Corporation Seat
Years on Board: 6
[email protected]
Board Treasurer-Secretary,
At-Large Seat
Years on Board: 5
[email protected]
Board Director,
Native Village of Tyonek Seat
Years on Board: 3
[email protected]
Board Director,
Native Village of Tyonek Seat
Years on Board: 1
[email protected]
Board Director, Tyonek Native Corporation Seat
Years on Board: 2
[email protected]
Board Director,
At-Large Seat
Years on Board: 10
[email protected]
Executive Director
Dr. Stuart is an experienced nonprofit executive with more than 10 years of leadership roles in science education, conservation, and nonprofit management. She came to TTCD after serving as a Director at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, and previously held leadership positions at the Pratt Museum in Homer and at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. A life-long Alaskan, Dr. Stuart earned her Doctorate of Education from the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on sustainability, social justice, and participatory methods in natural resource management.
"My work has focused on fostering pro-conservation identity and behavior, with an understanding that effective conservation policies must be community based”, says Dr. Stuart. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to advance TTCD’s mission to collaboratively manage the district’s natural resources for the benefit of the people who depend upon and steward them."
Habitat Programs Director
Nicole rejoined TTCD in 2024 with 10 years of experience in salmon habitat monitoring and restoration, invasive species management, grant management, and program development. Nicole is passionate about conserving the diverse habitats and ways of living that provided the foundation of her childhood in Southcentral Alaska.
Nicole is honored to help continue the important work of the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District Habitat Restoration Program with the many partners that have made the successes possible. Nicole began developing TTCD’s invasive species programs in 2014 and TTCD is now a significant leader of invasive species management in Upper Cook Inlet. Nicole is the coordinator of the Mat Su Elodea Task Force, has coauthored invasive northern pike research, coordinated the removal of over 7,500 pike from subsistence population rearing habitats, and has served on the board of directors of the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership for 6 years.
Nicole is excited to continue work on fish passage improvements, watershed monitoring, fish population monitoring, and much more with the amazing TTCD team. In her free time, Nicole can be found gardening, hiking, boating, playing music, or pampering her chickens with her family of four.
Tyonek Grown Program Manager
Cayley joined TTCD in the spring of 2023 as the Tyonek Grown Programs Manager. Along with nearly 10 years of farming experience, her academic background spans environmental science, circumpolar food systems, cold climate agriculture, climate change, policy, and sustainability planning. She holds a master’s degree that focuses on policy solutions at the intersection of food systems, equity, and climate change.
Cayley came to TTCD after managing sustainable agriculture research grants across the Western region and supporting the development of a regenerative agriculture and fire/ forest resilience professional development program at UC Berkeley. She has farmed across Alaska, California, and New Zealand but says that “none of those experiences compare to the sense of community that Tyonek has created around the Tyonek Garden through continued community engagement and youth leadership.”
“I am constantly challenged and motivated by my work with TTCD and the Tyonek Grown Program. Right now I’m looking forward to another year of growing at the garden with our youth interns and am excited about the development of many other projects that Tyonek Grown is undertaking!”
Outreach Manage
Charlotte is joining TTCD as the Outreach Manager. They will be leading our Youth and Education program, helping to develop and implement place-based, STEM educational programs at the Tebughna School as well as outreach and communications efforts for the organization. Charlotte brings a unique blend of experience in storytelling, farming, food security, and climate research. Before joining TTCD, Charlotte worked as a farmer in Connecticut, where they cultivated a deep interest in food security and sovereignty, eventually deciding to take a year off from college to support their community by working at a local food pantry. They developed a passion for conservation work during their time as a Coro Fellow in San Francisco, where they worked at The Nature Conservancy, studying the impact of dams on salmon runs as part of the California Water Program. Most recently, they worked at the Rocky Mountain Institute, driving research and storytelling in global sustainability. Born and raised in Southern California, they are now proud to call Anchorage home.
“I am so excited to be joining the team at TTCD to help further the mission of community-driven conservation,” says Charlotte. “I am particularly excited to be working alongside the Tebughna School as an educator, drawing on my experience in farming and food systems work to create a curriculum that feels exciting, engaging, and relevant to the everyday lives of the students in Tyonek.”
Administrative Assistant
Charlsie joined TTCD in 2023 as our part-time Administrative Assistant after retiring from a 30-year career in public service. She is a lifelong Alaskan that enjoys spending time with her family and many pets, flower gardening, and birdwatching.
Grants and Projects Coordinator
In the fall of 2024, Erica Lujan joined the TTCD team as the Grants and Projects Coordinator. Erica focused her BA and MA on social sciences, and has spent her career working across Alaska, researching the health impacts of climate change at UAA, collecting subsistence harvest survey data with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and facilitating climate adaptation plans at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
"I am excited to connect people, communities and agencies in conversations about the unique impacts of climate-driven ecosystem change in Tyonek, helping to ensure community resilience and furthering community-driven conservation priorities."
Conservation Biologist
New to TTCD in 2023, Andy has worked on salmon and invasive species issues around Cook Inlet since 2014. He lives in Kenai with his wife, two kids, and a whole lot of pets. Andy’s education and career has been primarily focused on moose and salmon, which his family also relies on for most of their meals. Andy is excited to be able to put his passion for subsistence and healthy habitats to work for TTCD!
Lead Conservation Technician
Olivia joined Tyonek Tribal Conservation District in the spring of 2024 as a Conservation Technician. She’s a lifelong Alaskan who has spent much of her time working and playing in the Cook Inlet area. Since completing her B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Marine Science, she has contributed to a variety of field biology projects across the Pacific Northwest and is glad to have settled back in Alaska. From her past work in water quality, fisheries, owl research, and beluga whale monitoring, Olivia’s passions lie in biological fieldwork and connecting with the land she resides on. Olivia looks forward to continuing to work with TTCD’s teams and stakeholders towards a conserved, monitored, and sustained district.
“I’m excited and honored to continue to contribute to TTCD and the Habitat Monitoring and Rehabilitation program’s projects. I can’t wait to get back into the field in the coming season to keep building an understanding of the district's habitats and conservation needs.”
Food Distribution Coordinator
Tonya started her journey with TTCD in 2014 as the program assistant. Eager to be more of service to her people, The Tubughna, she made her path to Tyonek in 2024. During her time settling in her Village, an opportunity to continue to work for TTCD was an exciting choice that she knew she had to jump on to continue her work in service.
“I feel my best when working with youth outside, laughing, joking and I'm always excited to see smiling faces from the community when markets are up. It's an honor to serve and feed my tribe. It's been a great path for me, and I enjoy the unity and the commitment that we all put into serving Tyonek.”
Title
Olivia joined Tyonek Tribal Conservation District in the spring of 2024 as a Conservation Technician. She’s a lifelong Alaskan who has spent much of her time working and playing in the Cook Inlet area. Since completing her B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Marine Science, she has contributed to a variety of field biology projects across the Pacific Northwest and is glad to have settled back in Alaska. From her past work in water quality, fisheries, owl research, and beluga whale monitoring, Olivia’s passions lie in biological fieldwork and connecting with the land she resides on. Olivia looks forward to continuing to work with TTCD’s teams and stakeholders towards a conserved, monitored, and sustained district.
“I’m excited and honored to continue to contribute to TTCD and the Habitat Monitoring and Rehabilitation program’s projects. I can’t wait to get back into the field in the coming season to keep building an understanding of the district's habitats and conservation needs.”
Executive Director
[email protected]
Habitat Programs Director
[email protected]
Conservation Biologist
[email protected]
Lead Conservation Technician
[email protected]
Tyonek Grown Programs Manager
[email protected]
Outreach Manager
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Grants and Projects Coordinator
[email protected]
TTCD became the first Tribal Conservation District in Alaska and the thirty-first in the nation through a mutual agreement between the Native Village of Tyonek (NVT), Tyonek Native Corporation (TNC) and the United States Department of Agriculture.
2005First Natural Resource Technician was hired September 2011
2011First fish barrier culvert replaced in 202. Thirteen barriers were replaced between 2012-2024, for a total of 60.2 upstream miles and 500 lake acres of salmon habitat restored.
2012TTCD began working with the Native Village of Tyonek to develop an agricultural program aimed at enhancing food security and providing fresh organic vegetables to community members.
2012TTCD partnered with the Native Village of Tyonek (NVT) IGAP department to assist with planning to guide Tyonek decision making and future conservation and environmental projects.
2013A full-time Conservation Project Manager and a Program Assistant were hired.
2014The Tyonek Garden was expanded with the addition of two NRCS-funded high tunnels, a water tower, and a storage shed.
2014TTCD began coordinating regular visits to Tebughna School, incorporating youth education into all conservation projects, such as the salmon life cycle, watershed ecology, plant anatomy, soil health, and gardening.
2014This plan guides TTCD’s monitoring and restoration efforts in collaboration with landowners and partners to protect the natural resources within the Tyonek Area Watershed.
2016The Tyonek Grown program underwent evaluation and business planning in effort to improve operations and data tracking.
2017TTCD partnered with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Native Village of Tyonek to form an Invasive Pike Partnership, and played a leading role in establishing the Mat-Su Elodea Task Force.
2018The pandemic led to significant staff turnover and programmatic challenges.
2020TTCD hired a new executive director, as well as six new full-time staff members and underwent a Strategic Planning Retreat with the TTCD Board.
2022 - 2023To be completed in 2024-2025. See Climate Resilience Planning page for more information.
To be completed in 2025.
