In 2005, the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District (TTCD) was established as a non-regulatory 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization through a mutual agreement between the Native Village of Tyonek, the Tyonek Native Corporation, and the United States Department of Agriculture. The mission of TTCD is to foster partnerships among tribal government entities in Tyonek, its beneficiaries, universities, and state and federal agencies to conserve, enhance and encourage the wise use of natural resources. TTCD is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of seven members. The Board includes two representatives appointed by the Native Village of Tyonek IRA Council, two representatives appointed by the Tyonek Native Corporation Board of Directors, and up to three at-large representatives selected by the Board.
The District shares its boundaries with Game Management Unit 16B and encompasses the traditional hunting and fishing grounds of the Dena’ina Athabascan Tebughna people. This area spans 6.6 million acres and includes the communities of Tyonek, Beluga, Alexander Creek, Skwentna, and Shirleyville. These communities are not accessible by road and are located approximately 40 to 65 air miles across Cook Inlet from Anchorage. Approximately 170 tribal members reside within the Alaskan Native Village of Tyonek, while an additional 600 to 900 individuals live in other locations but remain culturally and economically connected to the land, with many returning for subsistence activities during the summer months.
During the 1990s, rapid natural resource development occurred in the Tyonek area. After these companies largely abandoned their pursuits in the area, critical issues such as water and air quality, salmon populations, forest health, and invasive species were left unmonitored by any local entity with in-depth historical understanding of the area’s natural balance. This lack of local oversight was a significant factor in the establishment of the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District, which aimed to increase local involvement in monitoring and managing the region’s natural resources.
Since hiring its first staff in 2011, TTCD has established strong partnerships and collaborated with community members of all ages to implement a diverse array of projects. These projects include culvert replacements, forestry planning, air and water quality monitoring, invasive plant surveys, youth science education, a community garden and food distribution program, and watershed planning. As a result, we have earned a reputation as a leading tribal entity and conservation organization at local, state, and national levels.
