Replanting Little Tonsina and Bench Dedication

On September 9th, the Chugach Alaska Corporation dedicated a new public bench at the Little Tonsina bridge site to David Phillips. The ceremony was a touching dedication to a man highly regarded by his peers and friends in the Chugach Corporation.

Several CRWP staff members attended the dedication and, after the ceremony, replanted native plants on the banks of the Little Tonsina project site. Staff members Alexis Cooper, Amanda Jackson, Colleen Merrick, and CRWP Board Member Tenley Nelson joined youth from the Native Village of Tazlina, Copper River Native Association, and Kluti Kaah in collaboration, co-stewardship and planning to create this meaningful project.

Several native species of sedges, shrubs, and trees were provided by the Alaska Soil and Water Conservation District. Nearly 210 sedges, 200 bulbs of mature vetch root-wads, and 500 one-inch plugs of dwarf fireweed and sweet vetch were planted to restore vegetation, allowing roots to hold the bank together and act as a nature-based solution.  We hope they will grow and spread throughout the project site. 

The replanting effort tapped Lakota McRoberts, a Permaculture Design Specialist, for her knowledge of sustainable and holistic solutions. Healthy living mulch from salvaged material was used in replanting and will aid in moisture retention, provide organic matter for the soil, and provide insulation for the plants. The collaborative group worked quickly, feeling the race against first snow. It takes patience to dig hundreds of holes and pat each one in place! 

A new roadway/informational sign was also placed at the site, and the Chugach Alaska Corporation hosted the dedication. The sign shows the connection, partnership, and complexity of the watershed system with guidance from Ahtna’s traditional ecological knowledge.

These partnerships are leading to future stewardship action within the community. Stay tuned to watch this grow!