Life Celebration
For David Rice, 53
A celebration of life for David Russell Rice, 53, will be held 3-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, at the Sitka Moose Lodge.
Those attending are asked to take a side dish, stories and pictures, if available. Masks are required and social distancing is appreciated.
David passed away Sept. 15 at Providence Hospital in Anchorage.
4-H Open House,
Registration Set
Enrollment for Sitka Spruce Tips 4-H Club opens Friday, Oct. 1, for ages 5-18 with an open house 4-6 p.m. at UAS-Sitka Campus, Room 106.
Attendees can meet staff, enroll youths and find out about hands-on learning experiences. For information call 747-7509 or 747-9440.
‘Behind Scenes’
Program at SSSC
Sitka Sound Science Center will host its “Behind the Scenes” series for adults beginning Sept. 30.
The free informal learning events will run 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 30, Oct. 21 and Nov. 18.
The series will feature stand-alone sessions that explore features of the environment celebrated at the Science Center.
First up is an active training on ‘‘Chum Project 101.’’ Participants learn the same skills the chum project field technicians did this summer and will finish with a hands-on jewelry-making foray using otoliths.
Those wanting to participate should register soon as space is limited in keeping with COVID mitigation practices that limits numbers, and includes masking and sanitation.
The Oct. 21 program will be ‘‘Octopus Encounters’’ and the Nov. 18 program is ‘‘Lunar Eclipse.’’
Farewell Party
Set for Edwards
Perry Edwards and Michelle Putz will be leaving Sitka for jobs with the U.S. Forest Service in Salida, Colorado.
Friends wishing to say goodbye are invited to an “open house” 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Halibut Point Recreation Area main shelter.
Taking a snack or dessert to share and a drink is encouraged but not required.
Edwards will be leaving Sitka soon and Putz will stay in Sitka until the ferries return in January, she said.
Both Edwards, Sitka District Ranger, and Putz are employed with the U.S. Forest Service in Sitka.
Those with questions can call Michelle at 747-2708.
Forest Protection
To be Discussed
Dr. Elizabeth Graham, entomologist with the USDA Forest Service, will present ‘‘Forest Health Protection: Western blackheaded budworm: a tiny moth that orchestrates change in an old-growth forest” 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, via Zoom.
The talk is part of the virtual University of Alaska Southeast Evening at Egan series.
The full line-up of the series’ speakers and registration links is currently live at uas.alaska.edu/eganlecture. Once registered, a link is provided to the participant. After each event, the lectures are posted to the UAS YouTube channel. Videos also can be accessed at uas.alaska.edu/eganlecture, with the button for each lecture changing its label from “free registration” to “watch video.”
USDA Seeks Local Input
On Sustainability Strategy
The public is being asked to give ideas, suggestions, or proposals for the economic investment portion of the USDA Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy.
A 30-day engagement period is open through Oct. 18, and an intra-agency team consisting of the Forest Service, Rural Development and Natural Resources Conservation Service wants to hear from locals on how and where money should be spent both short- and long-term.
There are two ways to provide input:
Submitting online at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r10/sass, using an online, input tool.
Sending an e-mail, letter, or investment proposal to: SM.FS.SASS_Info@usda.gov.
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched the Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy to help support a diverse economy, enhance community resilience, and conserve natural resources, a press release said.
The strategy advances economic, ecological, and cultural sustainability in the region in a manner that is directed by local voices and builds on a variety of private-sector economic drivers to include tourism, fishing, and recreation.
To date, the team has received nearly 70 responses, more than 20 proposals, and 10 meeting requests.
“This public engagement is truly open to everyone,” said Chad VanOrmer, deputy regional forester for the Alaska Region of the USDA Forest Service. “We want to hear from rural communities, Tribal Nations and Alaska Native corporations, and anyone who calls Southeast Alaska home.”
To view a previous open house recording and learn more, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1jHL0GsmJE. For a wealth of information about the Alaska Region, visit our media toolkit at:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r10/news-events/?cid=fseprd868372
