Arctic Slope
Restoring salmon monitoring after a decade gap
A district-led survey program brought consistent fish-count data back to an unmonitored watershed.
Read Story →Est. 2025 · Statewide
One land.
Many districts.
One network.
The Alaska Tribal Conservation District Network connects Tribally-led conservation districts across the state — sharing resources, training, and a unified voice for land, water, and subsistence stewardship.
Each node marks a member district community. Interactive district map coming soon.
14
Member Districts
220+
Tribal Communities
6
Regions Represented
2025
Network Founded
Overview
Purpose of the Network
The Alaska Tribal Conservation District Network exists to coordinate, strengthen, and amplify the work of Tribal Conservation Districts (TCDs) across Alaska — closing the funding, training, and communication gaps that districts have historically faced alone.
A Unified Voice
Fourteen districts speaking with one coordinated voice carry more weight with state and federal partners than any one district alone.
Shared Resources
Training materials, toolkits, and templates built once by the Network are reused by every district statewide.
Stronger Funding Access
Grant navigation support and coordinated proposals help member districts compete for funding that's hard to reach alone.
Organizational structure
Governed by member districts, not for them
The Network is overseen by a board drawn from member district representatives across six regions, supported by a small coordinating staff. Regional coordinators connect the board to day-to-day district needs, and standing committees (policy, funding, training) carry out the Network's priorities between board meetings.
Governs
Member Board
One representative per member district sets statewide priorities and approves the annual work plan.
Coordinates
Regional Coordinators
Six regional leads connect board priorities to the realities of districts in their part of the state.
Delivers
Standing Committees
Policy, Funding, and Training committees carry the day-to-day work of the Network forward.
Mission & values
Strategic priorities that guide our work
These principles shape every training, toolkit, and partnership the Network builds — and remain a living document as the Network grows.
Mission
Coordinate, don't replace
We exist to connect and support member districts — never to speak over them or take on decisions that belong to Tribal governments.
Value
Tribally led, always
Every priority the Network pursues is set by member districts, not handed down from an agency or outside institution.
Value
Share the work
If one district builds a solution, every district should be able to use it — duplication of effort is what we're built to eliminate.
Why the network exists
What membership changes
A toolkit built once and adapted in an afternoon, instead of a wheel reinvented every grant cycle.
01
Shared resources
Templates, curricula, and field protocols
A statewide network to point to changes how agencies and funders respond to a single district's request.
02
Collective weight
One coordinated voice across districts
A training library that saves a small staff months of work in its first year of operation.
03
Faster start-up
Support for new and growing districts
Learn
What is a TCD?
Understand how Tribal Conservation Districts function and where they fit alongside Tribes and agency partners.
Read more →See impact
Impact
Real projects, real communities — see what member districts are accomplishing across Alaska, and share a story of your own.
Read more →Join
Get Involved
Pathways to become a member district or engage with your existing district's work.
Read more →Join us
Be part of this community
Every member district makes the Network stronger. Whether you're a Tribal government exploring a first conservation district or an individual looking to volunteer, there's a place for you here.
Learn
What is a Tribal Conservation District?
The foundation of everything the Network does — how TCDs are defined, how they function, and how they relate to the people and partners around them.
Definition
A Tribally-governed body for stewardship — and a community of practice
A Tribal Conservation District (TCD) is a district established by a Tribe to lead conservation planning and stewardship on and around Tribal lands — covering land use, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and subsistence resources — governed according to the Tribe's own priorities rather than a state framework.
Together, Alaska's TCDs also form a community of practice: a group of people who share a concern for the land and water they care for, and who deepen their knowledge and skill in that work by interacting with one another on an ongoing basis. Membership is defined by shared practice, not by geography or job title — coordinators, technicians, board members, and Elders all belong.
That is what makes the Network more than a directory. Districts learn in the open — trading templates, field methods, hard-won lessons, and the occasional cautionary tale — so that experience earned in one region becomes usable knowledge in every other, and no district has to solve alone a problem another has already worked through.
14
TCDs currently operating across six regions of Alaska
How it functions
How TCDs operate in Alaska
01
Established by Tribal resolution
A federally recognized Tribe formally establishes its TCD, defining its scope and initial priorities.
02
Governed by a local board
A board or designated staff, accountable to the Tribe, sets the district's conservation agenda.
03
Delivers on-the-ground stewardship
Districts monitor water and wildlife, plan land use, and run community education and training.
04
Connects into the statewide Network
Districts plug into shared resources, funding support, and a collective policy voice.
Relationships
How TCDs relate to Tribes, agencies & partners
Tribes
The TCD acts as the Tribe's conservation arm — accountable to Tribal leadership and community priorities first.
Agencies
State and federal agencies partner with TCDs on monitoring, permitting input, and technical assistance.
Partners
Nonprofits, universities, and regional organizations collaborate with TCDs on funded projects and research.
The practice in action
See what TCDs are accomplishing
Southeast
Securing a watershed buffer through district advocacy
Coordinated public comment helped secure a protective buffer around a subsistence stream.
Read Story →
Yukon-Kuskokwim
Drafting a first-ever land-use plan with Network templates
A district without prior planning capacity completed its first land-use plan in under a year.
Read Story →Ready to start or strengthen a TCD?
Explore engagement pathways and see how to become a member district.
Get InvolvedFor agencies & partners
Working Effectively with TCDs
Educational materials, training, and tools for agency staff and partner organizations who want to collaborate well with Tribal Conservation Districts.
Training Video
Introduction to Tribal Conservation Districts
A 12-minute overview presentation for agency staff new to working with TCDs.
Guide
Agency Partnership Handbook
A downloadable manual covering protocol, communication norms, and common pitfalls.
Template
Letter of Support Examples
Sample letters districts can adapt when supporting a partner's grant application.
Toolkit
Regional Case Study: Southcentral Partnership
How one agency and district built a five-year cooperative agreement from scratch.
Guide
Cultural Consultation Basics
A short guide on respectful, effective consultation practices with Tribal partners.
Presentation
Funding Landscape for TCDs (Slides)
A presentation deck summarizing common federal and state funding sources.
Geography
Map of TCDs
A statewide view of member district locations — full interactive map integration is planned for a future release.
Have a resource to contribute?
We're always adding to this library — reach out if your organization has materials to share.
Contact UsJoin the network
How to Get Involved
Whether you're a Tribe exploring a first conservation district or an individual who wants to help, here's how to plug in.
Overview
Engagement pathways
For Tribes
Become a Member District
Establish a TCD and join the statewide Network as a full member district.
For Members
Engage With Your District
Attend meetings, join a committee, or volunteer for local stewardship work.
For Everyone
Support the Work
Share success stories, spread the word, or connect us with potential partners.
Becoming a TCD
Membership, step by step
01
Reach out
Send us a message — whether you're an existing TCD, a Tribe exploring one, or a partner organization.
02
We assess fit & needs
We'll talk through where your district (or prospective district) is at, and what kind of support would help most.
03
Onboard as a member
Member districts get access to the Member Portal — the shared resource library, discussion board, and calendar.
04
Plug into the Network
Attend regional meetings, contribute to committees, and bring your district's voice into statewide priorities.
Already a member?
Engaging with your district
Simple ways to get more involved locally, no matter your role.
01
Attend a meeting
Public meetings and regional trainings are open — check News & Events for the next one near you.
02
Join a committee
Policy, Funding, and Training committees are always looking for member district representatives.
03
Volunteer locally
Ask your district coordinator about upcoming stewardship days, monitoring, or youth programs.
Ready to take the next step?
Tell us a little about your district or interest, and we'll follow up personally.
Contact the NetworkStay informed
News & Events
Upcoming meetings, trainings, and public events across the Network — plus the latest news from member districts.
Upcoming events
Public calendar
Sep
18
Network Meeting
Fall Regional Meeting — Southeast
Oct
02
Workshop
Grant Writing Basics for District Staff
Oct
14
Public Meeting
Statewide Water Quality Public Forum
Nov
05
Training
Water Quality Monitoring Field Training
Jan
22
Network Meeting
Annual Network Meeting
Feb
10
Public Meeting
Coastal Erosion Community Listening Session
Mark your calendar
Important dates
Annual Network MeetingJanuary 22–23, 2027
Spring Regional Meetings (all regions)April 2027
Fall Regional Meeting — SoutheastSeptember 18, 2026
Latest news
From the Network
Network Announcement
Network welcomes two new member districts for 2026
Aug 2026
Network Announcement
Training library surpasses 40 resources after year one
Jul 2026
Network Announcement
Applications open for the Regional Coordinator fellowship
Jun 2026
Don't miss an update
Reach out to be added to the Network's regional meeting and training notifications.
Get NotifiedImpact
What member districts are making possible
The work is local, but the lessons travel. This is where the Network gathers what districts are accomplishing across Alaska — and where your district can add its own.
From the districts
Success Stories
Real projects, real communities. Featured stories from member districts will be published here as they are collected and approved for sharing.
Placeholder banner — final success story imagery to be supplied by the Network.
Prefer to talk it through first?
Reach any of the Network staff directly — contact details are at the bottom of every page.
See ContactsFunding & opportunities
Opportunities
Grant opportunities, funding announcements, and requests for proposals relevant to Tribal Conservation Districts.
Open
Tribal Wildlife Grant — Habitat Restoration
Funding for habitat restoration and species monitoring projects led by Tribal governments and TCDs.
New
State Water Quality Cost-Share Program
Cost-share funding announcement for water quality monitoring equipment and staff time.
Closing Soon
RFP: Regional Training Curriculum Development
The Network is seeking proposals to develop a shared curriculum for new district technicians.
Open
BIA Tribal Resilience Program Grant
Supports climate adaptation planning, including erosion and coastal resilience projects.
Closed
Regional Salmon Monitoring Supplement
A past funding round that supported three districts' salmon monitoring equipment purchases.
Open
RFP: Statewide Toolkit Design Services
Seeking a designer to help produce printable versions of the Network's core toolkits.
Opportunities are updated regularly — check back often, or contact us to be notified when new grants and RFPs are posted.
Need help applying?
Member districts get direct funding navigation support from the Network team.
Become a MemberMember access
Member Portal Login
Sign in with your district credentials to access the Discussion Board, Calendar, Committees, Resources Library, Action Center, and Member Directory.
Not a member yet? Learn how to join, or contact us to request portal access.