Chugach Regional Resources Commission: 23rd Annual Subsistence Memorial Gathering Workshop

Since 1999, the Chugach Regional Resources Commission (CRRC) has been hosting the Annual Subsistence Memorial Gathering. This event, held near the anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, honors the resilience and adaptation of the people of the Chugach region after the disaster.

In 2025, the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council partnered with CRRC and Alaska Sea Grant to host a workshop at the 23rd Annual Subsistence Memorial Gathering to share current environmental and social science research in the Chugach region with community members. An important goal was to hear community members’ ideas about current and future project needs, informed by their experiences and local knowledge. In addition to the co-hosts, researchers from Alaska Pacific University, Seldovia Village Tribe, Fjord & Fish Sciences, Prince William Sound Science Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kodiak Area Native Association, CRRC, and Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve shared brief updates about their work. During morning and afternoon sessions, participants gathered in roundtable discussions to share stories of change in the region. They were encouraged to consider how the research presented could be more collaborative and responsive to community needs, what social science projects might be helpful for community planning, and ways to promote better community well-being through resilience and adaptation.

Through conversations and story-sharing, several key themes emerged. Communities are observing shifting seasons and the effects of climate change and want to better understand what’s happening and why. Participants emphasized the need for clear, accessible communication about scientific findings. They also highlighted the value of local knowledge in shaping future research. Finally, they stressed that strong community relationships depend on consistent communication and ongoing engagement from researchers.