Introduction
The boundaries of the Matanuska River valley range from the Talkeetna Mountains to the north, the Matanuska Glacier to the east, the Chugach National Forest to the south, and the Cook Inlet/Gulf of Alaska to the west. It is extremely rugged and diverse terrain, spanning 10,000 foot mountains and impassable glaciers, numerous rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands, and coastal habitats at sea level. The northern boreal forest, primarily a spruce-birch-aspen mix, covers much of our mid-altitude lands and provides much of our sustenance. Historically harvested resources include salmon, moose, caribou, beluga whale, grizzly, and black bear, Dall sheep, beaver, hare, birch bark, berries, spruce roots, and numerous other animals and plants for food, medicine, tools, and fiber.
As one of the few Alaska Native villages on the road system, we live in a culturally integrated community. It is essential that Chickaloon Native Village acts as a steward of its own land, and advocates for appropriate, non-damaging activities on adjacent lands. The EBP focuses on lands currently owned by Chickaloon Native Village, but encompasses the entire Matanuska Valley, which are ecologically inseparable.
We recognize that ecosystems don’t follow land ownership boundaries. As a result, this project is designed to help bridge the gap between Native and non-Native communities by serving both the Tribal community of Chickaloon Village and the larger community of the Matanuska Valley.
Need...
