Sitka Conservation Society, Inc.

Sitka Conservation Society, Inc., a tax-exempt nonprofit based in Sitka, Alaska, operates as a federal grant recipient delivering conservation education, youth workforce development, and indigenous food sovereignty programs to the Department of Agriculture and related federal agencies. The organization does not hold federal contracts as a prime or subcontractor; its federal footprint consists entirely of grant awards and sub-awards from civilian conservation and natural resource agencies.

Sitka Conservation Society's recent activity centers on the Department of Agriculture, which accounts for 64% of the organization's grant awards. The USDA Office of the Secretary has funded four grants to support youth engagement and tribal food sovereignty work, including a September 2024 cooperative agreement to conduct "train the trainer" outreach expanding delivery of the Citizen Engagement Program for Alaska Youth regarding the Federal Subsistence Board, partnering with tribal-led groups to offer courses virtually; a September 2024 cooperative agreement to conduct research, analyze barriers, and identify opportunities to increase food sovereignty and economic opportunities for tribal nations and Alaska natives dependent on indigenous fish and seafood through September 2026; and an April 2024 three-month cooperative agreement funding in-person engagement with USDA staff to understand procurement systems for fish within USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. The USDA Forest Service has funded two additional grants, including a September 2023 cooperative agreement supporting a curriculum developed by the U.S. Forest Service that teaches youth subsistence rules and interaction with the Federal Subsistence Board, running through September 2026. In September 2022, the USDA National Resources Conservation Service awarded Sitka Conservation Society $250,000 under the Soil and Water Conservation program (CFDA 10.902) for the Southeast Alaska Youth Education 4H Expansion Project through December 2025, providing conservation technical assistance and hands-on learning opportunities in partnership with local 4H chapters.

Most significantly, the Denali Commission awarded Sitka Conservation Society $1.14 million on March 1, 2026, under the Denali Commission Program (CFDA 90.100) for Young Growth Collaboration Opportunities, with a performance period extending through March 2032. This award represents the largest single award in the organization's recent footprint. Sitka Conservation Society also operates as a sub-recipient on three environmental grants awarded in 2025: a Thriving Communities Type 3 Project Development grant from EPA (via Philanthropy Northwest prime grantee) focused on environmental justice and community resilience in Southeast Alaska; a National Forest Foundation award supporting youth crews in public land stewardship and natural resource career pathways; and a U.S. Foundation grant for abandoned vessel removal and outreach education. The organization's combined obligated federal spending across all awards totals $3.2 million, with only one award (worth $6 thousand) currently scheduled to reach ultimate completion within the next twenty-four months.