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Welcome to the sixth annual Prince William Sound Natural History Symposium!
Below you'll find 22 videos featuring 27 expert speakers from this year's event!

David Irons, “Prince William Sound Seabird Highlights 2024”

David Irons, President, Arctic Insight; Retired US Fish and Wildlife Seabird Program Supervisor.

 

David shares some seabird highlights, focusing on a few of the more common and interesting species. For example, what has happened black-legged kittiwakes in the past 40 years? How is the recovery of pigeon guillemots at Naked Island? What are parakeet auklets and Kittlitz’s murrelets, and where do they live? Do arctic terns really fly to Antarctica every winter? Can pigeon guillemots predict when lingcod will be abundant again?


David Irons came to Alaska in 1976 from Penn State to work as an assistant on a sea otter project on Attu Island, where he spent many cold hours underwater in leaky dry suits counting sea urchins and other benthic invertebrates. He received his MS from Oregon State University in 1982. With his attention switching from marine mammals and the nearshore community to seabirds and the marine ecosystem, David received his PhD from UC Irvine in 1992. His work throughout Alaska has focused on seabird foraging behavior and ecology and population changes related to food availability and climate change. He also conducted long-term studies on the effects of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill on marine birds. Recently, he has been working with seabird scientists from other Arctic countries to investigate the effects of climate change on seabirds at the circumpolar scale. He is currently working in Prince William Sound on pigeon guillemots and black-legged kittiwakes. Results of his work are published in many peer-reviewed journal articles.

Begich, Boggs Visitor Center Rangers, “Glaciers: Unveiling their Formation, Impacts, and Recession”

 

Begich, Boggs Visitor Center Rangers discuss what makes a glacier, how they shape the landscape, and what happens as they recede.

 

Aubrey Jurgerson has been with the Chugach National Forest for three seasons, working out of the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center in Portage, Alaska, and serving as an Interpretive Ranger/Visitor Information Assistant. Aubrey's academic experience includes an Associate of Applied Science in Wilderness Management from Vermilion Community College in Ely, Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Parks and Recreation Management from Northern Arizona University. Aubrey is grateful to spend her summers sharing the wonders of the Chugach National Forest and Prince William Sound with visitors to the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, onboard Phillip's Cruises and Tours, Portage Glacier Cruises, and the Alaska Railroad's Glacier Discovery Train.

Brittney Salazar is going on her second year at the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center with the Chugach National Forest as an Interpretive Ranger/Visitor Information Assistant. Originally from Virginia, she moved to Alaska 3 years ago with her husband and dog. She grew up catching critters and exploring the natural world, and is now thankful to find herself working in the environmental field she was always fascinated with. She has prior experience working for the Navy and Air Force, but now uses her knowledge of wildlife conservation and natural history to teach others.

Marty Zender, a permanent seasoned interpreter ranger, thrives in his fourth season at the Chugach National Forest. He transitioned from a student trainee to a Visitor Information Specialist at the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. Armed with a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Resource Management from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Marty passionately shares insights about Alaska’s cultural and natural resources. Whether aboard the Alaskan Railroad Glacier Discovery Train, M/V Ptarmigan or during Philips Boat Cruises, Marty’s expertise enriches the experiences of diverse passengers visiting this remarkable region.

Dan Olsen, "Mother knows best: Culture among Killer whales"

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Dan Olsen discusses the idea that several species of mammals exhibit culture, with multigenerational learning and traditions that are passed down within a family or social group. Also, that calves have a higher survival rate when both their mothers and grandmothers are still alive. There are lots of acoustics in this one, recordings of calls.

 

Dan Olsen is a Field Biologist with the North Gulf Oceanic Society.

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Dave Goldstein, "Prince William Sound Weather"

 

Dave covers general weather around Alaska, from land to sea to air. He shares information sources, how to interpret that information, and how to use it for your work and play. The end goal is to help you be safe, prepare for weather challenges that may develop and to keep inconveniences to a bare minimum.

 

Dave Goldstein completed his Meteorology degree from Penn State in 1970. He worked for 36 years with the National Weather Service, 29 of those years in Alaska, retiring in 2003. He owns Alaska Weather Consulting, LLC and serves as its chief meteorologist. Through his company, he provides high-quality weather services designed to meet specific weather needs across the State of Alaska. His services are used by private, public, and governmental interests. Since retiring, Dave shares his time with many organizations. He is as a member of the Prince William Sound RCAC and the Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce. He stays active in the Begich Towers condo project and has served on its Board and on several of its committees. He was part of the effort that created the Whittier Museum, ran an active charter business out of Whittier from 2000-2017, served time on the City Council and currently sits on the Whittier Ports and Harbor Commission. He deeply appreciates his time in Whittier. He marvels at the uniqueness of living in a community that not only boasts some of the best water in the Country but provides access to both the ocean and mountains/glaciers…all literally within walking distance of his home. Dave says some of the best things about “semi-retirement” are increased opportunities to spend time with family and friends and the expanded ability to contribute to making life better for all.

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Heather Reiss, “Cultural Connections”

 

In our "Cultural Connections" session, we'll focus on enhancing your cultural communication skills as a tour guide. In this 45-minute talk, we'll learn how to respectfully educate tourists about local Indigenous cultures, fostering empathy and critical thinking. We'll delve into topics such as land acknowledgments, the significance of including Alaska Native language in cultural discussions, and the influence of narratives on perceptions to deepen your cultural awareness and improve communication skills.

 

Heather Reiss brings nearly two decades of experience in the outdoor education sector, with a focus on inspiring learning in iconic landscapes like Nez Perce National Historical Park, Yellowstone, the Tetons, and Denali National Park. Currently pursuing a graduate degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education at Alaska Pacific University, her research centers on co-developing a curriculum with Indigenous stakeholders for tour guides to promote culturally respectful tourism education. Heather resides in Palmer with her family.

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Introduction and Dave Dickason, "City of Whittier Updates" 

Dave Dickason is the Mayor of the City of Whittier.

Robin McKnight, "Land Acknowledgement and Introduction to the Chugach Peoples"

 

Chugach Regional Resources Commission, the natural resource entity for the Chugach region, gives a brief overview of their organization. They begin the day by presenting the land acknowledgement used by the CRRC Board and employees, followed by a brief conversation about the importance and purpose of land acknowledgement. They also discuss CRRC's mission and provide information on ongoing projects that support Tribal communities in the Chugach region, including those in Prince William Sound.

 

Robin McKnight is the Chugach Regional Resources Commission's Education and Outreach Specialist. She was born and raised in Seward, Alaska. Robin received her Environmental Studies and Geography undergraduate degree at Florida State University. She spent two years in the Westfjords of Iceland, attending grad school for Coastal and Marine Management before returning to Alaska. Before working for CRRC, Robin was an Alaska Sea Grant Fellow working on mariculture outreach and development. In her role with CRRC, she implements and supports Indigenous natural resource education programs that integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge with Western science. Robin coordinates communication between CRRC, communities, and partner entities while co-coordinating the Collective Alaska Native Perspectives training. Additionally, she represents CRRC in the CORaL Network.

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David Scheel, “Giant Alaska Octopuses”

 

The largest octopus species in the world is the giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini). This is the common species in Prince William Sound, and familiar to beach combers, subsistence harvesters and pot fisherman. However, there is a second previously unrecognized species of large octopus in the Sound that is more common than you might think. Scheel reviews how to recognize the two species and discusses the trends in octopus populations as a result of climate change. The Alaska Pacific University Aquarium Lab in Anchorage keeps octopuses for behavioral study, and Scheel shares how to keep an octopus well and healthy during transport to an aquarium.

 

David Scheel is a Professor of Marine Biology at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, Alaska. He has worked primarily with octopuses for almost thirty years, in Alaska and across the Pacific. He lived for a year with an octopus in his house while starring, with Heidi the Octopus and his daughter Laurel, in PBS’s Octopus: Making Contact (BBC The Octopus in My House, 2019). He is the author of Many Things Under a Rock: The Mysteries of Octopuses (W.W. Norton Books, 2023), taking the reader on in-depth encounters with the behavior and biology of octopuses, which are among the world’s most unusual and intriguing animals.

Recommended Resources:

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Jack Blackwell, Katherine Carlton, Adam Turner, “Prince William Sound ANCSA Village & Regional Corporations”

 

Jack Blackwell is the Vice President of Lands and Resources for Chugach Alaska Corporation. After a 32-year career with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, which included serving as the Superintendent of the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound state parks, he retired from state service to work for Chugach Alaska Corporation. Jack was raised in Southeast Alaska and has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management from the University of Alaska – Fairbanks.

Originally from Cordova, Alaska, Katherine Carlton is a shareholder and employee of Chugach Alaska Corporation. She began her career at Chugach in 2005 and has worked for her corporation in ten different roles, but most recently as the Vice President of ANCSA and Community Affairs. She is passionate about improving the lives of Native people. She also serves as co-chair of Native American Contractors Association and as the local board member of the Selective Service System for the State of Alaska. Katherine holds a Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of Alaska, a graduate certificate in Alaska Native Executive Leadership from the Alaska Pacific University, and is a recent graduate of the Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School.

Adam Turner is the General Manager of Chenega Regional Development Group based out of Anchorage. He comes from an infrastructure construction and business development background having worked on projects in both urban and rural areas throughout Alaska. He moved to Alaska in the early 1980’s as a child and is proud to have raised two children here. He and his family love Alaska for the same reason most people do – the opportunity to take advantage of the unique recreational opportunities Alaska provides for.

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Tim Lydon, “Introduction to Land Management in Chugach National Forest”

 

Tim Lydon is the US Forest Service wilderness manager for the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area in western Prince William Sound. He arrived on the Chugach National Forest in 2011, after nearly 20 years in wilderness management on the Tongass National Forest in Juneau. He spent many years guiding rafting, kayaking, and snow machine tours. Tim is also a freelance writer, the assistant editor of Alaska magazine, and the author of a book on sea kayaking in British Columbia and Alaska. He is a founding member of the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation and with his wife, Barbara, enjoys showing their young daughter the wonders of the Sound.

Savannah Costner and Halley Werner, “Spud & Ruffles: A Story of Two Rehabilitated Harbor Seals”

 

Since opening in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center has released over 150 harbor seals back to the ocean of which 14% have been from Prince William Sound. Join staff from the Wildlife Response Department to learn how orphaned harbor seal pups were raised and ultimately released through the experiences of two seals from the 2023 season. Looking forward to summer, they will review what to do if you see a harbor seal of concern.

 

Wildlife Response Curator Jane Belovarac and Animal Care Specialists Savannah Costner and Halley Werner have over 40 years of combined experience caring for marine mammals. Over the years, they have had the honor to work closely with a wide variety of Alaskan marine animals–ranging from ducklings to beluga whales. Over the summer seasons, most of their time involves taking care of orphaned harbor seal pups from all over southern Alaska.

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Lindsey Hammer, “Whittier Tourism Best Management Practices (TBMP)”

 

Lindsey Hammer is the Program Manager at the Prince William Sound Economic Development District.

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Tim Lydon and Charla Hughes, “Volunteering with PWSSF and Friends”

 

In addition to putting on the annual PWS Natural History Symposium, the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation coordinates a number of volunteer opportunities each year. Learn more about PWSSF, their growing network of partners, and opportunities to get involved.

 

Tim Lydon is the US Forest Service wilderness manager for the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area in western Prince William Sound. He arrived on the Chugach National Forest in 2011, after nearly 20 years in wilderness management on the Tongass National Forest in Juneau. He spent many years guiding rafting, kayaking, and snow machine tours. Tim is also a freelance writer, the assistant editor of Alaska magazine, and the author of a book on sea kayaking in British Columbia and Alaska. He is a founding member of the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation and with his wife, Barbara, enjoys showing their young daughter the wonders of the Sound.

Charla Hughes is the Executive Director of the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation. She joined PWSSF in 2021 after a decade in academia. Charla has a Ph.D. in English from Louisiana State University, and her writing–on everything from mid-century American poetry to backpacker fashion–has appeared in various popular and academic publications.

Jessi Massingale, “Beatson Mine Remediation Project on Latouche Island”

 

Rio Tinto presents an overview of the mining history at the Beatson Mine Site, on Latouche Island, Prince William Sound, Alaska, including an overview of existing conditions and information on recent technical studies performed by Rio Tinto to understand the extent of metals contamination from historic mining waste rock source material and current efforts to develop a cleanup plan in coordination with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and other stakeholders. The planned cleanup will result in significant improvements to the environment including removal of waste rock piles and metal and timber debris, as well as removal of a derelict aboveground storage tank and piping. Surface water and groundwater are expected to improve through removal of known sources of metals leaching. The cleanup project will revegetate areas of the site where waste rock and debris are removed, aiding in restoring the land to its prior state. This presentation will provide members of the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation with information that will support future public comment periods held by DEC and/or other permitting agencies as part of the regulatory process.

 

Jessi Massingale is an environmental engineer and principal with Floyd|Snider, a Seattle-based consulting firm, who is supporting Rio Tinto with the Beatson Mine Remediation Project. Jessi is a Professional Engineer with over 20 years of experience in the investigation, design, strategy, and regulatory compliance for in-water and upland remediation and redevelopment projects, as well as experience leading cleanup activities at mine reclamation sites. Her focus in recent years has also included the management of complex multi-group and interdisciplinary remediation projects and leading regulatory coordination and stakeholder engagement efforts.

John Moran, “The Decline of Humpback Whales in Prince William Sound, Alaska following the 2014-2016 Pacific Marine Heatwave” and “Large whale entanglement response in Alaska”

 

John Moran is a research fisheries biologist at NOAA’s Auke Bay Laboratories in Juneau, Alaska. He received a M.S. from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in fisheries and completed his undergraduate studies in zoology and marine biology at the University of New Hampshire. John has worked across Alaska (Southeast, Kodiak, Bristol Bay, Prince William Sound, and the North Slope) studying fish, birds, and mammals. Currently he is focusing his efforts on the impacts of recovering humpback whale populations on Pacific herring and the effects of whale watching on humpback whales. He is also one of 4 people in Alaska authorized to disentangle large whales.

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Barbara Mahoney and Bonnie Easley-Appleyard, “DEAD or ALIVE - MARINE MAMMAL BEST PRACTICES”

 

Do you like going out on the water, whether on your own boat or kayak, a friend’s, or maybe a whale watching boat?

 

Learn how you can be part of an important network that cares about marine mammals in Prince William Sound and provides reports on alive and dead strandings. You will learn who to contact when you see stranded animals, what information to collect, and why this is all important.

 

NOAA Fisheries provides management and oversight for the conservation and management of all cetaceans and pinnipeds (except walrus) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act as well as any species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

 

Barbara Mahoney and Bonnie Easley-Appleyard also present marine mammal viewing practices that reduce impacts to these amazing and beautiful creatures. Operators that advertise whale watching as a part of their services can join Whale SENSE. Developed in collaboration with the whale watching industry, Whale SENSE recognizes companies committed to responsible marine mammal viewing practices.

 

Barbara Mahoney continues to work for NOAA Fisheries at the Anchorage Field Office after more than 30 years. She spent most of her career responding to stranded marine mammals throughout the state, with an emphasis in Cook Inlet. Ms. Mahoney continues to work with industry, the public, network members, and volunteers to expand the stranding program throughout the state and is happy to be working with people that live and work in Prince William Sound.

 

Bonnie Easley-Appleyard has primarily worked on the conservation and recovery of marine mammals listed under the Endangered Species Act during the last six years at NOAA Fisheries. She has consulted with federal agencies to minimize project effects on endangered and threatened species, worked with Whale SENSE vessel operators to practice responsible viewing of marine mammals, and assisted and led several projects evaluating impacts to Cook Inlet belugas.

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Morgan Bender, Ph.D., “Let the Hydrocarbons in Prince William Sound Talk: 30 years of Environmental Monitoring through Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council’s Long Term Environmental Monitoring Program”

 

Morgan’s talk shares about the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council’s 30 year old environmental monitoring program. This program, started after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, focuses on hydrocarbon concentrations, sources, and possible toxicological impacts in the Prince William Sound marine environment. Specifically, this program measures the levels of hydrocarbons in marine sediments, intertidal blue mussels, and passive water sampling devices near the Valdez Marine Terminal, at the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and across Prince William Sound. Learn about the history of the program, the methodology of sampling, and the analysis to understand the utility and value of this unique dataset. This independently collected, managed, and evaluated environmental data is critical for oil industry accountability and community, scientific, and public knowledge to protect Prince William Sound.

 

Morgan Bender grew up here in Prince William Sound with her family running boats, sailing, kayaking, and exploring the forests, tide pools, and beaches. One particular memory from her childhood is of finding a beach “paved” by the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. Ever since, she has been driven to study and speak up about the impacts humans, and our activities, have on sensitive and spectacular marine ecosystems like Prince William Sound. Morgan left Alaska after her undergraduate degree for Norway where she earned a doctorate in Arctic Marine Ecotoxicology by investigating the biological effects of oil spills on important Arctic fish. She returned to Alaska with her young family and has been working with the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council on one of their core projects–a 30 year old environmental monitoring program focused on the concentrations and possible impacts of crude oil compoundsin the Prince William Sound marine environment. Morgan works under her own consulting firm, Fjord & Fish Sciences, where she provides services focused on aquatic toxicology,environmental chemistry, water quality, scientific communication and transparency, and environmental health.

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Katrina Hoffman, “Research and Resilience in the Home of the World's Richest Waters”

 

Katrina begins her talk with background information on Prince William Sound and Cordova. She discusses the Prince William Sound Science Center’s work on community resilience; herring research and monitoring; mariculture research; and studies on plankton, tufted puffins, and seabirds, among other projects.

 

Katrina Hoffman is the president and CEO of the Prince William Sound Science Center. She is also executive director of the Oil Spill Recovery Institute. She is the administrative principal investigator of Gulf Watch Alaska; a five-year, multimillion dollar long term monitoring program funded by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council. She sits on the board of the Alaska Ocean Observing System and also holds a seat on the North Pacific Research Board. Hoffman earned a master’s degree in marine policy at the University of Washington. Prior to joining PWSSC, she worked for Washington Sea Grant and the University of Washington, focusing on West Coast shoreline management policy and international sustainable shoreline development programs. She is an experienced, certified science educator and has spent over 2,000 hours at sea conducting ship-based biological oceanography and marine science research for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and Occidental College.

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Dennis Staley, "An Update on the Barry Arm Landslide"

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Dennis shares the latest research on landslide hazards around Prince William Sound, including Barry Arm. He is joined by Dave Snider, Tsunami Warning Coordinator for NOAA's National Tsunami Warning Center, and Mort Larsen, Landslide Hazards Program Manager at the State of Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Landslide Hazards Program, for Q&A.

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Dennis Staley is a Research Scientist in the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory in Anchorage, Alaska, where he is the USGS lead of a multi-agency effort that aims to improve our understanding of landslide hazards in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

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Dan Olsen, “Intelligence Among the Toothed Whales”

 

Dan Olsen discusses the complexity of the toothed whale brain, including dolphins, porpoise, sperm whales, beluga, etc. One theory on their high intelligence is interpretation of echolocation (spatial intelligence), and the other theory involves social groups, norms, behavioral nuance.

 

Dan Olsen is a Field Biologist with the North Gulf Oceanic Society.

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Leigh Lubin, “Emerging Guide Training”

 

Information and overview of an emerging guide training. This innovative training aims to help guides hone their skills to develop and use interpretive stories and language that create an immersive experience that unlocks narratives of the land and transforms visitors from tourists to people, empowering them to connect, contribute, and craft their own compelling stories about Alaska.

 

Leigh Lubin is a Marine Education Specialist at Alaska Sea Grant.

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