Welcome to the eighth annual Prince William Sound Natural History Symposium!
We hope you enjoy the videos and resources from this year's event! Session recordings from this and previous years are also available on our page on YouTube.
Paul Twardock and Allison Carl, Welcome and Land Acknowledgment
Paul Twardock welcomes participants to the eighth annual Prince William Sound Natural History Symposium. Allison Carl gives a land acknowledgement.
Paul Twardock is the author of Kayaking and Camping in Prince William Sound, Professor Emeritus of Outdoor Studies at Alaska Pacific University, and co-host of Alaska Public Media’s Outdoor Explorer radio show. He has studied recreational impacts in western Prince William Sound since 1995, has kayaked throughout Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska’s coastline between Prince Rupert and Sand Point, and is a board member of the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation.
Allison Carl manages the Chugach Regional Ocean Monitoring Program at CRRC's Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute in Seward. The program monitors and documents ocean carbonate chemistry, harmful algal blooms, and harmful algal toxins throughout the Chugach region of Alaska.
Paul Twardock and Tim Lydon, “Writing and Adventuring in PWS”
Paul and Tim discuss their experiences of writing in and about Prince William Sound, including advice they would give themselves as 25-year-old guides.
Paul Twardock is the author of Kayaking and Camping in Prince William Sound, Professor Emeritus of Outdoor Studies at Alaska Pacific University, and co-host of Alaska Public Media’s Outdoor Explorer radio show. He has studied recreational impacts in western Prince William Sound since 1995, has kayaked throughout Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska’s coastline between Prince Rupert and Sand Point, and is a board member of the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation.
Tim Lydon is author of a 2003 book about paddling 1,000 miles of the Inside Passage from Vancouver Island to Juneau, Alaska. He is a writer and associate editor at Alaska magazine and a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Smithsonian, The Guardian, High Country News, Hakai Magazine, and other publications. He writes on public lands, science, conservation, and other topics.
Dan Olsen, “Mom knows best: Culture among Killer Whales”
For killer whale families in PWS, mothers and grandmothers pass down vital knowledge through generations, contributing to the well being and survival of their young.
Dan Olsen is a Field Biologist with the North Gulf Oceanic Society.
Kathryn Youngblood, “Community Science for Marine Debris Monitoring in Prince William Sound: Tools, Data, and Applications”
This session highlights community science approaches to marine debris monitoring in Prince William Sound, with a focus on newly developed materials and tools that support field-based data collection. Attendees are introduced to newly launched outreach resources and receive a practical overview of how to use the Debris Tracker app for shoreline surveys. The session also explores how community-collected data can be used to understand debris composition and distribution, support cleanup prioritization, and inform local decision-making.
Kathryn Youngblood is an environmental engineer focused on building science-based pathways toward a circular economy. Over the past decade, she has worked with governments, producers, nonprofits, and communities to advance data-driven solutions to plastic pollution—from national extended producer responsibility assessments to community-level circularity initiatives across the U.S. and internationally. Her expertise includes geospatial analysis, program design, stakeholder research, and science communication.
Guide Panel, "Best Practices when Adventuring"
William Melton, “Knowing and Understanding Tides”
Paul Twardock, “When to Launch and When to Sit”
Jen Lang, “Respect the Locals - Responsible Wildlife Interactions on the Water”
Leigh Lubin, “Sharing the Story of the Land: Natural History Basics”
Four seasoned guides discuss best practices in Prince William Sound.
William Melton is an Anchorage-based filmmaker and longtime Prince William Sound guide with over a decade of experience working on the water. He began his work in Prince William Sound as a Sea Kayak Guide with Alaska Sea Kayakers and went on to design outdoor programming and media for Alaska Geographic. After founding Metlon Media Productions LLC, he specializes in cinematic storytelling that connects people to wild places, conservation, and the communities that depend on them. William also serves on the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation Board of Directors, where he helps support education, stewardship, and public engagement across the Sound.
Paul Twardock is the author of Kayaking and Camping in Prince William Sound, Professor Emeritus of Outdoor Studies at Alaska Pacific University, co-host of Alaska Public Media’s Outdoor Explorer radio show, has studied recreational impacts in western Prince William Sound since 1995, has kayaked throughout Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska’s coast line between Prince Rupert and Sand Point, and is a board member of the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation.
Jen Lang is the Director of Vessel Operations at Lazy Otter Charters.
Leigh Lubin loves being outside and exploring. She spent 25 years guiding backpacking, natural history, sea kayaking, and ice travel and has instructed outdoor leadership at Prince William Sound College. Prince William Sound is one of her happy places and she continues to kayak every summer. She is a certified science teacher and Education Specialist for Alaska Sea Grant. She is currently working on free online interactive guide training resources to support Alaskan guides.
Leigh Lubin, “Cultural Guide Training”
Leigh introduces the Cultural Guide Training program she and Heather Reiss have developed and leads the audience in an activity. Explore these activities from Leigh:
Please match the phrases that have similar meaning and notice the different feelings or thoughts each version brings up. https://uaf.h5p.com/content/1292667765603522448
This is a classic memory game. Match the subsistence source to one of its possible uses. Once you get a match, they will stay flipped.
https://uaf.h5p.com/content/1292543203182100868
Leigh Lubin loves being outside and exploring. She spent 25 years guiding backpacking, natural history, sea kayaking, and ice travel and has instructed outdoor leadership at Prince William Sound College. Prince William Sound is one of her happy places and she continues to kayak every summer. She is a certified science teacher and Education Specialist for Alaska Sea Grant. She is currently working on free online interactive guide training resources to support Alaskan guides.
Allison Carl, "Chugach Regional Ocean Monitoring: Community-based Monitoring Techniques to Understand Marine Health"
During the session, Allison gives an overview of the program, Whittier's sampling site, and walks participants through sample collection at the harbor. In-person participants get a little hands-on experience collecting marine samples.
Allison Carl manages the Chugach Regional Ocean Monitoring Program at CRRC's Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute in Seward. The program monitors and documents ocean carbonate chemistry, harmful algal blooms, and harmful algal toxins throughout the Chugach region of Alaska.
Paul Twardock, Victor Shen, Chris Stewart, Welcome to Day Two
Paul Twardock, Victor Shen, and Chris Stewart welcome participants to day two of the eighth annual PWS Natural History Symposium.
Paul Twardock is the author of Kayaking and Camping in Prince William Sound, Professor Emeritus of Outdoor Studies at Alaska Pacific University, and co-host of Alaska Public Media’s Outdoor Explorer radio show. He has studied recreational impacts in western Prince William Sound since 1995, has kayaked throughout Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska’s coastline between Prince Rupert and Sand Point, and is a board member of the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation.
Victor Shen is the Mayor of the City of Whittier. Victor grew up in Whittier. He left the state to earn a BS in Forestry conservation and wildland fire management from Humboldt State University. Victor started guiding sea kayak trips in PWS in 2004 and has continued that to this day. He spent a few summers working for the USFS in the Chugach NF wilderness program and Mt Baker - Snoqualmie NF wilderness trail crew. In addition to guiding, Victor has worked as a field instructor for NOLS and a trip leader for Alaska Geographic. Currently, Victor teaches high school students and volunteers with Alaska Trail Stewards.
Chris Stewart is the District Ranger of the Glacier Ranger District on the Chugach National Forest.
Allison Carl, Land Acknowledgement
Allison Carl gives the land acknowledgement.
Allison Carl manages the Chugach Regional Ocean Monitoring Program at CRRC's Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute in Seward. The program monitors and documents ocean carbonate chemistry, harmful algal blooms, and harmful algal toxins throughout the Chugach region of Alaska.
Ailie Johnson, "Nuchek: Past, Present and Future"
Ailie discusses the history of Nuchek, one of approximately 130 Chugach cultural sites. She also shares about the Nuchek Culture Camp, reflecting on experiences there as both a child and adult attendee.
Ailie Johnson is the Executive Operations Specialist at Chugach Alaska Corporation. Her family is from Cordova, Alaska, and she grew up commercial fishing in Prince William Sound. Ailie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Harvard University in 2024 and went on to complete her Master of Business Administration at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2026. In her role at Chugach Alaska Corporation, Ailie supports the President’s Office, the Lands and Resources Department, and Regional Development initiatives.
Land Management Overview
Representatives from Chugach Alaska Corporation, Eyak Corporation, Chenega Regional Development Group, Chugach National Forest, and Alaska State Parks share the history of and latest news about land management in Prince William Sound.
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.
Brennan Cain is Chief Legal Officer for The Eyak Corporation, an Alaska Native Village Corporation for the community of Cordova. He is a member of the Alaska Native Law Section of the Alaska Bar Association and previously served on the BLM’s Alaska Resource Advisory Council. Brennan received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis, and his Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Virginia Tech.
Chase Berenson is the Director of Business Development for Chenega Regional Development Group. He has also spent years exploring Prince William Sound for fun and for work. He has many great memories of adventures in the Sound, but one of the best is camping and kayaking with his wife in Hobo Bay in the overnight sunshine of Summer Solstice.
Ellen Ray works for the Chugach National Forest Wilderness Program. She first arrived on the Chugach in 2019 as a Wilderness Fellow with the Society for Wilderness Stewardship. During this time, she developed a deep appreciation for public lands management, especially in PWS. She moved into her current Forest Service position as Wilderness Specialist on the Glacier Ranger District in 2022, where she works as the program’s data steward and helps lead fieldwork projects. She is grateful to help manage such a special region.
Barbara Lydon has worked as a US Forest Service Wilderness Specialist since 2007, beginning her career on the Tongass NF, and transferring to the Chugach NF in 2011. She works out of the Girdwood Glacier Ranger District office supporting stewardship projects and providing education to recreationists and users in the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area. Barbara also coordinates the ‘Voices of the Wilderness’ artist residency program, a state-wide program that hosts artists in a wilderness capacity and engages them in projects that support our wild, public lands.
Hans Rinke is the Superintendent of the Kenai/Prince William Sound region of Alaska State Parks.
Ben Wilkins, “Habitat Associations of Kelp in Prince William Sound, Alaska”
Ben discusses habitat associations and distribution of kelp species in PWS. He covers basic biology, range and life history of several species , followed by information about various habitat and distribution findings from hundreds of underwater scuba transects throughout PWS.
Ben Wilkins grew up in Colorado and earned a degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Colorado Boulder. After graduating, he spent ten years working as a dive instructor in the Florida Keys, Northern California, and Hawaii. He moved to Alaska in 2015 to attend graduate school at Alaska Pacific University while captaining vessels for Lazy Otter Charters and working seasonally for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, where he trained divers and conducted underwater surveys. He received his Master’s in Environmental Science from APU in 2025, where he manages the Fisheries, Aquatic Science and Technology (FAST) Lab, serves as Diving Safety Officer, and teaches Scientific Diving.
Maia Draper-Reich, “Protectors of Prince William Sound: Launching a new illustrated book by Tom Crestodina & PWSRCAC”
The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council is launching a new book titled Protectors of Prince William Sound by Tom Crestodina. The book educates about the system of vessels, technology, and skilled people that keep Prince William Sound safe from oil spills. In this session, you’ll hear about the collaborative development of the book’s content, details about the Spring 2026 launch, and how RCAC plans for this resource to serve communities impacted by the Exxon Valdez oil spill and beyond.
Maia Draper-Reich is the Outreach Coordinator for the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council where she communicates about oil spill science and community oversight to the region impacted by the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Before joining the Council staff in 2022, Maia worked as an environmental educator and naturalist for the Chugach National Forest, Kenai Fjords National Park, and the Bureau of Land Management Campbell Creek Science Center.
Victor Shen, “Volunteering with Whittier Parks & Recreation”
Victor shares opportunities to volunteer with Whittier Parks & Recreation for upcoming events and discusses the impacts of successful community-driven projects.
Victor Shen is the Mayor of the City of Whittier. Victor grew up in Whittier. He left the state to earn a BS in Forestry conservation and wildland fire management from Humboldt State University. Victor started guiding sea kayak trips in PWS in 2004 and has continued that to this day. He spent a few summers working for the USFS in the Chugach NF wilderness program and Mt Baker - Snoqualmie NF wilderness trail crew. In addition to guiding, Victor has worked as a field instructor for NOLS and a trip leader for Alaska Geographic. Currently, Victor teaches high school students and volunteers with Alaska Trail Stewards.
Ellen Ray, Barbara Lydon, and Charla Hughes, “Stewardship in the Sound”
Ellen, Barbara, and Charla discuss stewardship projects completed and planned by Chugach National Forest and PWSSF, including marine debris, trail work, invasive species mitigation, and the Voices of the Wilderness artist residency program.
Ellen Ray works for the Chugach National Forest Wilderness Program. She first arrived on the Chugach in 2019 as a Wilderness Fellow with the Society for Wilderness Stewardship. During this time, she developed a deep appreciation for public lands management, especially in PWS. She moved into her current Forest Service position as Wilderness Specialist on the Glacier Ranger District in 2022, where she works as the program’s data steward and helps lead fieldwork projects. She is grateful to help manage such a special region.
Barbara Lydon has worked as a US Forest Service Wilderness Specialist since 2007, beginning her career on the Tongass NF, and transferring to the Chugach NF in 2011. She works out of the Girdwood Glacier Ranger District office supporting stewardship projects and providing education to recreationists and users in the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area. Barbara also coordinates the ‘Voices of the Wilderness’ artist residency program, a state-wide program that hosts artists in a wilderness capacity and engages them in projects that support our wild, public lands.
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.
Stephanie Carlson, "Whittier Tourism Best Management Practices (TBMP) Program"
Stephanie shares about the rollout of the 2026 Whittier Tourism Best Management Practices (TBMP) program.
Stephanie Carlson joined the Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce in 2013 and is in her second year as TBMP administrator. Stephanie is a lifelong Alaskan growing up in Ninilchik with the opportunity to spend roughly six years living in Southeast Alaska, splitting her time between Skagway and Juneau. Throughout Stephanie's career she has had the opportunity to greet Alaska's visitors through the lens of food and beverage service, the Alaska State Parks, small commercial air carriers, the State of Alaska Marine Highway System in southeast and southcentral Alaska, and Whittier's own Lazy Otter Charters.
Caroline Wilkinson, "Surveying the Sound: High-Resolution Seafloor Mapping in Prince William Sound"
NOAA's Office of Coast Survey Alaska Navigation Manager speaks about the efforts to map the seafloor in Prince William Sound. High resolution bathymetry supports safe navigation, seafloor characterization, and modeling.
LCDR Caroline Wilkinson is the Alaska Navigation Manager for NOAA's Office of Coast Survey. Her responsibilities include leading emergency response efforts, focusing on NOAA's capability to survey channels and swiftly reopen ports following natural disasters or major storms. She also plays a key role in setting mapping priorities for Alaska and guaranteeing that nautical charts are consistently updated. Currently, 62% of Alaskan waters remain unmapped, a number she is dedicated to reducing daily.
Tania L. S. Vincent, “Star Search: Intertidal monitoring at Ellamar Spit for 20 June tides”
Intertidal monitoring of Ellamar Spit has been conducted consistently almost every June at the lowest low tide since 2005. Since that time, both zoonotic and temperature events have impacted the system. Seastar wasting disease was first recorded in Prince William Sound in 2015 at Green Island, and a record temperature event occurred in 2019. Lasting and impactful changes at Ellamar Spit were most strongly seen in seastar populations, but other changes to the intertidal community have occurred as well.
Tania L. S. Vincent, PhD, currently works for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as a fishery biologist. Tania received her Bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in 1987 from the University of Arizona and her Doctorate in Ecology in 1996 from the University of Minnesota. She has been involved in research on the intertidal denizens of Southcentral Alaska, eco-evolutionary modeling of competition, and has taught at St. Lawrence University, Carroll University, Alaska Pacific University, and University of Alaska, Anchorage.
Jessie Sheldon, “An Ecosystem's Recipe: Narrative Printmaking in Prince William Sound”
Jessie Sheldon was selected as the 2024 artist in residence for Chugach National Forest's Voices of the Wilderness art and stewardship program. In her presentation, Jessie explores the wilderness character of the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area, how to translate a complex ecosystem into a narrative graphic, and the role art plays in wilderness management.
Jessie Sheldon is a many-mediumed maker hopping between the Eastern Sierra, the Pacific Northwest, and Coastal Alaska. Her seasonal work revolves around fisheries, wilderness, and environmental communication, all of which find their way into her sketchbooks and onto big walls. Jessie is drawn to fishy, feathered, and botanical forms, and swooping, bold linework that reflects the dynamic landscapes and ecosystems she spends her time in. When she's not up at some late hour carving a block print or designing a mural, you can catch her out exploring the backcountry on foot, skis, or ice skates, garnering inspiration for the next project. Find more of her work at jessiesheldon.com or on instagram @jessiesheldon.art.
Jeff Lachowski, “Update on the Beatson Mine Remediation Project”
Rio Tinto provides participants with an update on the remediation planning and 2026 field season. The session will include a visualization of the remediation project, post construction.
Jeff Lachowski is an Asset Manager with Rio Tinto’s Closure Legacy team, leading remediation, and final closure efforts at multiple legacy mine sites throughout the western United States. He is a professional engineer with a Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Watershed Science. Jeff has over 20 years of experience with Rio Tinto spanning environmental, closure, land management, and water management roles. In his free time, Jeff enjoys skiing, mountain biking, river running, and basically anything outdoors. Jeff is a frequent visitor to Alaska spending time with family who reside in Kasilof.
Pete Johnson, “A reflection on protection: Chugach National Forest’s approach to keeping non-native plants out of the Prince William Sound”
Prince William Sound is vast and remote, with seemingly infinite places to explore. It is in these explorations where the opportunity for the introduction of non-native and invasive plants exists. Pete explains the ways land managers and specifically the Chugach National Forest are working to detect, monitor, and manage invasive plants in the Prince William Sound.
Pete Johnson is an Ecologist for the Chugach National Forest, Prince William Sound Zone. Pete has worked across the state providing expertise on reclamation, revegetation, plant monitoring, and invasive plant management. In his current role, he serves to protect native plant habitats from Whittier to the Copper River Delta.
Guide Round Table
William Melton, “Knowing and Understanding Tides”
Brittney Burrell, “Adventuring in Glacial Landscapes”
Jen Lang, “Respect the Locals - Responsible Wildlife Interactions on the Water”
Natalie Oberman, “WAG Bags in Prince William Sound”
Four seasoned guides share best practices in Prince William Sound. Brittney shares best practices for glacially influenced landscapes; including calvings, landslides, and triggered tsunamis. Discussed are some of the dangers and how you can stay safe in this terrain.
William Melton is an Anchorage-based filmmaker and longtime Prince William Sound guide with over a decade of experience working on the water. He began his work in Prince William Sound as a Sea Kayak Guide with Alaska Sea Kayakers and went on to design outdoor programming and media for Alaska Geographic. After founding Metlon Media Productions LLC, he specializes in cinematic storytelling that connects people to wild places, conservation, and the communities that depend on them. William also serves on the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation Board of Directors, where he helps support education, stewardship, and public engagement across the Sound.
Jen Lang is the Director of Vessel Operations at Lazy Otter Charters.
Brittney Burrell moved to Alaska in 2021 with her husband seeking somewhere new and exciting. She started working for the Chugach National Forest in 2023 as an interpretive ranger and naturalist. Often seen working at the front desk of the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center or leading guided hikes around Portage Valley, she also loves to be outside in her free time with her friends, family, and dog. She has attended the Prince William Sound Natural History Symposium for 4 consecutive years and has attended many local Whittier events.
Natalie Oberman is a guide at Alaska Sea Kayakers.
Charla Hughes, Group Poem and Closing Remarks
Charla shares the group poem, a collective poem assembled from participant submissions, and closing remarks.
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.