LA R P SION N N EI V T
Tongass
SoutheastAlaska
TongassNationalForest
TheTongassLandManagementPlan(TLMP)revisionisaprocessthatwillguidehowtheTongass willbemanagedforthenext15+years.Thisrevisionisanexcitingopportunityforustoreimagine howwewanttoseeourprioritiesshapethetheforest.Thedecisionsmadeinthisrevisionwill impacteverythingfromwildlifeprotectiontoeconomicdevelopmentandcommunityresilience.
As the next generation, the youth have a stake in ensuring that the Tongassremainsaplacewherewecanthrive--whetherthatisculturally, economically,orsocially.Thisplanwillaffecttheplaceswecallhome.
GettinginvolvedintheTLMPrevisionprocessisanopportunityfortheyouthinSoutheasttoshapeour future by making our voices heard. We can help ensure that the resources our communities rely on remainintactandthattheenvironmentthatsustainstheuniquewayoflifeinSoutheastremainshealthy longintoourfuturesandforourfuturegenerations.Wegettobeapartofdecidingwhatisimportantin thisregionforpreserveandtouse.Commentscanbeleftthroughwinter2025.
Pinecones
Thepineconesofthisanalogyrepresentthe forest’spotential.Inaforestplan,thereare measuresforfutureplanningand adaptationstrategiestoensurethatthe forestremainshealthyinthefuture.
Pines
Thepinesrepresentthestrategiesofforest management.Justaspinesgrowoffthe branchesandgivethetreeitsshape,these strategiesarewhatguidethe implementationoftheforestplan
The“trunk”oftheforestplanrepresentsthe forest’scurrentstateandthegoalsforits future.Thisinformationsupportsthe strategiesandactionsoftheplanlikehowa sturdytrunksupportstherestofthetree.
Branches
Thebranchesextendingfromthetrunkeach representaspecificareaoftheforestwith uniqueobjectives Thesebranchesshowhow thelandisallocatedtobemanagedtoachieve thegoalsoftheplan.
Trunk
RochelleSmallwood(IndigenousArtist)
RochelleSmallwoodisanIndigenous artist who works with many mediums,thewaysheengageswith theTongassisrootedinthepowerof engaging with traditional art and languageonherancestor’sland.
She talked about feeling a deep sense of connection when walking among ancient trees that have witnessed the generationsthatcamebeforethem.Forher,landisintegralto everyartformshepractices.
Whether painting, photographing, or creatingmusic,shefinds herself intertwined with nature, incorporating natural elements like rain, trees, or birds into herwork.
AllisonMills(Forester)
When talking about her connection to the Tongass, Allison noted that her love for the forestbeganinherchildhoodwithherfather who worked in tree thinning, and how he wouldtakeheralongtoworkwithhim,hike new trails, and explore the outdoors. These experiences led her to her passion for preserving the Tongass, where her grandparents and parents once walked, so thatfuturegenerations,includingherfuture children, can experience the same natural beauty she enjoyed growing up. Today her relationship with the Tongass is one of reciprocity and stewardship, even at 18 she hasalonghistoryofworkingfortheforest.
MarinaAnderson DIRECTOROFTHESSP
Marina’sconnectiontotheTongassisdeeplyrootedinbothfoodandculture.Sheisa dedicatedharvesterandspendsasignificantamountoftimeintheforestgathering food and medicine. Her passion for harvesting stems from her upbringing, where shespentcountlesshoursintheforesttoputupfoodtogetherwithherfamily.The generationalknowledgeofhuntingandgatheringfuelsMarina'sdesiretoharvestin moderationandpassontheseskillstotheyoungergeneration.Growingupinanold float house on the beach, Marina spent an extraordinary amount of time fishing, trollingforkingsalmon,beachseiningforsockeyeanddogsalmon,andutilizingall partsofthefish.Shealsohuntedseals,seaotters,anddeer,feelinga deepconnectiontothepracticesofherancestors.
JenniferNu(Harvester)
Jennifer is a harvester and her connection to the Tongass is in the way she sees the forest as a lifelongclassroomandasaconnecterbetweenherandothers.TheTongassisaplacewhereplant teachers,theforest,andthecleanwatersallofferopportunitiestoshareknowledgeandrespectful harvesting practices to the community in creating a lifelong learning space for all ages and continuingthelegacyofthosewhocamebefore.Shealsotalkedabouthowtherearedayswhen shemaynothavetimetogatherforherself,butshecanalwaysmaketimetogatherforothers In thisway,theTongassencouragedhertoconnectwiththepeoplearoundherwhomshegathersfor ForJennifer,theTongassisnotjustaplacetogatherfood,butalsoaplacetolearnmoreaboutthe landandawaytoconnectwiththosearoundher.
KaylahDuncanRecreationalForestUser
KaylahconnectswiththeTongassthrough recreational ways, particularly through hiking and biking in the forests of Southeast Alaska. Growing up in the region, these activities were easily accessible for her and a regular part of her family life. She talked about how using the forest recreationally provides numerous benefits, both mentally and physically. Her bond with nature also motivates her to advocate for the forest’s accessibilityforallandtoensureitserves morethanonepurpose.TheTongassisnot just a place for recreation to her, but an ancestral homeland, and her time spent outdoors is rooted in a cultural understandingoftheland.
KALILAARREOLA(INDIGENOUSYOUTH)
KalilaconnectswiththeTongassthroughherancestral ties to the land. Starting from childhood, the Tongass wasmorethanabackdrop,butaclassroom,playground, andaspacetoconnectwithherculture.Asanadult,her connectionto theTongassisbuiltthroughthetimeshe spendshikingandcamping.Beingwiththelandallows her to feel a sense of continuity with those that came before her and reminds her of the way that her ancestorslivedinharmonywiththeland.
Take 5 minutes to submit a comment to the forest service
Photo Credits
MoreWaystoGetInvolved
AssessmentPhase
Publicengagementthrough comments,webinars,community workshops,surveys
DraftPlanRevisionandNEPAPhase
Commentperiodforproposedplan,draft environmentalimpactstatementreview andcomment,objectionprocess
ImplementationandMonitoring
MeetwiththeRevisionTeamtoaskquestions abouttheTongassNationalForestLand ManagementPlanrevisiononthe1st(10-11AM AKST)and3rd(5-6PMAKST)Tuesdayofthe month.
1stTuesdaylink: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/landma nagement/planning/?cid=fseprd1166812
3rdTuesdaylink: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/landma nagement/planning/?cid=fseprd1166812
Formoreopportunities,visittheTongass LandManagementPlanrevisionhubon theForestServicewebsite https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/landma nagement/planning/?cid=fseprd1164050
