About Tyonek Tribal Conservation District

Dr. Stuart is an experienced nonprofit executive with more than 14 years of leadership roles in science education, conservation, and nonprofit management. She came to TTCD after serving as a Director at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, and previously held leadership positions at the Pratt Museum in Homer and at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. A life-long Alaskan, Dr. Stuart earned her Doctorate of Education from the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on sustainability, social justice, and participatory methods in natural resource management.

Nicole rejoined TTCD in 2024 with 10 years of experience in salmon habitat monitoring and restoration, invasive species management, grant management, and program development. Nicole began developing TTCD’s invasive species programs in 2014 and TTCD is now a significant leader of invasive species management in Upper Cook Inlet. Nicole is the coordinator of the Mat Su Elodea Task Force, has coauthored invasive northern pike research, coordinated the removal of over 7,500 pike from subsistence population rearing habitats (with TTCD cumulative removals now surpassing 11,000 pike district-wide), and has served on the board of directors of the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership for 6 years.

Cayley joined TTCD in the spring of 2023 as the Tyonek Grown Programs Manager. Along with nearly 10 years of farming experience, her academic background spans environmental science, circumpolar food systems, cold climate agriculture, climate change, policy, and sustainability planning. She holds a master’s degree that focuses on policy solutions at the intersection of food systems, equity, and climate change. Cayley came to TTCD after managing sustainable agriculture research grants across the Western region and supporting the development of a regenerative agriculture and fire/forest resilience professional development program at UC Berkeley.

Beks has several years of experience working in conservation and communications-focused nonprofits across Alaska, with work spanning climate change, conservation, environmental monitoring, and community engagement. Prior to joining TTCD, Beks worked throughout the Chugach and Prince William Sound region on climate and natural resource projects, connecting communities with science and conservation efforts. At TTCD, Beks supports communication and outreach while continuing to grow their skills across natural resource management, climate change, and conservation.

In the fall of 2024, Erica Lujan joined the TTCD team as the Grants and Projects Coordinator. Erica focused her BA and MA on social sciences, and has spent her career working across Alaska, researching the health impacts of climate change at UAA, collecting subsistence harvest survey data with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and facilitating climate adaptation plans at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.

New to TTCD in 2023, Andy has worked on salmon and invasive species issues around Cook Inlet since 2014. He lives in Kenai with his wife, two kids, and a whole lot of pets. Andy’s education and career has been primarily focused on moose and salmon, which his family also relies on for most of their meals. Andy is excited to be able to put his passion for subsistence and healthy habitats to work for TTCD!

Leah brings to Tyonek Tribal Conservation District over 15 years of experience researching Pacific salmon and aquatic ecosystems. She holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Northern British Columbia and a B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin. Leah has worked throughout Alaska conducting fisheries and hydrological studies with government agencies and consulting firms, focusing on environmental policy, regulatory compliance (FERC, NEPA, CWA 401/404), and aquatic habitat health.

Olivia joined Tyonek Tribal Conservation District in the spring of 2024 as a Conservation Technician and now serves as Field Biologist. She is a lifelong Alaskan with a B.S. in Biology emphasizing Marine Science. Having contributed to fieldwork spanning water quality, fisheries, owl research, and beluga whale monitoring, Olivia focuses on biological fieldwork and connecting with the land and communities TTCD serves.

Charlsie joined TTCD in 2023 as our part-time Administrative Assistant after retiring from a 30-year career in public service. She is a lifelong Alaskan who enjoys spending time with her family and pets, flower gardening, and birdwatching.

John holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Northland College and an M.S. in Fisheries from UAF, where his research focused on the effects of thermal stress on juvenile Chinook and Coho salmon in the Deshka River. For the past six years, John has worked in salmon research and conservation in the Cook Inlet watershed spanning water temperature monitoring, juvenile salmon ecology, and invasive pike removal.

Emma joined the TTCD team in the Spring of 2025 as the Community Agriculture Technician for the Tyonek Grown program. She assists the farm in its seasonal production, works closely with youth interns to ensure a fruitful harvest for the Tyonek community, and supports hydroponics production at the Tebughna School. Emma grew up in Alaska and comes from a background in food management and local food advocacy.

Crystal Jones coordinates closely with NVT and community stakeholders under the Tyonek Grown program to implement multiple food access programs in Tyonek. Crystal oversees food distributions for the Tyonek Gather pilot project, funded by the USDA's Local Food Purchasing Assistance Plus (LFPA+) program, manages Tyonek's Food Cellar, and supports the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and Elder's Food Box program.