Our Leadership & History

About Tyonek Tribal Conservation District

Established in 2005 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to conserve natural resources and empower local community stewardship across 6.6 million acres.

About TTCD & Our Mission

Tyonek Tribal Conservation District (TTCD) was established in 2005 through a formal mutual agreement between the Native Village of Tyonek, the Tyonek Native Corporation, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

As the first Tribal Conservation District formed in the State of Alaska, TTCD provides technical assistance, land planning, stream restoration, and sustainable agricultural programs across 6.6 million acres of traditional Dena’ina lands.

Organizational Mission

“TTCD's mission is to conserve natural resources to enhance subsistence ways of life.”

Board of Directors

Representing the Native Village of Tyonek, Tyonek Native Corporation, and local district leadership.

Marian King

Board Chair At-Large Seat Years on Board: 9

Cassandra Kroto

Board Vice-Chair Tyonek Native Corporation Seat Years on Board: 6

Andrea Jacuk

Board Treasurer-Secretary At-Large Seat Years on Board: 5

Judd Standifer

Board Director Native Village of Tyonek Seat Years on Board: 3

Brandy Standifer

Board Director Native Village of Tyonek Seat Years on Board: 1

Angie Cleary

Board Director Tyonek Native Corporation Seat Years on Board: 2

Robert Stephan Sr.

Board Director At-Large Seat Years on Board: 10

TTCD Staff

Our dedicated team of conservation professionals, aquatic biologists, agricultural specialists, and program coordinators.

Laurie Stuart

Executive Director

Laurie Stuart leads Tyonek Tribal Conservation District, managing operations, strategic partnerships, and resource conservation programs across 6.6 million acres.

Nicole Swenson

Conservation Programs Manager

Nicole oversees TTCD's habitat restoration, invasive species eradication, and watershed conservation initiatives.

Cayley Eller

Technical Assistance Manager

Cayley provides technical guidance, grant management, and conservation planning for landowners and district partners.

Arlo Emerson

Outreach Manager

Arlo is TTCD's Outreach Manager. They lead our Youth and Education program, helping to develop and implement place-based, STEM educational programs at the Tebughna School as well as outreach and communications efforts for the organization.

Erica Lujan

Grants and Projects Coordinator

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, researching health and environmental impacts across Alaska.

Andrew Wizik

Conservation Biologist

New to TTCD in 2023, Andy has worked on salmon and invasive species issues around Cook Inlet since 2014. Andy is excited to put his passion for subsistence and healthy habitats to work for TTCD!

Leah Ellis

Aquatic Biologist

Leah brings over 15 years of experience researching Pacific salmon and aquatic ecosystems, holding an M.Sc. in Environmental Science from UNBC.

Olivia Mueller

Field Biologist

Olivia joined TTCD in spring 2024 as a Conservation Technician. She is a lifelong Alaskan focused on Cook Inlet marine science and aquatic sampling.

Charlsie Huhndorf-Arend

Administrative Assistant

Charlsie joined TTCD in 2023 as our part-time Administrative Assistant after retiring from a 30-year career in public service.

John Hermus

Conservation Technician

John supports field surveys, fish passage monitoring, and habitat restoration logistics across the district.

Emma Shelton

Conservation Technician

Emma conducts stream temperature logging, invasive species control, and field data collection for TTCD programs.

Crystal Jones

Food Distribution Coordinator

Crystal Jones, working under the Tyonek Grown program, coordinates closely with NVT and community stakeholders to implement multiple food access programs in Tyonek.

Founding & Evolution

Key milestones in TTCD’s 20-year history of conservation stewardship.

20-Year Stewardship Arc

2005

Step 01

TTCD Establishment

Tyonek Tribal Conservation District was formed through a mutual agreement between the Native Village of Tyonek, Tyonek Native Corporation, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to conserve and manage 6.6 million acres.

2008

Step 02

First Strategic Conservation Plan

TTCD developed its comprehensive long-range conservation plan focused on subsistence protection, salmon stream restoration, invasive species eradication, and local agriculture.

2012

Step 03

Tyonek Grown Initiative & First Culvert Replacement

Established the Tyonek Farm and Garden program (1.5 acres) and completed the district's first fish barrier culvert replacement in 2012.

Completed

2015

Step 04

Salmon Culvert Replacement Milestones

Initiated major fish passage restoration across Tyonek watersheds, replacing restrictive road culverts to reopen stream miles for spawning salmon.

2020

Step 05

Major Stream Restoration Milestone

Replaced critical culvert crossings, bringing total restored stream miles to over 60 miles across the district.

2024

Step 06

13 Culverts & 500+ Lake Acres Restored

Achieved 13 completed culvert replacements through 2024, opening 60.2 stream miles and restoring over 500 lake acres for salmon populations.

2025

Step 07

Coastal Resilience & Food System Assessment

Initiated multi-phase food system assessment and coastal resilience planning to strengthen community food security.

In Progress (Verification Required)