Alaska Brief–December 2018
Happy holidays!
I hope you are gathering in this celebratory season with friends and family to share the warmth of good cheer, conversation and storytelling, and to reflect and prepare to make the year ahead what you want it to be for you.
For us, the journey begins with gratitude.
We became Alaska’s only homegrown public interest environmental law firm on Dec. 16, 1974. Our founders’ vision of protecting Alaska through legal means continues.
Trustees’ job to protect our lands, waters, wildlife and communities is always needed–now more than ever.
From the beginning, we have worked beside our loyal supporters, partners, clients and champions, driven by similar visions and goals.
Sometimes, though, it takes a shakeup to remind people of what matters, and we’ve had some shakeups lately–like the earthquake that rattled our building in Anchorage and all of Southcentral Alaska last month.
A big quake certainly makes you question how firm terra firma really is. But you get your balance back and refocus on what’s important. You assess the damage, fix what’s broken, and tend to what really matters.
After that 7.0 quake, people made sure their loved ones were safe and walked through their neighborhoods to check on others–some they hardly knew. Teachers calmed students huddled under tables. Strangers helped strangers get through the aftershocks.
We’re so grateful that no lives were lost.
Many of those with the ability to help did, and those who needed help reached out.
The same care is needed now.
The same cooperative and communal actions must follow political shakeups.
In December of last year, Congress used a tax bill to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, and the Trump administration released its hasty draft Environmental Impact Statement just days short of the anniversary of the bill’s enactment.
Now, we must come together to protect the Alaska we all love.
As we reflect on the roots of our work 44 years ago, and all the work happening now for the sake of the future, we recognize and honor you, the people and organizations that remind us daily of why we do this work, why it matters, and why we are so fortunate to have you all beside us.
Wishing you all the best this month and in the new year,
Vicki Clark
Executive Director
PS: Your support of Trustees for Alaska is critical now more than ever.
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