Progress 08/15/04 to 08/14/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The commercial harvest of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) has been increasing in the state of Alaska. However, few commercial harvesters are currently in compliance with permitting requirements. The State's Division of Mining, Land, and Water (DMLW), the permitting agency for commercial harvesting on state-managed land, recognizes the need for an improved understanding of the harvested species and their response to harvest pressure. The focus of the Alaska Ethnobotany Project is to juxtapose traditional ecological knowledge with commercial harvest, subsistence, and sustainability. Existing literature, current researchers, and on-the-ground harvesters from many backgrounds were consulted by the Alaska Plant Materials Center (PMC). The Alaska Non-Timber Forest Products Harvest Manual was compiled to guide commercial harvesters and begin the process of making the permitting system more user-friendly and thus encourage legal and responsible commercial harvesting. New state
regulations, an over-the-counter permit, and an end-of-season report were drafted. The PMC evaluated plants for vulnerability to various harvesting methods, abundance, cultural significance, and impact on the population. Sustainable harvest of Alaskan NTFP's was investigated for over 100 plants. Primary harvest limit considerations were researched for these plants. Some plants were eliminated from the Harvest Manual because of their vulnerability or cultural significance. Alaska Department of Law consulted regulations from throughout the U.S. and foreign countries to enable the drafting of regulations that would work for Alaska. The Alaska Native population is critical to understanding NTFP's. The recorded traditional ecological knowledge of the indigenous peoples has informed us about how to harvest a plant so that its vitality and the sustainability of its population and ecosystem are not damaged. Most NTFPs that have a commercial value are also used by Alaska Natives and others to
maintain a subsistence lifestyle for food, medicine, fiber, etc. Understanding the subsistence demand for a product is helping us set limits on commercial demand in order to not ruin that subsistence base. Public outreach for this project included creating ethnobotany demonstration gardens at learning or cultural centers. This is important for fostering respect among the public for native plants and their importance in traditional medicine and subsistence. We presented many programs about the project in venues such as conferences, small informational meetings, and schools. Liaisons have been made with Alaska native groups and individuals, U.S. Subsistence, Alaska Department of Law, DMLW, researchers, interested public, harvesters, marketers, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and national NTFP practitioners, agencies, and researchers.
PARTICIPANTS: Individuals who worked on this project were Agronomists Peggy Hunt, Jessica Larsen, and Stoney Wright from the State of Alaska's (SoA) Plant Materials Center; Natural Resource Managers and Specialists Wyn Menefee, Joe Joyner, Clark Cox, Stephen Bethune, Frank Maxwell, Roselynn Smith, Melissa Head, and Brady Scott with the SoA's Division of Mining, Land, and Water; and Attorneys Molly Benson and Christina Otto from the SoA's Department of Law. Peggy Hunt, Agronomist II, was the lead for this project. She managed the grant, gave direction for the Project, started and maintained discussions between all the above people, gave presentations, coordinated the development of the Harvest Manual and accompanying permits and regulations, developed liaisons with many researchers, harvesters, and Alaska Native Peoples, and researched Ethnobotany papers and sustainable techniques for harvesting native plants. Jessica Larsen, Agronomist I, did the bulk of the work for the Harvest
Manual, etc. She presented many informational talks throughout the state and in Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. She met with NTFP harvesters, agencies, Alaska Native Peoples, researchers, and personal use and subsistence use peoples. She organized the multitude of foci for the Project into a manageable framework and proceeded logically to enable the Harvest Manual to become a reality. Stoney Wright, Agronomist III, provided plant knowledge and guidance for the Project. The Natural Resource Managers and Specialists met every other week with the Agronomists and Attorneys to review progress, to give guidance in the regulatory process, to provide knowledge of adjudication and past permitting efforts from the State, and to follow through from their perspective on the Harvest Manual. The Attorneys provided a points paper, researched the rules and regulations on NTFPs throughout the U.S. and foreign countries, and provided guidance on legal matters. Partner organizations include the Sitka
Tribe's Kayaani Commission, Chickaloon Tribe, Global Food Alaska Organization, Homer Demonstration Forest, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Alaska Berry Growers, Pacific Northwest Forest Practitioners, Non-Timber Forest Products Working Group, National Network of Forest Practitioners, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Supernatural Teas, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Birch Syrupmakers Association, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Yupik Way, Alaska Coastal Management Program, SoA Division of Forestry, U.S. and SoA Department of Subsistence, SoA Division of Habitat Management and Permitting, and SoA Fish and Game. Many researchers, agency professionals, harvesters, and indigenous peoples provided input for the Project. Professional development and training was provided by the Project at the Non-timber Forest Products Working Group's Face-to-Face Meeting where Jessica facilitated the day-long meeting about Tribal-Agency Collaborations.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for this Project include those who either harvest or want to commercially harvest Alaska native plants on State lands. This education circles around how to harvest plants sustainably, where it is legal, and how much can be harvested without the ecology being injured. Some of these people come from very rural Alaska, living in places which can only be reached by plane. Many other people this Project affects are economically disadvantaged or indigenous people. Fostering respect for plants and their cultural usages is achieved through conferences, small informational meetings, hands-on, inquiry based presentations at schools and outdoor venues. During the period of January 1 - July, 2007, presentations were given to 509 people (previously unrecorded for this Project). By assisting Alaska Native Centers to grow historical plants in their gardens, this project is having an impact upon all ages. Researching the protocols for growing vulnerable plants
encourages people to grow them - not harvest them from the wild. This research is found interesting and productive to researchers, gardeners, agency professionals, and indigenous people.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The Alaska Ethnobotany Project (Project) encountered major changes in the fulfillment of its proposed activities and schedule due to the unforeseeable, yet pivotal, circumstances which led to the need to request a change in budget. In spring of 2006, the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP) initiated a request for suggested changes to its "ABC list" - a document that is central to the Project's goal of streamlining the permitting process for commercial harvest of NTFPs. The window of opportunity to get commercial NTFP harvest on the list as a General Consistency Determination (GCD) opened for the first time in several years and also for the last time for approximately five years. True to the objectives of the Project, a complete and detailed proposed amendment and associated harvest manual were created and submitted by the final deadlines, in expectation of the public review process to begin by December 1, 2006. Unfortunately for the Project's proposed
schedule, the Alaska State legislature passed a bill late in the fall to allow more time for Coastal District Plans to be revised prior to the ABC list proposed revisions being considered. RSAs were created for the SoA Dept. of Law and the Div. of Mining, Land and Water specifically to provide assistance in the ACMP review for the proposed GCD for commercial harvest of NTFPs and the drafting of regulations pertaining to it. The legislative delay ceased almost all work on these specific RSA activities. While waiting for the ACMP review to get rolling, the RSA money sat unused. Another unexpected element in the Project was the Parks Highway wildfire in 2006. In the recent past a "dry run" of streamlined, over-the-counter NTFP commercial harvest permits was accomplished during a post-wildfire morel mushroom frenzy near Tok. In the summer of 2007 there may be an opportunity to work out the glitches discovered during the Tok permitting experience, pending expected morel production on the
road-accessible Parks Highway burn area. This second rehearsal of intense over-the-counter permitting serves the Project in innumerable ways. The expansive rural area of the burn can best be traversed with ATVs as workers on the Project contact commercial harvesters and do in-the-field research on NTFP issues. Both this year and future years of the Project will encounter many similar circumstances both expected and unexpected. For instance, commercial blueberry harvest on remote State-managed land is understood to be happening judiciously, and access to these areas will be essential to understand the NTFP management needs at stake. Thus the PMC formally requested a significant budget change. Namely, that the money in the RSAs to the Department of Law and the Division of Mining, Land and Water for services be redirected toward an equipment purchase of ATVs and trailers. Two ATVs with pull-behind trailers were requested, as well as an enclosed trailer to transport the ATVs and trailers.
Other accessories such as helmets, winches, racks and gas containers were necessary. This change was approved by G. Maggie Griscavage, Director of Grants and Contracts, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Impacts
In a state as unique and diverse as Alaska, many considerations have to be weighed in managing a broad and newly recognized resource such as non-timber forest products. The cultural and spiritual significance of many of the species of plants, the dependence on them for personal and subsistence lifestyles, and their potential development into commercially viable products have to be balanced by the State. By developing the Alaska Non-Timber Forest Products Harvest Manual and changing the State's regulations to incorporate the Manual as law, the State is now making headway in developing a user-friendly program "to develop, conserve and enhance natural resources for present and future Alaskans" (Department of Natural Resources mission statement). Without the Ethnobotany Project this would not have been possible. The Harvest Manual is a cornerstone for the State. It defines the line between small-scale, low-impact commercial harvests and large-scale, potentially damaging
commercial harvests. It describes how to sustainably harvest many Alaskan plants. This document will impact thousands of people, inspiring some to realize there is a market for native plants, protecting the subsistence and personal use harvesters, and enabling the State to effectively and knowledgably manage its land. When harvesting happens legally it can be managed, unlike the unpermitted harvesting happening currently. This project is the first of many steps to take to manage for sustainability. Educational programs, liaisons with researchers and indigenous peoples, and meetings with harvesters create a way to work together towards social understanding.
Publications
- Larsen, Jessica. 2007. Alaska Ethnobotany Project: Non-Timber Forest Products in the 49th State. In Proceedings of the Society for Economic Botany Annual Meeting, June 4-7, 2007. 1 p.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
The primary work accomplished for 2006 was the creation of the Alaska NTFP Harvest Manual. The Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP) issued notice in April of a long-awaited revision to the List of Expedited Consistency Reviews. Having the harvest of NTFPs, with specific limits and protocols, on this list may allow for the creation of a more user-friendly permitting process. This was an indispensable step in the goals of the Alaska Ethnobotany Project. Extensive literature reviews were conducted through research databases, libraries, and the internet, and contacted by phone, email, and in person a large number of people within and outside of Alaska, including researchers, agency representatives, indigenous leaders, small business owners, and on-the-ground harvesters. The compiled information was formatted into a substantial document giving protocols and limits for essentially all non-timber forest product harvest in Alaska that may be considered for
over-the-counter permitting. The manual was submitted to the ACMP in late November to await public review. It will be an essential educational and management tool for the State. Regulation rewriting is the next goal. The National Network of Forest Practitioners' (NNFP) Non-Timber Forest Products Working Group focused on issues surrounding forest usage and non-timber forest product management, with special emphasis on the indigenous perspective. Participants represented tribes, state and federal agencies, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. Consultation and assistance were provided to a local Native group establishing a greenhouse, medicinal plant garden, and other plant-based programs. The Native Plant Demonstration Garden at the PMC was expanded to include a greater variety of ethnobotanically important plants. A visiting researcher was guided and supported in the collection of seeds of plants of ethnobotanic import. Official comments were written in response to permit
applications for the harvest of devil's club and diamond willow from State-managed land. Phone calls from interested citizens were expediently handled.
Impacts
The Alaska Ethnobotany Project is assisting in state management of its land for non-timber forest products. The appropriate balance is being sought between subsistence, personal, and commercial uses of these products, as residents of Alaska from a variety of perspectives, ethnicities, and backgrounds share these resources and each is allowed access under the State constitution. With new commercial markets opening up in the State for these products, an understanding of the plant or fungus' biological and ecological response to harvest, social and cultural importance, and existing laws and regulations governing them must be acquired. The Alaska Ethnobotany Project intends to assist the State as it develops responsible management of its ethnobotanically important non-timber forest products and to positively impact the associated regulations guiding their permitted harvest for commercial use.
Publications
- Larsen, Jessica. 2006. Alaska Ethnobotany Project Update and Information (Newsletter). State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Agriculture, Alaska Plant Materials Center. 2 pp.
- Larsen, Jessica. 2006. Alaska Non-Timber Forest Products Harvest Manual. State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water. 40 pp.
- Larsen, Jessica. 2006. Summary of Tribal-Agency Collaboration Meeting, May 21, 2006. National Network of Forest Practitioners. 6 pp.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Discussion between the Alaska Department of Law, Alaska Permitting Natural Resource Specialists, commercial and cottage industry non-timber special forest products harvesters, Alaska native peoples, and National Network of Forest Practitioners resulted in the following goals and work products: Streamline the permitting process into a cohesive application & review process; simplify the permitting process to encourage public participation (e.g. allowing harvesters to file reports & applications online or over-the-counter); develop statewide rules & regs for interior & coastal lands; determine how to enforce rules & regs; develop harvest method guidelines for species, harvest amounts and locations, etc.; summarize rules, regs, policies, and fee schedules in other jurisdictions, nationally & internationally; determine different permitting processes for small-scale vs. large-scale commercial harvests; consider adding small-scale harvests to generally allowed uses of state
lands; develop reporting and record-keeping requirements for harvesters; compile existing state literature on plant species with commercial demand. Progress has also been made in creating an RSA with the Alaska Department of Law, having an approved Personnel Description for an Agronomist I, an Excel spreadsheet of rules and regulations regarding commercial harvest of native plants from most of the U.S. and several foreign countries, an assessment plan for plants that may be harvested commercially on state lands, and a profitable Alaska Forum for Forest Practitioners which brought together Alaska Native Peoples, harvesters, and agency folk from all over Alaska in November, 2005. Educational progress was made in the development of ten ethnobotany plots at the Alaska Plant Materials Center (PMC) for demonstration activities. The Traditional Healing Department of the Southcentral Foundation and the PMC developed a list of plants to propagate for their demonstration garden (49 species.)
Education about harvest and propagation of Devils Club was provided to nine individuals. A Harvest Manual for Sustainable and Ethical Gathering of many Alaska native plants was approved by the States Permitting Department for Erika Merklin with Supernatural Teas. Education on harvest and propagation of many other traditional use plants (berries, mushrooms, dogwood, willow, and ginseng) was provided to quite a few individuals. Finally, world events that pertain to commercial harvest of native plants were monitored throughout the year and information disseminated where pertinent.
Impacts
The Ethnobotany Project impacts people-both those that have the intellectual rights to traditional use plants and those who wish to harvest plants on State-owned lands for commercial gain. The Project is seen as a vital program for the States Permitting Department. Controversy is occurring about which plants to list. The educational portion of this Project is important to enable harmony between the many factions. The Project affects the plants and lands in Alaska, and during this impact year, many people were made aware of the potential risks to Alaskas ecology if rules and regulations were not created. Through the publications, presentations, and trainings (see below) the PMC is in a position to positively impact rules and regulations of commercial harvest of native Alaska plants on State-owned lands. Important contacts for liaisons have been made with the Department of Law; Division of Mining, Land, and Water; small scale and large scale harvesters, Alaska native
peoples and Commissions; and the non-timber forest product national network of forest practitioners. Through networking, the Alaska Ethnobotanical Project is viable.
Publications
- Benson, M. 2005. The Need for Regulation of Commercial Harvest of Native Plants on State Lands. Alaska Department of Law Point Paper.
- Benson, M. 2005. The Need for Regulation of Commercial Harvest of Native Plants on State Lands. Presentation for Alaska State Commissioner; Division of Mining, Land, and Water; Federal and State Subsistence Coordination; Department of Natural Resources; and Office of Project Management and Permitting. Anchorage, Alaska, September 14, 2005.
- Hunt, P. 2005. Effective Interviewing and Hiring Course. State of Alaska, Division of Personnel, Training and Development Client Services Anchorage, Alaska, March 31, 2005. Hunt, P. 2005. Department of the Interior State-Federal Relationships Policy, ANILCA (Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act) Workshop. Anchorage, Alaska, June 28, 2005.
- Hunt, P. 2005. Training Class for State Agencies Regarding the September 2005 Edition of the Drafting Manual for Administrative Regulations. Anchorage, Alaska, September 28, 2005. Hunt, P. 2005. Alaska Ethnobotany Project. Power Point Presentation for the Alaska Forum for Forest Practitioners, Anchorage, Alaska, November 3-5, 2005.
- Menefee, W. 2005. Alaska Public Land Management Policy on Special Forest Products. Presentation for the Alaska Forum for Forest Practitioners, Anchorage, Alaska, November 3-5, 2005.
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