Our Impact

“Sustainable communities make sustainable decisions. Communities at risk make short-term decisions based on immediate need. The Seacoast Trust will help create sustainability across the region through proven Indigenous stewardship.”

— Gunnuk’ Anthony Mallott, President and CEO of Sealaska

By funding the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP), the Seacoast Trust creates immediate, positive change for our communities — on our land, in our waters — and on our terms.

The average measured benefit-cost ratio for SSP's communities was 7.15 to 1, meaning that for each $40,810 invested annually in each SSP target community, that community reaps benefits worth $291,853. For the whole region, the measured benefit-cost ratio was 7.03 to 1.

Immediate Impacts

  • Community Catalyst

    The SSP Community Catalyst program employs people in local communities (with more soon to be added) to assist in identifying and funding local priorities and connecting communities to the larger network.

  • Regional Catalyst

    The SSP Regional Catalyst program employs local people to work on regionally identified priorities like food security, energy independence, regenerative tourism and more, building capacity through dedicated focus on priority impact opportunities.

  • Indigenous Guardians Program

    The Indigenous Guardians program draws on Indigenous knowledge and traditions with careful observation of natural systems to inform land management decisions throughout the region while providing valuable local employment.

  • Community Forest Partnership

    The Community Forest Partnership program will be expanded to bring Indigenous knowledge and community priorities to federal management of the Tongass National Forest.

  • Stakeholder Engagement

    Improved stakeholder engagement in dialogue is necessary to transition away from logging and timber extraction.

  • Fostering Healing

    Foster healing and wellness for the land and peoples of the Tongass through food security efforts, social justice, and preparation for the effects of climate change.

  • Sharing Expertise

    Communities will share expertise as the Tongass becomes a global model for Indigenous stewardship and sustainability.

  • Keeping Communities Whole

    People need help to remain in or return to their home communities. We must ensure that rural communities maintain healthy, responsible and contributing populations. Keeping communities whole means making it possible for people to stay and prosper in rural Southeast Alaska.

  • Sustainable Employment

    Increase sustainable employment opportunities for our communities in sectors like forest management, food security and stability, and regenerative tourism.

  • Indigenous Stewardship

    More co-management agreements are needed between tribes and the U.S. Forest Service over the Tongass, returning it to a place of Indigenous stewardship.

Future Impacts

  • More Carbon Sequestered

    More carbon projects will keep our forests standing and mitigate climate change, realizing the Tongass’ potential as a contributor to global environmental balance.

  • Expansion of Indigenous-Led Land Management

    With increased support, the Community Forest Partnership program can expand to the villages of Klawock and Yakutat, and build capacity toward establishing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, similar to a model piloted in Canada.

  • More Indigenous Stewardship

    With more funding, we can coordinate more Indigenous Guardians positions in each community and purchase essential equipment like boats.