Tongass

The 17 million acre Tongass is America’s largest National Forest, and one that provides billions of dollars of fishing, recreation, and tourism opportunities to Southeast Alaska and the nation. In recent years, Tongass management has begun to shift away from its historical focus on old growth timber and toward decisions and programs that can better support healthy watersheds and wildlife that deliver those diverse economic outputs and non-timber products. Wilburforce Foundation prioritizes grants for projects and advocacy that advance this shift.  We are particularly interested in:

• Alaskan-based efforts to help actualize the Forest Service’s goal of a 10-15 year transition out of old growth logging;
• Projects that show how sustainable management of the Tongass can enhance economic opportunities and community benefits in Southeast Alaska;
• Efforts to durably protect important watersheds.