Ensuring A Sustainable, Wild Alaska

The following appears in the January issue of Alaska Sporting Journal:

BY TIFFANY HERRINGTON

Alaska is a land like no other. Home to vast wilderness, towering glaciers, ancient forests and abundant wildlife, it holds a place of reverence as one of the last great untouched landscapes. Its pristine beauty and ecological importance stretch far beyond its borders, providing critical habitats for wildlife and playing a vital role in regulating global climate systems.

Yet this extraordinary environment is increasingly under threat. Climate change, resource extraction, pollution and unsustainable practices have begun to unravel the fragile balance that makes Alaska so unique.

In the face of these challenges, Dyani Chapman, director of the environmentalist organization Alaska Environment, has emerged as a force for change. With a passion rooted in her own connection to nature and years of experience in environmental advocacy, Chapman leads efforts to preserve Alaska’s air, water, wildlife and open spaces. Her mission is ambitious but essential: to protect Alaska’s wild legacy while creating pathways for a sustainable future.

“Alaska is one of the last places where wild landscapes still dominate,” Chapman says. “Protecting that is as much about honoring our past as it is about securing our future.”

Chapman’s work spans a wide range of critical issues – from renewable energy advocacy and pollution reduction to wildlife conservation and climate action. Under her leadership, Alaska Environment empowers communities, engages policymakers and brings people together to protect the Last Frontier.

FROM THE ROCKIES TO THE LAST FRONTIER

Chapman’s journey into environmental advocacy began in the woods of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, where she spent her childhood, surrounded by nature.

Raised in an off-grid home powered by solar energy, she grew up immersed in a lifestyle that prioritized sustainability and harmony with the environment.

“Our house was completely solar-powered, and we didn’t drive cars on holidays because my parents believed in reducing emissions,” Chapman recalls. “They lived their values, and they taught me early on that every choice matters when it comes to protecting the planet.”

Her upbringing wasn’t just about sustainability; it was about cultivating a deep connection to the natural world. Hiking through forests, fishing in mountain streams and camping under starlit skies instilled in her a profound appreciation for the beauty and interconnectedness of nature.

At first, Chapman envisioned herself as a naturalist researcher, studying wolves, gorillas or elephants in their native habitats. Her academic path seemed to align with this dream; she majored in biology with a behavior specialization at Boston University. But as she progressed in her studies, she realized that many of the species she admired were under threat – not because of a lack of scientific knowledge, but because of systemic human behaviors.

“Each year, it became clearer that the species I loved most were at risk of extinction unless we made substantial changes in how we interact with the world,” she says. “It wasn’t a lack of understanding holding us back; it was the need for action.”

This realization shifted her focus from research to advocacy, marking the beginning of a career dedicated to environmental protection.

GRASSROOTS BEGINNINGS: BUILDING MOVEMENTS FOR CHANGE
“It was a crash course in understanding how to connect with people on issues that matter,” she says. “We weren’t just asking for support – we were building a movement.”

Under her leadership, the canvassing team achieved significant milestones, including advancing New Mexico’s commitment to 100-percent, carbon-free electricity by 2045. “The members we brought on board became the backbone of that success,” she says. “They showed how powerful collective action can be.”

As her career progressed, Chapman became a regional director, overseeing canvassingofficesacrosstheWestern United States. Her campaigns addressed a wide array of issues, from reducing plastic pollution and advocating for dam removal to promoting sustainable transportation and improving pesticide practices.

“Every campaign taught me something new,” she says. “It reinforced the importance of persistence, collaboration and finding common ground to create meaningful change.”

ANSWERING A CALL TO ALASKA

In 2021, Chapman’s journey brought her to Alaska, where her passion for conservation and her personal goals aligned perfectly. Her brother, who had spent years living and working in Alaska as a river guide and boat captain, often encouraged her to visit. When he announced the arrival of his first child, Chapman felt it was the right time to make the move.

“I wanted to be closer to my family, but I was also drawn to Alaska’s wild beautyandtheopportunitytomakea real impact,” she says.

Shortly after arriving, Chapman founded Alaska Environment, a state chapter of Environment America. The new organization provided a platform to address Alaska’s unique environmental challenges at the state level.

“Environment America has a long history of working on federal land conservation in Alaska, but there was so much more that could be done

locally,” she explains. “Launching Alaska Environment was about filling that gap and creating a voice for these critical state-level issues.”

COLLABORATING FOR CONSERVATION

One of Chapman’s guiding principles is that conservation and environmentalism is a collaborative effort. She views her work not as a series of top-down initiatives but as a partnership with Alaskans to protect the land and resources they hold dear.

“Conservation here isn’t just a job,” she says. “It’s a partnership with Alaskans to protect something that belongs to all of us.”

This collaborative approach is at the heart of Alaska Environment’s mission. The organization focuses on clean air, clean water, wildlife protection and climate resilience, using a combination of public education, grassroots organizing and policy advocacy to achieve its goals.

“Alaskans have a deep connection to the land and water,” Chapman notes. “Our role is to support and empower them to take action that aligns with their values.”

TACKLING ALASKA’S MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES
Under Chapman’s leadership, Alaska Environment has taken on some of the state’s most urgent environmental issues. One major focus is the Right to Repair campaign, which aims to reduce electronic waste by increasing repair access for consumers and independent shops.

“E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world,” Chapman explains. “It accounts for 70 percent of the toxic material in landfills, and in Alaska, where many rural landfills are unlined and practice burning, the risks are even greater.”

The campaign advocates for legislation requiring manufacturers to make repair resources – think parts, tools and schematics – affordable and accessible. “We need to move away from a throwaway culture and toward a circular economy where repair, reuse and recycling are the norm,” she says. “This isn’t just good for the environment; it’s good for families because it saves money and builds resilience.”

Another critical focus is renewable energy. Despite Alaska’s vast potential for clean energy production, the state has been slow to adopt wind, solar and tidal energy. Chapman’s team is working to change that by advocating for policies like a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, which would require utilities to source 80 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2040.

“Alaska has the opportunity to lead in renewable energy innovation,” she says. “It’s about creating a sustainable future while generating economic opportunities for communities.”

FACING CLIMATE CHANGE, HEAD ON

Few places are as vulnerable to climate change as Alaska. Glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate, permafrost is thawing and rising sea temperatures are threatening marine ecosystems. These changes not only disrupt wildlife but also pose serious challenges for the people who depend on fishing, tourism and subsistence living.

“Alaska is on the front lines of climate change,” Chapman says. “What happens here is a preview of what the rest of the world will face if we don’t act.”

Alaska Environment’s approach to climate action is twofold: mitigating emissions to address the root causes of climate change, and strengthening ecosystems to adapt to new conditions. Efforts include protecting old-growth forests, which serve as vital carbon sinks, and reducing habitat fragmentation to support wildlife migration.

“Resilience isn’t just about survival. It’s about thriving in a changing world,” she says.

BUILDING MOMENTUM FROM RECENT SUCCESSES
Chapman is particularly proud of several recent victories that highlight the power of advocacy and collaboration. In 2023, Alaska Environment conducted a groundbreaking microplastics survey in Southcentral Alaska, collecting water samples from 39 locations. The results were stark, as microplastics were present in every sample, underscoring the pervasive nature of plastic pollution.

“This research was eye-opening,” Chapman says. “It showed just how widespread plastic pollution has become, even in remote areas. It’s a call to action for all of us.”

The findings have already spurred policy changes, including closing loopholes in local plastic bag bans. Chapman sees thisasafoundationforbroadereffortsto reduce plastic waste statewide.

Another significant achievement was the role Alaska Environment played in halting the Pebble Mine project, which threatened Bristol Bay’s world-renowned salmon runs. The Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to block the mine was a monumental win, but Chapman emphasizes the importance of codifying these protections through legislation.

“Bristol Bay is safer now than it has been in decades, but we need to make sure these protections are permanent,” she says.

A VISION FOR ALASKA’S FUTURE

Looking ahead, Chapman envisions a future where Alaska leads in sustainability and innovation. Her vision includes transitioning to 100-percent renewable energy, creating a circular economy that minimizes waste, and preservingthestate’sbiodiversity.

“When I think about the future, I think aboutmynephews,”shesays.“Iwant them to grow up in a world where clean air, abundant wildlife, and natural beauty are still a reality.”

For Chapman, conservation is more than just about preserving what exists; it’s about building a better world. “This work isaboutcreatingafuturewherepeople and nature thrive together,” she says.

Through her leadership at Alaska Environment, Chapman is proving that with collaboration, persistence and vision, protecting Alaska’s legacy is not only possible. It’s inevitable. ASJ

Editor’s notes: Follow Alaska Environment’s efforts to protect Alaska’s wilderness and stay updated on their latest initiatives at AlaskaEnvironment.org and EnvironmentAmerica.org. Tiffany Herrington is a writer based in the Seattle area.