Guardians Of Alaska Rivers: Q&A With Trout Unlimited

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

BY TIFFANY HERRINGTON

For many Alaskans, the state’s rivers and wild landscapes are more than just natural resources; they’re an essential part of their heritage, culture and livelihoods.

Trout Unlimited’s Alaska Program is committed to preserving this legacy by protecting and restoring the habitats of coldwater fish, including the world-renowned salmon and trout species that call these waters home.

One of the program’s biggest and longest-running battles has been the fight to protect Bristol Bay from the proposed Pebble Mine, a massive gold and copper mining project that threatens one of the world’s largest sockeye salmon fisheries. Trout Unlimited has been at the forefront of efforts to prevent the mine from moving forward, working closely with local tribes, business owners and communities to secure essential protections for Bristol Bay’s waters and the salmon that sustain them.

“Stopping the Pebble Mine has been our most focused and sustained effort in Alaska,” explains Nelli Williams, Alaska director for Trout Unlimited. “In 2020, we worked to deny the mine a key permit it needed to advance, and in 2023, Clean Water Act protections were put in place to limit mine waste disposal in the Pebble deposit area. But the fight isn’t over. There are still legal challenges, and we’re actively working toward long-term safeguards for the entire Bristol Bay watershed.”

The scope of Trout Unlimited’s work extends across the state, from advocating for sustainable management of the Tongass National Forest to restoring salmon habitat impacted by logging and development. Williams, along with Marian Giannulis, Alaska communications and engagement director, share their personal connections to Alaska’s wild spaces, agree that there is an ongoing threat posed by Pebble Mine, and explore how conserving these watersheds is critical for maintaining not only the health of the fisheries, but also the vibrant traditions and economies they support.

“Alaska is home to some of the world’s last remaining intact wild salmon fisheries,” adds Giannulis. “These fish are integral to the culture, economy and way of life for thousands of Alaskans. We’re committed to ensuring that this remains the case for future generations by advocating for protections that will preserve the state’s wild places.”

The following conversation delves into what makes Alaska’s watersheds unique, the stakes involved in the fight against Pebble Mine, and why conservation is critical to preserving the state’s thriving fisheries and the way of life they support.

Tiffany Herrington Nellie, where do you hail from? Are you a born-and-bred Alaskan? 

Nelli Williams I’m not originally from Alaska, but I’ve been here for quite a while now. I was born in Wisconsin and got the Alaska bug at a young age. I came up here during college and have basically stayed ever since. I went back to the Lower 48 for school, but Alaska captured my heart. Now I’m raising a family here, and this is definitely home.

TH Can you share about your background and what led you to take on the role of Alaska Director for Trout Unlimited?
NW Sure! I’ll give you the short version. Like many people who visit Alaska as young adults, I was blown away by the bounty of the place – the wildness, remoteness and the people who are so connected to the land. I worked seasonally in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska, particularly in the Tongass National Forest. Those were formative experiences, and I met people who were stewarding Alaska’s public lands and waters, which really spoke to me. After grad school, I got the opportunity to work for Trout Unlimited doing volunteer and community engagement. My background is in education, particularly natural resource education, so it was a good fit. That was in Wyoming, but my husband and I were eager to get back to Alaska – it was too hot and sunny in Wyoming! We jumped at the chance, and I started working on the fight to protect Bristol Bay from the proposed Pebble Mine in 2009.

TH What personal experiences shaped your passion for conservation and protecting Alaska’s pristine waters?
NW I grew up spending summers at a family cabin on the Mississippi River. I have vivid memories of my grandma, great aunts and my mom catching bluegill, and that’s where my connection to rivers started. It wasn’t just about fun; it was also about how important those experiences were for our family. I spent a lot of time outdoors, and my parents did their best to cultivate that connection. I wasn’t always into fly fishing. My husband was the one who taught me, and over the years, it became our way of exploring new places together. We’ve since been able to bring our kids along, and it’s been a huge part of our family life. Learning about why healthy rivers are so important has been eye-opening – rivers where you can catch fish, swim and even drink the water. In places like Bristol Bay, that’s still possible, and it highlights how special Alaska truly is.

TH Marian, where are you from, and what led you to Trout Unlimited?
Marian Giannulis I’m from Eagle River, Alaska – born and raised. I’d been doing communications work in the nonprofit sector for many years, and I always knew I wanted to do something that made a positive impact. I had a growing desire to work in conservation because my heart is in the outdoors. It wasn’t until I left Alaska for college that I realized how unique my home is. I wanted to be part of preserving that, especially as threats to Alaska’s wildlands and fish populations increased. I put the feelers out for conservation work, and this position at Trout Unlimited came up. It was a dream come true, especially since fishing is my favorite thing to do. The alignment between my personal passion and TU’s conservation work felt perfect. I knew this was something I’d be doing for a lifetime.

TH Do you have any personal experiences that shaped your passion for conservation and protecting Alaska’s waters?
MG Absolutely. One of the most meaningful experiences for me was harvesting my first big game animal. As much as I love fishing, hunting has given me an even closer connection to the natural world. There’s something about being fully immersed in a wild place without trails, relying on your senses to guide you; it’s a completely different experience. Hunting has also given me a deeper understanding of indigenous cultures in Alaska, who have lived off the land for thousands of years. It’s humbling to realize that while I’m doing this recreationally, for many people in Alaska, this is their way of life. It’s not a choice; it’s part of their cultural heritage. That connection to the land and to the food it provides really resonates with me.

TH That sounds like such a powerful experience. I imagine it deepened your understanding of conservation on many levels. Now, let’s talk about Trout Unlimited. For those who may not be familiar, can you provide an overview of its mission and work in Alaska?

NW At its core, Trout Unlimited’s mission in Alaska is to take care of the rivers people love to fish. We do this by cultivating and engaging an active community of anglers and conservationists. Our work focuses on safeguarding critical fish habitats, restoring habitats that have been historically degraded and prioritizing our efforts in five key water regions across the state. It’s a big job; Alaska has more than 365,000 miles of rivers, and we’re a team of just 15 people! But we’re passionate about what we do, and we have an incredible team.

MG I think of it as playing both offense and defense. We advocate for intact habitats, like in Bristol Bay, while also working to restore areas that have been degraded by historic mining, logging and road building. There’s a misconception that Alaska’s fish habitat hasn’t been affected by human activities, but that’s not true. We’ve seen many areas impacted by development, and restoring that habitat is critical to sustaining fish populations.

TH Nellie, you mentioned the Pebble Mine earlier; can you tell me more about Trout Unlimited’s role in that fight?
NW Absolutely. Stopping the proposed Pebble Mine has been our most focused and sustained effort in Alaska. We’ve been involved in this fight since 2009, when it was just starting to gain traction. Pebble Mine has the potential to devastate the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery in Bristol Bay, and it threatens a way of life for many Alaskans. The Pebble deposit sits in the headwaters of several major salmon rivers, and the mine would generate billions of tons of waste, which could pose a catastrophic risk to the pristine waters and the fish that depend on them. Over the years, we’ve partnered closely with local tribes, commercial fishermen, sport anglers, and businesses who are all deeply invested in keeping this place wild and thriving. In 2020, we worked to deny the Pebble Partnership a key federal permit it needed to advance the project. That was a major victory, but we knew it wasn’t the end. In early 2023, we saw another milestone when the EPA put Clean Water Act protections in place, limiting the amount of mine waste that could be disposed of in the Pebble deposit area.

But, as is often the case with these complex issues, the fight isn’t over. There are still legal challenges, and the mine’s backers are pushing to reverse these protections. Our goal now is to secure long-term, durable safeguards for the entire Bristol Bay watershed, which will ensure that this world-class fishery and the communities that depend on it remain healthy for generations to come.

TH It sounds like an ongoing challenge. Marian, can you add your perspective on the fight against the Pebble Mine?
MG Definitely. The fight to protect Bristol Bay has really become a flagship example of how diverse communities and stakeholders can come together to protect a shared resource. One of the most remarkable things about this effort has been the unity among different groups – tribes, subsistence users, sport fishers and commercial fishermen – all working toward a common goal. This broad coalition has been instrumental in elevating the issue to the national stage, which helped us gain some key victories. Back in 2020, the Trump administration denied Pebble’s federal permit, and then in 2023, the EPA’s Clean Water Act 404(c) protections provided additional layers of defense. However, we’re currently seeing multiple lawsuits aimed at overturning these protections. It’s a reminder that we need to remain vigilant and persistent. Protecting Bristol Bay is about more than stopping one mine; it’s about ensuring that future development proposals don’t threaten the health of this vital ecosystem.

TH What would it mean for Alaska’s communities and fisheries if the Pebble Mine were to proceed?
NW If Pebble Mine were to proceed, it would be disastrous. The mine’s footprint would cover thousands of acres, with billions of tons of waste being generated over its lifespan. The risk of a tailings dam failure or water contamination is a reality that could decimate salmon populations. Salmon are a keystone species in Alaska. They support not only the ecosystem, but also the economy and cultural heritage of so many communities. The impacts would ripple across commercial fisheries, sport fishing industries and subsistence users who rely on salmon as a food source and for their livelihoods. It’s a scenario that we simply can’t afford.

MG Nelli’s absolutely right. If something were to happen – if the mine’s waste containment system failed – the effects would be felt for generations. We’re talking about the collapse of one of the last remaining intact wild salmon fisheries in the world. And it’s not just about fish; it’s about the people and communities that depend on these waters. There’s no going back from a mistake of that magnitude. That’s why securing permanent protections is so critical.

TH Thank you both for diving into this topic. Beyond Pebble Mine, what are some of Trout Unlimited Alaska’s other priority projects?

NW Another big focus is protecting fish habitat in the Tongass National Forest. The Tongass is often called America’s “salmon forest,” because it’s one of the few places left where wild salmon still thrive. For many years, the forest was managed primarily for logging, which led to a lot of habitat loss. In recent years, the (U.S.) Forest Service has shifted its approach to prioritize restoration and recreation, and we’ve been working closely with them on that front. We’re also leading restoration projects to replace old culverts that block fish passage, reconnecting miles of vital habitat.

MG And beyond the Tongass, we’re also working in areas like the Kenai Peninsula, Mat-Su Basin and the Copper River watershed, where habitat restoration and community engagement are key priorities. It’s a big state with a lot of work to be done, but we’re committed to preserving these watersheds for future generations.

TH How does Trout Unlimited engage with local communities and Native tribes in these efforts?
NW We work hard to develop strong relationships with local communities and tribes, ensuring our projects align with their stewardship practices. Our goal is to support the work they’re already doing to protect their lands and waters while collaborating on new conservation initiatives.

MG We have staff members living in the communities where we work, so they’re directly engaged with the people there. We also work closely with businesses in the outdoor industry, like sport fishing and tourism, who rely on these wild spaces for their livelihoods. It’s a collaborative effort, and we’re fortunate to have so much passion and support from people across the state.

TH Looking forward, what are some of Trout Unlimited’s main goals for Alaska in the next decade?

NW In the next few years, we hope to secure permanent protections for Bristol Bay so that it remains a stronghold for wild salmon. We’ll also be focusing on the revision of the Tongass Land Management Plan, which will shape how the forest is managed for the future. Beyond that, we recently started a youth education program in Southcentral Alaska, and I hope some of the kids going through that program now will become active leaders in their communities in the future. We’re also strengthening the connections between healthy rivers and healthy economies by creating programs like the Bristol Bay Fly Fishing and Guide Academy, which trains local kids to explore careers in sport fishing and tourism.

TH That sounds like a comprehensive and thoughtful approach. How can Alaskans – and people beyond the state – get involved with Trout Unlimited’s efforts?
MG The best way is to follow us on social media, where we share updates and opportunities to get involved. You can also sign up for our email list to stay informed about public comment periods and other ways to engage in conservation efforts. There are a lot of issues impacting Alaska’s fisheries, and staying connected online is the easiest way to be part of the solution.

TH One last question: What personally gives you hope and drives you to keep fighting for Alaska’s rivers and fisheries? 

MG Securing Clean Water Act protections for Bristol Bay was one of the most inspirational moments in my career. It showed that we can make a difference, even after a long fight. But what really gives me hope are the conversations I have with people every day, whether it’s on the river, in the coffee shop or out hunting. There’s a shared passion for Alaska’s wild places that permeates our culture, and knowing that so many people care deeply about the future of our fisheries keeps me going.

NW I agree. What gives me hope is seeing how conservation work is a collective effort. It’s not just one person or one group that gets things done; it’s a whole community pulling together. That shared responsibility is what makes me optimistic for the future. We’re all working to protect these places so the next generation can experience them too. If we can continue to nurture that stewardship in young people, I believe we’ll see great things in the future.

TH Thank you both so much for sharing your stories and for the crucial work you’re undertaking to protect Alaska’s waterways and fish populations. ASJ

Editor’s note: Stay informed, support Trout Unlimited Alaska’s efforts and be part of the conversation by visiting the organization’s website at prioritywaters.tu.org/alaska. Like at facebook.com/TUAlaska. Follow on Instagram (@troutunlimited).