In recognition of their strong efforts to protect the fish and wildlife of Southeast Alaska, Southeast Alaska Land Trust was awarded the Coastal America Spirit Award (PDF 153KB) in October 2003.

In recognition of our efforts creating partnerships to protect coastal fish and wildlife habitat Southeast Alaska Land Trust received the nationally recognized Coastal America 2003 Spirit Award issued by the United States Executive Office of the President. One of six spirit awards handed out nationwide, we were one of four Alaskan coastal land trust’s honored under the award for our collaborative conservation efforts with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Working with the United State Fish and Wildlife Service the Southeast Alaska Land Trust developed a strategy for protecting the Herbert River Wetlands. Providing invaluable wildlife habitat yet at great risk from industrial development, the Herbert River Wetlands was at the center of a conservation controversy. Southeast Alaska Land Trust stepped in to develop a grant application for this project. Through a collaboration with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources and the City and Borough of Juneau, approximately 147-acres were placed in permanent protection.