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Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council (AMBCC)
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and Alaska Native representatives from the subsistence regions in Alaska have worked collaboratively since 2000 to co-manage the spring and summer migratory bird subsistence harvest season. The primary purpose of the AMBCC is to conserve migratory birds and respect the relationship we all share with them through development of annual harvest regulations, assessment and reporting of subsistence harvest, and statewide outreach. AMBCC is designed for direct involvement by Alaska Native peoples and other qualified individuals living and subsisting in many remote communities within Alaska. The Executive Director is employed by an Alaska Native partner funded by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Executive Director is an individual whose leadership and vision can help the AMBCC work through complex issues, some of which are outside the realm of normal Federal functions. Collaborations that promote conservation are helping us achieve great things together.
History and Establishment of AMBCC
FAQs about the AMBCC
Submit a Regulation Proposal for Spring/Summer Subsistence Harvest of Migratory Birds
The AMBCC logo incorporates the drawing of a Yup’ik mask by Alaska artist Katie Curtis from Toksook Bay. Some people refer to this drawing as “The Goose Mask.” The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service commissioned this drawing in the late 1990s during the process of creating the AMBCC. An actual mask was not carved. The original drawing is black and white; the colors used here were added in 2009 when new outreach materials were produced for the AMBCC subsistence harvest survey. The choice of colors was based on historical and current Yup’ik artwork. Katie Curtis was consulted during this process and agreed with the use of the colors. The mask depicts a Canada goose surrounded by 8 feathers. The feathers represent the 8 steps to implement a spring subsistence bird hunt:
- Notify people of the intent to form management bodies;
- Meet to share ideas;
- Send out ideas and listen;
- Choose the form of management bodies;
- Start rule-making;
- Recommend rules for Alaska;
- Link with management in other U.S. flyways; and
- Link with the nation.
Since its inception, this new regulatory framework has been designed to promote true collaboration among a diversity of stakeholders as cultures intermingle in the history of wildlife management and conservation in Alaska.
Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council Members
AMBCC - Executive Director
Patty Schwalenberg
6450 Andover Circle
Anchorage, AK 99516
Tel: 907/301-1474; Email: patty@ahtnatribal.org
Association of Village Council Presidents (Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta Region)
Martin Andrew c/o Jennifer Hooper
P.O. Box 219
Bethel, AK 99559
Tel: 907/543-7471; Email: jhooper@avcp.org
Bristol Bay Native Association (Bristol Bay Region)
Gayla Hoseth
P.O. Box 310
Dillingham, AK 99576
Tel: 907/842-6252; Email: ghoseth@bbna.com
Chugach Regional Resources Commission (Gulf of Alaska Region)
Priscilla Evans
P.O. Box 8028
Nanwalek, AK 99603
Tel: 907/281-2274; Email: priscillaevans@yahoo.com
Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission (Upper Copper River Region)
Fred Dahl
P.O. Box 613
Mile 186 Glenn Highway Glennallen, Alaska 99588
Tel:907/301-1474; Email: fdhal@chitina.org
Kawerak, Inc. (Bering Straits/Norton Sound Region)
Jack Fagerstrom c/o Charles Menadelook
P.O. Box 948
Nome, AK 99672
Tel: 907/443-4265; Email: cbmenadelook@kawerak.org
Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Assoc. (Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Region)
Peter Devine, c/o Karen Pletnikoff
1131 East International Airport Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99518
Tel: 907/222-4286; Email:karenp@apiai.org
Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak (Kodiak Archipelago Region)
Coral Chernoff
312 Marine Way
Kodiak, AK 99615
Tel: 907/512-6082; Email: coralchernoff@hotmail.com
Maniilaq Assoc. (Northwest Arctic Region)
Cyrus Harris PO Box 256
Kotzebue, AK 99752
Tel: 907/442-7914; Email: charris@maniilaq.org
North Slope Borough (North Slope Region)
Taqulik Hepa
P.O. Box 69
Barrow, AK 99723
Tel: 907/852-0350; Email: taqulik.hepa@north-slope.org
Tanana Chiefs Conference (Interior Region)
Randy Mayo
P.O. Box 74319
Fairbanks, AK 99707
Tel: 907/978-1670; Email: randamayo@gmail.com
Alaska Native Caucus Chair
Randy Mayo
P.O. Box 70866
Fairbanks, AK 99707
Tel: 907/699-2128; Email: randyamayo@gmail.com
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Wendy Loya
USFWS Migratory Bird Management Program
1011 East Tudor Road, MS 201
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-6199
Tel: 907/227-2942; Email: Wendy_Loya@fws.gov
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Mark Burch
1801 S. Margaret Drive, Suite 4
Palmer, AK 99645
Tel: 907/861-2109; Email: mark.burch@alaska.gov
