News and Events

2024 Adopt-a-Stream Program
Jan
1
to Jan 4

2024 Adopt-a-Stream Program

The Adopt-A-Stream program is a volunteer-based effort coordinated by the Tanana Valley Watershed Association (TVWA) in partnership with the City of Fairbanks’ Storm Water Advisory Committee. The goal is to involve residents and local businesses in monitoring the water quality of the local rivers, lakes, and streams. Elements of the programs include water-quality monitoring, litter pick-up, stream bank restoration and maintenance, and management of flow restrictions. The 2024 Adopt-A-Stream Training will take place (TBA).

Fill out our volunteer form HERE to get involved!

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2024 Storm Drain Art Contest
Jun
1
to Jan 8

2024 Storm Drain Art Contest

Since 2014, TVWA and local partners have invited local artists to submit design proposals for storm drain art in downtown Fairbanks. This project aims to raise public awareness that ALL storm drains flow directly into the Chena River and provide an opportunity for artists to create public works of art in the downtown and surrounding Fairbanks area. The past art was displayed for one year before the construction on Cushman Street (2014), Noble Street (2015), Cowles Street (2016), Gilliam Way (2017), Barnette Street (2018), 5th Avenue (2019), 3rd Avenue (2020), Lacey Street (2021), and Cowles Street (2022). This project has garnered local, state, and national attention. The painting will take place on June 1st.

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May
15

Adopt-A-Stream Training

Looking for a fun, outdoors, and hands-on educational opportunity for your family this summer? TVWA's Adopt-a-Stream program is a free, flexible program that trains you to be a citizen scientist and gives you all the tools you need to conduct water quality sampling at a local water body of your choice on your own schedule.

* Learn about how and why we measure water quality.

* Gain valuable scientific research skills.

* Submit your data to a global database!

* Free one-on-one time and support from field technicians

2021 training will be held on Saturday, May 15 from 12-2pm at FAST Planning- 100 Cushman Street Suite 205. This training will also be available on zoom. To register please email naomi.tvwa@gmail.com. If you can’t make it please contact us to set up a private training.

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Arbor Day 2019
May
20

Arbor Day 2019

There are many good reasons to plant trees in our community and Arbor Day is a great time to volunteer with many planting events happening around town.

More Information: 
TVWA and partners (Georgeson Botanical Garden, the Bread Line, and Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System (now FAST)) received a grant from the Department of Natural Resources to demonstrate the importance of food forests for local food security to the community and to provide the Bread Line with locally grown food. We will also be distributing copies of the recently printed Green Infrastructure for Interior Alaska guide.

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Splashy Salmon Alcohol Ink Paint Class
Mar
12

Splashy Salmon Alcohol Ink Paint Class

We will make a 9" x 13' alcohol ink painting on yupo paper. This technique uses vibrant color inks on a resistant background that allows the inks to flow and blend similar to water color. All supplies and templates included.

Cost: $45 includes all supplies, templates, drinks, and appetizers.

Tickets are on sale NOW and seating is limited!

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Voices of the Chena - Film Debut
Aug
26

Voices of the Chena - Film Debut

The Tanana Valley Watershed Association and the US Fish and Wildlife Service invite you to the debut of the short film "Voices of the Chena."

When: Friday, August 26 from 7:30 to 9pm

Where: The Venue, 514 2nd Ave (Downtown Fairbanks)

Why: For the last 115 years, the Chena River has been at the heart of our community. This film explores that river, its importance to king salmon and ways we can take care of them both.

To RSVP - Go to our Facebook Event HERE
See both trailers for the film below:
Trailer #1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40KxCBzZq68
Trailer #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efs3VMtMm9A

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Midnight Sun Festival
Jun
19

Midnight Sun Festival

Downtown Fairbanks will host the 35th Midnight Sun Festival celebration on Father’s Day, June 19, from noon-midnight! As Alaska’s largest single-day event, the Festival attracts more than 30,000 people to downtown Fairbanks.

The Festival will feature more than 160 vendors offering a bevy of shopping and eating opportunities.

To learn more about this event - visit the Fairbanks Downtown Association Website.

http://www.downtownfairbanks.com/?page_id=741

 

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12th Annual Stream Cleanup Day
Jun
11

12th Annual Stream Cleanup Day

12th annual Stream Cleanup in Fairbanks.
The Fairbanks Storm Advisory Committee is asking for help to clean trash and debris from Noyes Slough and the portion of the Chena River running through downtown. Activities begin at 9a.m. at the Lions Club Park off Danby Road. Volunteers will work on foot and from canoes. Several canoes will be available.

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Alaskan Arbor Day - 50th Anniversary
May
16

Alaskan Arbor Day - 50th Anniversary

TVWA is hosting an Arbor Day event May 16 from 3pm - 7pm at the Big I, downtown along the Chena River.

 

This fun event will include a FREE educational workshop and installation project.  If you want to learn how to properly plant a tree to ensure a long lifespan or just want to learn more about riparian (river) habitat, then you won’t want to miss this!  We’ll provide basic instruction and we will be installing native trees, shrubs and flowers to re-vegetate this downtown streambank. Stay for the food, fun and other activities! More information to come in the next few weeks. Contact Laura at laura.tvwa@gmail.com if you want to sign up to help or learn more.

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Permeable Pavers Workshop
May
9

Permeable Pavers Workshop

Have you heard of permeable pavers and interested in how you might use them on your property to address stormwater run off? Come and learn about two stormwater projects that the Tanana Valley Watershed Association (TVWA), the Department of Conservation (DEC), and the City of Fairbanks (COF) will be installing along Cushman Street this spring. 

Important Information

When: May 9th

9am-10am: Discussion: Learn about the process that TVWA went through for S Salon and Transit Park to develop stormwater fixes for these two sites. The focus will be on the use of permeable pavers, as Fairbanks Materials Inc. (FMI) will be there to introduce this type of paver and where you can use it.


10am - 4pm: Hands-on Workshop: Paver installation at S Salon and Transit Park on Cushman Street. Be prepared for digging and some lifting of pavers. Wear work clothes. All equipment will be provided. Space is limited for this part of the workshop, sign up fast!

Where: TVWA & S Salon
We'll begin at the TVWA's office for the lecture 516 2nd Ave Suite 412 on the 4th floor of the Lathrop Building. Then we will walk over to S Salon and Transit Park for the installations.

How can I sign up:
Please RSVP to the email address below and let us know whether you plan to only attend the lecture (9am to 10am) or want to stay for the whole workshop and installation (9 am to 4pm).

RSVP:  Space is limited so RSVP now!
Email laura.tvwa@gmail.com or call 907-374-8890

Snacks & beverages provided for those that stay for the installation. 

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Webinar - Networked monitoring of salmon habitat temperature: two case studies from southwestern Alaska
Feb
10

Webinar - Networked monitoring of salmon habitat temperature: two case studies from southwestern Alaska

Wednesday Feb. 10, 2016 -- Noon to 1 PM

Networked Monitoring of Salmon Habitat Temperature: Two Case Studies From Southwestern Alaska
Bill Pyle (Kodiak NWR) & Sue Mauger (Cook InletKeeper)

 

In recognition of the importance of salmon to the economy and ecosystems of southwestern Alaska and the pervasive influence of water temperature on salmon, voluntary network-based water temperature monitoring programs were established in the Bristol Bay region and the Kodiak Archipelago in 2015.  These collaborative networks among federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations and Native Tribes aim to provide reliable time-series stream and lake temperature data to support development of proactive approaches to management of salmon in response to climate warming.  Collaborators are tackling the challenges of year-round field deployment, data management, data storage and sharing, and long-term funding.  Examples from Bristol Bay and Kodiak will be highlighted to identify successes and lessons learned to assist in the development of other regional networks across Alaska.

Join us:

  • Anchorage: US Fish & Wildlife Service Regional Office, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Mary Smith Conference Room (2rd Floor)
  • Fairbanks: US Fish & Wildlife Service Field Office, 101 12th Ave., Refuges Conference Room

Online

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Forestry Classes Oct 1st - 2nd
Oct
1
to Oct 2

Forestry Classes Oct 1st - 2nd

The Alaska Division of Forestry and Alaska Community Forest Council will host a series of classes in Anchorage and Fairbanks for arborists, landscape architects, foresters, developers and others who want to learn how to retain trees during development and to diagnose structural problems of trees.

Class 1 - Site Planning and Construction with Trees in Mind

Fairbanks class: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1
At the Council Chambers in City Hall, 800 Cushman Street

Topics covered in class: Learn practical techniques for successfully retaining trees when building roads, homes, or other structures.  See examples of how retaining healthy and attractive trees will reduce costs for removal and replacement and create more attractive landscapes. Case studies will demonstrate practices that will reduce damage to trees and possible hazards in the future.

A field trip to local sites will help participants gain a better understanding of how to determine which trees can and should be retained, which should be removed before construction, andsteps to take during and after construction to maintain trees in good health.

Class 2 - Techniques for Diagnosing Structural Problems in Trees

Fairbanks class: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Oct. 2
At the Council Chambers in City Hall, 800 Cushman Street

Topics covered in class: This workshop will help you hone your diagnostic skills and ability to assess the condition of trees to determine the significance of defects. Mr. Baker will cover tree biology, structure, and anatomy, visual tree assessment and common diagnostic tools, and methods for reporting results of an assessment. A classroom presentation will be followed by outdoor field practice. The workshop is open to anyone but intended for arborists, foresters, and others with a working knowledge of tree biology, anatomy, and assessment.

Continuing education credits for ISA (6.5 each class), ASLA and SAF (6.0 Category 1 each) members will be available for both classes.

Registration is required, and space is limited. To register go to http://forestry.alaska.gov/community/news.htmto download the registration form and submit it with a check.

The registration deadline is close of business on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Please direct questions to Stephen Nickel at 269-8466 or stephen.nickel@alaska.gov

The workshops will be taught by Scott Baker - founder and principal of Tree Solutions Inc., a tree consulting company in Seattle. Mr. Baker is a Board Certified Master Arborist and Registered Consulting Arborist. He has worked with trees for over 30 years and relies on his background as a successful developer to bridge the gap between construction and trees.

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Adopt A Stream - Storm Drain Stenciling
Sep
24

Adopt A Stream - Storm Drain Stenciling

What: Call for Volunteers - Storm Drain Stenciling


When: Thursday - Sept 24th @ Noon, 2pm and 4pm


Why: Adopt A Stream#NoFilter Day


It's as easy as 1 - 2 - 3

1. RSVP with your time available to Bryn.TVWA@gmail.com
                  Time's available are noon, 2 pm or 4 pm

2. Show up at The Venue downtown on 2nd Avenue.


3. Stencil storm drains downtown during your scheduled time.

Space is limited - so please RSVP to Bryn. Thanks!
 

There is parking downtown at the Fairbanks parking garage - cost is $1 per hour.

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Chinook Salmon Citizen Scientist Sampling
Sep
19

Chinook Salmon Citizen Scientist Sampling

What lives in the Chena River?  Come help us pull out a baited minnow trap and find out!  Learn about chinook salmon and other fish that live in the Chena River and help take water quality samples.  This event is free and open to the public.  All ages welcome!  Contact Bryn.tvwa@gmail.com to reserve your space.

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#ShareYourPlate Week of Classes
Aug
22
to Aug 29

#ShareYourPlate Week of Classes

Saturday, 22nd @ 10 am • Identifying and Using Berries   

Sunday, 23rd @ 1 pm • Wild Edible Plant Identification and Values
    
Monday, 24th @ 6 pm • Pickling with Milkacid Fermentation 

Tuesday, 25th @ 5 pm • Successful, Sustainable Wild Plant Foraging 

Wednesday, 26th @ 4 pm • Fish Cutting 101 

Thursday, 27th @ 6 pm • Wild Chaga 101: Harvesting and Uses

Friday, 28th @ 5 pm • Birch Tree Tapping

Friday, 28th @ 6 pm & Saturday, 29th @ 10 am • Field to Freezer

Saturday, 29th @ 1 pm • Botany for the Wild Forager 

Sunday, 30th @ 1 pm • Using Wild Plants in the Wilderness 

Grand Finale Potluck Feast  on August (30th) @ 5:00 - 8:00 pm 

 www.TheFolkSchoolFairbanks.org/class-listings-2
For prices & registration information

Brought to you in part by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Partners

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Chinook Salmon Citizen Science Saturday Sampling
Aug
15

Chinook Salmon Citizen Science Saturday Sampling

What lives in the Chena River?  Come help us pull out a baited minnow trap and find out!  Learn about chinook salmon and other fish that live in the Chena River and help take water quality samples.  This event is free and open to the public.  All ages welcome!  Contact Bryn.tvwa@gmail.com to reserve your space.

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ESCAPE into Nature Series: Bugs- Invertebrate Intrigue
Aug
15

ESCAPE into Nature Series: Bugs- Invertebrate Intrigue

Learn all about bugs that make their home in the riparian zones of the Chena River right outside our office.  We will be catching and identifying bugs and talking about how they live and what they mean to the ecosystem.  We'll also spend time learning about water quality.  This event is free and open to all ages.

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Chinook Salmon Citizen Science Saturday Sampling
Jul
18

Chinook Salmon Citizen Science Saturday Sampling

What lives in the Chena River?  Come help us pull out a baited minnow trap and find out!  Learn about chinook salmon and other fish that live in the Chena River and help take water quality samples.  This event is free and open to the public.  All ages welcome!  Contact Bryn.tvwa@gmail.com to reserve your space.

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Citizen Science Showcase - Upward Bound Projects
Jul
1

Citizen Science Showcase - Upward Bound Projects

Citizen Science Showcase - Upward Bound Projects

Wednesday, July 1st - from 2pm - 4pm @ UAF in the Murie Building

Upward Bound - in partnership with University of Alaska Fairbanks, EPSCoR, and One Tree Alaska - TVWA would like to invite you to experience the Citizen Science Showcase created by Upward Bound students - stop in and check out their displays at our mini science fair.

About Upward Bound:

The goal of Upward Bound is to improve the graduation rates of high school students and increasing the number of graduates who enter colleges and universities. Upward Bound offers a six-week summer residential program held on the UAF campus. This summer students from all over Alaska have created presentations on the topics they learned during their stay in Fairbanks.

Presentations to include:

  • A short film about the ecological and cultural importance of rivers
  • Poster and model about storm water pollution
  • Poster and model about fracking and water pollution
  • Poster about litter in streams to oceans
  • PowerPoint about water consumption and pollution
  • Poster on invertebrates (6 groups chosen) found in Deadmans Slough
  • Poster on invertebrates (6 different groups chosen) found in Deadman's Slough

We look forward to seeing you there!

UAF’s EPSCoR Sandbox Terrain On Display!

Augmented-reality sandbox brings topographical maps to life! A topographical map lays atop the sand, projected from above. As someone pushes the sand in the box up to form a large mound, it appears on the overlay like a large mountain. Creating an environment people can see for themselves to help connect the often confusing world of topographic maps. A hand held above eight inches above the sand is read as a cloud and begins dropping rain onto the landscape below. The valleys fill with virtual water and flow down from the top of the mountains in channels.in channels.

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Jun
20

Chinook Salmon Citizen Scientist Saturday Sampling

What lives in the Chena River?  Come help us pull out a baited minnow trap and find out!  Learn about chinook salmon and other fish that live in the Chena River and help take water quality samples.  This event is free and open to the public.  All ages welcome!  Contact Bryn.tvwa@gmail.com to reserve your space.

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Chena Riverwalk
Jun
13

Chena Riverwalk

A fun, educational, nature-themed ¾ mile or 2-mile walk along the Chena River for kids ages toddler-middle school.  Featuring crafts, games, and activities hosted by 20 local organizations and businesses.  

Your Journey begins at the Carlson Center where you’ll pick up you map, waterbottle, tote bag and other goodies for the trip.  You then choose between two routes:  the Explorer loop goes ¾ mile from the Carlson Center through Pioneer Park and ends with a free ride on the train. It is intended for kids ages 2-6.  The Adventurer loop is 2 miles long and involves getting on a bus from Carlson Center to Morris Thompson Center and walking back to Carlson Center along the river.  This loop is intended for kids ages 7-12. Celebrate your successful adventure with snacks at the Carlson Center.

To learn more: http://www.tvwatershed.org/chena-riverwalk-event/

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11th Annual Stream Clean Up Day
Jun
13

11th Annual Stream Clean Up Day

YOU! Come out and help…on foot or in a canoe! We need volunteers. All cleanup
supplies will be provided – trash bags, safety vests, gloves, water, snacks, and t‐shirts.
Please note that children under 13 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
For additional information, contact Jackson Fox at 459‐6758 or email jcfox@ci.fairbanks.ak.us.

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Chena River Summit 2015
Jun
12

Chena River Summit 2015

Come join us at  the Carlson Center for a summit focusing on the value of the Chena River, with experts providing facts related to the economics and river environment while stimulating conversations among the many community stakeholders; featuring a variety of sessions covering Critters, Habitat, Recreation, and Economics of the Chena River.

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Chinook Salmon Citizen Science
May
16

Chinook Salmon Citizen Science

The Chinook Salmon Citizen Scientist (CSCS) program is a great way to actively participate as stewards in our watershed!  As a citizen scientist, learn more about Chinook salmon and the other fish that live in the Chena River!  Volunteer citizen scientists, both youth and adults, are able to get hands-dirty and collect several years of monitoring data to better understand  fish in the river! 



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