Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership

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Want to be More Involved in the Mat-Su Salmon Partnership? Try Out a Leadership Role!

The Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership is looking for dedicated partners to help guide our collaborative, “bottom-up” mission to protect salmon habitat through conservation, education, and restoration. We are currently recruiting for multiple roles:

1. Steering Committee (Governance). We are accepting applications for two At-large seats and one Local Government seat (representing the Mat-Su Borough, cities, or community councils ). As the governing body, the Steering Committee ensures we follow National Fish Habitat Partnership guidelines and implement our technical Strategic Action Plan. Terms: These are two-year terms beginning in May, 2026.

To Apply: Submit a letter explaining your interest and how you can help the Partnership achieve its goals to Jessica Speed (jessica.speed@tu.org) by April 17th, 2026.

2. Standing Committees (Technical & Action) We are also recruiting for our three committees:
–Science & Data: Providing the “strong science foundation” for the Partnership, advising on science strategies, and providing technical guidance including review of project proposals.
–Symposium Planning: Development of the agenda, speaker selection and general planning for our Annual Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium.
–Outreach: Providing guidance on outreach focus including hosting of annual events to support meeting Partnership conservation and organizational goals.

With Gratitude: A sincere thank you to Laurie Stuart (Tyonek Tribal Conservation District), Marc Lamoreaux and Natalie Velez (Native Village of Eklutna), and Mike Campfield (Mat-Su Borough) for their wonderful service and commitment to the Partnership’s vision!

Want to learn more? Check out the Structure and Operations Framework which outlines how we work together for thriving fish and healthy habitat and contact the Partnership Coordinator, Jessica Speed for more detail.



(From left to right) former Partnership Steering Committee member Michael Mazzacavallo (ADF&G), current Steering Committee members Laurie Stuart (Tyonek Tribal Conservation District), Jessica Speed (Partnership Coordinator/Trout Unlimited), Theo Garcia (Knik Tribe)  and Ted Eischeid (former Steering Committee member and National Fish Habitat Partnership Board member)
 

Current Partnership Steering Committee Members

-Mike Campfield (Matanuska-Susitna Borough)

-Melis Coady/Margaret Stern (Susitna River Coalition)

-Grace Fahrney (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

-Theo Garcia/Cody Beus (Knik Tribe)

-Natalie Velez (Native Village of Eklutna)

-Erin Larson (Alaska Center for Conservation Science, University of Alaska)

Erika Ammann (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Trent Liebich (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Laurie Stuart (Tyonek Tribal Conservation District)

Marykate Swenarton (Trout Unlimited)

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Changes to the FY27 NFHP Project Funding Cycle

Through the National Fish Habitat Partnership, we have funded well over 100 on-the-ground science, conservation, restoration, and education projects that are helping to safeguard salmon and ensure they remain a key part of life here in the Mat-Su.

To continue this work, we are preparing for the upcoming FY27 funding cycle, which which following the 2024 reauthorization of the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act, brings several exciting administrative changes designed to make our process faster and more accessible.

A More Efficient Timeline. One of the most significant updates is the transition from an 18-month funding cycle to a 12-month cycle. This change aims to shorten the timeline between submitting an application and being able to actually start work on an approved project.

  • Application submission period: June to September, 2026
  • Funding available: May – August 2027

Increased Match Flexibility and Accessibility. The ACE Act reauthorization also introduces more flexibility regarding match requirements. The 1:1 non-federal match is now evaluated at the Partnership-wide (aggregate) level rather than being a requirement for every individual project.

Although specific guidelines for this year’s call for proposals have not yet been developed by the Mat-Su Salmon Partnership, these recent changes will allow for more flexibility to fund a broader range of projects that benefit Mat-Su salmon.

Additionally, under the ACE Act, Tribal partners remain exempt from non-federal match requirements. 5% of the total national NFHP funding appropriation is also specifically set aside for Tribal-led projects.

Next Steps: The Partnership is currently updating its Strategic Action Plan using the invaluable input many of you provided in the fall. As we move into the FY27 project funding cycle, the Steering Committee aims to incorporate these emerging shared priorities into the RFP process where possible.

Stay tuned for more updates and check back in June 2026 to download the updated guidelines on our Project Funding page.

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18th Annual Mat-Su Salmon Symposium a Success!

The 18th Annual Mat-Su Salmon Science & Conservation Symposium was held on November 20th and 21st, 2025, and it was a tremendous success! We extend our sincere thanks to all the partners, researchers, community leaders, and conservationists who joined us for two days of collaborative discussion, knowledge sharing, and strategic planning under the theme, “Reflecting on the Past, Looking to the Future.” The event was particularly significant as the Partnership celebrates 20 years of collaborative conservation. The Symposium featured a compelling keynote address on Mat-Su’s changing climate and launched the next update to the Partnership’s Strategic Action Plan. For a full recap of the highlights, key topics, and information on when presentations will be posted, please visit the Symposium page.

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Mat-Su Salmon Science & Conservation Symposium, November 20th and 21st, 2025

The Mat-Su Salmon Symposium is coming up fast, but registration is still open! Join us for the 18th annual Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium, November 20th and 21st, 2025 at the Palmer Community Center Depot in Palmer, Alaska! The Symposium is an annual forum to share information about salmon and their habitat in the Mat-Su Basin. Find 2025 Agenda here and booklet.

This years keynote speaker is Rick Thoman, climate specialist with the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Join us for his in-person talk, Mat-Su’s Changing Environment: Connecting the Past, Present and Future on Thursday, November 20th from 9:30am to 10:30am at the Palmer Depot. To attend the keynote talk remotely, sign up for a free virtual ticket on the registration site. We are excited to share over 20 amazing presenters and their work! 

Don’t forget to join us for the evening salmon social on Thursday, November 20th from 4pm to 7pm at the Matanuska Brewing Company! Anyone interested in fish and their conservation is welcome. Learn more by clicking on the flyer. Special thanks to Matanuska Brewing Company for generously hosting!

Register here.

The call for oral and poster presentations has closed, but there’s still opportunity to share 3-minute ‘”tidbit” updates — quick, informal project highlights, event announcements or other fishy related updates. Sign up on-site at the Palmer Depot for the day you’d like to present (first come, first served). No abstract or write-up required! 

Find more information on the Symposium webpage at www.matsusalmon.org.

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June 14th:Plants for Salmon Community Planting Day on Montana Creek!

Susitna River Coalition, the Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership, Knik Tribal Council, Trout Unlimited, Mat-Su Borough, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are hosting the 3rd Annual Plants for Salmon community planting event on Montana Creek, Talkeetna. On Saturday, June 14th, these partners will join with community members to restore a section of Montana Creek next to the Yoder Road bridge. This family friendly event will include informational booths, crafts, and a minnow trapping presentation. Volunteers can enjoy complimentary food and drinks, and everyone can bring home a small white spruce.

For the third year, partners and community volunteers will be planting 200+ native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants to improve habitat and water quality on Montana Creek. Streamside vegetation plays an important role in maintaining the health of our fisheries by providing shelter, shade and nutrients for wild salmon. This is part of a multi-year project to revegetate 450 feet of rip rap armor that was applied following a significant flood event in 2012, to protect the downstream bridge.

Who: We want to give a big shout out to the partners who made it all happen: Susitna River Coalition, the Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership, Matanuska Susitna Borough, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Knik Tribal Council, and Trout Unlimited. Added thanks to additional event and greater project sponsors – Trout Unlimited Southcentral Alaska Chapter and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Montana Creek is one of four projects NOAA Fisheries funded in 2023 to restore habitat through the coastal National Fish Habitat Partnerships.

What: A community planting day to restore the streambank along Montana Creek

When: Saturday, June 14 from 10am-2pm

Where: Montana Creek, next to Yoder Road bridge, Talkeetna, AK

Agenda: Opening remarks will begin at 10am. Lunch will be around noon, including a group photo. At 12:30, FWS Biologist Joe Lyon will show live juvenile salmon to participants and teach everyone some of the ways plants are important to those fish. Closing remarks will happen either during the group photo or at 1pm. Planting continues until about 2pm.

Event flyer here. Contact jessica.speed@tu.org or info@susitnarivercoalition.org with any questions.

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