Discover how three transformative laws — two federal and one state — are helping Alaska move toward energy independence. With climate shifts and rising energy costs impacting residents, these laws support innovative, resilient energy solutions that align with Alaska’s unique needs.
Spruce Root is making significant strides in sustainability and economic development! We’re thrilled to announce that Spruce Root has won Stage Two of the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, positioning us to lead strategic development in our region. Additionally, the Coalition for Green Capital has chosen Spruce Root as its first network investment, underscoring our shared commitment to green growth initiatives.
Resilience Circles hosted there second intensive, three-day participant retreat for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Participants engaged in an array of in-person works sessions covering personal and business financial planning, marketing and branding, physical health and nutrition, Indigenous values exploration talking circle.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced late September that Spruce Root is a Stage Two winner for the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). Spruce Root will receive a $150,000 cash prize for its approach to nurturing a collaborative national innovation ecosystem to advance small business research and development, from the idea stage to the market.
President Joe Biden awarded Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl with a 2023 National Humanities Medal at the White House. The award, from the National Endowment for the Humanities, honors an individual or organization whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the human experience, broadened citizen engagement with history and literature or helped preserve and expand Americans' access to cultural resources.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations selected Spruce Root to receive $2.5 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding as part of the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program. This funding will launch the Tongass Green Bank project announced by Spruce Root in 2023.
Three Southeast Alaska businesses – Four Winds Farm, Muskeg Munchikins and Adventure Harvest – have been selected as the winners of the 2023 Path to Prosperity Competition. Each winner will be awarded $20,000 to grow their businesses. To commemorate their achievements, each will receive a carved plaque as part of the formal winners' announcement at the 2024 Sustainable Southeast Partnership annual retreat on Monday, April 29th.
Spruce Root, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting rural communities in Southeast Alaska, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking $1 million investment from the newly launched Home Planet Fund into the Seacoast Trust. This infusion brings the total funds raised for the Seacoast Trust to $23.1 million, which will be deployed in perpetuity to support the work of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP).
Discover how the Alaska Fellows Program is transforming lives with exciting prospects in Sitka. Explore the impactful projects accelerated by the Spruce Root team during their recent meeting, and learn about the groundbreaking Resilience Circles gathering hosted by Spruce Root. Plus, get insights into how advocates are sharing Southeast Alaska's sustainability story on a national stage in Washington, D.C.
This month, we're thrilled to announce that Spruce Root is actively seeking a passionate individual to join us as a Community Economic Development Fellow, furthering our mission to drive positive change and sustainable development.
Every February, the career and technical education community observes Career and Technical Education Month to increase awareness of the role that CTE programs and practitioners play in fostering individual and community career success. CTE Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and work of our CTE partners and stakeholders at the local, regional and state levels.
Spruce Root, Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP) and the Seacoast Trust want to congratulate Gunnuk Anthony Mallot on receiving the Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award at the 78th annual National Association of Conservation Districts meeting in San Diego. The Olin Sims Award is conferred on one up-and-coming leader who demonstrates excellence in promoting and leading voluntary conservation on private lands.
This was a year of focusing on our sophistication as an organization. With tenured employees in leadership roles, we examined our existing programs and explored areas for improvement and new approaches. I am happy to report that we continued our growth from the previous year and we are a stronger organization than ever before.
We're thrilled to announce that Spruce Root is expanding its team with the recruitment of key positions. Get to know L’uxshakee Rob Allen, our newest addition to the Board of Directors, as we introduce you to the wealth of experience and passion he brings.
The business partners and co-owners behind The Red Lantern are growing their burlesque performance show into an adult boutique that offers community space for events, wellness classes and rental opportunities, plus sex-positive products. In the process, Jillian Piazza and Jacquelyn “Jackie” Pope hope to highlight some of the history of Ketchikan.
