The OHFA is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit and as such we refrain from activities that involve influencing policy-makers, instead we pursue educational opportunities such as the annual Legislative Shoot and informational materials such as Professor John Reiger’s book, “The American Sportsmen and the Origins of Conservation.” We feel that providing such educational opportunities helps inform people about the important role hunting, fishing and trapping play in the conservation of Alaska’s wild resources so that they may make more informed decisions when considering these age old traditions.
Goes Here 2022 Caucus Leadership Announcement March 26, 2022 The Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus of Alaska Announces 2022 Leadership Roles:
Alaska Legislators met in Anchorage on March 25th to discuss issues vital to the future of outdoor heritage in Alaska. On hand were Jennifer Yuhas, President of the Outdoor Heritage Foundation of Alaska, and Chair of the Caucus Advisory Committee, and Keely Hopkins, Pacific States Assistant Manager for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.
The Outdoor Heritage Foundation of Alaska (OHFA) promotes the conservation and wise use of Alaska’s natural resources through broad-based education initiatives designed to provide Alaskans the skills and knowledge to enjoy the outdoors in a safe, responsible manner. The provision of which is primarily focused on scientific management of fish and wildlife resources and the habitats they depend upon under the prescriptions of the North American Conservation Model, as envisioned by such early conservation leaders as President Theodore Roosevelt. This is a system by which users of the resources contribute to sustainable conservation management. OHFA is dedicated to the education of policymakers and is therefore engaged in supporting the Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus for educational purposes. The foundation also promotes the conservation and wise use of Alaska’s natural resources through broad-based education initiatives designed to provide Alaskans the skills to enjoy the outdoors in a safe, responsible manner.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation hosts the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, an assembly of state legislators committed to these principles formed in 2007. Keely Hopkins, Pacific States Assistant Manager for CSF commented: “We have an incredible new leadership team in Alaska, with Co-Chairs representing both chambers and parties and bringing a great depth of experience and perspective on the issues facing wildlife management and conservation in Alaska. I’m looking forward to working with the Co-Chairs to advance hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational shooting on behalf of all Alaskans”.
Senator Josh Revak is an avid outdoorsman and firearms advocate with congressional staff experience who has received awards from groups including the Alaska Professional Hunters Association and has served on the board of the Safari Club Alaska Chapter. He has also served as the chairman of the SCI Wounded Warriors On Safari program which provides healing outdoor opportunities for those who have served our nation in battle. He says that the program provides an opportunity for Purple Heart Veterans to experience the healing powers of Alaska and traditions as old at time itself. “The value to a combat veteran to provide the source of food for the family, especially from the moose hunts, is a great beneficial to combat veterans in particular.” Senator Revak recently introduced a resolution supporting federal passage of the National Hearing Protection Act. As a combat veteran who understands hearing issues associated with high decibel reports he sees the value in protecting the hearing of future generations. This proposed legislation also seeks to generate revenue to be used for conservation purposes in Alaska easing pressure to state finances.
As Revak notes, “We are pleased to announce the Co-chairs of the Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus spanning House and Senate, majority and minority, and carrying on a tradition of non-partisan efforts simply working for the common goals of sustainable conservation management and access to the resources. We have a solid team in place to serve the people of Alaska.”
The 2022 co-chairs are as follows:
SENATE: Majority: Senator David Wilson (R) / Minority: Senator Bill Wielechowski (D)
HOUSE: Majority: Representative Kelly Merrick (R) / Minority: Representative Mike Cronk (R)
This session’s co-chairs bring a diverse repertoire of assets to the team effort.
Senator David Wilson sees the connection the outdoors bring to the health and wellbeing of Alaskans where we live, work, and play. “It promotes a sense of healthy wellbeing getting outdoors. We have access skiing, hunting, trapping, fishing, and we need access to the lands to be able to carry on these traditions, if we lose access we lose our traditions.” He reminds us that we are “only a generation away from losing it if we don’t provide for it by passing on our rich culture of Alaska.” The senator hunts, fishes, keeps bees, recreates, cross country skis, and reminds us that his district is within a quick ride to enjoy all these opportunities. “What our district provides for is a perfect example of urban opportunities and rural traditions. When I hear gun shots in September, I know that people are getting ducks early in the morning, and that means that my constituents are feeding their families.”
Senator Bill Wielechowski notes that “It is critical that we fight for access.” He is passionate about dip netting and sees it as a healthy heritage Alaskan way of life. “Part of our Alaska heritage is being able to access our fishing streams and hunting grounds and look forward to continuing our way of life.” When asked about the issue of food security, he says, “It’s important that we, as Alaskans, continue to fight for our ability to feed our families in the future.” The senator is well known for his recipes.
Representative Kelly Merrick is a strong advocate for Second Amendment Rights that ensure our ability to harvest wild Alaskan foods. She says, “Our relationship with Alaska’s congressional delegation is crucial to managing our resources and maintaining access to those resources. Every day, federal agencies are pushing back with unnecessary regulations and Congress is trying to enact one-size-fits-all laws that ignore the unique nature of our state. As former staff to Congressman Don Young, I will be doing all I can to build on our already strong relationships with D.C. to protect our Alaskan way of life.”
Representative Mike Cronk is new to the Alaska Legislature, but he has a long history with the issues facing him at the capitol. He has spent a lifetime hunting, fishing, and trapping, and served for twenty-five years on the Upper Tanana – 40 Mile Fish & Game Advisory Committee (AC) He is a Lifetime Member of Alaska Trappers Association, with four daughters who all hunt and have harvested grizzly bears, moose, furbearers, sheep, black bears, and caribou. Each year he is proud to put up subsistence fish using traditional Athabaskan smoking methods, and to keep passing on the culture and traditions his uncle taught him. Cronk still runs his trapline in Northway starting each November. He is an invested teacher from a small rural community who understands what is at stake lest we forget where we came from. He is committed to making sure his children carry on their heritage including learning and using their native language.
SENATE: Majority: Senator David Wilson (R) / Minority: Senator Bill Wielechowski (D)
HOUSE: Majority: Representative Kelly Merrick (R) / Minority: Representative Mike Cronk (R)