by Mark Lindberg

Restoring Alaska’s Giants: A Cold Night, a Warm Crowd, and a Shared Commitment to Conservation

 

Temperatures hovering around –25°F were no match for the draw of a compelling conservation story and a strong community connection. On January 14, roughly 60 people gathered at Black Spruce Brewery for an Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (AK BHA) event featuring Alaska Department of Fish & Game biologist Luke Rogers and his presentation, Wood Bison: Restoring Alaska’s Giants.

Rogers’ talk offered an in-depth look at the history, biology, and ongoing efforts to restore wood bison to Alaska—one of the state’s most ambitious and meaningful wildlife restoration projects. His presentation was both informative and accessible, resonating with a crowd that included hunters, anglers, conservationists, and community members eager to learn more about the return of this iconic species to the Alaskan landscape. The strong turnout and engaged discussion that followed reflected broad public interest in science-based wildlife management and successful restoration efforts.

 

The evening also highlighted the creative talents of Mark Lindberg, Alaska BHA’s Conservation Policy Chair, whose wildlife photography was featured throughout the event. Attendees had the opportunity to view selections from his RUT exhibit, a powerful photographic series capturing bull caribou during the fall rut, which remains on display at Black Spruce Brewing Co. through January. In addition, Lindberg donated a striking wood bison print, photographed while documenting the restoration of wood bison to Minto Flats, for a raffle held during the event.

Proceeds from the raffle, along with 25% of sales from the caribou prints, will support the Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers as the organization continues its work to defend public lands, uphold fair-chase ethics, and advocate for sustainable wildlife management across the state.

More than just a speaker night, the event was a strong example of the healthy, collaborative relationships that exist between AK BHA, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, local businesses, and Alaska’s broader hunting and fishing community. These partnerships—rooted in shared values of stewardship, science, and public engagement—are essential to conserving Alaska’s wild places and wildlife for future generations.

On one of the coldest nights of the winter, the warmth of community, curiosity, and commitment to conservation filled the room—proving once again that Alaskans will show up for wildlife, for public lands, and for each other.