Alaska Conservation Foundation Presents Lifetime Achievement Award

Alaska Conservation Foundation
Thursday, 2 August 2001

Alaska Conservation Foundation will honor Celia Hunter and Ginny Wood with the Alaska Conservationist Lifetime Achievement Award on August 15, 2001 at the Anchorage Marriott from 12-1:30 p.m. This is the first Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Foundation and the cornerstone of the Alaska Conservation Hall of Fame.

"Celia Hunter and Ginny Wood have a lifelong dedication to protecting Alaska," said Deborah Williams, the Foundation's Director. Ginny and Celia first came to Alaska in 1947 by flying two war-surplus airplanes from Seattle to Fairbanks. They settled in Fairbanks as flight instructors and later worked for Chuck West, who founded Westours. In 1951, together with Woody Wood, they began building Camp Denali, a precedent setting wilderness lodge in the Kantishna area, adjacent to Denali National Park. In 1960, with a small group of Fairbanks conservationists, Ginny and Celia helped found the Alaska Conservation Society, the first statewide conservation organization in Alaska.

In 1972 Celia was appointed to the Federal-State Land Use Planning Commission for Alaska, which had to deal with emerging land use conflicts and policy issues in the aftermath of Statehood, such as identification of major additions to national park, refuge, Wild and Scenic River, and wilderness systems. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980 reflected Celia's dedicated work to keep these issues at the forefront of the Commission's work.

Celia helped found the Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF) in 1980 and served as its first Board Chairperson. During the late 1960s to 1978, she was also a member of the Governing Council of the Wilderness Society and served as an interim Executive Director for the Society in 1977 and 1978.

During this time, Ginny was operating Tundra Treks, a backcountry guiding business in the Brooks Range. Throughout Ginny's life, she has been actively involved in grassroots conservation work through the Northern Alaska Environmental Center. She was appointed to the Trails and Recreational Access for Alaska (TRAAK) by Governor Tony Knowles in 1996.

Celia Hunter and Ginny Hill Wood were given the John Muir Award, the highest honor of the Sierra Club in 1991. Celia Hunter was also presented The Wilderness Society's Robert Marshall Award in 1998 for contributions to the preservation of wilderness. Both women are prolific writers; Ginny has written columns for the Northern Alaska Environmental Center's newsletter since the 1980's, and Celia has a long running weekly column in the Fairbanks News-Miner.

"Each of these women epitomize, in their own way, the best of Alaska's conservation movement. They overcame substantial challenges to create a life in Alaska that is respectful of the natural environment. They've dedicated their lives to environmental justice and protecting Alaska's wild places. Their unique contributions of activism and stewardship are an inspiration for us all," said Rick Caulfield, ACF's Chair. "Their contributions set a high standard for this Lifetime Achievement Award."

Alaska Conservation Foundation works to protect the integrity of Alaska's ecosystems and to promote sustainable livelihoods among Alaska's communities and peoples. Incorporated in 1980, ACF grants over 2 million dollars annually.

We invite press to cover this historic event. Ginny and Celia will be available for limited interviews after the luncheon. Please contact Ellen Maling at the number above to arrange an appointment.

For more information, or to contact Alaska Conservation Foundation, see their website at: www.akcf.org