CIRCAC staff participated in back-to-back conferences in Anchorage in January and February. The Alaska Marine Science Symposium (AMSS) brings together scientists and researchers from across the state and far beyond to share new insights into work being done to better understand Alaska’s vast marine environments. The event also features a poster presentation session and an opportunity to host a booth to connect with other conference participants.

Alaska Forum on the Environment (AFE) is a week-long affair, packed with sessions about everything from the history of garbage collection to the latest technology available for oil spill prevention and response. We were pleased to host a booth during the conference with our colleagues at Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council (PWSRCAC); we had the opportunity to speak with some 250 attendees and share the RCAC story.

CIRCAC Director of Communications and Public Outreach Shaylon Cochran delivered a presentation alongside Maia Draper-Reich, Outreach Coordinator for PWSRCAC, and Shiway Wang, PhD, Executive Director of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council about the history of the 1989 spill and the RCACs’ role and work coming out of that historic incident.

These events are also an opportunity for the whole staff to get involved in our outreach efforts. On these most recent trips, Director of Science and Research Susan Saupe, Director of Administration Maddie Jamora, and Accounting and Grants Manager Cassandra Johnson worked double duty as CIRCAC ambassadors.