Fort Knox gold mine near Fairbanks, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and three seafood processors in Unalaska have been selected to receive the Second Annual Tileston Award, named after long-time Alaskan conservationist Peg Tileston and her husband and former state mining director Jules Tileston.

The award celebrates Alaskan projects whose success is measured both in their positive effect on jobs and the economy, as well as Alaska’s environment.

When Fort Knox and ADF&G restored fish habitat and Arctic grayling to Fish Creek and when Unalaska’s seafood processors made oil out of fish waste to generate heat and electricity, they captured the spirit of the Resource Development Council and Alaska Conservation Alliance (ACA) annual Tileston Award.

ACA and RDC both agree that economic development and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive goals. The Tileston Award is not viewed as a “green” award for the resource development industry or as“economic” recognition for a conservation organization.

“It is a uniquely Alaskan award established to honor organizations, individuals, and/or businesses that create solutions and innovations advancing the goals of economic development and environmental protection,” said ACA Executive Director Caitlin Higgins.

The City of Unalaska nominated Alyeska Seafoods, Westward Seafoods, and Unisea Inc. for their processing and use of high quality fish oil in their plant operation – used as a 50 percent blend in the city’s diesel generators and steam boilers and export for other uses. Frank Kelty, Unalaska’s Natural Resources Manager, said he nominated the seafood processors to bring awareness to their efforts.

“It was a pleasure for us to nominate them,” Kelty said. “Few people know that they have been using fish oil out here for years and years.”

Fort Knox and ADF&G received the award for taking it upon themselves to repair damage done to fish habitat from past activities of historic mining operations in Fish Creek near Fairbanks. Their efforts established a viable Arctic grayling population in Fish Creek and reversed Fish Creek’s listing as an Impaired Water Body. Though the mine has brought and estimated $250 million economic boost to Fairbanks and Alaska, the mine’s restoration work can be considered priceless.

“It is impossible to place a dollar value on the results of the reclamation efforts, but the intrinsic value of clean water and a productive fishery cannot be overstated,” said Lorna Shaw, Community Outreach Director for Fort Knox. “In addition to the current benefits realized downstream, the economic benefits will carry their strengthening influence far into the future,” said Shaw.

The first Tileston Award went to the Alaska Board of Forestry in 2008.

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