The first Chilkat Biodiversity Conference
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - Friday, October 10, 2025
Haines, AK
The first Chilkat Biodiversity Conference will take place on Jilkáat Kwáan and Lkoot Kwáan (Chilkat and Chilkoot) lands, in Haines, Alaska.
The conference will bring together experts, locals, and naturalists to share traditional and scientific knowledge about the biodiversity and ecological importance of the Chilkat Valley watershed.
The Chilkat Valley is the land of superlatives
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Flora
The Chilkat Valley hosts the greatest vascular plant diversity, tree diversity, and tree community diversity in all Alaska
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Bald Eagles
The Chilkat Valley is home to the largest gathering of Bald Eagles in North America
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Mammals
The Chilkat Valley has 39 known species of mammals, including the cryptic Canada lynx, wolverine, brown and black bears, moose, and flying squirrels, as well as a wide array of marine life.
Global significance
Photo by Colin Arisman
The Chilkat watershed is globally significant
with unique biogeographical features, including low, north-south mountain passes between the coast and interior. This geography has facilitated migration, evolution, cross-pollination, and adaptation over many millennia of changing climates.
Photo by Colin Arisman
Biodiversification in the Chilkat
is the result of this geography, a transitional climate, and rare assemblages of habitats and species. This landscape will continue to provide essential adaptive opportunities for innumerable species as the climate continues to change.
2025 Chilkat Biodiversity Conference