The clear waters and maritime infrastructure along Alaska’s coasts make for prime conditions for mariculture, the cultivation of marine organisms like oysters, seaweed, and shellfish. Andrew Jylkka and Sara Ebersole join KCAW to discuss what opportunities mariculture can bring to the state and how Jylkka’s organization, Spruce Root, can help local farms get up and running. Listen to the conversation here:

Painter Stephen Lawrie joins KCAW to talk about how fishing has always been a throughline within the communities of Southeast Alaska as well as his artwork. Lawrie’s new exhibition, part two of “This Thing We Call The Ocean…Names Discovered, Stories Told,” will open June 13 at the Pioneer Bar and showcase fishermen of the past. Listen to the conversation here:

Interested in making a mark on Lincoln Street? Sitka Walkability Advocacy Collab is calling for designs to paint inside downtown crosswalks. Vice Deputy Mayor JJ Carlson joins KCAW to discuss the benefits of walking and what the Collab is doing to improve pedestrian safety. Pick up design entry forms at City Hall and the Sitka Public Library or email your design to pio@cityofsitka.org by June 24. Listen to the conversation here:

Sitka Trail Works’ Emily Pound and Ben Hughey join KCAW to discuss the organization’s history and mission ahead of National Trails Day on Saturday. They welcome volunteers to join them this Saturday to help improve the Cross Trail’s drainage at the Kramer Avenue Trailhead. Listen to the conversation here: 

The Sitka Cancer Survivor’s Society is hosting a wildlife cruise this Saturday. Carolyn Fredrickson and Shannon Callahan join KCAW for the Morning Interview to discuss how their nonprofit supports Sitkans affected by cancer. Established over 25 years ago, the nonprofit provides grants and maintains the Path of Hope Park that seeks to comfort and inspire anyone who walks through. Listen to the conversation here.

The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) is a nonprofit organization based in Sitka, Alaska, which provides training in marine safety and survival skills. An upcoming workshop from June 8-11 will focus on teaching cold water survival skills to educators. Instructor Rick Petersen and Suz Oriel joined KCAW for the Morning Interview to discuss the program. Listen here:

Sitka’s summer construction projects are in full swing. Municipal Administrator John Leach joined KCAW on the Morning Interview to discuss ongoing projects affecting traffic and pedestrian access, including utility and sidewalk upgrades on Lake, Hirst, Monastery, and Kinkead streets, repaving work around town, and phase two of Sitka’s seawalk, which will continue until December. Listen to the conversation here: