Page 70 - ACTL_Win23

July 7 – 10, 2022 Alyeska Resort Girdwood, Alaska
NORTHWEST REGIONAL MEETING
THE ALASKA STATE COMMITTEE HOSTED, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE REGION III CONFERENCE (ALASKA, ALBERTA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, IDAHO, MONTANA, OREGON, AND WASHINGTON) AT ALYESKA RESORT IN BEAUTIFUL GIRDWOOD, ALASKA FROM JULY 7 – 10, 2022. THIS WAS THE THIRD YEAR THE ALASKA COMMITTEE HAD PLANNED TO HOLD THE CONFERENCE, WITH THE FIRST TWO YEARS BEING SCUTTLED ON ACCOUNT OF THE COVID PANDEMIC. THE THIRD TIME WAS THE CHARM. THIRTY-SIX INDIVIDUALS FROM SEVEN STATES AND TWO PROVINCES ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE, INCLUDING PRESIDENT MICHAEL O’DONNELL AND PAST PRESIDENTS TOM TONGUE, RODNEY ACKER, AND DOUG YOUNG. ALYESKA RESORT IS LOCATED IN THE CHUGACH MOUNTAINS, A SHORT DRIVE SOUTH OF ANCHORAGE. ATTENDEES ENJOYED STUNNING VIEWS OF THE CHUGACH MOUNTAINS WITH ITS MULTIPLE GLACIERS; HIKING AND FLIGHT
SEEING OPPORTUNITIES; RIDING THE TRAM TO THE TOP OF THE SKI AREA; VISITING THE NEARBY ALASKA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER; AND CRUISING BY THE FACE OF PORTAGE GLACIER ON NEARBY PORTAGE LAKE.
The conference featured an informative and inspiring group of speakers. Major General Randy “Church” Kee, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), explained the newly formed Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Affairs, where he serves as Senior Advisor. General Kee addressed global security issues in the Arctic in light of climate change; the resulting increased usage of the Northwest Passage by commercial and military shipping; and the need to strengthen cooperative scientific and security organizations in the Arctic. The Hon. Dana Fabe and the Hon. Elaine Andrews, former Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice and former Alaska Third Judicial District Presiding Judge, respectively, discussed successful mediation practices— proving to all that there is always more to learn despite many Fellows’ years of mediation experience. Anchorage wildlife
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