Sitnasuak Native Corporation and The Conservation Fund Protect 14 Miles Along the Nome River

NOME, Alaska — Sitnasuak Native Corporation (SNC) and The Conservation Fund have permanently protected 14 miles of the Nome River near the Alaskan city of Nome.

Once privately held under historic gold mining claims, 1,700 acres are now permanently conserved, ensuring continued access to one of the region’s most culturally and ecologically important river systems. The free-flowing river supports more than a million spawning salmon annually and provides important ground for Alaska Native subsistence and cultural traditions in a community where Alaska Native residents make up at least half of the population.

Charles Fagerstrom, SNC CEO, shared, “We are very proud to take ownership of this precious piece of land. Adding this area to our SNC Land assets ensures it will be protected in perpetuity for future generations of our Alaska Native People. Safeguarding these waters, land and its resources holds tremendous value to our community, Shareholders and Descendants whose ancestors have thrived in this region for thousands of years.”

For decades, local residents faced barriers to accessing parts of the river due to private ownership tied to early 20th-century gold prospecting claims. Following the discovery of gold in 1899, more than 20,000 prospectors came to Nome, transforming it into Alaska’s largest city by the early 1900s. As a result, local residents — including Sitnasuak Native Corporation Shareholders — often had to cross private property to continue long-standing subsistence practices such as fishing, hunting, and gathering.

Recognizing the opportunity when the property became available for sale, The Conservation Fund leveraged its land protection expertise to quickly secure the corridor. Sitnasuak Native Corporation stepped in as the long-term steward, acquiring the land from The Conservation Fund to support its community priorities, subject to a conservation easement held by the Interior Alaska Land Trust. The outcome ensures that Sitnasuak will manage the newly acquired land as part of its existing surrounding land assets, underscoring the corporation’s commitment to land protection and cultural preservation.

“The Nome River is gin-clear and free-flowing from its headwaters to Norton Sound,” said John Wros, Alaska state director at The Conservation Fund. “Sitnasuak and its shareholders are the best possible stewards of the river and surrounding lands. We are honored to partner with Sitnasuak and Interior Alaska Land Trust to preserve wild nature and access to subsistence resources.”

The Nome River provides regionally important salmon spawning habitat and supports migratory birds and resident muskox, moose, beavers, and bears. By adding to Sitnasuak’s existing lands along the Nome River, the project creates continuity of management across the watershed to the benefit of fish and wildlife.

The effort also comes at a pivotal moment for Nome and the broader Arctic region. As Nome continues to grow as a strategic port and shipping hub, development pressures are increasing across western Alaska. Conservation leaders say protecting intact landscapes now is essential to balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.

By permanently protecting this stretch of the Nome River, Sitnasuak Native Corporation and The Conservation Fund have created a lasting model for collaborative conservation — one that aligns cultural heritage, ecological resilience, and community access to one of Nome’s most important river corridors.

About Sitnasuak Native Corporation
Sitnasuak Native Corporation (SNC) is one of 220 Alaska Native Village Corporations established in 1971 under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Headquartered in Nome, Alaska, SNC has title to more than 232,000 acres – of which were transferred to the Corporation to be held in corporate ownership by Alaska Native Shareholders. SNC was incorporated on February 9, 1973, and is now owned by more than 3,100 Shareholders who live in Alaska and across the globe.

Guided by the principles of stewardship, innovation, and community, SNC strives to create meaningful and lasting impacts through its strategic and diverse investments to benefit our Shareholders and Descendants.

About The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms. To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org.