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Local nonprofits collaborate on ‘The Neil Challenge’ to implement conservation projects across Southeast
- Jasz Garrett
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
A fishing access trail, outdoor youth programs and watershed restoration honor Neil Stichert, who has terminal liver cancer
By Jasz Garrett
Juneau Independent
Nonprofits are teaming up this summer with a special project honoring Neil Stichert, a local conservationist leader with a fatal cancer diagnosis.
Stichert started chemotherapy after being diagnosed in May, but the response was not as hoped. After several consultations with doctors at Virginia Mason Medical Center, Stichert decided to forego further treatment in favor of enjoying the time he has left in Juneau with family and community.
The Southeast Alaska Land Trust is designating a fishing access trail — to be known as the Neil Trail — on its property along Montana Creek. SEALT will also improve the trail with a new footbridge, interpretive signs and enhanced access for locals. Some trail brushing began last week on the southern end of the trail.
Margaret Custer, executive director for SEALT, said Stichert has been invaluable as a colleague and a friend. She added Stichert has prioritized repairing salmon streams across Alaska and the conservation of intact wilderness where residents fish and hunt.
“He loves the Montana Creek area. He’s an avid outdoorsman, and so this area is important to him, and it kind of represents one of his passions, which is fishing and fish habitat protections,” she said. “So this area will be a great spot for fishers of all ages pretty soon with these improvements. Right now it’s not super accessible or well marked, and so this will create some opportunities for fishing for others.”
Stichert recently served as the nonprofit’s committee chair and has been on the SEALT board of directors since 2021.
“He’s done just about everything for us,” Custer said. “We’re doing a culvert assessment and design project, which is one of his areas of expertise at the Forest Service. And so he even weighs in on operational projects with us. He’s a really great guy.”
The nonprofit also encourages community pledges, stating it could be anything from picking up trash while hiking to organizing a group of friends to volunteer. Anyone with trail experience or building footbridges can reach out to info@sealt.org.
She said the to-be-restored trail aims to show how much the organization cares.
“Neil is such a wonderful colleague. He’s a great friend to so many people, and he really puts in 110% into all of his relationships, especially work relationships,” Custer said. “And that’s why so many people care about him and want to show appreciation for him right now. I’m just one of them.”
The Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition is pledging $50,000 to habitat restoration projects. The Alaska Venture Fund made the pledge possible. Anyone can suggest an action, project or partner to support the project by contacting the coalition at rob@sawcak.org.
Rod Cadmus, executive director of the watershed coalition, said Stichert served as a mentor to many. He described the types of project proposals the organization is seeking.
“He has worked with our organization quite a bit and then has had a history of just investing in good people and good projects to do things on the ground to benefit fish and wildlife habitat,” Cadmus said. “Those kind of projects have really ranged from things like replacing a culvert that allows people to access the road that they were driving on better — like safer — as well as provides fish more access to streams. Another good example of projects we’ve done with Neil are stream restoration projects in areas that have been logged over.”
Cadmus said they are taking other suggestions since Stichert encouraged the watershed coalition to do as much as they can.
The Nature Conservancy is pledging $20,000 to the Alaska Youth Stewards Program in Stichert’s honor for its next season of stewardship work in Southeast.
Throughout his 30-year career in Alaska, Stichert has been responsible for dozens of habitat restoration and preservation projects that benefit fish and wildlife, according to a press release.
Stichert moved to a series of coastal Alaska towns beginning in 1996 and permanently to Juneau in 2002. He worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 18 years, managing a wide array of habitat projects and partnerships. He also worked for the U.S. Forest Service as the leader of its Fish and Aquatic Habitat Program for both the Tongass and Chugach National Forests.
“Now, as he and his family navigate a devastating diagnosis, the community is rising up with The Neil Challenge to show appreciation for his many years of professional and volunteer service,” the press release states.
Organizations and individuals can join The Neil Challenge to support fishing access and watershed restoration. $2,045 of a $20,000 goal has been reached as of Thursday.
The funds raised will cover the costs to build and dedicate the Neil Trail, and any surplus funds will go to other Juneau-area restoration and conservation stewardship in Stichert’s honor to be determined collectively by the above organizations and his family. Stichert also has a CaringBridge, a platform meant to share health updates for patients and family caregivers.
On July 4, Stichert posted on his CaringBridge.
“I am overwhelmed with your kind words, shared memories, and best wishes for the future, as uncertain as it may be,” he wrote. “I really could not have ever imagined such a response and am grateful for everyone who has taken the time to do so.”
“In returning home, I am strengthened by in the simple things in the household--- sharing meals, hearing the daily report out from the girls, hanging with the dog, and hosting drop-in visitors here and there. This has been the very best decision I've made in my life and I am at peace with it. Strength and mobility are waning at a fast clip, but I am in no pain and in good spirits most of the time.”
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.
