53-2 Southeast Alaska Landslide Information and Preparedness Partnership(SLIPP): Creating a Community of Practice in Tribal and Rural Alaska

Session: Community Engaged Research for Environmental Sustainability and Community Resilience

Presenting Author:

Lisa Busch

Authors:

Busch, Lisa¹, Paddock, Raymond², Neumann, Ella³, Pierce, Lindsey⁴, Heintz, Ron⁵

(1) Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Sitka, AK, USA; Fairweather Cove Consulting, SITKA, AK, USA, (2) Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Juneau, Alaska, USA, (3) Research, Sitka Sound Science Center, Sitka, AK, USA, (4) Natural Resources, Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Juneau, Alaska, USA, (5) Research, Sitka Sound Science Center, Sitka, AK, USA,

Abstract:

In the last 8 years, Southeast Alaska, with its steep topography and heavy rainfall, is experiencing a rise in deaths from landslides. The Tribal and rural communities in the region are geographically isolated, connected only by boat or plane. Landslide risk reduction requires a team of experts, agencies, and local knowledge. However, rural and Tribal communities here lack the ability to support such a team in each town.  Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and the nonprofit Sitka Sound Science Center, along with academic, Tribal, state and federal government partners, have developed a new regional organization that is enhancing community capacity to prevent geohazard tragedies by strengthening partnerships, providing communication and sharing platforms, advocating for resources and planning regional trainings and activities. Southeast Alaska Landslide Information and Preparedness Partnership(SLIPP)  is a community of practice for sharing information between researchers, agency personnel, Tribal leaders and rural community members. The first of its kind in the nation, SLIPP is a model for rural places where shared resources and efficiencies build community and regional resilience. SLIPP’s vision is to create a sustainable and active hub of landslide information for Southeast Alaska. This organization will blend the interests and goals of agencies, Tribal and local communities and all those with a stake in landslide disaster prevention by raising awareness, training, sharing resources, and coordinating efforts.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-4765

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