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| Gateway to Mt.McKinley Natl. Park AK Steamship Company Marketing ca. 1930's VILDA ASL-P44-05-002 |
Essential Questions
- What have been the major components of the Alaska economy during the American period of 1867-present?
- How are the major components of the economy interconnected?
- How is the Alaska economy a reflection of diverse, and sometimes conflicting, perspectives of the natural landscape?
ENGAGE
In the previous pages you were introduced to the largest sectors of the economy that derive from Alaska's natural resources. Those in this section are either much smaller by comparison (farming), done only in a limited way today (herding), greatly diminished from its former role (logging) or, growing in significance (tourism).
Celery Ben, Rickard's Ranch, Fairbanks
AK RR Tour Lantern Slide Collect.
VILDA ASL-198-35
While some may put these economic sectors into the nice to know category, they all have, at different times, significantly impacted regions of Alaska and those living in those regions.
Silver Bay Logging, Inc
Wrangell, AK 2005
As well, there are important historical links to fishing and/or minerals development - and these sectors continue to be part of the current economic and cultural landscape.
EXPLORE
Read from Alaska's Heritage:
ENGAGE
Timber
Of these four economic sectors, logging (or " lumbering" as in Chap. 4-17) has had the greatest long term monetary, as well as environmental impact. Chapter 4-17 provides a good overview of the history of the timber industry to the 1980's.
Yakutat Logging Crew ca. 1920's
VILDA ASL-P55-125
You have read that the early years of the industry focused upon local needs related to other economic pursuits, especially in mining and fishing. Connections!
Changes after World War II brought large-scale timber harvest, especially in Southeast Alaska as two pulp mills were built and the United States Forest Service handled the timber sales from the Tongass National Forest.
These mills closed in the 1990's as a result of challenges related to environmental concerns about mill operations and the impact of clear-cutting, changes in technologies, and controversies related to the long-term timber contracts between the USFS and the mill owners.
Alaska Native corporations have conducted major logging operations on their lands, especially in SE Alaska. Logging today is an industry in transition, with harvesting being done on state land in the Tanana Valley and SE AK, private land (Native corporations) and federal land (small timber sales in Tongass and Chugach National Forests).
Efforts are underway to grow local sawmill operations in SE AK through collaborative projects between the U.S. Forest Service, conservation organizations, local city and tribal governments, and business owners.
EXPLORE
Management of state forests - AK DNR:
ENGAGE
Tourism
Guide for Alaska Miners,
Settlers and Tourists 1902
VILDA ASL-F902-3-C66-1902
Tourism has been a sector of the Alaska economy since the late 1800's. It was, and is, a small but significant sector of the economy, offering large seasonal employment. The allure of the landscape and people have brought visitors who have returned and spread the word.
As Chapter 4-18 described, the pattern of tourism has been influenced by both national and international political and economic events, with tourism curtailed in the 1930's and 1940's, and then booming after World War II.
Today Alaska continues to attract a wide array of visitors, including cruise ship travelers, charter fishing advocates, eco-tourists, visitors seeking authentic cultural experience, wilderness adventure seekers, and the independent traveler.
S.S. Northwestern at Seward
Dock-AK RR Tour Slides 1923
VILDA ASL-P198-75
EXPLORE
The Alaska Office of Tourism Development monitors tourism industry trends, promotes Alaska as a visitor destination, and supports the efforts of the Alaska Travel Industry Association.
EXAMINE
- Over time, what has been the pattern of development for Alaska's farming, herding, logging, and tourism in Alaska?
- What are some links between these components and other sectors of the Alaska economy?
- What is the current status of farming, herding, logging, and tourism in Alaska?
EXTEND
What about farming and herding?
Does it make sense that the agricultural potential and subsequent experiments were prominent in the early American period? Agriculture was a major component of the United States economy, and many immigrants to Alaska had farm backgrounds.
Logo for Alaska Products
Marketing Programs
AK DNR-Division of Agriculture.
With the challenges of food importation, the development of local food supplies became a priority. Later, agricultural endeavors also became connected to other issues, such as support of the Alaska railroad and the desire to populate Alaska. Also, agriculture included the raising of fur bearing animals such as fox and mink.
The Matanuska and Tanana Valleys still hold the greatest potential for agriculture, and the University of Alaska continues to develop crop varieties appropriate for conditions in Alaska. Despite various state supported agriculture initiatives in the 1970's-80's, agriculture continues to be a bit player in the Alaska economy.
Agriculture in Alaska today falls within the purview of the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Agriculture where marketing programs and harvest records are handled. The University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences is an excellent source for the latest in Alaska agricultural research.
Herding reindeer? Chapter 4-17 describes the initial reasons for the importation of reindeer to Alaska.
Do you have a sense of the area of Alaska where reindeer herding has been most prevalent? The AK Dept. of Natural Resources, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service all have an interest in the state of reindeer herding as the herds migrate across lands under their jurisdiction.
Eskimos Arriving at Nome With
Reindeer Meat for Market
ca. early 1900's
VILDA ASL-P12-178
The University of Alaska, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences has a Reindeer Research Program to meet current reindeer herding issues.
Laplanders (Sami) Reindeer Herders
Working in Alaska - ca. early 1900's
VILDA ASL-P12-095- The Alaskool website has several documents related to the history of reindeer herding - Reindeer Herding in Alaska .
- Herds today on the Seward Peninsula are managed by members of the Kawerak Reindeer Herders Association; there are also small herds on some of Aleutian Islands, Nunivak, and St. Paul.
Are you discerning connections? Connections to other sectors of the Alaska economy? Connections to other events in Alaska history?
Cape Prince of Wales Reindeer Herders
ca. 1908; VILDA UAF-2004-120-28
What's Next?
From farming and herding to trees and tourists, we've explored some of the economies that are connected to the wave of explorers and entrepreneurs who populated Alaska after Russia ceded the Territory in 1867.
Now it's time to Blog It!
