ALASKA – Alaska is a state rich in history and culture, with a heritage that dates back thousands of years. Understanding this heritage, and the laws that protect it, is essential for anyone working in the Alaska Region, whether they are new employees or seasoned professionals. That is where Heritage Program Leader Keri Hicks comes in.

During the April New Employee Orientation, Hicks shared details of her program responsibilities. In a room full of employees new to the region, she shared with them the importance of Alaska’s heritage program to both the region and its people.

For Hicks, conveying to her audience the importance of having a clear understanding of the agency’s responsibility related to taking care of thousands of cultural resources is huge. During the three-day, in-person orientation, new employees also gained critical insight for conducting any future collaboration with Alaska Native communities. The information shared should help the newly minted agency staff, and others they work with, avoid unintentional harm to historic sites or properties.

"We’re the temporary stewards of these places that hold our history," shared Hicks. "Unlike many natural resources, cultural resources are not renewable. Once they are damaged or destroyed, they are gone forever."

Today, there are laws and orders, as well as guidance and policy, in place to protect these cultural resources. The Heritage Program mission statement says it all: "The Forest Service will provide leadership in preserving America’s heritage through responsible stewardship activities that recognize, preserve, protect, enhance and use cultural resources for the greatest public benefit." The term cultural resources includes pre-contact and historic sites, historic properties, sacred places, cultural landscapes, and associated collections and records. Several laws protect Alaska's heritage, including federal, state and local regulations. There is the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. All these laws involve collaborating with Alaska Native tribes. The regional heritage team is often reaching out to tribal nations and Alaska Native corporations to share and exchange information and regularly invites them into the field to visit sites and discuss potential effects.

Hicks offered one especially important tip for the new employees. "Get to know your heritage staff—invite them on field trips, ask them if you can go out with them," Hicks continued. "Loop your heritage staff into your project planning early and keep them posted as the project proceeds."

The presentation landed well with the audience of new employees. Feedback included applauding the foresight to ensure a key topic like the heritage program was included in the orientation schedule.

"Keri Hicks' presentation was great, professional, and showed how heritage is a shared responsibility. I loved that," shared one orientation participant. The Alaska Region New Employee Orientation featured about 140 new employee participants, a few dozen regional presenters, panels, breakout sessions, evening socials and an opportunity for networking.