Ray Sensmeier, a Native leader from Yakutat, is a commissioner of the Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission, representing the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe.  He is also a culture bearer and is heavily involved in his community.

Eric Grundberg is a commercial power troller and dive fisheries skipper based out of Petersburg.  Originally from western Washington, Eric has fished in Southeast since 2002.

Brian Lynch is a retired Alaska state biologist and former executive director of the Petersburg Vessel Owners Association. His current work involves research to limit salmon bycatch in trawl nets. Brian lives in Petersburg.

Michelle Ridgway is a marine ecologist with a passion for herring, whose work has taken her across the state.  She's a lifelong Alaskan and lives in Juneau.

Want to join us? We invite anyone with a stake in keeping Southeast Alaska's clean water clean to join our Advisory Council - you can participate at whatever level you'd like! Contact us at [email protected] or call us at 907-586-6942 to learn more and get involved.

What does the advisory committee do? This group helps guide our new program while connecting us to local communities. We intend this group to be representative of the diverse communities that rely on clean water for their livelihood, culture, or recreation in our region. The group can:

• Advise Waterkeeper staff in crafting program direction, activities, and goals.
• Ensure the Waterkeeper program is coordinated with other groups and coalitions.
• Provide valuable cultural, scientific, or community-based feedback.

What’s the Inside Passage Waterkeeper all about? We started this program to bring folks together to build a strong voice for clean water in Southeast Alaska. Our draft goals for the Inside Passage Waterkeeper are:

• To protect the Inside Passage’s clean water and healthy fisheries.
• To ensure our region’s industries, subsistence, and cultures that rely on clean water to have a healthy future.
• To provide an active voice for Southeast Alaskan people, businesses, and associations who rely on clean water for economic and cultural livelihood.
• To support networking between clean water advocates, scientists, and others.