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About Alaska Conservation SolutionsAlaska Conservation Solutions (AkCS) was founded in 2005 to draw attention to the pervasive consequences of global warming in Alaska, and also to pursue solutions to the problem. The work of Alaska Conservation Solutions is supported by grants from the Education Foundation of America, Endurance Fund, and the America Conservation Association through National Environmental Trust; and grants from the Hewlett Foundation, the Norcross Foundation, the Ametek Foundation, and individuals such as Ben and Ruth Hammett through The Ocean Foundation; as well as contributions from numerous concerned individuals. If you wish to contribute to the work of Alaska Conservation Solutions, please This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information. Alaska Conservation Solutions also welcomes the work and support of volunteers and student interns, who make vital contributions to important projects. If you would like to volunteer, please This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Finally, AkCS benefits from the outstanding work of Anna Davidson, Nancy Wallace and Barbara Dey. Deborah L. Williams, President
After serving in the Department of Interior’s Solicitors Honors Program in Washington D.C., Ms. Williams represented the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska. Between 1981 and 1994, Ms. Williams was the Executive Director of the Alaska Consumer Advocacy Program and of the Alaska Lung Association, while serving on many boards and commissions, including Trustees for Alaska (president of the board) and the Municipal Health Commission (chair of the Environmental Health Committee). In 1994, Ms. Williams received a Presidential appointment, and became the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Interior for Alaska, in which position she advised the Secretary about managing over 220 million acres of national lands in Alaska and working with Alaska tribes and others associated with the Department’s broad natural and cultural resource jurisdiction. She also was a Trustee on the Exxon Valdez Trustee Council and other boards. For over six years, Ms. Williams served as the Executive Director of the Alaska Conservation Foundation, winning many awards in that role. Currently, Ms. Williams is President of Alaska Conservation Solutions, an organization that is devoted primarily to addressing global warming. Ms. Williams has published numerous law review and other articles, has been featured repeatedly in the media (including 60 Minutes, the New York Times and BBC), and has taught graduate level courses at both the University of Alaska and Alaska Pacific University. She greatly enjoys backpacking, skiing, gardening, building, and traveling with her family. Margaret Manousoff, Outreach & Advocacy CoordinatorMargaret Manousoff brings a wealth of experience and interests to Alaska Conservation Solutions. Born and raised in Alaska, she has witnessed first hand the dramatic effects of global warming in the state. She has also lived in Wisconsin, New York and Greece. Her education includes a J.D. in public interest law, a M.A. in art history and a B.A. in music. She has worked in marketing, conference management, writing, editing, museum teaching and as a college professor. In addition to her dedication to environmental issues, Margaret is committed to advocacy on behalf of domestic abuse victims. She lives in Anchorage, where each day the beauty of the mountains takes her breath away. Her sources of inspiration range from Thich Nhat Hanh (“The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.”) to Dr. Seuss (“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”). Anna Davidson, Village CoordinatorAnna Davidson is a Yup'ik Eskimo raised in Southwestern Alaska on the Kuskokwim River, where she learned to live off the land. Her parents taught her to respect the environment and wildlife that gave them food, shelter and clothing. In her mid-twenties Anna was elected to tribal and city councils, then Mayor of Tuluksak. She led the fight to stop a mining company that was polluting the river that the village depends on for survival. Since then she has worked for Cenaliulriit Coastal Management Service, the Alaska Board of Fish and Game, Inuit Circumpolar Conference, RurAL CAP, Greenpeace and Friends of Bristol Bay. Anna continues to work with environmental organizations to protect the environment and indigenous peoples from pollution and devastation. She and her husband Art have three young children and live in the mountains near Anchorage. Heather Benz, InternHeather is a life-long Alaskan. She is currently in her sophomore year at Stanford University where she is majoring in Earth Systems: a multi-disciplinary, solutions-based approach to environmental challenges. In 2004, she earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, the equivalent of Boy Scouting’s Eagle Scout award, by creating the Alaska Conservation Volunteer Directory for Alaska Conservation Foundation under the leadership of Deborah Williams. For this project Heather was chosen a 2005 National Young Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts USA. Heather's work for Alaska Conservation Solutions has also included the creation of the Alaskan Carbon Calculator and the compilation of an extensive list of ways Alaskans can reduce their carbon emissions. |
Ms. Williams has been actively involved in conservation and sustainable community issues in Alaska for over 25 years, and is now focusing on global warming. She received her B.A. from Pomona College, summa cum laude, with a concentration in Biology and Economics. Subsequently she was graduated from Harvard Law School, with honors, and was the principal founder of and co-editor-in-chief of the