In Honor of Neil

Neil Stichert lived life with a passion for making a real difference for fish and wildlife habitat and conservation in Southeast Alaska. Through volunteerism and his work with the US Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service, Neil had amazing success in investing in good ideas and good people. He is responsible for dozens of watershed-based restoration projects and partnerships in the region and has donated his time to boards of charitable organizations, including land conservation efforts. Neil took the time to get to know people and mentored and advised many of us involved in restoration and conservation in the region.

Neil recently passed from cancer. You can visit Neil’s Caring Bridge page here.

Our hearts and best wishes go to Neil and his family and there are many in the region that want to show our appreciation, respect, and thanks to Neil for all he has done for us. So, with permission from Neil and his family, we created the Neil Challenge:

Let’s live our lives a little bit more like Neil lived his.

We are asking you to pledge an action or resource to habitat restoration or conservation in his honor.

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October 2026 Update:

What’s next for the Neil Challenge?

We asked you to make a pledge for habitat restoration and conservation in Neil’s honor, and you did. Thanks to your donations, we have what we need for the “Neil Trail.” Next spring, stewardship work will begin on the Neil Trail and restoration work on an eroded trail along Montana Creek.

With the blessing of Neil’s family, the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition, Southeast Alaska Land Trust, Trout Unlimited, and Alaska Backcountry Hunters and Anglers have submitted a joint grant application to double the Neil Challenge donations. If awarded, we will leverage these funds to investigate and purchase private parcels with fish habitat ripe with restoration opportunities. The proposed project is not only a significant step for conservation, but a commitment from partners to work together for fish habitat restoration and stewardship in the Juneau area.

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How can you participate?

Donate through this page to support the construction and designation of the Neil Challenge. Funds raised here will cover the costs to build and dedicate the Neil Trail, and any surplus funds will go to other Juneau area restoration and conservation stewardship in Neil's honor to be determined collectively by the above organizations and Neil’s family. The Southeast Alaska Land Trust (SEALT) is designating the fisherman access trail on their Montana Creek property off Back Loop Road as the "Neil Trail." Neil has invested time and heart into Montana Creek, and this trail provides access for fishermen and hikers to enjoy a place he loves.

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Pledge an action in support of conservation or restoration. An action could be anything from picking up trash while hiking to organizing a group of friends to volunteer their time to conservation efforts in your community. Whatever you think Neil would support!

What has been pledged so far?

The Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition (SAWC) is pledging $50,000 to habitat restoration projects in the region that make an on the ground difference. Neil has told us to use these funds to get as much done on the ground as we can. Anyone who would like to suggest an action or project, or partner to support this effort can contact Rob Cadmus. A special thanks to the Alaska Venture Fund for making this possible.
The Nature Conservancy has pledged $20,000 to Alaska Youth Stewards. Neil has made an extraordinary contribution to the fish, wildlife, and communities of Southeast Alaska that depend on healthy ecosystems. Through the Alaska Youth Stewards program, the next generation is carrying forward that same ethic of service, conservation, and community leadership across the region.
Juneau Community Foundation has pledged $20,000 towards the Neil Trail and associated parks and trails related work.
Tongass Chapter of Trout Unlimited has pledged $10,000 and offered volunteer time for the Neil Trail.
Alaska Backcountry Hunters and Anglers has volunteered time for the Neil Trail.
Heath Whitacre has pledged 5 days of professional hydrologist services for a stream restoration project to the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition.
See other pledges here.

This campaign is organized by the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition and the Southeast Alaska Land Trust in partnership with Southeast Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership and the Tongass Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

The Neil Stichert Challenge

Honoring a commitment to Southeast Alaska’s fish and wildlife habitat