Crisis to Conservation: The Inspiring Journey of Dune Lankard
Explore how an Eyak tribal leader transformed the devastation of the Exxon-Valdez oil spill into a movement for ocean restoration, indigenous empowerment, and climate resilience
In our latest episode of Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast David heads to Alaska to interview Dune Lankard, a member of the Eagle Clan of the Eyak tribal nation based in Cordova Alaska, on Prince Williams Sound. Dune talks about his life as a commercial fisherman and his response to the 1989 Exxon-Valdez oil spill, the largest U.S. environmental disaster till that time.
He talks about his founding of the Native Conservancy and its work with 32 tribes across Alaska, including protecting over a million acres of land. They also talk about his kelp farming to restore the ocean, traditional food sources and provide indigenous people and fishermen a chance to be part of a new regenerative food industry in a time of climate disruption. Check out Dune’s spiritual, practical and innovative ideas on the new Rising Tide Ocean podcast.