Lauren Cusimano

About

Lauren (she/her/hers) manages �ԹϺ�� Alaska's communications, which include news articles, newsletters, social media, and media outreach. She has reported on travel, culture, music, food, and sustainability in her former career as a journalist and editor in Arizona.

Since her interests have long been in conservation (and birds), she moved to Dzantik'i Héeni/Juneau in 2021 to work in communications for the Tongass National Forest and Juneau �ԹϺ�� Society. She now lives in Dghevey Kag'/Anchorage. She also teaches remotely at the Cronkite School of Journalism.

Joys include cycling and paddling with her partner, scary books and movies, and singing to her pets, Fred Meyer and Leroy.

Articles by Lauren Cusimano

An Issue of Seismic Proportions

October 22, 2025 — As concerns for the future of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Western Arctic heats up, seismic surveys—or irreversible ecological scarring—are at the heart of the issue.

Arctic Refuge

When Ships Meet Seabirds: Mapping Risk in Alaska’s Waters

October 08, 2025 — Alaska’s seas are becoming increasingly busy highways for vessels, posing growing risks for seabirds during one of their most vulnerable times—fall migration.

Coasts and Oceans

Large Vessels Pose Threat to Migratory Bird Species, Study Finds

August 20, 2025 — Michigan State University researchers and partners have been mapping the overlap between marine traffic and seabird movements to see when ships meet seabirds.

Remembering Our Colleague Shiloh Schulte, PhD

June 29, 2025 — �ԹϺ�� statements on the passing of our colleague and friend, Dr. Shiloh Schulte, who recently died in a helicopter crash while conducting conservation work in Alaska.

Take Action for the Mendenhall Wetlands

May 19, 2025 — Comment on the Juneau Douglas North Crossing draft Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study.

More Good News for the Chilkat Valley

May 12, 2025 — American Pacific Mining Corp., which recently took full ownership of the proposed Palmer Mine, has also decided to leave the project.

Important Bird Areas

Let Them Eat Mud: How Biofilm Can Change Shorebird Conservation

May 05, 2025 — And how the biofilm “film” documents this scientific breakthrough for Western Sandpipers while highlighting a dangerous development project on a crucial stopover site.

Bird Science

Your 2025 World Migratory Bird Day Celebration Kit!

May 05, 2025 — This post is full of stories about Alaska birds, where they are celebrated, and how science can save them, plus a talking Aleutian Tern.

People with binoculars outside on gravel

The Utqiaġvik Migratory Bird Festival Is Coming Back for a Third Year

May 01, 2025 — The 2025 celebration of all the amazing migratory, Arctic-breeding birds in the area is set for June 12 to 15 at Fred Ipalook Elementary School.