(Fairbanks) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Sport Fish is currently accepting proposals for the 2026 Fairbanks Habitat Rehabilitation & Protection Cost-Share.

The Fairbanks Habitat Rehabilitation & Protection Cost-Share, administered cooperatively by ADF&G and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is a financial incentive and educational outreach program directed towards private landowners and public land managers. The program provides technical expertise about rehabilitation practices, state and federal permitting assistance, and funding for salmon habitat rehabilitation and protection projects along streambanks in the Tanana Watershed. Funds are limited and not all projects can be funded; however, selected landowners could have up to 50% of the cost of their project reimbursed. Additionally, ADF&G staff provides educational opportunities to landowners, public land managers, and the public on the techniques and value of fish habitat. The program uses proven bioengineering techniques such as coir logs, willow plantings, cabled spruce trees, rootwads, and elevated light penetrating walkways to help stabilize, revegetate, and rehabilitate streambanks.

“The mission of our program is to protect salmon habitat by working cooperatively with land managers and landowners who may be experiencing erosion or habitat degradation on their property,” stated Habitat Biologist Jess Johnson. “We aim to promote the use of fish-friendly erosion control techniques and provide information to landowners regarding their engagement with our shared wildlife resources. By providing project funding, the program helps to make bioengineering solutions more readily available, benefitting both the people and the salmon who utilize these areas.”

The program will host a free, two-day Streambank Rehabilitation Workshop on July 16 and 17, 2025, in Fairbanks, with pre-registration required. On the first day of the Streambank Workshop, participants will learn about riparian areas and salmon habitat needs, techniques, and materials for rehabilitating and restoring riparian habitat. On the second day of the Streambank Workshop, participants will learn hands-on construction techniques by installing a streambank rehabilitation project.

For additional information or to pre-register for the Streambank Rehabilitation Workshop, contact the program’s Streambank Rehabilitation Coordinator, Jess Johnson, at (907) 267-2403 or by email at DFG.DSF.StreambankRehab@alaska.gov. Additional information is also available on the ADF&G Cost-Share Program website.

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