The Tileston Award, Conservation and Development doing it right

It's all about doing it right. About protecting the health of our environment and ensuring a strong economy. “We love our land,” as Governor Palin recently said, “and we have every incentive to ensure that development is done right” It's this 'do it right' sentiment that brings the Alaska Conservation Alliance and the Resource Development Council for Alaska together again to award the second annual Tileston Award.

The Tileston Award is a uniquely Alaskan award established to honor organizations, individuals, and/or businesses that create solutions and innovations promoting the linkages between economic development and environmental protection.

This shared goal is embodied in the two long-time Alaskans who lend their name to the award, Peg and Jules Tileston.  Peg has been a leader of Alaska's conservation movement for the last three decades, while Jules is a former director of the state division of mining. Despite their seemingly opposite views, they’ve always agreed, “That if it is in Alaska, it must be done right!”

The first Tileston Award went to the Alaska Board of Forestry in 2008. They were presented with a Tlingit Wooden Paddle and $1,000 to donate to the charity of the Board’s choice.

The 2009 Tileston Award submission deadline is May 15th.  Applications and more information can be found online at www.tilestonaward.com/. 


The Resource Development Council is a statewide, non-profit, membership-funded organization made up of businesses and individuals from all resource sectors, as well as Native corporations, support sectors, labor unions, and local governments. Through the Council these interests work together to promote and support responsible development of Alaska's resources.

The Alaska Conservation Alliance is the statewide umbrella group for approximately 40 member organizations with a combined membership of over 38,000 Alaskans. The Alliance unites Alaska's conservation community to speak with one strong voice in the State Capitol.