About WISE - WISE Copper Center Alaska

The WISE Mission

WISE provides science and environmental education to all age groups, resources for learning, and support for scientific research.

Our vision is to share the natural world of the Copper River Basin and to provide scientific, environmental education, and research services to all age groups from children to seniors and to instill people with a sense of awe, connectedness, and sacred feeling for the place we live.

WISE is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Currently headquartered in Kenny Lake, Alaska.

The WISE Location

WISE provides services to the Copper River Basin, Alaska. The Copper River Basin is located 200 miles east of Anchorage, AK. It is home to Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest park in the United States. Nineteen rural communities are spread throughout the Basin, which encompasses approximately 23,500 square miles.

Board of Directors

Janelle Eklund, President. Former Bureau of Land Management Outdoor Recreation Planner (Click to read a message from our Board President.)
Dave Wellman, Vice President. Retired high school science teacher.
Carla Schierholt, Secretary. Kenny Lake School 2nd and 3rd grade teacher
Paul Boos, Treasurer. Former Bureau of Land Management Lead Outdoor Recreation Specialist
Dr. Daniel Solie, Director of Education Outreach, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) High Frequency Active Auroral Research Project; UAF Assistant Professor of Science Education.
Suzanne McCarthy, Director Prince William Sound Community College
Gay Wellman, Education/In home services specialist for Alzheimer's Resource Agency of Alaska
Mark Somerville, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Fisheries Biologist
Tim Sundlov, Fisheries Biologist, Bureau of Land Management, Glennallen, AK
Patty Christian, Former Interpreter and naturalist, National Park Service, Kenny Lake, AK

Executive Director

Bruce grew up in the Midwest and graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering. From there he joined the Navy and became an aviator flying antisubmarine patrols worldwide, and after a very rewarding career, retired as a Commander. For sixteen years he worked as a manager for three manufacturing companies. During that time he was responsible for delivering quality products, using innovative techniques while reducing costs and increasing value. As Executive Director of WISE, he coordinates multiple youth, environmental programs in the Copper River Basin. He also worked as a National Park Ranger coordinating their Junior Ranger programs for the summer of 2009. Through his work experience he has been responsible for organizing groups in remote settings in foreign countries with the Navy, in the Alaska wilderness for WISE, and as a hunting guide. Bruce enjoys getting involved with community and nationwide organizations volunteering his time. He is past president and a member of a regional Shiners’ organization and has served as a member and volunteer on conservation clubs, masonic groups, and fire departments. He also served time as a Boy Scout Leader. During his time volunteering he has had experience with fundraising and leading groups. Bruce is passionate about wilderness areas and the challenges of living in remote Alaska.

Thirty-five years ago Bruce married his high school sweetheart, Kayane. They have two adult children and three precious grandchildren. He and Kayane enjoy living in a remote area as in-holders in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve and spend time gardening, hunting, trapping and fishing.

WISE Award Recipients

Volunteers at Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment have received a number of prestigious awards. To read about the awards and what they mean to the recipients please visit our awards page.

Our History

Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment (WISE) is a grassroots organization, receiving it's non-profit 501(c)(3) status in April of 2002 and it's final determination letter in 2006. The founders started meeting in 1998 with a dream to build an organization that would provide science and environmental education to all age groups.

All of the founders saw a need for science and environmental education in the Copper River Basin. The face of the Copper Basin is changing rapidly. Local communities are gateways to the largest Park in the nation, Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve (WRST), and are experiencing growth and development pains.

Public education programs are concentrating on new educational standards. It's important to ensure that this is not done at the expense of outdoor learning opportunities. Youth programs were the first target group, along with a public lecture series. As WISE grows, new programs are being developed to include adults and a broader range of youth age groups.

Programs are developed in collaboration with other agencies, organizations and schools. Partnerships were formed in 2002 and 2003 with the Bureau of Land Management, Copper River School District (CRSD), High Frequency Active Auroral Research Project (HAARP), Prince William Sound Community College (PWSCC), Wrangell Mountains Center (WMC), and Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve (WRST). Many other agencies and organizations have joined the list and partner with WISE to deliver programs.

All of the Board of Directors brings valuable resources and volunteerism to the organization and help in creating partnership connections. WISE will be hiring its first paid staff in 2008.

Successes in Building Community Capacity

In early 2003 WISE entered into a partnership with Copper Valley Development Association and Resource Conservation and Development Council (CVDA/RC&D), Alaska Bible College (ABC) and CRSD to develop an interpretive trail in Glennallen on ABC land. WISE worked with local students to design and construct interpretive signs for the trail. This project began in spring of 2003, and dedication was July of 2004. WISE will continue to work with students and partners on maintenance and interpretation. The RC&D has also asked WISE to help with other trail projects.
In April, 2003 WISE, in partnership with Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, initiated a well received 5th and 6th grade annual program called Earth Discovery Day. Nine other agencies, organizations, and numerous volunteers also participated. The program expanded in 2005 to include 4th grade. Over 130 students attend this program. Membership dollars, In-kind and monetary donations from businesses and foundations help to keep the program running.
WISE, in partnership with Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Prince William Sound Community College and High Frequency Active Auroral Research Project (HAARP), hosts public lectures with such topics as birds, earthquakes, volcanoes, nature photography, and many other interesting topics in the region.
WISE initiated an annual Changing Seasons 2nd and 3rd grade program in September 2003, Partnering with WRST, Bureau of Land Management, CRSD, and many other agencies and organizations. About ninety-five students attend this program which is well received by students, teachers and Administrators. Membership dollars, In-kind and monetary donations from businesses and foundations help to keep the program running.
WISE has also partnered with University of Alaska, Fairbanks and HAARP education outreach programs that provide natural science lectures to local CRSD students.
WISE works in partnership with Copper River Native Association to deliver outdoor programs for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome youth.
In 2005 WISE received a grant for a 2nd and 3rd grade salmon project called, "From the River and Classroom to the Sea and Back: Documenting the life cycle of the salmon." WISE helped students develop a documentary which is available to the schools and community members.
WISE participates in WRST summer day camps, delivering presentations on ecology and animals and helping with the overall event.
In 2007 WISE developed the Watershed Leadership Program for high school students with the help of grants, membership donations and in-kind services. In 2009 the program was expanded with new partnerships (Copper River Watershed Project and Prince William Sound Science Center and the Bureau of Land Management) and changed to the Copper River Stewardship program.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) completed an extensive planning process for the management of the Gulkana River. One of its major recommendations includes the development of outreach and learning programs aimed at educating the user on river safety and "Leave No Trace" etiquette. WISE works with BLM to help administer this education.
WISE brings science and environmental education into the Copper River School District classrooms at the request of teachers.
During the summer of 2006 WISE developed a pilot project offering fee based natural history walks for tourists.In 2007 Rassmussen Foundation funded a 12 passenger van. In 2008/09 naturalists were hired to run the program. The tour program will be expanded in 2010 with the purchase of a 14 passenger van.

Collaborative Capacity Building

A goal of WISE is to develop a data base of science and environmental education kits, research papers, and other like materials that are available in the Basin.
A goal of the CRSD has been to develop partnerships between schools, families, community agencies and businesses, to extend partner resources into classrooms and extend classrooms into the real world of the community. WISE plans to develop more programs with CRSD in addition to Earth Discovery Day and Changing Seasons.
Prince William Sound Community College in Glennallen is in the process of partnering with WISE to develop science and environmental education curriculum for their course offerings.
Wrangell Mountains Center and WISE are partnering to develop science and environmental education summer camps.