United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest

Research Station

General Technical

Report

PNW-GTR-671

May 2006

Nontimber Forest Product

Opportunities in Alaska

David Pilz, Susan J. Alexander, Jerry Smith, Robert Schroeder, and

Jim Freed
The Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the principle of multiple use management of the Nation’s forest resources for sustained

yields of wood, water, forage, wildlife, and recreation. Through forestry research,

cooperation with the States and private forest owners, and management of the

National Forests and National Grasslands, it strives—as directed by Congress—to

provide increasingly greater service to a growing Nation.

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disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape,

etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,

Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th

 and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC

20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity

provider and employer.

USDA is committed to making the information materials accessible to all USDA

customers and employees.

Authors

David Pilz is a faculty research assistant, Department of Forest Science,

Oregon State University, 321 Richardson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-5752;

Susan J. Alexander is a regional economist and Robert Schroeder is a

regional subsistence coordinator, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest

Service, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21628, Juneau, AK 99802-1628; Jerry

Smith is co-owner, Forest Resource Enterprises, 53613 Bobwhite Court,

La Pine, OR 97339; Jim Freed is a nontimber forest product specialist,

Washington State University Extension, c/o Washington Department of

Natural Resources, P.O. Box 47037, Olympia, WA 98504-7037.

Cover

Birch tree bole carved into a drinking mug. One of a multitude of carved

products made from the wood of Alaska trees.
Abstract

Pilz, David; Alexander, Susan J.; Smith, Jerry; Schroeder, Robert; Freed,

Jim. 2006. Nontimber forest product opportunities in Alaska. Gen. Tech.

Rep. PNW-GTR-671. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest

Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 79 p.

Nontimber forest products from southern Alaska (also called special forest

products) have been used for millennia as resources vital to the livelihoods

and culture of Alaska Natives and, more recently, as subsistence resources

for the welfare of all citizens. Many of these products are now being sold,

and Alaskans seek additional income opportunities through sustainable harvest and manufacture of such forest resources. We discuss the unique legal,

regulatory, land tenure, geographic, vegetation, and climatic context that

southern Alaska presents for marketing nontimber forest products; summarize

the various species and types of products being harvested; and consider the

marketing challenges and opportunities new entrepreneurs will encounter. The

information and resources we provide are intended to enhance income opportunities for all Alaskans, while sustaining the organisms harvested, respecting

traditional activities, and ensuring equitable access to resources.

Keywords: Nontimber forest products, special forest products, Alaska,

marketing opportunities.
Summary

This publication is intended to provide people with a synopsis of the

nontimber forest product (NTFP) industry in southeastern and south-central

Alaska and to enhance marketing opportunities. The biotic resources (excluding timber and animals) that are used to make such products have been used

by Alaska Natives for millennia to provide the necessities of life and rich

cultural traditions. Many current citizens of Alaska now supplement their

livelihoods with subsistence harvesting of the same resources. Gathering

NTFPs for income entails unique challenges and opportunities in Alaska

owing to its remote geography, expensive transportation, land tenure patterns,

traditional harvest rights, and distinctive ecosystems.

The term “subsistence” is used in many ways, but one constant is that

subsistence harvesting is important to all Alaskans. Subsistence harvesting

provides a vehicle for expressing or manifesting native identity. Current laws

and organizational directives shape management policies and agency regulations that affect people and natural resources in the state. A broad array of

NTFPs produced in Alaska are sold, traded, given as gifts, and used for

household consumption.

Numerous resources for businesses and new entrepreneurs are provided

by various agencies and groups. Our intent is to provide a representative list

of potential products that individuals or businesses can pursue for fun or

profit. Ideally, all individuals, businesses, tribes, agencies, and organizations

that have a stake in the sustainable harvest of NTFPs can use this information

to devise equitable and effective management strategies, as well as personally

or economically profitable enterprises.
Contents

1 Introduction

2 Alaska’s Unique Context

2 Subsistence and Other Personal Use

11 Alaska’s Land Ownership Patterns and Laws

12 Federal Lands

12 Subsistence Use of Nontimber Forest Products

13 Commercial Harvest and Regulations

17 USFS Forest Management Plans

18 State Lands

18 Subsistence Use of Nontimber Forest Products

18 Commercial Harvest and Regulations

19 Community Economic Development

21 Marketing

21 Types of Markets

26 Marketing Challenges and Opportunities in Alaska

28 Product Categories

28 Art, Crafts, Dyes, and Floral Greenery

32 Berries and Wild Fruits

34 Syrups, Teas, and Flavorings

38 Edible and Medicinal Plants

40 Native Seeds

44 Edible Mushrooms

50 Medicinal Fungi

57 Closing Remarks

58 Acknowledgments

59 Metric Equivalents

59 Literature Cited

70 Appendix 1: Scientific and Common Names of Species

76 Appendix 2: Contact Information
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Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

1

Introduction

This publication provides individuals interested in nontimber forest products

(NTFPs) with information about resources, products, processing methods, and

marketing. Our goal is to provide information that will help potential entrepreneurs start businesses based on species harvested from local forests. It also

provides a synopsis of the NTFP industry in southeast and south-central

Alaska.

For the purposes of this document, we use the terms NTFP (a common

international acronym) and SFP (special forest products, used by the federal

government) interchangeably. The definition we employ is found in the Alaska

Region Interim Special Forest Products Resource Management Policy, effective

March 10, 2000 (http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/ro/policy-reports/).

Special forest products (SFPs) are defined as products derived

from non-timber biological resources that are used for personal,

educational, commercial, and scientific use. SFP resources

include, but are not limited to: mushrooms, boughs, Christmas

trees, bark, ferns, moss, burls, berries, cones, conks, herbs,

roots, and wildflowers. Also included are cuttings (such as of

willow [Salix species] used for restoration) and transplants (as

for landscaping purposes). SFP resources exclude saw-timber,

pulpwood, cull logs, small round-wood, house logs, utility

poles, minerals, animals, animal parts, rocks, water and soil.

The broad array of NTFPs already being produced in Alaska includes

crafts, artwork, dyes, floral greenery, berries and other wild fruits, syrups, teas,

flavorings, edible and medicinal plants, native seeds, edible mushrooms, and

medicinal fungi. For each category we include information on products, traditional Native and subsistence use, processing or production methods, and

marketing. Throughout these chapters we provide selected sources of further

information with Web site addresses and useful references. Appendix 1 lists the

most recently accepted scientific names (along with the common names we

use) for the species included in our text. Appendix 2 gives contact information

for agencies, organizations, and businesses we mention.

It is difficult to address all products or resources being used to make

NTFPs in Alaska. Our intent is to provide a broad range of potential products

that individuals or businesses can pursue for fun or profit. We encourage
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

2

individuals that are interested in starting or expanding NTFP enterprises to

use the resources in this publication to gather more information or to simply

experiment with their own ideas.

Alaska has geographic and climatic constraints on travel, transportation,

and shipping. This publication offers suggestions about existing and potential

marketing techniques to help entrepreneurs start or expand businesses in this

environment.

Although the focus of this publication is economic opportunity, business

stability, success, and longevity are equally important. Nontimber forest

product businesses can only exist in the long run if the resources they are

based on are harvested in a sustainable manner to ensure that the organisms

being harvested are able to reproduce and persist. Because so much of

Alaska’s forest is publicly owned, harvesters, tribes, and NTFP businesses

need to be actively involved in crafting management agency guidelines and

regulations that ensure equitable and sustainable harvesting opportunities for

all. Collaborative methods such as public involvement processes, conferences,

stakeholder meetings, community coordination, consultation with tribes, and

marketing associations are all effective means to seek this common goal.

Alaska’s Unique Context

Subsistence and Other Personal Use

About 62 percent of Alaska’s 621,400 people are concentrated in the cities of

Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Ketchikan, the only settlements in the state

with populations greater than 10,000. The remaining 38 percent of the state’s

population lives in 144 incorporated cities and in unincorporated areas. About

16.6 percent of the population consists of Native Americans. Yupik and Innuit

constitute about 8 percent of the state’s total population, Indians about 6 percent, and Aleuts about 2 percent (Alaska Department of Labor and Workplace

Development 2000). Alaska has 246 federally recognized tribal governments

that are similar to city governments in structure. Such tribal governments generally represent local groups of Native Americans, most of whom are located

in, and maintain ties to, geographical areas that have traditionally been

used for subsistence harvests of fish, wildlife, and plants. Tlingits, Haidas,

Tsimshians, and Athapaskans are the main cultural groups using the temperate

rain forest.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

3

The definition of subsist is to exist, to be sustained, nourished, and to live.

Subsistence is the act, state, or a means of subsisting. The term “subsistence”

is used in a variety of ways, but one aspect is constant; subsistence harvesting

is a very important aspect of life for all Alaskans. Subsistence harvest activities

are a rich cultural tradition and have complicated and interconnected social

and economic implications for the sustainability of local communities.

Prior to contact with colonial powers in the 1700s, all Alaska Native

cultures relied on hunting, gathering, and trade for food. The harvest and use

of traditional foods provides connections to place, belief, and history that are

essential to cultural identity. Subsistence harvesting provides a vehicle for

expressing or manifesting Native identity. Although fish, marine and land

mammals, and birds were the main calorie sources for Alaska Natives, marine

and terrestrial plants accounted for an important portion of the aboriginal diet

and supplied nutrition not as readily available from fish and meat sources

(Moerman 1998, Schroeder 2002, Schroeder and others 1987). Plants also

provide much of the Native pharmacopoeia (Smith 1973) used to treat the

normal range of injuries and illness found in any human population. The use

of some wild food plants has declined with the introduction of imported or

cultivated foods into rural communities. For instance, rice, potatoes, or pasta

have largely replaced various starchy roots. Other food plants might always

have been harvested in small quantities but provided important seasonal

nutrition (fig. 1), such as the spring shoots of various berry plants harvested

by the Tlingits of southeast Alaska.

With a few exceptions, medicinal and spiritual use of plants by Alaska

Natives has not been well documented or described (DeLaguna 1972). In

many areas of the state, missionaries actively discouraged use of plants for

these purposes. The activities of shamans, healers, and artisans were often

suppressed. Additionally, Fortuine (1992) maintained that many Native cultures lost faith in shamanic practices and the use of some plant remedies as a

consequence of epidemics in the late 1700s and throughout the 1800s that

broke oral traditions of plant knowledge. As a consequence, knowledge of

medicinal and spiritual plant use is fragmented, and owing to the sacredness

of the information, informants do not readily share their knowledge. Lastly,

the replacement of Yupik, Inupiat, and Alaska Native languages with English

has caused a loss of knowledge about plants that was expressed in the original

language.

Table 1 illustrates the range of plants used for subsistence in various parts

of Alaska. It catalogues a variety of plants identified in subsistence activities in

Subsistence

harvesting is a very

important aspect of

life for all Alaskans.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

4

Figure 1—Huckleberries.

Table 1—Plants with documented historical or contemporary subsistence use in Alaska

Scientific namea Common name Useb Area Sourcec

Achillea millefolium yarrow Medicinal Southeast 6, 9

Allium schoenoprasum chives Edible leaves Widely used 1

Alnus rubra red alder Fuel; wood Southeast 5, 9

articles; dye;

food; medicinal

Anemone spp. anemone Burned to drive Interior 3, 9

away mosquitoes;

food; medicinal

(with caution)

Angelica lucida sea-watch, Medicinal; Widely used 1, 4, 5, 9

wild celery poultice; edible

leaves or shoots

Arabis hirsuta, A. lyrata, rockcress Edible leaves or Southeast 6, 9

A. holboellii shoots

Arctostaphylos alpina alpine bearberry Edible berry Widely used 1, 4

Arctostaphylos rubra red fruit bearberry Edible berry Widely used 1

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi kinnickinnick, Edible berry; Widely used 1, 9

bearberry medicinal tea;

wash; smoke

mixture

Caltha palustris yellow cowslip, Edible leaves Subarctic 4

yellow marsh (with caution)

marigold

Carex aquatilis water sedge Possible food Southeast 5
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

5

Table 1—Plants with documented historical or contemporary subsistence use in Alaska (continued)

Scientific namea Common name Useb Area Sourcec

Chamaecyparis Alaska yellow-cedar Fuel; wood Southeast 5, 9

nootkatensis articles; clothing;

baskets; bows;

tea; medicinal

Chenopodium album lambsquarters Edible leaves Widely used 1, 2, 9

or shoots

Chenopodium capitatum strawberry-blight, Edible leaves Interior 2

blite goosefoot or shoots

Cornus canadensis bunchberry Edible berry Widely used 4, 9

and C. suecica

Dryopteris spp. ferns Medicinals; Widely used 4, 5, 9

bedding and

padding; edible

fiddleheads and

roots (with

caution)

Empetrum nigrum blackberry, crowberry Edible berry Widely used 2, 4, 5, 9

Epilobium angustifolium fireweed Cord (fishing Widely used 1, 2, 4, 5, 9

= Chamerion nets); seed fluff

angustifolium in padding or

clothes; edible

leaves or shoots

Epilobium latifolium = dwarf fireweed, river Seed fluff in Widely used 1, 2, 5, 9

Chamerion latifolium beauty padding or

clothes; edible

leaves or shoots

Equisetum spp. horsetail, mouse Abrasives for Subarctic 4, 9

food polishing;

basketry;

possible

medicinal; edible

root (with caution)

Eriophorum tall cottongrass, Edible root Subarctic, 1, 4

angustifolium mouse food widely used

Fragaria spp. strawberry Leaves as

medicinal and

tea; edible berry Southeast 5, 9

Fritillaria northern rice root, Edible bulbs Southeast 5, 9

camschatcensis black lily, Indian rice

Gaultheria shallon salal, laughing berry Edible berries; Widely used 7, 9

medicinal leaves

Hedysarum alpinum American Edible roots Widely used 1, 2

sweetvetch, Eskimo

potato
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

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Table 1—Plants with documented historical or contemporary subsistence use in Alaska (continued)

Scientific namea Common name Useb Area Sourcec

Heracleum lanatum common cowparsnip Edible leaves or Subarctic 4, 7, 9

stalk; medicinal

uses (with caution)

Hippuris vulgaris common mare’s-tail, Edible leaves or Widely used 4, 5, 9

goose grass stalk

Juniperus communis common juniper Tea for colds; Interior, 1, 2, 3, 9

edible berry (with widely used

caution)

Lathyrus spp. pea Edible leaves or Southeast 6, 9

seeds

Ledum groenlandicum Labrador tea Tea, infusion (in Widely used 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9

moderation)

Ligusticum scoticum beach lovage Edible leaves or Southeast 5, 9

stalk

Lysichiton americanus American skunk- Food preparation; Southeast 5, 9

cabbage famine food

Maianthemum dilatatum false lilly-of-the-valley Edible leaves, Southeast 5, 8, 9

berries; medicinal

Matricaria discoidea pineapple weed Tea; sachets Widely used 2, 9

Oplopanax horridus devil’s club Medicinal Southeast 5, 9

Oxyria digyna mountain sorrel, Edible leaves or Widely used 1, 4, 9

sourgrass shoots (with caution)

Oxytropis maydelliana yellow oxytrope Edible root Widely used 1

Pedicularis lanata (kanei) wooly lousewort Edible leaves or Widely used 1

shoots; medicinal

Petasites frigidus coltsfoot Food, edible leaves Widely used 1, 4, 9

or shoots

Phellinus tremulae birch fungus Ashes mixed with Widely used 2

snuff or tobacco

Picea sitchensis Sitka spruce Fuel; wood Southeast, 5, 9

articles; food; south-central

medicinal; roots in

basketry and crafts

Plantago maritima sea plantain, goose Edible leaves Southeast 5, 9

tongue

Polygonum giant knotweed Edible shoots Wide area 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9

sachalinense (with caution)

Potentilla spp. cinquefoil, Food (root) Southeast 5, 9

silverweed, wild

sweet potato
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

7

Table 1—Plants with documented historical or contemporary subsistence use in Alaska (continued)

Scientific namea Common name Useb Area Sourcec

Pteridium aquilinum brackenfern Edible rhizomes, Widely used 4, 5, 9

fiddleheads

(carcinogenic)

Ranunculus pallasii Pallus’ buttercup Edible leaves Subarctic 4

Ribes bracteosum stink currant Edible berry Southeast 5, 9

Ribes divaricatum wild gooseberry, Edible berry Southeast 5, 9

spreading gooseberry

Ribes laxiflorum trailing black currant Edible berry Southeast 5, 9

Ribes triste red swamp currant Edible berry Widely used 1, 9

Rosa spp. rose Edible shoots Widely used 1, 3, 9

and hips;

medicinal use of

bark and leaves

Rubus arcticus nagoonberry Edible berry Widely used 1, 4, 5, 9

Rubus chamaemorus cloudberry Edible berry, Widely used 2, 4, 5, 9

shoots; medicinal

use of roots

Rubus idaeus red raspberry Edible berry Widely used 1, 5, 9

Rubus parviflorus thimbleberry Edible sprouts, Southeast 5, 9

berry

Rubus spectabilis salmonberry Edible berry Southeast 5, 9

Rumex arcticus sourdock Edible leaves Widely used 1, 4, 5

Salicornia virginica American glasswort, Edible shoots Southeast 5, 9

sea asparagus

Salix spp. willow Edible leaves; Widely used 1, 9

medicinal use;

basketry; dye;

nets; rope

Sambucus spp. elderberry Edible berry Southeast 1, 9

(use caution

with red berry

species)

Saxifraga punctata brook saxifrage Edible leaves or Widely used 1

shoots

Sedum roseum = roseroot Edible leaves, Widely used 1, 9

Rhodiola rosea roots, shoots;

medicinal use

Shepherdia canadensis soopolallie, soapberry Edible berry Widely used 1, 5, 9

Sphagnum spp. sphagnum moss Bedding; diapers; Widely used 2, 9

packing; cabin

chinking
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

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Table 1—Plants with documented historical or contemporary subsistence use in Alaska (continued)

Scientific namea Common name Useb Area Sourcec

Streptopus amplexifolius clasping twistedstalk, Edible leaves, Southeast 5, 9

watermelon berry berries; medicinal

use

Taxus brevifolia Pacific yew, western Wood items; fuel; Southeast 7, 9

yew bows; smoke;

trade item

Thuja plicata western redcedar Wood items; fuel; Southeast 5, 9

bark and roots in

clothing and

basketry

Tsuga heterophylla western hemlock Wood items; fuel; Southeast 5, 9

tanning agent;

dye; bedding;

substrate for

herring eggs

Urtica spp. nettles Edible shoots, Southeast 5, 9

leaves; fiber; tonic

Vaccinium oxycoccos = bog cranberry Edible berries Widely used 1, 4, 5, 9

Oxycoccus oxycoccos

Vaccinium uliginosum, blueberry Edible berries, Widely used 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9

V. caespitosum, shoots

V. alaskensis

Vaccinium vitis-idaea lowbush cranberry, Edible berry Widely used 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9

lingonberry

Viburnum edule highbush cranberry Edible berry Widely used 1, 2, 5, 9

a

 The scientific names listed in this table derive from the information sources we cite. Accepted scientific names for some of these

species have since changed. Current names and authorities are listed in appendix 1.

b

 Before consuming organisms listed in this table, further research should be done to determine if recent studies have found problems

with the edibility or safety of use or consumption.

c 1. Anderson and others 1977, Jones 1983.

2. Caulfield 1983, Martin 1983.

3. Nelson 1973.

4. Stickney 1984.

5. Schroeder and Kookesh 1990a.

6. DeLaguna 1972.

7. Turner and Szczawinski 1991.

8. Turner 1995

9. Pojar and MacKinnon 1994
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

9

rural communities. The list includes edible plants, medicinal plants, and other

species harvested for craft and home uses. This list is by no means complete,

but gives the reader an idea of the wide range of plants harvested for subsistence use in Alaska today. Research documenting Native use of plants is

particularly good for those plants that continue to be used in large quantities.

It is less complete for edible green plants that are collected in small quantities,

roots and tubers whose use has declined, or species with medicinal, spiritual,

craft, or construction applications. In southeast and south-central Alaska, for

example, aboriginal use of mushrooms appears to have been limited to a few

species with medicinal or spiritual use, and was not noted in the sources for

table 1.

Plant uses other than for food or medicine also merit mention. Both bark

and roots are used for crafts and artwork. People cut long strips of cedar

(Thuja) bark from living trees. The bark is cleaned, softened, and separated

into smaller strips used for weaving and basketry. Culturally modified trees—

cedar trees showing scars from bark stripping—are good markers of historical

and prehistoric camp locations in southeast Alaska (Mobley and Eldridge

1992). Spruce (Picea) roots are gathered for basketry. Weavers claim that

forest edge situations with sandy soils produce the best roots for weaving

because in such soils, spruce trees send out long, straight surface roots with

little branching. The collected roots are cleaned and split for weaving

(Schroeder 2002).

On the west coast of Prince of Wales Island, near Sitka, and elsewhere in

southeast Alaska, there are major Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) spawning

areas. Hemlock (Tsuga) branches are used to collect the spawn. The Tlingit

and Haida recognize two varieties of hemlock, one with smooth bark and

one with more variegated bark. The smooth-bark variety is used in the herring

egg harvest. Before the herring begin spawning, subsistence gatherers cut

hemlock boughs and small hemlock trees to use as depositional substrate,

and bring them to saltwater bays where herring are likely to spawn. The

hemlock branches or trees are weighted so that they are suspended in the

water column just below the surface at midtide. A fishing float or tag line

leading to the beach may be used to help locate the hemlock sets. After

herring spawn, layers of herring eggs become attached to the suspended

hemlock boughs or trees. When the spawn encasing the boughs is thick

enough, the harvester removes the boughs or trees. The boughs or trees, now

encased in herring spawn, are then cut up into usable pieces for immediate

consumption, distribution to other people, or storing in a freezer for later use.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

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Schroeder and Kookesh (1990b) estimated that about 100,000 pounds of

herring eggs were harvested in this manner from Sitka alone in a typical year.

Large quantities of herring eggs are shipped to other Native communities

where herring do not spawn in abundance.

The ethnographic literature on southeast Alaska societies includes some

interesting material on Native medicial uses of plants. DeLaguna (1972),

Emmons (1991), Suttles (1990), and Turner (1982, 1998) provided descriptions of numerous plant remedies believed to have been used in the region.

Although recent field research in Native communities in the region has not

focused on medicinal use of plants, interview and participant observation data

indicate that people still use plants for medicinal purposes. The use of devil’s

club (Oplopanax horridus) (fig. 2) is openly discussed (Turner 1982) and its

use both as a topical treatment and as a tonic is well known.

Cultural sensitivity and respect for prior harvest rights are especially useful

for avoiding conflicts when the commercial harvest of NTFPs is promoted in

areas of traditional Native American use. Turner (2001) explored these issues

for the First Peoples of British Columbia and provided a summary table,

“Principles of Sustainable Harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Products.” This

table provides a comprehensive checklist of recommendations for designing

NTFP harvest policies that are biologically sustainable, culturally sensitive,

and economically equitable.

Figure 2—Devil’s club.

People still use

plants for medicinal

purposes.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

11

Alaska’s Land Ownership Patterns and Laws

Alaska’s 586,412 square miles or about 375 million acres include large areas

of temperate and boreal rain forest, expanses of boreal forest or taiga, and

riparian forests. An estimated 119 million acres are forested with 32 native tree

species (Viereck 1974, Viereck and Little 1972). Most of this (106 million

acres) consists of interior boreal forest with little commercial value. Almost all

forest land suitable for timber production is found in coastal southern Alaska,

primarily in the Tongass and Chugach National Forests. Tree species of the

coastal and boreal rain forests consist of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis),

mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), western hemlock (Tsuga

heterophylla), western redcedar (Thuja plicata), and Alaska yellow-cedar

(Chamaecyparis nootkatensis). Boreal forests consist principally of black

spruce (Picea mariana), white spruce (Picea glauca), birch (Betula species)

and aspen (Populus species). Riparian forests consist of willow (Salix) species.

About 44 million acres, including productive timber lands, belong to

Alaska Natives under Native corporation ownership. These lands were part of

the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANSCA 1971), which was passed to

resolve aboriginal claims in the state so that development of North Slope oil

resources could proceed. The 12 Native regional and more than 200 Native

village corporations that were established by ANSCA had the opportunity to

select lands that were in or near traditional-use tribal territories, and that were

economically productive or important for subsistence harvests (Berger 1985).

Anyone contemplating developing a business centered on Alaska common

property NTFPs should work with Native and tribal interests if they wish to be

successful. The three regional Native corporations in south-central Alaska—

Cook Inlet Region, Inc.; Ahtna, Inc.; and Chugach Alaska Corp.—all have

excellent Web sites. Sealaska is the regional Native corporation of southeast

Alaska, and it also has an excellent Web site with many links.

The act left about 322 million acres in public ownership, and the state of

Alaska had the option to select 124 million acres of this total. About 197

million acres, about 52 percent of the total land in Alaska, remained under

federal jurisdiction. The bulk of these federal lands are managed as parks by

the U.S. Department of the Interior (USDI) National Park Service, as wildlife

refuges by the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, as national forests and monuments by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS), and as

petroleum reserves and other land statuses by the USDI Bureau of Land

Management. Apart from Native corporation land, less than 1 percent of

Alaska land is privately owned.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

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Issues surrounding the harvest and use of NTFPs are not unique to Alaska.

Many areas throughout the world have worked to develop policies that address sustainable NTFP harvest practices while taking into consideration the

need for communities to provide economic opportunities for themselves. The

complex issues of subsistence, economic sustainability, and local traditions

play a large part in how policies are established and harvesters regulated. It

has been shown that local knowledge coupled with active multistakeholder

partnerships is an effective means of assisting government agencies to establish fair and equitable policies and programs.

Federal Lands

Subsistence Use of Nontimber Forest Products

In Alaska, “subsistence” has a set of special legal meanings. The ANSCA

settlement of aboriginal land claims did not resolve issues of recognizing,

continuing, or restricting Native subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering.

Because subsistence was still a pending issue, provisions to provide protection

for subsistence activities were included in the Alaska National Interest Land

Conservation Act (ANILCA 1980). Although the main import of this act was

to put more Alaska land in protected status through creating new national

parks and national refuges and adding to existing conservation units, ANILCA

also provided strong provisions for continued subsistence harvesting. The act

stipulated that, for all rural residents on public lands and for Alaska Natives on

tribal lands, the opportunity for subsistence harvesting is essential to continued

physical, economic, traditional, and cultural (Native) or social (non-Native)

existence (ANILCA 1980, Title VIII, Sec. 801 or 16 USC 3111).

ANILCA therefore established a priority use for subsistence (ANILCA

1980, Title VIII, Sec. 804 or 16 USC 3114). In times of resource scarcity or

when demand exceeds biologically sound harvest levels, subsistence would

have a priority over other consumptive uses of resources. In practice, this

means that commercial, sport, or other harvests would be curtailed by state or

federal fish and wildlife management authorities before subsistence harvests

would be limited. ANILCA and the resulting federal management involves the

federal government more closely in subsistence resource harvesting and use in

Alaska than would otherwise be the case.

A second important provision of ANILCA establishes special procedures

to be followed when federal land use actions might restrict subsistence use

(ANILCA 1980, Title VIII, Sec. 810 or 16 USC 3120). These procedures

somewhat mirror National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA 1969) provisions.

In Alaska, “subsistence” has a set

of special legal

meanings.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

13

They require the federal agency to document how planned actions might

affect subsistence uses and to hold public hearings for input on the proposed

action. This provision, along with associated rights to appeal land management decisions, has resulted in close examination of many proposed largescale uses of federal land in Alaska.

Although ANILCA has not been applied to the subsistence use of plants as

thoroughly as to subsistence uses of fish and wildlife, its implementation over

the past 20 years has set the main rules of operation for government agencies

in dealing with subsistence issues. ANILCA defines subsistence uses as “the

customary and traditional uses....of wild renewable resources for direct or

family consumption as food, shelter, fuel, clothing, tools, or transportation”

(ANILCA 1980, Sec. VIII, Sec. 803). However, the act is less clear or legally

tested on the mechanisms for protecting plant or mushroom use than it is for

use of fish and wildlife. The USDA Forest Service worked with a Special

Forest Products Task Group, comprising primarily Native subsistence users

and their tribal representatives, to develop a policy for commercial use of

NTFPs in the Chugach and Tongass National Forests. This group consisted of

representatives of the 22 federally recognized tribal governments whose

members use plants in the Chugach and Tongass National Forests. An interim

policy was developed and can be revised as new national policies dictate.

Commercial Harvest and Regulations

The USDA Forest Service Alaska Region (10) implemented an Interim Special

Forest Products Resource Management Policy in 2000, developed with collaboration from Forest Service personnel, federally recognized Alaska Native

Tribes, and the public (http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/projects/sfp/

r10_sfp_intirim_policy_2000.pdf). The policy defines noncommercial and

commercial use and establishes permitting requirements. Commercial harvest

guidelines are described, as are inventory and monitoring strategies. Guidelines for valuation of special forest products are outlined and include direction

to take into account harvester costs and market factors in setting consistent

and standard pricing rates. The Tongass National Forest then wrote an Interim

Special Forest Products Resource Management Policy (http://www.fs.fed.us/

r10/tongass/projects/sfp/tnfinterimpolicy.pdf), as certain key SFP management

issues could not be addressed at the regional level. The Tongass document

goes into detail regarding definitions and guidelines for defined management

areas, permitting processes, and inventory and monitoring. Special concerns
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

14

for commercial harvest of red and yellow cedar bark, burls, moss and lichens,

and for bioprospecting of medicinal plants are outlined, and special circumstances regarding their harvest are described. Commercial harvest of devil’s

club is not allowed on the Tongass National Forest because of its cultural and

spiritual significance to Alaska Natives. The Chugach National Forest does not

have a SFP policy specific to the forest, but follows the Alaska Region interim

policy, and SFPs are mentioned extensively in the forest plan.

In 2000, U.S. Public Law 106-113, [Sec. 339] (amended in 2003) Pilot

Program of Charges and Fees for Harvest of Forest Botanical Products (U.S.

Laws, Statutes, etc. 1999, 2003) set the stage for the development of regulations for the commercial harvest and sale of SFPs on national forest lands.

The legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop and implement

a pilot program to charge for forest botanical products through the establishment of appraisal methods and bidding procedures. It requires analysis regarding the sustainability of harvest levels, and exempts personal use from fees. A

notice published in May 2004 in the Federal Register (Federal Register 2004)

stated that the Forest Service planned to publish regulations for managing

SFPs and forest botanical products in the Federal Register in the fall of 2004,

and the public comment period would be 60 days. As of the end of 2005, the

regulations have not yet been published in the Federal Register. The regulations will guide the Forest Service in the administration of special forest

products.

The USDA Forest Service Alaska Region has adopted a SFP appraisal

system developed by Forest Resource Enterprises for the Pacific Northwest

Region (Region 6, Oregon and Washington). The appraisal system is based

on direction from Public Law 106-113, amended in 2003, which directs the

Forest Service to charge fees to harvesters set by an appraisal process and

designed so that at least a portion of fair market value and costs are recovered.

The starting point for fair market value is 10 percent of the average wholesale

price for the product (that is, the “shed price” or price paid to harvesters or

their employers at the first point of sale). The appraisal tables, an example of

which can be viewed at the Forest Resource Enterprises Web site (http://

www.fs.fed.us/fre/products/sfp/index.shtml), include berries, birch products,

burls, spruce tips, conks, willow, fireweed blossoms, rose hips, mushrooms,

seeds, and syrup.

The Alaska Region of the USDA Forest Service currently receives a

relatively low volume of requests for SFP harvesting permits. Table 2 lists
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

15

Table 2—List of nontimber forest products that customers have inquired about for commercial

harvest at ranger districts of the Chugach or Tongass National Forests since 1995

Scientific namea Common nameb Intended use/parts harvested

Abies lasiocarpa subalpine fir Transplants

Aconitum delphiniifolium mountain monkshood Foliage

Actaea rubra baneberry Foliage

Adiantum pedatum maidenhair fern Transplants

Alnus rubra red alder Transplants

Andromeda polifolia bog rosemary Whole plant

Aquilegia formosa western columbine Foliage, seeds

Aruncus dioicus goatsbeard Whole plant

Asplenium trichomanes green spleenwort Whole plant

Athyrium filix-femina ladyfern Transplants

Boletus edulis king bolete mushroom Edible

Cantharellus spp. chanterelle mushroom Edible

Carex spp. sedges Seeds, transplants

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Alaska yellow-cedar Bark

Chamerion angustifolium, C. latifolium fireweed Blossoms, leaves

Frageria spp. strawberry Berries

Gaultheria shallon salal Berries

Gentiana platypetala broadpetal gentian Whole plant

Geum macrophyllum large leaved avens Whole plant

Hydnum spp. hedgehog mushroom Edible

Iris setosa blue flag iris Foliage

Juncus spp. rush Seeds, transplants

Juniperus communis common juniper Transplants, boughs, seeds

Kalmia polifolia bog laurel Whole plant

Ledum groenlandicum Labrador tea Foliage

Lobaria oregana lettuce lung lichen Whole plant

Lobaria pulmonaria lungwort lichen Whole plant

Lonicera involucrata bearberry honeysuckle Transplants

Lupinus nootkatensis Nootka lupine Seeds

Lycopodium alpinum alpine clubmoss Whole plant

Lycopodium annotinum stiff clubmoss Whole plant

Lycopodium clavatum running clubmoss Whole plant

Lycopodium dendroideum groundpine clubmoss Whole plant

Morchella spp. morel mushroom Edible

Nuphar lutea yellow pond-lilly Whole plant

Oplopanax horridus devil’s club Rootc

Picea sitchensis Sitka spruce Cones

Pinus contorta shore pine Christmas trees, seeds, transplants

Platanthera dilatata white bog orchid Whole plant

Polystichum spp. hollyfern Transplants

Populus balsamifera black cottonwood Buds and bark

Potentilla spp. marsh cinquefoil Whole plant, seeds

Potentilla elegans silverweed Transplants

Potentilla villosa villous cinquefoil Seeds

Pyrola asarifolia pink wintergreen Whole plant

Ranunculus repens creeping buttercup Whole plant

Ribes spp. gooseberry Berries

Ribes laxiflorum black currant Berries
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

16

Table 2—List of nontimber forest products that customers have inquired about for commercial

harvest at ranger districts of the Chugach or Tongass National Forests since 1995 (continued)

Scientific namea Common nameb Intended use/parts harvested

Ribes triste red currant Berries

Rosa spp. rose Rosehips, leaves

Rubus idaeus raspberry Berries

Rubus spectabilis salmonberry Berries

Salix spp. willow Transplants, cuttings, seeds

Sambucus spp. elderberry Berries, cuttings

Sanguisorba canadensis Sitka burnet Whole plant

Sorbus sitchensis Sitka mountain ash Seeds, transplants

Streptopus amplexifolius watermelon berry Berries

Symphoricarpos albus snowberry Transplants

Thuja plicata western redcedar Bark

Tsuga heterophylla western hemlock Boughs

Urtica spp. stinging nettle Foliage

Vaccinium spp. blueberry Transplants, berries

Vaccinium oxycoccos bog cranberry, mossberry Berries

Vaccinium parvifolium red huckleberry Berries

Vaccinium vitis-idaea lowbush cranberry Berries

Valeriana sitchensis Sitka valerian Whole plant

Viburnum edule highbush cranberry Berries

various undetermined moss spp. Floral, ornamental

various undetermined tree spp. Fuelwood

a

 Organisms are listed alphabetically by scientific name because many species have more than one common name. The full citation for

the scientific name can be found in appendix 1.

b

 Common names are from the lists of inquiries at USDA Forest Service ranger districts in Alaska. Other common names can be

found in appendix 1.

c

 There is no commercial harvest of devil’s club permitted on the Tongass National Forest.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

17

products that have been requested for purchase or availability for harvest by

customers or interested parties from the ranger districts of the Chugach and

Tongass National Forests since 1995. Few of these products were actually

sold, but this partial list of potential products highlights the potential usefulness of proactive management on the part of federal land management

agencies.

Although no major SFP industries are currently operating on national

forest lands in Alaska, Alaska Natives and others are concerned that increased

commercial harvest will decrease their access to customary and traditional

plants, lead to inappropriate use of spiritually significant plants, or compromise their intellectual property rights. Consultation with tribes is an important

part of USDA Forest Service policy in Alaska.

USFS Forest Management Plans

The USDA Forest Service Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan of

1997 (USDA FS 1997a, 1997b) mentions SFPs in the objectives of three land

use designations—scenic viewsheds, modified landscape, and timber production. In each one, the objective for SFP management is to identify opportunities for diversifying rural economies. The standards and guidelines for free use

of traditionally harvested SFPs (such as berries, mushrooms, sphagnum moss,

cones, bark, Christmas trees, boughs, trolling poles, spruce roots, cedar bark,

and transplants) is to make them available consistent with the management

objectives of a given land use designation and in a manner similar to their

historical use. The guidelines for commercial sales of SFPs state that harvest

should be allowed in ways that assure the continued integrity of the forest

stand. Permits are required for commercial harvest and shall only be granted

where there are adequate quantities. The guidelines also direct that the units

(measures of quantity) used for selling specific SFPs shall be consistent across

the forest.

The Chugach National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management

Plan (USDA FS 2002) outlines two objectives for forest product production

on the forest. One is to provide personal-use timber for cabin logs, lumber

saw logs, poles, and firewood. The other is to provide SFPs for personal

and commercial use on a case-by-case basis. Commercial harvest of SFPs is

allowed on 11 out of 21 land allocations (portions of the national forest that

have different management prescriptions), or about 66 percent of the forest.

Most of the excluded area is the recommended wilderness area around Prince

Consultation with

tribes is an important

part of USDA Forest

Service policy in

Alaska.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

18

William Sound. Personal-use harvest is allowed on the entire forest except

areas managed as research natural areas. The emphases listed in the forest plan

for resource production include road-accessible personal-use/free-use forest

products, small-scale commercial harvest, and SFPs.

State Lands

Subsistence Use of Nontimber Forest Products

The Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act of 1980, as mentioned

earlier, allowed the state of Alaska to manage subsistence harvests on federal

land as long as it maintained this priority use in law and regulation and, by so

doing, was in compliance with ANILCA. The state of Alaska complied with

ANILCA until 1990 when the Alaska Supreme Court found that providing a

priority for rural subsistence conflicted with the state constitution. Since that

time, the federal government has assumed management of subsistence on

federal lands. The conflict between the state’s constitution and ANILCA has

created a continuing dispute between Alaska’s Natives who rely on ANILCA

protections and other Alaska groups who oppose federal management or

Native subsistence protections. State of Alaska regulations currently cover

subsistence uses on state and private land only, but include all Alaskan citizens, not just rural residents as with the federal regulations.

Commercial Harvest and Regulations

On many Alaska state lands, including land managed by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Mining, Land and Water, and

state parks such as the Chugach State Park, the Kenai State Park, and Independence Mine State Historical Park, harvesting small amounts of wild plants,

mushrooms, berries, and other plant material for personal and noncommercial

use is allowed without a permit. Generally in state parks, SFPs may not be

collected for sale. On state lands that do allow commercial harvesting, a land

use permit can be obtained from the Alaska DNR Division of Mining, Land

and Water for prices set by Alaska Administrative Code 11 AAC 05.010 “Fees

for Department Services” (Alaska Statues and Regulations 1986). These state

regulations list specific prices for willow cuttings, alder (Alnus species) stems,

shrubs and perennials, bark and vegetative mats, berries, taps for birch syrup,

cones, seeds, medicinal plants, mushrooms, moss and lichens, burls, foliage

and greenery, conks, and nonmedicinal roots. The director can adjust the listed

prices under certain conditions.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

19

In Alaska, a small business owner who prepares and sells homemade jam,

jelly, fruit syrup, vinegars, dried herbs, or dried tea leaves directly to the

consumer at a farmers market, a roadside stand, or a seasonal event, such as a

fair, is exempt from state food regulations. They do not need to have an

inspected kitchen. If they sell or produce any products outside this rather

narrowly defined scope, such as sales to other states or hiring employees, they

need to check the Alaska food code regulations (Alaska Food Code 1997) to

determine the requirements.

Community Economic Development

There are numerous programs and services available for economic development assistance for Alaska communities, individuals, businesses, nonprofits,

and native organizations. The Alaska Department of Commerce (http://

www.commerce.state.ak.us/home.htm) has several divisions and programs

that focus on community development. The Office of Economic Development (http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/oed/home.htm) was established

in 2004, and offers assistance in tourism, fisheries, and minerals development. They have programs in small business development and forest

products, among others. The Division of Community Advocacy (http://

www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/home.htm) has a mini-grant program to

encourage projects that have the potential to improve a community’s economy.

The Alaska Division of Community Advocacy Alaska Product Preference

Program (http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/prodpref/prodpref.htm) gives

Alaska businesses preference consideration when the businesses respond to

bids or proposals for state contracts. Any Alaskan business that manufactures a

product with at least 25-percent value added in Alaska may apply for certification in the preference programs. The Community Advocacy Made in Alaska

Program (http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/mia/) identifies and promotes

the purchase of products manufactured and crafted in Alaska (fig. 3). Numerous Alaska special forest products businesses are certified as Made in Alaska.

Over 120 financial and technical assistance resources for Alaskan communities and businesses are summarized in the Alaska Economic Development

Resource Guide (Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development 2003). The guide has an inventory of programs and services that

can provide economic development assistance to Alaska communities and

businesses.

There are numerous

programs and services available for economic development

assistance for Alaska

communities, individuals, businesses,

nonprofits, and native

organizations.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

20

Several economic development councils in Alaska are members of the International Economic Development Council (http://

www.commerce.state.ak.us/home.htm). The Juneau Economic Development

Council (http://www.jedc.org/) is one of eight members in Alaska. They assist

businesses throughout the state with counseling and a revolving loan program,

as well as serving as the overall economic and development planning agency

for the city and borough of Juneau. The goal of the Sitka Economic Development Association (http://www.sitka.net/), another member of the international

council, is to strengthen and diversify Sitka’s economy. The Skagway Development Corporation (http://www.skagwaydevelopment.org/) serves the business community of Skagway as an advisory, administrative, and technical

resource for the purpose of creating ideas, developing initiatives, or enhancing

existing business activities that benefit the economic environment in Skagway.

Private landowners can receive assistance with developing stewardship

programs and management plans from the Alaska Department of Natural

Resources Forest Stewardship/Landowner Assistance Program (http://

www.dnr.state.ak.us/forestry/foreststewardship.htm). Limited cost-share

assistance and grants are available. The Forest Stewardship Program is a

federally funded service to assist landowners with forest management, keep

lands productive, and increase economic and environmental benefits. Small

landowners can also seek technical assistance and advice from the Alaska

Figure 3—“Made in Alaska” emblem.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

21

Association of Conservation Districts and the 12 Alaska soil and water conservation districts (http://www.alaskaswcds.org/-Districtspage.html). Districts

work on a voluntary basis with landowners to address issues such as erosion

control, water conservation and use, wetlands, and community development.

A small woodland owner interested, for example, in birch syrup production

can seek technical assistance from both the Forest Stewardship Program and

the local Soil and Water Conservation District.

Marketing

Types of Markets

Trading and bartering—

These are the most basic forms of direct marketing for NTFPs. Often connected with subsistence-style livelihoods, they provide the means to obtain

other items without cash. Trading and bartering are most effective when

dealing with individuals who live nearby. Fresh produce, home-preserved

foods, or other hand-crafted items are examples of items that can be traded.

Good interpersonal skills are useful for bartering because face-to-face communication is necessary. Many individuals enjoy the socializing and the game

of “dickering” as much as the benefits they obtain from the products traded.

Barter and trade are integral parts of subsistence in Alaska. Some individuals

and families gather quantities of plants and berries and process them. These

may be given, bartered, or traded through traditional networks and at fairs

and meetings of various sorts.

Local retail markets—

There are a plethora of local marketing opportunities in any community.

In Alaska, these markets were and are essential to the well-being and

cohesiveness of local communities. Local markets provide the greatest

opportunities for marketing many NTFPs owing to the long distances to

other sales outlets.

Farmers markets or local festivals are excellent examples of direct retail

markets that are highly conducive to selling NTFPs. Such local direct markets

are often designed to be festive or social in nature, and thus they attract large

crowds of people and provide the producer with easy access to many buyers.

Often such markets are coordinated with other producers through a marketing

cooperative or association. Some sellers also retail processed products to

Trading and bartering

are the most basic

forms of direct

marketing for NTFPs.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

22

consumers at ongoing, fixed-place, producer-direct markets. Canned, dried,

salted, and cooked merchandise is often sold at these more permanent venues

to extend the market season and to sell products that do not meet quality

criteria for fresh sales. In areas where traffic is adequate (and slow enough),

roadside markets provide another form of opportunity for direct sales.

Direct retail marketing by producers requires appropriate skills. To be

successful, the producer must make a good first impression and be able to

communicate well with the public about the virtues of their products. Clean

attractive displays and friendly sales staff enhance success.

Portable retail marketing—

These opportunities are similar to the fixed-place markets but differ in that the

producer goes to where the people are rather than waiting for customers to

visit. A good portable display is important. For instance, a trailer that is

designed to look like a log cabin is a great portable display for NTFPs.

A variety of portable marketing venues are possible. In the workplace,

producers can gain permission to set up a marketing and demonstration

display in the employee break area or in the parking lot. Specialty foods,

Christmas greenery, art, and crafts are good types of products to sell at such

locations. Producers can travel to craft shows, festivals, or home and garden

shows. Providing raw materials (evergreen boughs, willow stems, twigs,

moss, lichens, and cones) that shoppers can use to make their own finished

products has been a successful marketing approach in these locations. Displayed finished products provide inspiration for the buyers who wish to make

their own, or can be sold to those who do not. Park-and-ride lots offer access

to consumers before they get in their cars to go home. Alternately, the producer can take orders in the morning as commuters go to work and then have

the fresh products ready for them when they return. Packaging that has your

contact information on it is a great way to advertise.

Local wholesale marketing—

Selling NTFPs wholesale to local businesses is a marketing method that does

not involve the time, skills, or effort required for retail marketing. Examples

of businesses to target include restaurants, grocery stores, pet stores, and

nurseries.

Restaurants are interested in berries, wild greens, nuts, root crops, fruit,

culinary herbs, and floral products for table decorations. Grocery stores buy
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

23

wild fresh produce such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, packaged wild green

mixes, wildflowers, Christmas greenery, potted plants, bottled tree waters,

syrups, fresh and dehydrated mushrooms, dried herbs, fresh and canned

fruits, and pet care products. Pet stores are interested in bark, needles, and

wood shavings for bedding; oils, cedar foliage, chips, and bark products that

can be used to control fleas and ticks; seed mixes for bird feeders; nesting

boxes and kits for making them; and stumps, hollow logs, and whole tree

snags for wildlife perches and homes. Nurseries purchase cut flowers; live

native plants for landscaping or for restoration work in forests, stream areas,

roadsides, and wetlands; dried plants for interior decorations; live Christmas

trees and Christmas greenery; and landscaping materials such as stumps, logs,

snags, and rocks.

This form of marketing is driven by the needs of the buyer rather than

what the producer has to sell, so NTFP harvesters and producers that plan to

market wholesale to local businesses must investigate their needs first. Doing

so tends to be more of a job than a way to make quick cash while having fun.

Tourist and recreational markets—

Marketing NTFPs to tourists covers a wide range of products, activities, and

marketing venues. A critical factor is making contact with people who already

work with the tourist industry. Many small NTFP company owners do not

have the skills, time, or money to develop a targeted marketing approach for

tourists.

Products intended for sale to tourists must be small, relatively light-weight,

portable, and well sealed if they could make a mess in a person’s luggage

(fig. 4). Providing taste samples is an excellent sales approach for edible

goods. Larger containers or products can be mailed directly to the buyer’s

home where they will greet the returning visitor. Packets of wild culinary

items that can be used as stuffing for fresh fish, wild duck, or wild game

provides the sportsman with a uniquely flavored local product. Packets of

dried produce with sauce mixes can make great gifts that allow quick, tasty,

and unique meals. Providing contact information for future purchases is

important for subsequent catalogue or Internet sales if the producer is prepared

to ship products.

Festivals with themes or activities that revolve around local products can

be profitable and fun. For instance, a festival based on a spring harvest of

birch syrup could provide opportunities for producers as well as local chefs

Festivals with themes

or activities that revolve around local

products can be

profitable and fun.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

24

and cooks. Such festivals can be scheduled to coincide with hunting and

fishing seasons when many people visit Alaska. They can also be timed to

match the arrival of cruise ships.

For entrepreneurs who truly enjoy interacting with visitors and educating

them about local customs and the natural environment, guided wildcrafting

tours are a unique marketing activity. Guided wildcrafting excursions can vary

from pre-arranged 3- to 5-day trips for groups with special interests to spontaneous half-day adventures for visitors arriving on a cruise ship.

Nontimber forest products can be marketed to tourists in a variety of

places. Local motels, hotels, and resorts can distribute flyers to potential guests

or display literature or products in their lobbies. A list of activities promoted as

side events for a convention is a great way to promote NTFP activities or

products. Convention bureaus and tourism centers commonly develop packages of promotional literature that advertise activities of local interest. Local

school districts, community colleges, universities, church organizations,

fraternal organizations, and governmental agencies also promote products or

activities that give a special local flavor to their events. The directors of cruise

lines constantly seek new events that give their participants a chance to soak

up local color. These venues give value-added producers a captive audience

for selling their finished products.

Figure 4—Wild berry products.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

25

Internet markets—

Producers of NTFPs can find Internet sales difficult because their products

have special smells, textures, colors, and tastes that are integral to why people

buy them. Although remote viewing does not provide a means for customers

to directly experience these special characteristics, Internet sales can provide

opportunities for direct marketing otherwise unavailable to producers in

remote locations. Internet sales can be particularly effective for products the

purchaser is somewhat familiar with, such as native crafts. The Internet is

proving to be a significant marketing tool for craftspeople in remote locations

who can improve their profit margins considerably with online direct sales.

The Internet also can be used for followup sales after a person has purchased a specialty forest product, when they have participated in an event

that featured the products, or when the product has been shown or recommended by the original customer. Providing detailed contact information with

the product is essential. Such information can be displayed prominently on

business cards, tags, leaflets, or brochures that accompany the product.

Combinations of these promotional items, or multiple copies thereof, allow

the customer to file the information in several locations for easy retrieval,

or to distribute copies to friends.

A good Web site can be hard to keep fresh and enticing with just a few

products. Marketing cooperatives can afford to maintain more dynamic and

exciting Web sites, as well as hire professionals to design and manage the site.

Commodity markets—

When NTFP species or plant parts are harvested in large volumes and sold

wholesale to buyers for national or international distribution, we refer to the

commerce as commodity marketing. Often such markets are very large scale

and involve harvesting and sales around the globe. Typically buyers deal in

hundreds of tons of raw materials. For example, a Korean buyer might want

600 metric tons of fern fiddle heads (the young leaf sprouts of various fern

species) each spring. Large buyers control these markets; therefore, prices

reflect the wholesale price in areas of greatest availability and lowest wages.

Consequently, profit margins for local buyers are typically pennies per pound,

if they can compete at all. These low profit margins all too often translate into

marginal wages and poor working conditions for local harvesters.

Reliable supplies of high-quality raw materials must be readily available

for purchasers to consider buying in a given location. Buyers control the

quality standards for the resources they purchase and maintain the right to

The Internet is a significant marketing

tool for craftspeople

in remote locations.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

26

refuse materials that do not meet their standards. Sellers can sometimes wait as

long as 90 days to be paid for deliveries. Very little value-added production

is conducted in the communities where NTFP materials are harvested for

commodity markets. Often the most important local activity is harvesting and

minimal processing for shipment.

Large-scale harvesting has the greatest potential to be nonsustainable. To

withstand extensive or intensive harvesting, the harvested species must be

abundant, capable of regenerating quickly, or both. To date we know of no

large-scale harvesting of NTFPs in southern Alaska, but if the quality or

quantity of harvested material declines elsewhere from overharvesting, introduced disease, or any other reason, items such as moss or floral greenery

might be sought by international buyers. Landowners, land managers, the

business community, harvesters, and the residents of Alaska will benefit from

their preparations for this contingency.

Marketing Challenges and Opportunities in Alaska

Transportation—

Distance is the greatest obstacle to marketing NTFPs outside the state because

shipping is expensive. Transportation distance makes it almost impossible to

access national and international markets for fresh fruit, vegetables, and

mushrooms. Investment in processing equipment and facilities is required to

overcome this hurdle. Flash freezing, vacuum packing, drying, or canning are

several methods to maintain quality during lengthy shipping. Combining SFPs

with shipments of seafood to wholesale buyers is another method of cutting

transportation cost. Mixed loads help shippers fill their containers and provide

wholesale buyers with compatible products for resale to their customers.

Climate and seasons—

The short growing seasons of northern latitudes and seasonal markets are

additional marketing challenges. Businesses can address these difficulties

by targeting several types of markets. For instance, they can sell highquality fresh products to local markets in season and process their excess

raw materials into frozen, dehydrated, or canned products for later sales or

shipping.

Products for seasonal markets must be planned in advance. For example,

contracts for seasonal items like Christmas greens are often negotiated in May

and June. Harvesting and production of the products must be completed
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

27

before Thanksgiving. Making arrangements to supply seasonal markets can

take 2 or 3 years of preparation and requires a thorough knowledge of the

industry.

Labor force—

A factor in many NTFP company failures is an unstable labor force. Weather

and difficult forest conditions make work tiring and potentially dangerous.

The work season is often short and pay is typically low compared to other

forest jobs. Harvesting NTFPs also does not typically provide jobs with

standardized pay and benefits, such as worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance, as do many jobs in forestry, mining, tourism, and fishing.

Lastly, the NTFP harvest season can also conflict with other activities such as

hunting and fishing.

Allure of Alaskan products—

Alaska’s image as a state with great expanses of wild and pristine natural

areas is perhaps its greatest marketing advantage. Products produced and sold

by Native Americans also have significant marketing advantages, especially in

other regions and nations. Feelings evoked by these images and marketing

approaches are very important for enhancing the sales of food products,

herbal medicines, hand-made crafts, and wildcrafting adventures. Customers

do not need to be convinced of the value of such attributes, but they will

expect the products they purchase to live up to expectations. The emblems

“Made in Alaska” and “Silver Hand” are tremendous marketing tools. To

receive a permit to use the Made in Alaska emblem on a product or handicraft, an application must be submitted to a Made in Alaska agent or the

Division of Community Advocacy (http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/

home.htm). Authentic Alaska Native arts and crafts items may display the

Silver Hand symbol, with the words “Authentic Native Handicraft from

Alaska.” Native Alaskans wishing to use the Silver Hand logo can apply for

certification through the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, Alaska State Council on the Arts (http://www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca/).

Large, lightly harvested resource base—

Alaska’s largely small-business-focused NTFP industry and its extensive

forests have, to date, resulted in only light harvest pressure on the species

that are used to create products. Because harvesters are not competing

internationally, there has been little pressure to use unsustainable harvesting

Alaska’s great expanses of wild and

pristine natural areas

is perhaps its greatest

marketing advantage.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

28

practices to reduce costs. An opportunity exists for Alaskans to develop

certification processes to market products as “green” or sustainablyharvested. Certification, Made in Alaska emblems, and the Silver Hand logo

are all powerful tools for adding product value. Using approaches that add

value and income, while harvesting sustainably, will help ensure that Native

Alaskan and subsistence harvester rights will be protected.

Product Categories

Art, Crafts, Dyes, and Floral Greenery

Products—

A wide variety of craft and art products are produced from native Alaska

species. Sources for raw materials range from trees to grasses to fungi. The

wood of tree species such as birch, aspen, juniper, hemlock, and cedar, and

their byproducts such as bark, limbs, roots, cones, berries, and boughs,

provide material for an unbelievable number of arts and crafts products.

Various plants provide leaves, berries, stems, and roots for displays or dyes.

Many species of fungi can also be used for natural dyes. Examples of

products include walking sticks, carvings, statues, ornamental and floral

arrangements, wreaths, baskets, bowls, paintings, ornaments, clothing, fabric,

and many other products.

Native and subsistence use—

Likely all of the species used today have been used for centuries by the

Alaska Natives to provide the necessities and amenities of life. These

organisms have provided warmth, housing, clothing, medicine, transportation, tools, utensils, and cultural connection to the natural world. Art and

crafts produced from wild plant species are integral to Alaska Native cultures

and have provided them with a means to convey their ancient culture and

history to more recent immigrants and citizens. Native art and crafts also

express the wonder of Alaska lands and the rich customs of their people.

Discussing the vast array of Alaska Native art and crafts is beyond the

scope of this publication, but one can get a flavor for the painted artistry

of Northwest Natives in the compilation of beautiful artwork entitled The

Transforming Image: Painted Arts of Northwest Coast First Nations

(McLennan and Duffek 2000).
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

29

Harvested species and materials—

The “diamond willow” is a form of the Bebb willow (Salix bebbiana) that has

been infected at the branch nodes by one or more of several fungi resulting in

peculiar diamond-shaped depressions in the main bole. The unique wood

grain patterns make it one of the more unique willow species in the world for

crafts. When carved or finished properly, indentations appear as highly

recognizable diamond patterns. The wood is used for ornate walking sticks,

canes, lampposts, furniture, and candlestick holders (figs. 5 and 6).

Sitka spruce is also used for many craft and art items. Its wood is very

light colored and nicely grained, so it is often used in the building of musical

instruments such as violins, fiddles, guitars, and other stringed instruments.

The wood also is prized for lathe-turned bowls made in a variety of shapes

and sizes and that have culinary or ornamental use. Spruce carvings, such as

statues or wall-hangings that depict wildlife (fig. 7), are popular with tourists.

Spruce roots are used for basketry, which is enjoying a revival in many parts

of Alaska. The black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa) also

can be carved and turned in a similar fashion, but is not as widely used.

Likewise, a variety of products can be made from common juniper

(Juniperus communis), although it is not prevalent in southeast Alaska. The

wood has an ornate and highly colorful grain pattern and is used for such

items as carvings, picture frames, mugs, and cabinetry framing. The boughs

(with berries attached) are attractive in holiday wreaths and ornamental

displays. The berries also have medicinal qualities and are used to flavor

beverages.

Figure 5—Harvested diamond willows.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

30

Western redcedar is ideal for making aromatic wreaths during the holiday

season. Natives throughout the Pacific Northwest traditionally used the soft

wood of western redcedar and Alaska yellow-cedar for dugout canoes. Cedar

species are carved into a variety of bowls, mugs, totems, and other historical

Native artifacts. The bark and roots of these species are useful in basket

making (see previous section, “Subsistence and Other Personal Use,” for

additional information).

The paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and the quaking aspen (Populus

tremuloides) are recognized as “white-bark” trees in the Pacific Northwest and

Alaska. They are often made into bowls, cups, and mugs with words such as

“Made in Alaska” or “Alaska” engraved (cover photo).

Figure 6— Diamond willow walking sticks.

Figure 7— Carved salmon.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

31

Other plant species, such as salal (Gaultheria shallon), serve in the craft or

floral industry as visual fillers for wreaths, floral arrangements, and ornamental

displays. Native grasses have been used in basket making for millennia, and

Alaskan basket quality and designs are known throughout the world. Various

mosses, lichens, and liverworts also are harvested for use in hand-crafted

ornamental and floral displays.

Virtually all parts of most plants, berries, lichens, and mushrooms can be

used for natural dyes, although some species, or their parts, produce richer

(and often unexpected) colors than others. For instance, the Tlingits used

hemlock bark for black colors and wolf moss (a lichen, Letharia vulpine) for

yellows (Feder 1969). Alder bark and cones, willow and cottonwood leaves,

birch twigs, Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) wood, salal leaves and berries,

nettles (Urtica species), lupine (Lupinus), fireweed, Labrador tea (Ledum

species), horsetail rush (Equisetum hyemale), western brackenfern (Pteridium

aquilinum), and clubmoss (probably Lycopodium species) are all examples of

native plants whose various parts can be used for dyes (Cannon and others

2003, Green and Green 1975, Krochmal and Krochmal 1974). Most plant

parts produce darker shades if harvested in spring around the time they flower

and when used immediately (Bliss 1981). Berry dyes, especially blueberries,

are used for clothing, crafts, and other Native arts, including restoration of old

Native craft goods such as baskets. Almost all lichens can be used for dyes if

boiled long enough (Kramer 1972). The number of mushroom species used

for dyeing are numerous and many occur in Alaska. The Institute for Culture

and Ecology (http://www.ifcae.org/ntfp/) maintains an extensive list of such

fungal species in the United States (that can be sorted by state). Individuals

interested in using mushrooms for natural dyes are encouraged to become

acquainted with the biennial International Fungi & Fiber Symposia originally

organized by the author of Mushrooms for Color (Rice and Beebee 1980).

Production—

Quality is more important than quantity for marketing most crafts. Most such

products require time, labor, skill, and dedication to produce. Shops are often

home-based, and long winter months provide ample time to prepare items for

sale, but raw materials and tools must be acquired before winter weather

makes transportation difficult. Cash-flow must be managed on an annual basis

because sales will fluctuate widely with the seasons.

Quality is more important than quantity

for marketing most

crafts.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

32

Marketing—

Often the effort put into production is obvious, but tags, brochures, or salespeople can elaborate on the process that makes each item special. Some

products can be mass produced, but stamping or adding some form of

identification will provide a certification of uniqueness. Regardless of whether

a product is formally certified and carries a guarantee of uniqueness, such as

in the Made in Alaska or Silver Hand programs, customers are attuned to

buying hand-made artisan products whose price reflects the labor put into

their manufacture. Local shops in Alaska towns or cities provide a primary

outlet, and those that cater to cruise ships are particularly lucrative owing to

the high number of customers shopping for souvenirs. Advertisement and

sales on the Internet can also provide access to international customers.

Unlike native species harvested elsewhere, there is, to date, little mass

harvesting of Alaska native species for international commodity markets. For

instance, in compiling data for a recent report on moss harvesting for international floral markets, Muir (2004a) found little evidence of commodity moss

harvesting in Alaska, unlike elsewhere in the United States (Muir 2004b). This

situation could change. If moss or other ornamental plant species eventually

become overharvested elsewhere, harvesters and brokers could move into

Alaska, and issues of sustainable harvesting might become more salient.

As long as the harvest of native species for the crafts, arts, dyes, and floral

greenery trades are used for local production and value-added products, there

remains little danger of local species being overharvested because most of the

income is derived from labor, not raw products. If international markets for

commodity products harvested from Alaska lands do eventually become a

reality, all concerned parties should reevaluate how sustainable the harvest of

each affected species will be.

Berries and Wild Fruits

Products—

Wild berries harvested in Alaska are important to people for personal

consumption and for commercial sales. Wild berries are used to make jams,

jellies, sauces, syrups, teas, and toppings. Alaska berries have a widespread

reputation for their high quality and good taste. Many berries, particularly

blueberries (Vaccinium species), are also used for dyes.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

33

Native and subsistence use—

Alaskans have a long cultural tradition of subsistence use of wild berries.

They were very important to Alaska Natives and to early settlers, and are still

an important part of many people’s diets (Alaska Magazine 1982, Pojar and

MacKinnon 1994). Berries that continue to be important for personal use, but

not so much for commercial sale, include scattered or easily crushed fruits

such as nagoon berry (Rubus arcticus), thimbleberries (Rubus parvifolius),

and bog cranberries (Vaccinium microcarpus) to name a few.

Harvested species and materials—

Several species of blueberries are harvested for processing into commercial

jams, jellies, and other products, most notably the bog blueberry (Vaccinium

uliginosum) in south-central Alaska. Other significant commercially harvested

species include lowbush cranberry or lingonberry (Vaccinium vitas-idaea),

highbush cranberry (Viburnum edule), salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis),

raspberries (Rubus idaeus), currants and gooseberries (Ribes species), and

watermelon berry (Streptopus amplexiflius). Fireweed blossoms (Chamerion

angustifolium) are harvested and steeped to make fireweed jelly (fig. 8). Most

of these species occur throughout Alaska, although each one has specific

habitats it prefers and may be more common in some geographic areas than

others.

Production—

Wild berry products are a significant source of income to many people, and,

according to our interviews, the majority of harvesters are women. Many of

the names of commercial producers of berry products in Alaska can be found

on the Alaska Department of Economic Development Made in Alaska Web

site, http://www.dced.state.ak.us/dca/mia/home.htm. Some producers buy

berries both from British Columbia and from Alaska sources. Most

commercial harvesting in Alaska is on private and state land in south-central

and central Alaska. So far, access to berry producing areas is not reported to

be an issue, although production varies each year and can be unpredictable.

Berries that are not processed into the final product quickly must be

cleaned, packed, and frozen to retain quality. Many types of berries must

be frozen within 24 hours after harvest to retain the taste and visual quality

required for sale.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

34

Marketing—

Berry products are among the most popular items purchased by tourists

visiting Alaska. Local retail outlets with access to the onslaught of cruise ship

visitors do brisk sales in the peak months. Shops have beautiful displays with

syrups, jams, jellies, and tea products that are very enticing to such visitors.

Berry products are examples of ideal holiday gifts because the purchaser can

share the joys of their visit with others, and because they are small in size,

relatively inexpensive, and appropriate for almost anyone. Many Alaska

businesses are getting additional orders through their Web sites because

people receiving such gifts enjoyed them so much.

Many small producers, particularly those who are exempt from Alaska

Food Code regulations (Alaska Food Code 1997), sell products directly in

retail outlets such as farmers markets and fairs. Other small businesses, who

did their initial marketing and sales at venues such as fairs and farmers markets, have streamlined and enlarged their businesses because their products

were in such demand.

Larger businesses sell at retail outlets and wholesale to other distributors.

For the international market, organic certification is an important marketing

tool, especially in Europe. Getting wild-harvested products certified as organic

can be time-consuming and expensive, but such certification fits nicely with

promotion of the product as sustainably harvested or produced by Native

Americans.

Syrups, Teas, and Flavorings

Products—

Birch syrup and wild berry syrups are the two primary syrup products

produced in Alaska. Sitka spruce bud tips are also used to make syrup. Spruce

tips, native berries, and the leaves, flowers, and fruits of edible and medicinal

plants are used extensively to make teas (fig. 9).

Figure 8—Wild berry jam.

Berry products are

among the most popular items purchased

by tourists visiting

Alaska.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

35

Native and subsistence use—

Labrador tea is used as well as infusions from other plant species. Pitch was

and is used for art and crafts, and may still be used medicinally.

Harvested species and materials—

Birch syrup, one of many widely recognized Alaska products, is made from

sap harvested from birch trees. There are three varieties of birch used for

syrup production in Alaska. Paper birch grows in interior Alaska and the

Anchorage area. It is the most widely abundant birch tree in Alaska. The

syrup from this tree normally has very high sugar content and produces

amber-colored syrup. A variety of the paper birch, the Kenai birch (Betula

papyrifera var. kenaica), is the smallest of the three varieties and grows on the

Kenai Peninsula. Whereas the bark of the paper birch is usually smooth and

very white, the Kenai variety bark is reddish brown and relatively dark. This

birch produces very flavorful and dark syrup. The third birch, western paper

birch (Betula papyrifera var. commutata), grows in southeast Alaska primarily

from Juneau to Haines and Skagway. The bark is copper-colored and

produces dark and intensely flavorful syrup. Syrup from this tree is ideal for

making syrup and flavorings for other products.

Betulin is an active component in chaga, a medicinal fungus that is also

harvested from birch trees (see following section on medicinal fungi). The

compound is found in birch bark, so syrups made from birch trees might be

considered “nutraceutical,” a health-enhancing product derived from nature, a

Figure 9—Raspberry tea.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

36

possibility that the birch syrup industry could explore. Birch World is a

company in Russia that specializes in harvesting this and related compounds

(http://www.birchworld.ru/eng/index.html).

Although berry-producing businesses located in southern Alaska produce

a variety of products such as jams and jellies, syrups seem to be a consistent

staple of these facilities. The berries and plants they primarily use are the

highbush cranberry, the lingonberry or lowbush cranberry, the Alaska blueberry, strawberries (Fragaria species), raspberries, thimbleberries, the watermelon berry, rhubarb (Rheum species), serviceberries (Amelanchier species),

black currants (Ribes laxiflorum), and red currants (Ribes triste). Spruce tips

also are used to flavor specialty syrups. The tender young branch tips are

individually selected, are normally harvested in late spring, and have a lemony

flavor.

A variety of berry species are blended with native herbs to produce

exceptional teas. Blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries are used, in addition

to rosehips (Rosa species), rose leaves, yarrow flowers (Achillea species),

fireweed, and pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea), to name a few. Tender

young Sitka spruce tips are also a favorite ingredient in teas and are an excellent source of vitamin C.

Production—

Birch syrup has been commercially manufactured for many years in areas

where birches are numerous. In Alaska, it was first attempted by early settlers

and miners during sugar shortages. Although many dabbled in the process, a

high percentage of those quit because it was difficult and costly. Innovations

in equipment have solved many of the production problems, but equipment

modifications and new sugar-making techniques are still being tested by many

of the pioneers in this business.

One can derive an average of 1.5 to 2.0 gallons of sap per tree tapped

during peak production periods. Approximately 100 gallons of sap are needed

to make one gallon of syrup, but quantities vary by the species of birch. For

instance, 80 gallons of paper birch sap are needed to produce a gallon of

syrup, and 130 gallons of Kenai birch sap are needed.

The average tapping season only lasts 2 to 3 weeks and starts in early

April. Topography plays an important role in selection of a harvest area. If the

terrain is too steep, then transporting the sap can be difficult, but variation in

terrain allows certain trees to begin running earlier than others (Humphrey and

Humphrey 2003).

Birch syrup has been

commercially manufactured for many

years in areas where

birches are numerous.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

37

Tap locations on the bole, the diameter of the tree, and the depth and

tapping angle are all important considerations. Debris must be removed from

the bark at the tap site to prevent contamination. A 7/16-inch wood bit and a

hand drill are typically used for drilling the tapping holes. A spout is then

inserted into the hole with a light mallet. Spouts come in a variety of designs

and materials for supporting buckets and protecting the sap from airborne

contaminants.

A good delivery system is also needed for transporting sap from the

tapping area back to the “syrup shack.” Some harvesters carry the sap by hand

in buckets. Piping systems can use gravity or pump-driven suction. Another

potential approach consists of a small-diameter wood yarding system called

the zig-zag yarder (Watts and Ward 1989). A cable is attached to pulleys on

trees, wound through a site, and returned or routed back to the yarder engine.

Hooks or hangers attached to the line could then carry sealed containers of

sap. This system might be a useful process in large collection areas, but would

entail relining the cable when moving to new locations.

Collected sap should be quickly processed, kept cool, and not mixed with

sap that is already being concentrated. Keeping the sap clean and free of

contaminants is necessary to prevent the growth of micro-organisms and thus

maintain quality. Birch sap is easily scorched, so great care must be taken

while cooking it. Many birch syrup makers use a specially designed stainless

steel, double-boiler. This equipment comes with a low-temperature evaporator

that moderates temperatures to minimize the potential for scorching the syrup.

Sap should be processed in a day or two, and owing to the high volumes of

evaporation, should be processed outside. For an excellent “how to” reference, see Backlund and Backlund (2004), or go to www.island.net/~maple.

Marketing—

Alaska syrups are predominantly marketed through local stores, but are also a

popular souvenir that visitors to Alaska frequently take home to share with

their families and friends. Internet sales might eventually capture a greater

market share than local sales as people outside the state become more familiar

with the product through souvenir purchases.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

38

Edible and Medicinal Plants

Products—

A wide variety of plants are edible or have medicinal value, but most of the

ones that are currently and widely harvested as NTFPs are discussed in other

sections of this document. Here we provide information that will allow the

reader to investigate other possible products or markets.

Native and subsistence use—

Edible and medicinal plants (fig. 10) were and are still widely used by

Alaska Natives. Moerman (1998) listed both edible and medicinal plants in

his comprehensive Native American Ethnobotany. Traditional uses for food

and medicine are described in this book with extensive cross-referenced

indices to plants, uses, and tribes. Smith (1973) discussed a variety of

medicinal plants used by Natives in Alaska. Kari (1987) offered a guide to

hundreds of plants used by the Dena’ina people of south-central Alaska.

Garibaldi (1999) provided the most comprehensive source of information

on medicinal plants used by Alaskan Natives. It is organized by plant species,

and for each species she listed the tribes that use it, the types of use, and cited

references. In each publication, the species discussed are too numerous to list

here, but some are noted in table 1. Given the extensive shorelines in

southern Alaska, it makes sense that Natives eat seaweed too (Turner 2003).

Devil’s club is the most common and widely used medicinal plant in the

herbal lore of Northwest coast Natives. The Tlingit, Haida, and others use

it as a veritable medicine chest. Among the many reported uses are treatment

of coughs, colds, tuberculosis, stomach ulcers, hypoglycemia, skin rashes,

gynecological problems, arthritis, and rheumatism, and as an analgesic,

purgative, laxative, and poultice. It is also used as a snuff and is considered

to have spiritual properties such as use in charms to ward against supernatural

powers (Levine 2004, Moerman 1998).

Harvested species and materials—

The list of edible and medicinal species that can be harvested from the wild

in Alaska are documented in a number of excellent reference books and field

guides (Biggs 1999; Brill and Dean 1994; Foster and Hobbs 2002; Heller

1993; Moore 1993; Schofield 1989, 1993; Tilford 1997, 1998). Some

seaweeds and tidal zone plants also are good edibles (Chapman and Chapman

1980, Lewallen and Lewallen 1996, Madlener 1977, McConnaughey 1985).
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

39

Production—

Collection of edible and medicinal plants and herbs is often referred to as

wildcrafting. Because wild harvested plants can be misidentified or handled

improperly and quality is always a consideration in product value and marketability, good wildcrafting practices have repeatedly been addressed. Wild

Food Adventures in Portland, Oregon, publishes a Wild Food Primer (Kallas

2004) that outlines the basic considerations of collecting wild edibles. The

European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA 2002),

the European Herb Growers Association (Europam 2003), and the World

Health Organization (WHO 2004) have all produced guides for good harvesting, identification, and manufacturing practices for wild-harvested plants.

Closer to Alaska, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada convened interested

parties and organizations to develop the guide Good Practices for Plant

Identification for the Herbal Industry (Brigham and others 2004).

Marketing—

Businesses that market products made from wild edible plants typically follow

the pattern of local production and sale. For instance, restaurants that cater to

the tourist trade would be an excellent market for local wild edibles that

Figure 10—Yarrow.

Collection of edible

and medicinal plants

and herbs is often

referred to as

wildcrafting.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

40

literally and figuratively give a “taste of Alaska.” Medicinal plants can also

be marketed in this manner. Herbal teas are an excellent example. Local

community stores commonly carry a variety of herbal medicinal products,

and supplying them with local bulk supplies might well be feasible.

Globally, the medicinal plant market is huge. Supplying continuous large

quantities of consistently high-quality raw material from the wild, however,

can be quite challenging, especially when climatic conditions dramatically

limit the harvest season. Successful sales to this market would require access

to large populations of the target species, sufficient labor to collect a year’s

supply during the harvest season, adequate facilities to process and store the

materials, and a species that is unique to Alaska’s climates or for which customers place high value on clean environmental sources or traditional Native

manufacture. We are unaware of plants harvested in Alaska for international

commodity markets, but direct Internet sales on a smaller scale are certainly

feasible. For individuals who wish to pursue this product line, the Non-Timber

Forest Products Medicinal Web site (http://www.sfp.forprod.vt.edu/sfp_link/

medicinal.htm) and the online membership organization, Herbal-Medicine.org

(http://www.herbal-medicine.org/), have many links to markets and vendors.

The American Herbal Products Association also has many useful resource

links on its Web site (http://www.ahpa.org/index.htm).

Native Seeds

Products—

The seeds of almost any wild plant can be collected, but the ease or difficulty

of collection, cleaning, testing, storing, germinating, and propagation varies

widely. Products can range from large seedlots collected on contract for

revegetation projects, to smaller seedlots intended for wholesale to nurseries

or seed supply companies, to small seed packets for retail sale in souvenir

shops.

Native and subsistence use—

Historically, Alaska Natives likely did not conduct much commerce in seeds

for propagation, but they undoubtedly spread seeds around to enhance

populations of useful plants, and some of these might have been traded.

Similarly, we know of no subsistence use of collections of native seeds.

Although native seeds are infrequently considered a trade item in societies

based on local resources, the plants from which such seeds are harvested are
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

41

widely used and highly valued by all Native peoples. As such, the same

stipulations about respect for native plant resources apply as with harvesting

these plants for other purposes (medicinal, edible, and decorative). Harvesting

seed often entails less damage to perennial plants than harvesting its growing

parts, but widespread or intense seed harvesting could impair plant reproduction. The natural abundance, reproductive biology, and traditional uses of

native plants are so diverse that each species must be considered individually

when determining appropriate levels and methods of seed collection from

local plant populations.

Harvested species and materials—

The Northern Latitude Plant Materials Center, operated by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture in Palmer, Alaska, is

an essential first source of information when deciding which native species

to harvest. Some plants that reproduce naturally in Alaska are considered

noxious weeds. Not only should harvest of their seed be avoided, but legal

tolerances exist for contamination of other seedlots by seed of these species.

The Plant Materials Center Web site (http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/ag/

NEWnative_directory.htm) also maintains an exhaustive directory (Moore

and others 2004) of information about Alaska native plants. A list of species

whose seed is commonly collected (section 1 of the directory) is followed by

businesses that supply seed of each species (section 2) and the addresses of

Growers and Suppliers in Alaska (section 3). Section 4 of this directory,

“Agency Addresses and Contacts” lists individuals who are instrumental in

arranging larger contractual seedlot collections for revegetation projects.

In most of southeast and south-central Alaska, natural tree regeneration is

adequate to meet state and federal reforestation standards in a timely manner,

so large-scale planting for reforestation is less commonly practiced than in the

lower 48 states. Tree planting, and the consequent need for tree seed, is

usually implemented on sites where the soil has been degraded by urban

development, road construction, or mining. Large-scale tree planting has

also been implemented to reforest large deforested areas where seed sources

are lacking because of wildfires or spruce beetle infestations. The Alaska

Division of Forestry also runs a community forestry program (http://

www.dnr.state.ak.us/forestry/community/) that encourages tree planting in and

around villages and cities. As with other native seeds, collection of large seedlots for growing trees should be tailored to reforestation needs identified by a

coordinating agency. Such collections are typically conducted by contract.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

42

Another resource for individuals interested in collecting seeds of native

plants is a multiagency Web site called the Native Plants Network (http://

www.nativeplantnetwork.org/). It has a searchable database of species and

journal articles on native plants. Collectors should take care that their seed

collection activities do not harm or diminish the reproductive capacity of rare

or endangered plants. The Alaska Native Plant Society would be a good

organization to contact if propagating rare plants from seed is of interest. The

Alaska Natural Heritage Program (http://aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/) has extensive

information on native plants and publishes the Alaska Rare Plant Field Guide

(Lipkin and Murray 1997).

Production—

Regardless of the intended use or market, producing quality seed requires

detailed understanding of the biology of each species and appropriate harvest,

cleaning, and storage methods (fig. 11). Close attention to quality control

during each step of seed processing is essential to maintaining seed viability.

Propagation from seed to successful out-planting is viewed as a chain by

nursery specialists. Breaking any one link in the process by lack of attention

to detail and quality control will result in poor quality or loss of the plants.

Often unique equipment is needed to efficiently clean each type or size of

seed, especially when cleaning large batches of seeds. Many suppliers of seedcleaning equipment concentrate on agricultural seed, but Hoffman Manufacturing, Inc. (http://www.hoffmanmfg.com) and U.S. Global Resources (http://

www.seed-processing.usgr.com/) are two suppliers in the Pacific Northwest

that have a wide range of equipment in their catalogues. Prairie Habitats

(http://www.prairiehabitats.com/) sells harvesting equipment specifically

designed for collecting mixed native grass seeds. The Plant Materials

Center is the Alaska source for seed testing (viability, cleanliness) services.

Baldwin (1997) has self-published a how-to manual, called Growing

Alaskan Natives, for propagating Alaska native plants from seed. This handbook includes information about collection, storage, and germination treatments of various commonly harvested species. Chapter 1 of Practical Woody

Plant Propagation for Nursery Growers (MacDonald 1986) covers general

seed collection, handling, processing, storage, and germination principles.

More complete information about native seeds can be found in two books that

are now out of print but available in used book stores and on the Internet.

Producing quality

seed requires detailed

understanding of the

biology of each species and appropriate

harvest, cleaning, and

storage methods.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

43

Collecting, Processing, and Germinating Seeds of Wildland Plants (Young and

Young 1986) discusses how to collect and handle a wide variety of native

plant seed types. The revised edition of Seeds of Woody Plants in North

America (Young and Young 1992) is a comprehensive resource on woody

plant seeds. This manual is undergoing yet further revision by a team of

USDA Forest Service researchers for eventual publication in both book and

CD formats. Several sections of the revised version, entitled Woody Plant Seed

Manual, are currently available online (http://www.ntsl.fs.fed.us/wpsm/

index.html) at the Web site of the National Tree Seed Laboratory (http://

www.ntsl.fs.fed.us/). Anyone considering collection of tree seeds for reforestation projects would likely benefit from consulting this manual.

Marketing—

Markets for large seedlots are largely driven by demand, such as for revegetation projects. If the seed is collected on contract, then marketing is not an

issue, although meeting quality specifications will be. If your target markets

are nurseries or seed supply companies, you should contact the intended

purchasers first and discuss their needs and what you can offer. The Lady

Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Texas maintains a native plant information

Figure 11—Pacific yew seeds.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

44

network with extensive databases of information relating to native species,

including nurseries (http://www.wildflower2.org/NPIN/Suppliers/Nursery/

Nursery.html) and seed suppliers (http://www.wildflower2.org/NPIN/

Suppliers/suppliers.html) that specialize in native plants.

Third-party certification of seed source and quality enhances the value of

seed that is collected speculatively, in hopes of selling to seed supply companies, nurseries, or retail. Check with your intended customers first because

certification can be prohibitively expensive for small seedlots. Chapter 6 of

the Woody Plants Seed Manual (www.ntsl.fs.fed.us/wpsm/index.html) describes federal seed certification standards. Section 6 of the Plant Materials

Center directory of native plants describes “Standards for Production and

Certification of Seedlots” in Alaska. Alaska Seed Growers, Inc. (http://

www.alaskaseedgrowers.org) is the official seed certification agency in Alaska.

Although they concentrate predominantly on certifying potatoes and grain

varieties bred for Alaska’s climate, they would be the agency to contact if a

purchaser requests certified seed. If seed is intended for export to other countries, one should be prepared for lengthy and laborious efforts to comply with

the customs regulations of the intended country.

Because Alaska plants are adapted to the day-length patterns and weather

conditions of high latitudes, they are, in general, relatively less suited for sale

to the continental United States or other low-latitude countries than to Alaska

or other high-latitude countries. Nevertheless, nurseries and individuals still

might be interested in growing Alaska natives elsewhere. For instance, seed

packets of Alaska plants are a wonderful way for garden-loving tourists to

bring home a living memento of their visit. Explicit information about growing requirements should be provided with the product, and research into

which plants are broadly adapted would help build a company’s reputation

as a provider of plant seeds that do well elsewhere. If the target market is

seed suppliers or nurseries, expect the purchaser to be knowledgeable about

the species you are selling. They may also make arrangements with you to

purchase hard-to-obtain seed.

Edible Mushrooms

Products—

Although edible mushrooms have been consumed and traded by people

around the world since time immemorial, only in the last several decades have

they moved beyond local use and commerce into national and international
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

45

commodity markets (Pilz and Molina 2002, Schlosser and Blatner 1995).

There are now local, regional, national, and international markets for both

fresh and preserved edible wild mushrooms. The types of products sold, and

whether they are sold fresh, dried, or canned, depends on transportation

networks and the texture, moisture content, durability, rehydration

characteristics, and culinary characteristics of each species.

Native and subsistence use—

Other than the few examples listed below, little evidence exists that Native

Americans ate many mushrooms. Although it is possible that ethnographers

simply neglected to ask about mushrooms, or tribes were reluctant to reveal

all their cultural traditions and foods, many North American tribes (referred to

as First Nations or Aboriginals in Canada) seem to ignore, disdain, or regard

mushrooms as unimportant food (Kuhnlein and Turner 1991). Turner and

others (1987, 1990) did, however, document the consumption of chanterelles

(Cantharellus species) (fig. 12), pine mushrooms (American matsutake–

Tricholoma magnivelare), and the cottonwood mushroom (Tricholoma

populinum) among the Thompson Indians, a Salish-speaking tribe of interior

British Columbia. Goodrich and others (1980) also reported that the Kashaya

Pomo, whose homelands were in northern Sonoma County, California, baked

chanterelles on hot rocks. Richards (1997) described the traditional use of

American matsutake mushrooms by the Karuk tribe of northern California.

Nearby tribes such as the Yurok and Hupa consumed them too. Richards

(1997) also listed 10 additional examples of Native American groups

consuming edible mushrooms. Edible mushrooms can also be used for

medicinal purposes, for instance puffballs (Lycoperdon species) are edible

when they are young, but the Athabascan used the spore powder of mature

specimens as salve for cuts, sores, and eye irritations (Garibaldi 1999).

Regardless of whether consumption of edible mushrooms by Alaskan

Natives was documented in western literature, mushroom harvesting on

traditional territories can present potential opportunities or conflicts for tribes.

For instance, The Nisga’a, in the Nass Valley of coastal northern British

Columbia, have adopted a land use plan that regulates commercial harvesting

of American matsutake in their territories (Lands Department Directorate of

Lands and Resources 2002).

Unlike Native tribes, more recent Russian and European immigrants to

Alaska brought with them long traditions of collecting and consuming edible

mushrooms. Throughout Alaska, household economies are supplemented by
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

46

the harvest, preservation, and consumption of edible mushrooms that fruit

abundantly in the local area. Through a long tradition of visiting the same

mushroom patches, individuals often feel they have priority rights to harvesting in that particular location or area, and thus resent newcomers or competitors. Although this is true wherever mushrooms are harvested in the wild,

Alaska’s subsistence laws provide a legal context within which the promotion

of commercial harvesting should be considered.

Harvested species and materials—

There are numerous mushrooms with commercial harvest potential. Tedder

and others (2000) listed 19 species that they believed had commercial

potential in the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia, and Ehlers

and others (2004) listed 5 spring-fruiting species and 24 autumn-fruiting

species (some were medicinal conks) found in the Robson Valley of eastcentral British Columbia. More to the point, Berch and Cocksedge (2003)

listed 52 species of wild fungi that buyers in British Columbia actually

reported having purchased from harvesters in British Columbia. Three of

these species, the false early or spring morel (Verpa bohemica), the snowbank

Figure 12—Pacific golden chanterelle. Throughout Alaska,

household economies

are supplemented by

the harvest, preservation, and consumption

of edible mushrooms.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

47

false morel (Gyromitra gigas), and the brain mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta)

are potentially poisonous if eaten in quantity or prepared incorrectly. Berch

and Cocksedge further reported that 14 of the species were problematic

insofar as they were misidentified, several species were lumped together, or

they did not grow in British Columbia and therefore were likely imported.

Another six were reported as no longer being purchased. These examples

illustrate the difficulty of creating comprehensive or definitive lists for a

particular region.

The mushroom species that are selected for harvest also depend greatly

on the forest habitat where one collects. Any one location will only have some

commercial species and, among these, only a few may be abundant enough to

bother harvesting for sale. Scouting and mushroom identification are essential

prerequisites to deciding which mushrooms are most cost-effective, fruit

reliably, and are marketable in a particular location. When deciding which

mushrooms to harvest and sell, one should note that even among species that

are generally considered edible, some people can have unpleasant individual

or allergic reactions. Although the authors know of no documented mushroom

poisonings from commercially harvested and sold mushrooms, the potential

exists. For this reason, harvesters would do well to stick with species that are

already widely marketed.

Molina and others (1993) and Vance and others (2001) discussed some

of the more commonly harvested and relatively safe commercial species in

the Pacific Northwest. Excellent guidebooks (Arora 1986, 1991; Bossenmaier

1997; Parker 1994; Schalkwijk-Barendsen 1991) exist for identifying mushrooms with commercial harvest potential in different Alaska habitats. Hosford

and others (1997) and Pilz and others (2003) discussed in greater detail the

harvest and management of American matsutake and chanterelle mushrooms

in the Pacific Northwest. Novices at identifying mushrooms should always

confirm their conclusions with an expert. Mushroom buyers might not be

versed in the most recently accepted taxonomic names for the mushrooms

they buy, but they are skilled at identifying the mushrooms they purchase.

Production—

Producing high-quality mushrooms for sale starts with collecting them

properly. Young specimens should be left to mature and are not worth bending your back or getting on your knees to pick. Very old specimens should

be left to spread their spores for future crops and are likely to decay or lose

quality before you can preserve them or get them to market. Mushrooms can
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

48

be either plucked from the ground or cut off at the base, but if they are

plucked, the dirty bases should either be cleaned or cut off before putting

them in the collection container, or else the mushrooms will get each other

dirty. One exception is the American matsutake, which must be kept whole

and not cut or it will lose substantial commercial value. Whatever method is

used, avoid disturbing the ground more than necessary as that is where the

body of the fungus (mycelium) lives, and its health is vital to future crops.

Covering the holes not only protects the mycelium, but also hides harvesting

activities from competing harvesters. Collection containers vary from plastic

buckets to wicker baskets to mesh bags, but should allow ventilation to prevent the mushrooms from becoming moldy or slimy. Holes in the bottom of

the container also allow rainwater to drain, and might enhance the spread

of spores as you walk around. Stiff containers prevent physical damage to

the mushrooms.

Fleshy mushrooms are all perishable, some more than others. For instance,

the shaggy mane or lawyer’s wig (Coprinus comatus) has a high moisture

content and delicate flesh that naturally deliquesces (turns into a black ink-like

liquid) within a day or two. This natural degradation makes it difficult to dry,

but it is preserved well by canning. On the other end of the spectrum, the

American matsutake has firm fibrous flesh and a relatively low moisture content, so that it can be maintained fresh in a cool environment for a week or

more. Other species fall between these extremes, and harvesters must become

familiar with the characters of each.

Mushrooms also vary in how well they rehydrate for culinary purposes

after being dried. For instance, drying morels (Morchella species) seems to

concentrate their flavor, and they rehydrate quickly and easily for kitchen

use. Chanterelles, on the other hand, tend to be rubbery and bitter when

rehydrated, hence they are typically canned for sale on international markets

when they cannot be sold fresh. Most boletes (Boletus, Suillus, and Leccinum

species) also dry and rehydrate nicely, so are easy to preserve for later sale.

Matsutake mushrooms dry and rehydrate well, but Japanese consumers insist

on fresh specimens. To dry mushrooms properly, constantly-flowing warm dry

air is necessary. Electric driers for household food preservation (with airflow

and temperature controls) are widely available and work very well. Stoves

or solar radiation also work if there is airflow and the temperature does not

exceed 145 oF. Morels dry so easily that spreading them on screens during
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

49

warm sunny days can work adequately if electricity or stoves are not available, say at remote harvest locations. Some mushrooms, such as puffballs (a

variety of genera and species) or slippery jacks (Suillus luteus) dry easily but

have rubbery or slimy textures when rehydrated. If these mushrooms are

thoroughly dried and then powdered in a blender, the unpleasant texture is

circumvented, and they make an excellent flavor and thickening addition to

soup bases.

An ideal way to preserve most fleshy mushrooms (other than matsutake,

which is best cooked with water or steam) is to sauté them in butter or oil, and

then freeze them. This method preserves both flavor and texture, but complicates marketing them as a commercial product. If agreed upon in advance,

restaurants could easily use mushrooms preserved this way.

Most mushroom books discuss the preservation and culinary use of edible

species, but when in doubt about how well preservation methods will work

with a particular species, experiment yourself. Fischer and Bessette (1992)

wrote a comprehensive Field-to-Kitchen Guide for edible wild mushrooms

of North America.

Marketing—

To date, the authors are not aware of any consistent edible mushroom “hot

spots” in southeast or south-central Alaska where large numbers of commercial harvesters converge to pick and export fresh mushrooms internationally. Commodity harvesting of large quantities of fresh mushrooms for

international markets has not developed in Alaska because many harvest

locations are remote, mushrooms have relatively low value per fresh weight,

and wage expectations are high. Nor are such markets likely to develop in the

near future owing to formidable competition from Asia, Russia, and Eastern

Europe where mushroom crops are abundant, transportation networks are

relatively well-developed, and wage expectations are lower. However, large

fires in Alaska can provide opportunities for morel harvests, as described by

Wurtz and others (2005).

Local and regional marketing options include local markets and grocery

stores, restaurants (especially ones targeting the tourist trade), and value-added

dried mushroom products. One caution about dried mushrooms: discerning

customers can tell if low-quality mushrooms are included in dried batches by

the range of shades from light (originally fresh mushrooms that were properly

dried) to dark (old, partially decayed, or improperly dried specimens). Dried

Commodity harvesting of large quantities

of fresh mushrooms

for international

markets has not

developed in Alaska.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

50

mushrooms that are sold with powdered soup or sauce mixes are popular for

creating quick and tasty meals. Most commercially available sauce mixes have

a very high salt content, and customers might preferentially purchase lower

sodium mixes if this can be arranged and is advertised on the label. Batches of

mixed species of dried mushrooms are unlikely to sell as well as single species

because consumers might be leery of trying so many types together, or they

may feel they are buying lumped left-overs. The value of dried mushroom

packets is always enhanced by labels that are artistic, colorful, humorous, and

informative about the mushroom, its collection location, its quality, its tradition, and its preparation and use. Such value-added preserved mushroom

products keep well, are light-weight, and can be easily marketed to tourists,

retailers, or through the Internet.

Medicinal Fungi

Products—

Other than consumption as food, forest fungi are also used medicinally.

Medicinal fungi found in Alaska are mostly perennial conks of wood-decay

fungi that typically fruit on infected mature trees.

Native and subsistence use—

Although published documentation of the consumption of edible fungi by

native peoples of the Pacific Northwest remains sparse, some woody conks

have reportedly been used for medicinal and spiritual purposes. The most

complete, informative, and current summary of the use of medicinal woody

fungi by Native Americans and other aboriginal peoples around the Northern

hemisphere is the treatise published by Paul Stamets (Stamets and Yao 2002).

Stamets (2002) explored the role of “Fungus-man” in the Haida story of

Raven and the origin of women, and identified Fomitopsis officinalis (quinine

conk) as the likely fungus species. His discussion is based on argillite plate

artwork by the famous Haida artist Charles Edenshaw (McLennan and Duffek

2000). These same conks were carved and placed on the graves of shamans

(Blanchette and others 1992).

Similarly, Fomes fomentarius, the tinder conk, was not only used for firestarting owing to its punky, well-aerated properties, but was used to treat

arthritis by the Okanagan-Colville Indians of British Columbia and Washington (Turner and others 1980). Although less well documented in western

literature, woody sporocarps of other wood decay fungi might also be valued
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

51

for medicinal or spiritual purposes by Native Americans because such use is

common among aboriginal societies throughout the Northern Hemisphere and

stretches back in time prior to written history (Stamets and Yao 2002). For

instance, a strong tea of the “chew ash fungus” (Phellinus [Fomes] igniarius)

was used by the Yupik for constipation and stomach troubles (Garibaldi 1999),

and, although birch fungus (Phellinus tremulae) that grows on trembling aspen

is not reported to have medicinal value, its ashes are mixed with tobacco or

snuff (Schroeder 2002).

Although the original inhabitants of our continent should not be expected

to divulge sensitive information regarding the use of native flora and mycota

in their spiritual traditions, when evidence exists of this link, it is incumbent

upon government agencies that wish to promote harvest of these products to

consult thoroughly with Native Americans about such plans. At the very least,

tribes can define areas that should not be harvested for certain species, and this

information should be kept confidential.

Another issue that government agencies need to address with regard to

using this resource is the likelihood that maintaining endemic populations of

these fungi in various places will allow for more genetic diversity required to

isolate strains with superior medicinal properties for subsequent propagation.

Proper compensation to native peoples for bioprospecting on their traditional

lands is a very salient issue, as major pharmaceutical companies may some

day wish to produce compounds derived from cultivating these species.

Harvested species and materials—

In southeast and south-central Alaska, at least 12 species of wood decay

fungi have varied potential for commercial harvesting as medicinal fungi.

We discuss another one, Schizophyllum commune (split gill polypore), as a

caution. Benjamin (1995), Hobbs (1995), and Stamets and Yao (2002)

thoroughly documented the medicinal value and uses of these fungi. Tedder

and others (2000) listed some 1999 prices for five medicinal (nutraceutical)

fungi that they obtained from a Web site that is no longer online. Most of the

fungi we discuss occur on one or several specific host tree species. Their

collection is therefore limited to areas where these trees grow. In the USDA

Handbook Insects and Diseases of Alaskan Forests, Holsten and others (2001)

described the host trees and range of these fungal species, along with color

photographs and guides to identification. Range maps of the host trees are

illustrated by Viereck and Little (1972) and Fowells (1965). Arora (1986)
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

52

provided detailed descriptions of the fungi. Stamets (2000) discussed artificial

propagation of wood decay fungi and means to inoculate trees. A brief

description of each species follows.

Fomes fomentarius—The “tinder conk” has one of the most ancient documented histories of use, both for starting fires, and as a valued medicinal. It

is one of the fungi found in the pouch of the 5,300 year-old “Ice Man” of the

Italian/Swiss Alps. It grows on birch and fir (Abies species) trees throughout

the Northern Hemisphere.

Fomitopsis officinalis—This conk is commonly called the “quinine conk”

because it is bitter, not because it contains quinine. In addition to its

spiritual use among north Pacific coast tribes, it has antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties. It is now uncommon in Europe and Asia because it

predominantly inhabits old forests. It grows on larch (Larix species), Sitka

spruce, shore pine (Pinus contorta v. contorta), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga

menziesii) and hemlock (Tsuga species).

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the

National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of

Infectious Diseases, in their joint biodefense antiviral screening program, have

found that extracts of Fomitopsis officinalis (cultivated under specific proprietary conditions) are highly effective (in preliminary nonanimal trials) against

various strains of pox viruses, including smallpox (Stern 2005). If these results

are confirmed, such a product might be the first effective oral treatment for

smallpox infections. Significantly, the conks contain very small quantities,

if any, of the active ingredients, so harvesting them for medicinal use would

likely be ineffective. On the other hand, the genetically diverse populations

of this fungus that are found in southeast Alaska old-growth temperate rain

forests could represent an important source of superior strains for cultivation,

thus raising bioprospecting issues.

Ganoderma applanatum—The “artist conk” is commonly used as a medium

for sketched artwork because the soft white underside of the conk (the sporebearing layer called the hymenium) permanently stains dark when scratched.

The conk is frequently used to inscribe nature scenes from the local area, and

examples can be found in local markets wherever this fungus fruits. As this

conk is harvested for its medicinal properties also, and because it is slowgrowing and fruits on old decaying trees, demand might eventually exceed
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

53

supply, making this species a prime candidate for artificial inoculation in

conveniently located forests that are not slated for timber harvest. It grows on

both conifers and hardwoods.

G. oregonense and G. tsugae—The “varnished conks” are two closely related

species that are also closely related to the prized medicinal fungus of Asia,

Ganoderma lucidum, or “Reishi.” Along with the larger G. applanatum, they

are currently being evaluated for comparable medicinal use. In growth form,

G. tsugae more closely resembles G. lucidum, but G. oregonense is bigger.

Although the varnished conks are not common, their potential for artificial

inoculation is especially pertinent in southeastern Alaska because they are

able to grow on conifers, including hemlock.

Hericium abietis—The “conifer coral fungus” not only has medicinal

properties, but is a delicious and safe edible mushroom. It must be collected,

handled, and preserved like other fleshy mushrooms because it is not a

woody conk, although it is often found growing on the boles of snags.

Although it is not common and is difficult to artificially propagate in growth

chambers, it is one of the few edible mushrooms that decay conifers. It

therefore has potential in southeast Alaska for inoculating hemlock stands

where it would be convenient to collect.

Inonotus obliquus—“Chaga” (fig. 13) is produced by this wood decay fungus

that grows on paper birch in Alaska, and other birch species throughout the

boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere. It produces a dense growth of

fungal tissue that breaks through the defenses of the host tree each year. This

fungal growth is technically called a “sclerotium” because it has none of the

features of a reproductive fruiting body, but it is commonly referred to as a

“sterile conk” in the literature. It has long been harvested for its medicinal

properties, especially in the taiga of Russia. Significant export markets are

currently developing in Asia for medicinal teas made from ground chaga.

Unlike other medicinal wood decay fungi, where the fruiting body is harvested in cultivation, the development of chaga requires live birch trees. The

mycelium of the cultivated fungus may lack pharmaceutical compounds that

are derived from birch bark and that get incorporated into the chaga as it

grows. Pilz (2004) authored a report on chaga harvesting in the Russian Far

East that is available on the Web site of the FOREST Project sponsored by

U.S.-Agency for International Development and Winrock International.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

54

Phellinus igniarius and P. tremulae—The “false tinder polypore” and the

“tinder conk” are bole-rotting fungi. Phellinus igniarius grows on a variety

of hardwood species, but P. tremulae is found exclusively on quaking aspen.

To date, P. igniarius is the only medicinal fungus that we know has been

marketed from Alaska to Asia.

Piptoporus betulinus—The birch polypore was another of the fungi found in

the Ice Man’s pouch and has been used for its antibacterial properties since

prehistory throughout the Northern Hemisphere where it grows on birch.

Pleurotus ostreatus—The “oyster mushroom,” like Hericium abietis, is a

premier edible mushroom with medicinal properties. It grows on alder, aspen,

cottonwood, and birch, often fruiting in large flushes for some years after the

tree has died. As with Hericium and all flesh fungi, it is perishable and must

either be sold quickly or preserved soon after harvest (commonly by drying).

Schizophyllum commune—The “split-gilled polypore” is one of the most

common and widely distributed mushrooms in the world. It grows on the

stems, branches, stumps, and logs of hardwood species. It is mentioned here,

not because of its potential value as an NTFP, but by way of caution. In its

heat-sterilized form it has documented medicinal properties, but harvesting

Figure 13—Chaga fungus.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

55

and marketing wild material could be hazardous. It has been shown capable

of producing lung and brain infections (mycoses) when large concentrations

of spores or fragments of the fungus are inhaled (Stamets and Yao 2002).

Trametes versicolor—The “turkey tail” is a common, globally-distributed

fungus with potent anticancer properties. It grows in dense overlapping

clusters on the stems and branches of many hardwood species. Cultivated

to extract pharmacologically active compounds, wild strains exhibit aggressive growth in artificial culture, hence this species might be a target for

bioprospecting.

Harvest Timing and Cultivation—

Among these fungi, the woody conks can be harvested any time of the year

because they are slow growing and persist for many years. The edible wooddecay fungi with medicinal value (Hericium and Pleurotus) fruit predominantly during the warmer months of spring and summer. They must not only

be harvested in season, but preferably when they are fresh and at their peak

of development.

Sustainable harvest levels have not been analyzed for any of these fungi,

but their abundance and resistance to harvest pressures are related to the

prevalence of their habitat, namely, the host tree species. In areas managed for

timber production, ensuring the persistence of bole-rot fungi such as Fomes,

Ganoderma, Hericium, Phellinus, and Pleurotus depends on long rotations

and leaving coarse woody debris and snags during timber harvest. In southcentral Alaska, some birch or aspen forests might also be slated for timber

harvest. The fungi that grow on these trees (Fomes fomentarius, Inonotus

obliquus, Phellinus tremulae, and Piptoporus betulinus) likewise require

mature trees to decay.

The remote nature of much habitat in Alaska suggests that viable populations of these fungi are unlikely to be impaired by human harvesting of their

fruiting bodies. Many of these conks and mushrooms fruit sparsely across the

landscape, so harvesting large quantities of naturally breeding populations

often entails walking long distances. The development of mass marketing or

commodity production of these fungi would require a much more accessible

and reliable supply than could be readily obtained from wild populations. In

the case of wood decay fungi, the opportunity exists to increase the abundance of these fungi through inoculation of trees. Most wood decay fungi can

The remote nature

of Alaska suggests

that viable populations of fungi are

unlikely to be impaired by human

harvesting.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

56

be readily cultivated and harvested artificially in growth chambers (Stamets

2000), but some customers value the (semi-) natural production of conks

grown on trees in the forest. Such agroforestry production of medicinal conks

could also fit into forest management plans very nicely if inoculation methods

(Stamets 2000) focused on suppressed trees or occurred in areas where timber

harvesting is not planned. Although many of these wood decay species are

considered forest “pathogens” by foresters (insofar as they reduce the value of

timber), the abundance of fungal spores is likely not a factor in infection rates

because their spores are ubiquitous anyway. Tree health, and wounds that

allow infection to occur, are the more probable drivers of infection rates.

Therefore, the greater number of spores originating in areas that are inoculated

are unlikely to result in higher infection rates in adjacent forests. Hence

artificial inoculation of trees in stands that are readily accessible offers the best

opportunity for developing these NTFPs. The long timeframe between inoculation and harvest and the relatively low value of the product imply that for

inoculation efforts to be worthwhile, the individuals, groups, tribes, or landowners doing such inoculation would need to have a long-term commitment

to managing a particular site and exclusive access to harvesting.

Production—

Woody conks can be harvested any time of year, dried, and stored for long

periods. As with any product, fresh, high-quality material fetches a premium.

Conks that are insect ridden or colonized by other fungi are not worth harvesting and should be left for spore dispersal. Similarly, very young conks

should be left for later harvest because they will grow for several more years,

increasing in weight and value and distributing spores. Even though woody

conks can be dried and stored, all natural products lose potency over time

when exposed to air, moisture, and warm temperatures; hence, it is advisable

to store such products in dry cool conditions and sell them as soon as possible. As an example, chaga that is harvested in the Russian Far East is often

dried to a precise moisture content and then vacuum packed if it cannot be

sold soon after harvesting. To our knowledge, such procedures have not been

developed for other woody medicinal fungi harvested from natural areas, but

the same principles likely apply. Buyers often want to see the original product

intact to ensure the correct species is being sold and the original product was

in good condition.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

57

Marketing—

In spite of the aforementioned obstacles to large-scale product development,

international demand for medicinal fungi is large and growing. This is

especially true in Asia where long traditions of using natural products now

coincides with rapidly-expanding disposable incomes and degraded local

habitats. Cultivated products are currently filling a very large fraction of this

market, but wild-harvested products might also find a substantial market

niche, especially where artificial cultivation might not yield a comparable

product (chaga) or where buyers wish to promote wild-harvested products in

contrast to cultivated sources or pharmaceutical extracts. As with any such

venture, promotion based on quality, naturalness, certifiably sustainable

harvest, or Native traditions could have a significant marketing advantage.

Although Asian countries are currently the largest and most promising

market for such natural medicinal fungus products, wealthy consumers in

Europe and North America constitute promising markets as well. Competition

for marketing the species that grow on birch throughout the Northern Hemisphere might be challenging as the sources of raw material are abundant and

expected wages are often lower elsewhere. The species of fungi that grow on

the boles of old trees in the temperate rain forest of southeast Alaska, however,

likely will find no better remaining habitat in the world for their harvest in the

wild or seminatural (inoculation) cultivation.

Laboratory research on the medicinal properties of fungi and pharmacological compounds derived from such fungi is a rapidly advancing area of

science. Much of the research entails how the human immune system can be

enhanced with foods considered “nutraceuticals” (Benjamin 1995; Hobbs

1995; Stamets 2000, 2002). Wood decay fungi produce unique compounds

that have very promising modes of activity for human health.

Closing Remarks

The authors have found working on this project to be very rewarding. We

have especially enjoyed the opportunity to meet and talk with so many successful entrepreneurs actively participating in NTFP businesses throughout

Alaska. Alaska is full of independent, free-thinking, and creative people; all

of us have been extremely impressed by the innovation, business savvy, and

creativity shown by our contacts.

Although much of this publication addresses economic opportunity, other

equally important issues are business stability, success, and longevity. Businesses cannot persist unless the resources they are based on are harvested in a

International demand

for medicinal fungi is

large and growing.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

58

sustainable manner with techniques that ensure that the organisms being harvested are able to reproduce and persist. Because so much of Alaska’s forest

is publicly owned, harvesters, tribes, and NTFP businesses should be actively

involved in crafting management agency guidelines and regulations that

ensure equitable and sustainable harvesting opportunities for all. Collaborative methods such as public involvement processes, conferences, stakeholder

meetings, community coordination, consultation with tribes, and marketing

associations are all effective means to seek this common goal without having

to resort to enforcement or unpopular regulations.

Alaska is a land of abundant resources. From its wealth of ocean species to

land resources, Alaska is truly a land of opportunity and will remain so for a

long time to come. We honor the many citizens who enrich the culture and

economic well-being of Alaska with their creative endeavors and respect for

nature.

Acknowledgments

This project was initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest

Service, Alaska Region; Alaska Natural Resources Department; and the USDA

Forest Service, State and Private Forestry. Funding was provided by the U.S.

Forest Service, Alaska Region. We appreciate the sponsorship of the Alaska

Soil and Water Conservation District and other supporting organizations

for hosting two NTFP conferences in Alaska. The first, Hidden Forest Values:

A Nontimber Forest Products Conference and Tour (Alaska Boreal Forest

Council 2003) was held at the Millenium Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska,

November 8-11, 2001, (http://www.alaskaswcds.org/alaska/NTFP/

conf2001.htm). The second, Hidden Forest Values II: Addressing Traditional

Values, Income Opportunities, and Sustainability Issues in Alaska, was held

October 1-2, 2004, at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi—Community House in

Sitka, Alaska. The following individuals kindly provided information used to

compile this report.

• Daniel and Susan Humphries, Birch Boy Gourmet Birch Syrup, P.O. Box

637, Haines, AK, 99827, 907-767-5660.

• Dennis Campbell, USDA Forest Service, Region 10, Natural Resources

Department, Juneau, AK, 907-586-8742.

• Dick Baldwin, Seeds of Alaska, P.O. Box 3127, Kenai, AK, 99611,

907-260-1980.

• Roy Baldwin, Diamond Willow Products, Sterling, AK, 907-262-4143.
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

59

• Alaska Herb Tea Company, 6710 Weimer Dr., Anchorage, AK, 99502,

800-654-2764.

• Rod Hilts, Chesloknu Foods, P.O. Drawer L, Seldovia, AK 99663,

800-270-7810.

Patricia Muir, a professor at Oregon State University shared unpublished

data about moss harvesting with us. Judy Mikowski, USDA Forest Service

Pacific Northwest Research Station, helped us with editing. We would also like

to express our thanks to the tribal members, business owners, agency representatives, harvesters, and scientists who contributed to this report.

Metric Equivalents

When you know: Multiply by: To find:

Inches 2.54 Centimeters

Miles 1.609 Kilometers

Square miles 2.59 Square kilometers

Acres .405 Hectares

Tons 907 Kilograms

Gallons 3.78 Liters

Degrees Fahrenheit .556 (F-32) Degrees Celsius

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World Health Organization [WHO]. 2004. WHO guidelines for good manufacturing and collection practices (GACP) for medicinal plants. Geneva,

Switzerland. 72 p. http://www.who.int/medicines/library/trm/

medicinalplants/agricultural.pdf. (30 August 2004).

Wurtz, T.L.; Wiita, A.L.; Weber, N.S.; Pilz, D. 2005. Harvesting morels

after wildfire in Alaska. Res. Note PNW-RN-546. Portland, OR: U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research

Station. 31 p.

Young, J.A.; Young, C.G. 1986. Collecting, processing, and germinating

seeds of wildland plants. Portland, OR: Timber Press. 236 p.

Young, J.A.; Young, C.G. 1992. Seeds of woody plants in North America.

Rev. Portland, OR: Dioscorides Press. 407 p.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

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Appendix 1: Scientifica

 and Commonb Names of Species

Scientific name Common name

Treesc

Abies P. Mill. (true) fir

Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. subalpine fir

Alnus P. Mill. alder

Alnus rubra Bong. red alder

Betula L. birch

Betula papyrifera Marsh. paper birch

Betula papyrifera var. commutata western paper birch

(Regel) Fern.

Betula papyrifera var. kenaica Kenai birch

(W.H. Evans) A. Henry

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Alaska yellow-cedar

(D. Don) Spach

Juniperus communis L. common juniper

Larix P. Mill. larch

Picea glauca (Moench) Voss white spruce

Picea mariana (P. Mill.) B.S.P. black spruce

Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. Sitka spruce

Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. shore pine

var. contorta

Populus L. cottonwood and aspen

Populus balsamifera L. ssp. black cottonwood

trichocarpa (Torr. & Gray

ex Hook.) Brayshaw

Populus tremuloides Michx. quaking aspen

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Douglas-fir

Franco

Salix L. willow

Salix alaxensis (Anderss.) Coville big willow, feltleaf willow

Salix bebbiana Sarg. Bebb willow, diamond willow

Salix pulchra Cham. sura willow, tealeaf willow

Sorbus sitchensis M. Roemer

var. sitchensis Sitka mountain ash

Taxus brevifolia Nutt. Pacific yew

Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don western redcedar

Tsuga Carr. hemlock

Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. western hemlock

Tsuga mertensiana (Bong.) Carr. mountain hemlock

Shrubby, climbing, or prostrate

woody plants

Andromeda polifolia L. bog rosemary

Arctostaphylos alpina (L.) Spreng. alpine bearberry
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

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Scientific name Common name

Arctostaphylos rubra (Rehd. & Wilson) red fruit bearberry

Fern.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. kinnickinnick, bearberry

Empetrum nigrum L. mossberry, black crowberry

Gaultheria shallon Pursh salal, laughing berry

Kalmia polifolia Wangenh. bog laurel

Lonicera involucrata Banks ex Spreng. bearberry or twinberry honeysuckle

Oplopanax horridus Miq. devil’s club

Ribes L. gooseberry, currant

Ribes bracteosum Dougl. ex Hook. blue currant, stink currant

Ribes divaricatum Dougl. spreading gooseberry, wild

gooseberry

Ribes laxiflorum Pursh trailing black currant

Ribes triste Pallas northern currant, red swamp currant

Rosa L. rose (hips)

Rosa acicularis Lindl. prickly rose

Rubus articus L. nagoonberry, arctic blackberry

Rubus chamaemorus L. cloudberry

Rubus idaeus L. American red raspberry

Rubus parviflorus Nutt. thimbleberry

Rubus spectabilis Pursh salmonberry

Sambucus L. elderberry

Sambucus racemosa L. var. racemosa = red elderberry, red elder

Sambucus callicarpa Greene

Symphoricarpos albus (L.) Blake (common) snowberry

Vaccinium L. blueberry

Vaccinium caespitosum Michx. dwarf bilberry

Vaccinium ovalifolium Sm. = oval-leaf blueberry

Vaccinium alaskensis T.J. Howell

Vaccinium ovalifolium Sm. early or oval-leaf blueberry

Vaccinium oxycoccos L. bog cranberry, small cranberry

(= Oxycoccus oxycoccos)

Vaccinium parvifolium Sm. red huckleberry

Vaccinium uliginosum L. bog blueberry

Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. lowbush cranberry, lingonberry

Viburnum edule (Michx.) Raf. highbush cranberry, squashberry

Nonwoody vascular plants

Achillea millefolium L. common yarrow

Actaea rubra (Ait.) Willd. (red) baneberry

Aconitum delphiniifolium DC. mountain monkshood, larkspurleaf

monkshood

Adiantum pedatum L. maidenhair fern

Allium schoenoprasum L. wild chive

Amelanchier Medik. Saskatoon serviceberry

Anemone L. anemone
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

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Scientific name Common name

Angelica lucida L. sea-watch, wild celery, seacoast

angelica

Aquilegia formosa Fisch. ex DC western columbine

Arabis hirsuta (L.) Scop. hairy rockcress

Arabis lyrata L. lyrate rockcress

Arabis holboellii Hornem. Holboell’s rockcress

Argentina anserina (L.) Rydb. silverweed, silverweed cinquefoil

Argentina egedii (Wormsk.) Rydb. ssp. wild sweet potato, Pacific silverweed

egedii = Potentilla pacifica T.J. Howell

Aruncus dioicus (Walt.) Fern. goatsbeard, bride’s feathers

Asplenium trichomanes L. green or maidenhair spleenwort

Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth ladyfern, common ladyfern

Caltha palustris L. yellow marsh marigold, cowslip

Carex L. sedges

Carex aquatilis Wahlenb. water sedge

Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub ssp. fireweed

angustifolium = Epilobium angustifolium L.

Chamerion latifolium (L.) Holub dwarf fireweed

= Epilobium latifolium L.

Chenopodium album L. lambsquarters

Chenopodium capitatum (L.) Ambrosi strawberry spinach, blite goosefoot,

strawberry blight

Comarum palustre L. marsh cinquefoil or purple

marshlocks

Cornus canadensis L. bunchberry

Cornus suecica L. bunchberry, Lapland cornel

Dryopteris expansa (K. Presl) Fraser- spreading woodfern

Jenkins & Jermy = Dryopteris dilatata

auct. non (Hoffmann) Gray

Empetrum nigrum L. black crowberry, mountain

blueberry

Equisetum arvense L. mouse food, field horsetail

Equisetum hyemale L. horsetail rush, scouring rush

Equisetum sylvaticum L. mouse food, woodland horsetail

Eriophorum angustifolium Honckeny mouse food, tall cottongrass

Fragaria L. strawberry

Fragaria chiloensis (L.) P. Mill. beach strawberry

Fritillaria camschatcensis (L.) Ker-Gawl. Indian rice, chocolate lily, northern

rice root, black lily

Gentiana platypetala Griseb. broadpetal gentian

Geum macrophyllum Willd. large leaved or largeleaf avens

Hedysarum alpinum L. Eskimo potato, alpine sweetvetch,

American sweetvetch

Heracleum lanatum Bartr. common cowparsnip

Hippuris vulgaris L. goose grass, common mare’s-tail
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

73

Scientific name Common name

Iris setosa Pallas ex Link beachhead iris (blue flag iris)

Juncus L. rush

Lathyrus palustris L. purple vetch, marsh pea

Ledum groenlandicum Oeder Labrador tea, bog Labrador tea

Ledum palustre L. marsh Labrador tea, Hudson’s

Bay tea

Ligusticum scoticum L. wild parsley, Scottish licorice-root,

beach lovage

Lupinus L. lupines

Lupinus nootkatensis Donn ex Sims Nootka lupine

Lysichiton americanus Hultén & St. John American skunkcabbage

Maianthemum dilatatum (Wood) A. Nels. deer cabbage, false lily-of-

& J.F. Macbr. the-valley

Matricaria discoidea DC. pineapple weed

Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm. yellow pond-lily

Oxyria digyna (L.) Hill sourgrass, alpine mountain sorrel

Oxytropis maydelliana Trautv. yellow oxytrope, Maydell’s

oxytrope

Pedicularis kanei Dur. = Pedicularis lanata wooly lousewort

Cham. & Schlecht.

Petasites frigidus (L.) Fries arctic sweet coltsfoot

Plantago maritima L. goose tongue

Platanthera dilatata (Pursh) Lindl. ex Beck white bog orchid, scentbottle

Polygonum sachalinense F. Schmidt ex. Maxim Alaska wild rhubarb, giant

knotweed

Polystichum Roth hollyfern

Potentilla L. cinquefoil

Potentilla elegans Cham. & Schlecht. silverweed

Potentilla villosa Pallas ex Pursh villous cinquefoil

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn western brackenfern

Pulsatilla patens (L.) P. Mill. ssp. multifida cutleaf anemone

(Pritz.) Zamels = Anemone patens L.

Pyrola asarifolia Michx. ssp. bracteata pink wintergreen

(Hook.) Haber

Ranunculus repens L. creeping buttercup

Ranunculus pallasii Schlecht. Pallas’ buttercup

Rheum L. rhubarb

Rhodiola rosea L. = Sedum roseum (L.) Scop. roseroot stonecrop

Rumex arcticus Trautv. sourdock, arctic dock

Juncus L. rushes

Salicornia virginica L. sea asparagus, American glasswort,

Virginia glasswort

Sanguisorba canadensis L. Sitka or Canadian burnet
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

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Scientific name Common name

Saxifraga nelsoniana D. Don ssp. nelsoniana brook saxifrage, heartleaf saxifrage

= Saxifraga punctata L. p.p.

Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt. soapberry, buffaloberry, russet

buffaloberry

Streptopus amplexifolius (L.) DC. clasping twistedstalk, watermelon

berry, claspleaf twistedstalk

Tripleurospermum Schultz-Bip. scentless chamomile, mayweed

Urtica L. (stinging) nettle

Urtica dioica L. ssp. gracilis (Ait.) Seland. nettle, California nettle

= Urtica lyalli S. Wats.

Valeriana sitchensis Bong. Sitka valerian

Mosses and liverworts

Sphagnum L. sphagnum moss

Huperzia Bernh. clubmoss

Lycopodium alpinum L. alpine clubmoss

Lycopodium annotinum L. stiff clubmoss

Lycopodium clavatum L. running clubmoss

Lycopodium dendroideum Michx. tree groundpine or groundpine

clubmoss

Lichensd

Letharia vulpina (L.) Hue wolf moss, wolf lichen

Lobaria oregana (Tuck.) Mull. Arg. lettuce lung or Oregon lung lichen

Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. lungwort or lung lichen

Fungie

Boletus Fr. bolete

Boletus edulis Bull. king bolete

Cantharellus Fr. chanterelles

Cantharellus formosus Corner Pacific golden chanterelle

Coprinus comatus (Müll) Gray shaggy mane, lawyer’s wig

Fomes fomentarius L.:Fr tinder conk, hoof fungus, hoof

conk, Ice Man polypore

Fomitopsis officinalis (Villars) Bondartsev quinine conk, larch bracket

& Singer mushroom, brown trunk rot

Ganoderma applanatum (Pers. ex Wallr.) Pat. artist conk, artist fungus, shelf

fungus, tree tongue, white mottled

rot mushroom

Ganoderma lucidum (Wm. Curtis: Fries) Karsten Reishi, Ling Zhi or Ling Chi,

varnished conk

Ganoderma oregonense (Pers.) Pat. varnished conk

Ganoderma tsugae Murr. lacquer conk, varnish conk

Gyromitra gigas (Krombh.) Cooke snowbank false morel

Gyromitra esculenta (Pers.) Fr. brain mushroom

Hericium abietis (Weir:Hubert) K. Harrison conifer coral fungus
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

75

Scientific name Common name

Hydnum L. hedgehogs

Inonotus obliquus (Pers.:Fr.) Pilat chaga, clinker polypore, birch

cinder conk

Leccinum Gray bolete

Lycoperdon Pers. puffballs

Morchella Dill. ex Pers. (true) morels

Phellinus igniarius (L.:Fr.) Quel. false tinder polypore (conk),

hardwood trunk rot, chew ash

fungus

Phellinus tremulae (Bond.) Bond. & Boriss. tinder conk, aspen trunk rot, birch

fungus

Piptoporus betulinus (Bull.:Fr.) Karst birch polypore

Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.:Fr.) Kumm. oyster mushroom

Schizophyllum commune Fr. split gill polypore

Suillus Gray jacks (related to boletes)

Suillus luteus (L.) Gray slippery jack

Trametes versicolor (L:Fr.) Pilat turkey tail

Tricholoma populinum J.E. Lange cottonwood mushroom

Tricholoma magnivelare (Peck) Redhead pine mushroom, American

matsutake

Verpa bohemica (Krombh.) J. Schröt. false early or spring morel

a

 Organisms are organized alphabetically by scientific name because many species have more than one

common name.

b

 Common names are from sources noted in the text and from the databases and reference materials

noted in the other footnotes to this appendix.

c

 Our source for scientific names and naming authorities for trees, shrubs, nonwoody vascular plants,

mosses, liverworts, and lichens is the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation

Service, National Plant Data Center, Plants Database available for online searches at: http://

plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/.

d

 An additional source for lichen scientific names, authorities, and standardized common names is Brodo

and others (2001).

e

 Our source for scientific names and naming authorities for fungal species is the IndexFungorum

Database maintained by CABI Bioscience and The Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, an institute

of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. The database is available online at: http://

www.indexfungorum.org/Names/NAMES.ASP. Our source for the authorities for genus names of

fungi is Kirk and others (2001).
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

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Appendix 2: Contact Information

Agencies, organizations, and businesses are listed alphabetically by the title

used in our discussions. Some contact information is duplicated so that divisions and programs can be found easily. Mention of businesses does not imply

endorsement of their services or products, but only their use as representative

examples for the topics we discuss. This list is not meant to be a comprehensive list of every possible contact, but instead serves as a starting point.

Ahtna, Inc.

P.O. Box 649

Glenallen, AK 99588

www.ahtna-inc.com/

Alaska Association of Conservation

Districts

1700 E Bogard Rd., Suite 203

Wasilla, AK 99654-6563

Phone: 907.373.7923

Fax: 907.373.7192

aacd@mtaonline.net

http://www.alaskaswcds.org/

Alaska Department of Commerce,

Community, and Economic Development

Edgar Blatchford, Commissioner

P.O. Box 110800

Juneau, AK 99811-0800

Phone: 907.465.2500

questions@commerce.state.ak.us

http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/

home.htm

Alaska Herb Tea Co., Inc.

6710 Weimer Dr.

Anchorage, AK 99502

Phone: 800.654.2764

Phone: 907.245.3499

Fax: 907.245.3499

herbtea@alaska.net

http://www.alaskaherbtea.com/

Alaska Native Plant Society

P.O. Box 141613

Anchorage, AK 99514-1613

http://www.alaskakrafts.com/pages/

anps.htm

Alaska Natural Heritage Program

Environment and Natural Resources

Institute

University of Alaska Anchorage

707 A Street

Anchorage, AK 99501

Phone: 907.257.2780

Fax: 907.257.2789

aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/

Alaska Product Preference Program -

Made in Alaska Program

Alaska Department of Commerce,

Community, and Economic Development

Division of Community Advocacy

550 W 7th Avenue, Suite 1770

Anchorage, AK 99501-3510

Ruth St. Amour

Phone: 907.269.4527

Fax: 907.269.4539

ruth_st.amour@commerce.state.ak.us

http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/

prodpref/prodpref.htm

http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/mia/

Alaska Region (10)

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest

Service

Mail: P.O. Box 21628

Juneau, AK 99802-1628

Street: 709 W 9th Street

Juneau, AK 99801-1807

Phone: 907.586.8806

FAX: 907.586.7843

Email form: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/ro/

contact/

Web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

77

Alaska Seed Growers Association

Seed certification

Pat Mulligan, Manager

Box 895

Palmer, AK 99645

Phone: 907.745.4004

Fax: 907.745.4728

Alaska Soil and Water Conservation

District

Non-Timber Forest Products Program

510 L Street, Suite 280

Anchorage, AK 99501-1949

Phone: 907.271.2424

Fax: 907.271.4099

akswcd@alaskaswcds.org

http://www.alaskaswcds.org/Alaska/

Alaska SuperNatural Teas

Erika J. Merklin

2618 Chilkat Lake Rd.

Haines, AK 99827

Phone: 907.767.5586

aksupernaturalteas@yahoo.com

American Herbal Products Association

8484 Georgia Ave., Suite 370

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: 301.588.1171

Fax: 301.588.1174

ahpa@ahpa.org

http://www.ahpa.org/index.htm

Birch Boy Products

P.O. Box 637

Haines, AK 99827

Phone: 877.769.5660

Fax: 907.767.5660

http://www.birchboy.com

Birch Grove Pure Alaska Birch Syrup

Products

P.O. Box 771375

Eagle River, AK 99577

Phone: 907.696.0893

http://www.birch-grove.com/

Birch World, Ltd.

125 Varshavskoe shosse Str

117405 Moscow Russia

Phone/Fax: +7.095.311.44.12

http://www.birchworld.ru/eng/index.html

Centre for Non-Timber Resources

Royal Roads University

2005 Sooke Road

Victoria, BC V9B 5Y2

Canada

Phone: 250.391.2600 ext. 4328

Fax: 250.391.2694

ntfp@royalroads.ca

http://www.royalroads.ca/cntr

Chugach Alaska Corporation

560 E 34th Ave.

Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone: 907.563.8866

Fax: 907.563.8402

www.chugach-ak.com/

Chugach National Forest

3301 C Street, Suite 300

Anchorage, AK 99503-3998

Phone: 907.743.9500

Fax: 907.743.9476

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/

Community Forestry Program

Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Division of Forestry

550 W 7th Avenue, Suite 1450

Anchorage, AK 99501-3566

Fax: 907.269.8902

http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/forestry/

community/

John See, Program Coordinator

Phone: 907.269.8466

john_see@dnr.state.ak.us

Patricia Joyner, Education Coordinator

Phone: 907.269.8465

patricia_joyner@dnr.state.ak.us
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-671

78

Cook Inlet Region, Inc.

P.O. Box 93330

Anchorage, AK 99509-3330

Phone: 907.274.8638

Fax: 907.263.5186

www.ciri.com/

Forest Stewardship/Landowner

Assistance Program

Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Division of Forestry

101 Airport Road

Palmer, AK 99645

Jeff Graham

Forest Stewardship Coordinator

Phone: 907.761.6309

Jeff_Graham@dnr.state.ak.us

http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/forestry/

foreststewardship.htm

Herbal-Medicine.org

http://www.herbal-medicine.org/

Hoffman Manufacturing, Inc.

P.O. Box 547

Albany, OR 97321

Phone: 800.692.5962

Fax: 800.343.6724

info@hoffmanmfg.com

http://www.hoffmanmfg.com

Institute for Culture and Ecology

Nontimber Forest Products Species

Database

P.O. Box 6688

Portland, OR 97228-6688

Phone: 503.331.6681

http://www.ifcae.org/ntfp/

International Economic Development

Council

734 15th Street NW

Suite 900

Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202.223.7800

Fax: 202.223.4745

http://www.iedconline.org/index.html

Juneau Economic Development Council

612 W Willoughby Ave., Suite A

Juneau, AK 99801-1732

Phone: 907.463-3662

Fax: 907.463.3929

http://www.jedc.org

administrator@jedc.org

Kahiltna Birchworks

P.O. Box 2267

Palmer, AK 99645

Phone/Fax: 907.733.1309

http://www.alaskabirchsyrup.com/

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

4801 La Crosse Avenue

Austin, TX 78739

Phone: 512.292.4100

Fax: 512.292.4627

http://www.wildflower.org/

Made in Alaska Program (see Alaska

Product Preference Program)

National Tree Seed Laboratory

5675 Riggins Mill Rd.

Dry Branch, GA 31020

Phone: 478.751.3551

http://www.ntsl.fs.fed.us/ntsl_fsstc.html

Native Plants Journal

Native Plants Network

USDA Forest Service, SRS

1221 South Main Street

Moscow, ID 83843–4211

Kas Dumroese, Editor

Phone: 208.883.2324

kdumroese@fs.fed.us

http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org/

Native Plants Network

USDA Forest Service, SRS

1221 South Main Street

Moscow, ID 83843–4211

http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org/
Nontimber Forest Product Opportunities in Alaska

79

Non-Timber Forest Products–Medicinal

Web Site

Sponsored by:

Department of Wood Science and Forest

Products, Virginia Polytechnic Institute

and State University, Blacksburg, VA

USDA Forest Service, Southern Research

Station, Blacksburg, VA

Top of the Ozarks Resource Conservation

and Development, Houston, MO

http://www.sfp.forprod.vt.edu/sfp_link/

medicinal.htm

Northern Latitudes Plant Materials

Center

Stoney Wright, Manager

HC 04 BOX 7440

Palmer, AK 99645

Phone: 907.745.4469

Fax: 907.745.1568

http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/ag/ag_pmc.htm

Office of Economic Development

Alaska Department of Commerce,

Community, and Economic Development

P.O. Box 110800

Juneau, AK 99811-0800

Caryl McConkie, Economic Development

Manager

Phone: 907.465.5478

Caryl_Mcconkie@commerce.state.ak.us

http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/oed/

home.htm

Office of Subsistence Management

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

3601 C Street, Suite 1030

Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone: 800.478.1456

Phone: 907.786.3888

Fax: 907.786.3898

Subsistence@fws.gov

http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/home.html

http://www.usgr.com

Prairie Habitats

Box 10

Argyle, MB R0C 0B0

Canada

Phone: 204.467.9371

Fax: 204.467.5004

http://www.prairiehabitats.com/

Sealaska Corp.

One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 400

Juneau, AK 99801

Phone: 907.586.1512

Fax: 907.586.2304

www.sealaska.com/

Sitka Economic Development Association,

Inc.

329 Harbor Drive, Suite 212

Sitka, AK 99835

Phone: 907.747.2660

Fax: 907.747.7688

inforequest@sitka.net

http://www.sitka.net/index.shtml

Skagway Development Corporation

380 5th Avenue

P.O. Box 1236

Skagway, AK 99840

Phone/Fax: 907-983-3414

info@skagwaydevelopment.org

http://www.skagwaydevelopment.org/

index.html

Tongass National Forest

Federal Building

648 Mission Street

Ketchikan, AK 99901

Phone: 907.225.3101

Phone: 907.228.6222 (TTY)

Fax: 907.228.6215

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/

U.S. Global Resources

10242 59th Ave. South

Seattle, WA 98178

Phone: 425.391.5646

Fax: 425.392.6713

usgr@usgr.com

Wild Food Adventures

John Kallas, Ph.D., Director, Educator,

Researcher

4125 N Colonial Ave.

Portland, OR 97217-3338

Phone: 503.775.3828

mail@wildfoodadventures.com

http://www.wildfoodadventures.com
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.
Pacific Northwest Research Station

Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw

Telephone (503) 808-2592

Publication requests (503) 808-2138

FAX (503) 808-2130

E-mail pnw_pnwpubs@fs.fed.us

Mailing address Publications Distribution

Pacific Northwest Research Station

P.O. Box 3890

Portland, OR 97208-3890
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Pacific Northwest Research Station

333 S.W. First Avenue

P.O. Box 3890

Portland, OR 97208-3890

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use, $300