Stewardship
Responsible management of Umnak Island — repairing damage, protecting what cannot be replaced.
Decades of feral herds and absent management have left marks on the island: eroded ground, degraded habitat, and pressure on places of deep historical significance. Stewardship at Okmok means taking responsibility for that landscape — with plans, protocols, and published results.
Erosion & Overgrazing
Generations of feral cattle have grazed Umnak without rotation, rest, or limits. The result is visible on the ground: trampled stream banks, exposed soil, and grassland stripped past its ability to recover. Okmok replaces uncontrolled grazing with managed rotation — defined paddocks, conservative stocking, long rest periods, and documented land-condition baselines — so the grassland rebuilds instead of eroding.
Bird Nesting Grounds
Umnak and its surrounding waters support seabirds and ground-nesting species whose habitat is easily destroyed by hooves. Unmanaged herds cross nesting terrain without regard for season or ground. Our grazing plan maps sensitive nesting areas, keeps animals out of them during nesting periods, and treats habitat recovery as a measured outcome — not a slogan.
Water Protection
Umnak is an immense source of clean volcanic water, and it must be protected. Free-ranging cattle concentrate in streams and wetlands, fouling water and destabilizing banks. We are engineering watering points, fencing riparian corridors, and monitoring water quality so that streams run clean off the working landscape. Water leaves our ground in the condition the island deserves.
Archaeological Sites
Umnak holds some of the most significant archaeological ground in the Aleutians — ancient Unangax̂ settlement sites alongside the World War II landmark at Fort Glenn. These sites are irreplaceable, and unmanaged animals and unplanned activity put them at risk. Our field protocols map and buffer known sites, prohibit disturbance, and require review before any operational change touches new ground.
Marine Wildlife
Surrounded by the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Bering Sea and North Pacific, Umnak Island lies within one of the world’s most productive marine ecosystems. Its rugged coastline and offshore waters support sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, whales, porpoises and abundant seabirds, creating a remarkably rich yet delicate natural environment.
Local Wildlife
There is an abundance of red foxes, a herd of 5,000 reindeer that are an essential source of revenue for the local village of Nikolski, and a small herd of bison that roams at the foot of the volcanoes.
Accountability
As operations develop, we intend to publish an annual environmental report — land condition, water quality, habitat, and site protection — so our management of the island can be judged on the record, not on claims.
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