Alaska is a place of wonder and inspiration. Its unparalleled natural and cultural heritage inspire all who experience it and who dream to experience it. Unfortunately, Alaska is facing immediate threats from industrial-scale drilling, mining, logging, and our rapidly changing climate. 

For nearly 40 years, Alaska Conservation Foundation has worked collaboratively statewide to protect Alaska and we need your support to continue. Current political pressures are amplifying the urgency of the threats to Alaska, so we are coming to San Francisco to ask for your help in preserving the Spirit of Alaska. 

On September 19th, join us to celebrate the Spirit of Alaska at San Francisco’s picturesque Conservatory of Flowers. Bid on once-in-a-lifetime Alaska adventure opportunities and unique works of art in the live and silent auctions, while enjoying an exclusive fashion show featuring sustainable wearable art inspired by Alaska’s vast landscapes, wildlife, and vibrant indigenous cultures. Additionally, journey to some of Alaska’s stunning sights and learn about our conservation movement in our brand new virtual reality theater!

Featured artists include partners from the Alaska Artisan Network, Alaska Rooted Creations, and Ricochet Wearable Art. Our host will be Emmy award-winning Doug McConnell of NBC’s OpenRoad. Auction items include donations from Alaska Go Fish, Kayak Adventures Worldwide, Major Marine Tours, Sockeye Cycle, author Amy Gulick, photographers Bob Kaufman, David Vano and Drew Hamilton – even a Katmai bear viewing trip from AK Adventures and an abundance of wearable art pieces from our featured artists!

With your support, we can ensure Alaska remains biologically and culturally thriving for generations to come.

Reserve your tickets today to join us in protecting the Spirit of Alaska.

Tickets

  • Summit Explorer – $150 per person
  • First Ascent VIP – $200 per person (limited quantities available)

Summit Explorer (and early-bird Summit Trailbreaker) tickets come with one complimentary drink ticket. First Ascent VIP tickets come with two complimentary drink tickets. Please see below for additional benefits of VIP tickets. All attendees will receive complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

Tickets will be available online until 5 pm on the day of the event. Otherwise, they will be available at the door starting at 6:30 pm for First Ascent VIP tickets or 7 pm for Summit Explorer tickets.

Purchase Tickets

What are the benefits of First Ascent VIP tickets?

With your First Ascent VIP ticket, you will have first access to the event, including the adjacent venue parking lot. VIPs are admitted at 6:30 pm, 30 minutes in advance of other ticket holders, to allow you early access to the auction. VIP guests also receive two complimentary drinks and exclusive access to bidding on our Mystery Summit Stash Bags (premium duffels, backpacks or drybags filled with craft Alaskan items from a variety of Alaska’s most unique and well-loved businesses and artisans)!

Interested in group tickets or sponsorships?

We have multiple opportunities available! Please contact Sadie Kurtz at skurtz@alaskaconservation.org or (907) 433-8212 for more details!

Can’t make it to the event?

We’re sorry to miss you but we understand life is busy. Please consider donating to Alaska Conservation Foundation in your absence. We can’t thank you enough for your support in ensuring Alaska remains biologically and culturally thriving for generations to come.

Featured Artists

Alaska Rooted Creations LLC is based out of Kasaan, AK on Prince of Wales Island. Michael and Marina, artists and owners, utilize natural resources through salvaging local materials to create unique works of functioning art constructed with elegance and practicality in mind. Michael and Marina are inspired and driven by the values of their indigenous Alaska Native roots. As stewards of the land, they repurpose Kasaan’s single-use materials for their art and packaging; striving to do their part for the environment, their community, and the economy.

The Alaska Artisan Network (The Network) is a collection of collaborators, supporters, promoters, suppliers, students and teachers – overall a source of resources. Though it was started as an extension of Alaska Rooted Creations LLC, it is coordinated through volunteers working with different tasks bringing The Network to all Alaskans with the goal to create a space for connections to be made, collaborations to be possible, materials to be accessible, knowledge to be shared & obtained and open doors of opportunity to those who may not have any. The future of The Network will include different levels of involvement for members to move the network forward, sponsoring artists to participate in shows and events while representing The Network and its programs, annual retreats open to network members who are dedicated in strengthening the connections and resources within The Network and beyond, and host various events such as supply swaps, workshops, and arts conventions. These are just some things that we as a few wish to bring to the many.

Ricochet was founded in 1996 by award-winning European designer Jill Pillot. Born in Belgium and growing up in different parts of the world, Jill Pillot brings a unique European flair to her designs. She creates one-of-a-kind pieces that are spunky yet classy, vintage yet fresh, bold yet elegant, fierce yet sophisticated. Jill’s inspiration stems from her upbringing in Europe and her experience in costume design. Environmental issues, as well, are the driving force behind her designs. Her unique ability to breathe new life into “rescued” materials, not only provides her with interesting materials to create her award-winning designs, but allows her to do her part in helping to create a healthy planet. All of her designs are creates with Zero Waste in mind… even the smallest scraps and threads will not be thrown into the landfill… At Ricochet, Jill also takes pride in offering programs such as apprenticeships, sewing classes, camps, and a modeling academy for students and young professionals of all walks of life to advance their skills for success in today’s Slow Fashion industry!

Sponsors

Thank you to Gaw Poe LLP, our first event sponsor! We greatly appreciate your support in protecting Alaska. Additional sponsorships are available!

Auction Items

Thank you to all our wonderful partners who have donated items to our live and silent auctions!

Some of our wonderful items include:

 

  • Private chartered fishing trip out of Ketchikan, AK from Alaska Go Fish
  • Brown bear viewing for two in Katmai National Park out of Homer, AK from AK Adventures
  • Metal printed photograph from photographer Bob Kaufman
  • Painting by David Vano
  • Glacier & wildlife viewing kayak tour in Resurrection Bay out of Seward, AK from Kayak Adventures Worldwide
  • Wildlife photography from photographer Drew Hamilton
  • Autographed copy of the new book The Salmon Way from author Amy Gulick
  • Kenai Fjords National Park eco-cruise out of Seward, AK from Major Marine Tours
  • Bicycle rentals in Haines, AK or Skagway, AK from Sockeye Cycles
  • Abundance of wearable art pieces from our talented featured artists

 

Who is Alaska Conservation Foundation?

Alaska Conservation Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Alaska, protects the health, resilience, and connectivity of Alaska’s communities and landscapes by defending public lands and waters and by building resilience to climate change. Since 1980, Alaska Conservation Foundation has collaboratively engaged with community partners and awarded over $50 million in grants to conservation organizations around the state. As a result, Alaska’s conservation movement continues to build strong communities and sustainable economies supported by a healthy environment. Together, we can protect the unique Spirit of Alaska to ensure Alaska remains biologically and culturally thriving for generations to come.

Have additional questions about the event?

Please check out our frequently asked questions page and feel free to reach out to us with any additional inquiries.

Frequently Asked Questions