Woman with dog
Alaska

Lauren Cusimano

Communications Manager, 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Alaska
About

Lauren (she/her/hers) manages 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Alaska's communications, which include news articles, newsletters, social media, and media outreach. She has reported on travel, culture, music, food, and sustainability in her former career as a journalist and editor in Arizona.

Since her interests have long been in conservation (and birds), she moved to Dzantik'i Héeni/Juneau in 2021 to work in communications for the Tongass National Forest and Juneau 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Society. She now lives in Dghevey Kag'/Anchorage. She also teaches remotely at the Cronkite School of Journalism. 

Joys include cycling and paddling with her partner, scary books and movies, and singing to her pets, Fred Meyer and Leroy.

Favorite Birds
Marbled Murrelet
Auks, Murres, Puffins

Articles by Lauren Cusimano

Two birds bathing in fresh water
Interior Announces Strengthened Protections for Special Areas
April 19, 2024 — The Western Arctic is home to 13 million acres of Special Areas, some of the most important bird habitat in America’s Arctic—and the planet.
ALASKA Arctic Lands
Five people with binoculars on boat
Exploring POW’s Part of the Southeast Alaska Birding Trail
April 10, 2024 — Putting rubber boots on the ground at birding sites in Hollis, Craig, and Klawock on Prince of Wales Island during the 2024 Whale and Bird Fest.
ALASKA Trails
Multiple people lined up on coast with scopes
Time to Fly: Alaska’s Bird Festival Season Is Here!
April 06, 2024 — Here’s how Alaska’s annual birding events honor culture and art, benefit tourism and local economies, highlight conservation issues, and truly celebrate birds.
ALASKA Festivals and Events
Large bird overlooking boat harbor
Southeast Alaska Bird Trail—What’s Coming in 2024
March 11, 2024 — Over the coming year, we’ll be working to further improve the Southeast Alaska Birding Trail mobile app and to grow its usage within the region. We plan to expand partnerships with local Southeast Alaska businesses, including adventure guides and outfitters, to elevate the trail’s value.
ALASKA Trails
Caribou and pipeline on tundra
The Latest on America’s Arctic
March 11, 2024 — During last fall's public process for both the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska or Western Arctic, 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú heavily encouraged comments from the public. Here’s how you came through for the Arctic!
ALASKA Arctic Lands
Shorebird in water
Alaska’s Federal Public Lands Updates
March 11, 2024 — A lot is happening on Alaska’s federal public lands. Here’s where we’ve been and where we’re going in 2024 ...
ALASKA Arctic Lands
Wetlands complex in with mountains, cloudly skies, and wayside signs
The Second Crossing and Southeast Alaska’s Mendenhall Wetlands Important Bird Area
March 05, 2024 — And the case for Salmon Creek, the last option for the Juneau Douglas Second Crossing to be constructed off the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge.
ALASKA Important Bird Areas
Human standing in mountain range
OK, Alaska, What Are D-1 Lands?
January 29, 2024 — What are D-1 lands protections, how are D-1 lands vital to biodiversity, climate change, and Alaska Native communities, and why are 28 million acres on the table right now?
ALASKA Public Lands
Single duck on water
Flock This Way: Juneau Is Getting a Planet and Bird Walk
January 02, 2024 — Juneau 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Society and the Marie Drake Planetarium are collaborating to bring awareness to the far-out bird species of Southeast Alaska.
ALASKA Important Bird Areas
Caribou crossing wetlands
What’s So Special About Alaska’s Special Areas?
December 11, 2023 — And actually, what are Special Areas? Here’s the history of these life-giving zones in Alaska’s Western Arctic, and how 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Alaska staff helped to protect some of the most unique places on the planet.
ALASKA Arctic Lands