A Helicopter Mom "hovers" overhead & tightly controls a kid's activities. Gemini fit this mold because she rarely brought her cubs out for us to see! We understand the risk of being around other bears at a prime fishing spot, but hope we see them more next year. #AnanBearAwards

INTROVERT AWARD - Nugget #AnanBearAwards For much of the season, Nugget could be seen wedged between rocks by the lower falls. You could also find him perched on a rock waiting for his turn to fish in the lower falls hierarchy; afraid to assert his dominance in the crowd.

Forest Service leadership recently joined Sitkans to celebrate Pacific High School’s new learning shelter. Young-growth timber from the Tongass was finished by a local mill, moved on the Alaska Marine Highway, & built by local contractors. #NationalForestProductsWeek

With the patience and nonchalance of the “Dude,” Paul chose kindness over combat when his fish were stolen. The abundance of fish at Anan Creek made defending his catches a waste of energy. So, Paul abides, because fishing is more rewarding than fighting. #AnanBearAwards

THANK YOU for your continued interest in the world's largest, intact temperate rainforest! And thank you for sharing that interest with your friends.

There’s a party in this bear’s behind and the invite list looks long. Seeing bears with a tapeworm is not uncommon at Anan but seeing one bear with multiple long tapeworms … yikes! Nature isn’t always pretty. #AnanBearAwards

Dory had 2 cubs this year, but half the time you wouldn’t know she was a mom. She earned her name from the forgetful blue fish in Finding Nemo & she lived up to it. Our Rangers were tempted to call Child Protective Services for how often those cubs ended up alone! #AnanBearAwards

Forest Products Week 2026 Spotlight: Nanocellulose! What happens to small diameter waste wood from forests? Research at the Forest Products Laboratory is finding new and innovative ways to transform these materials into nanocellulose products. #ForestProductsWeek

This little furball is one of Osso’s cubs, and it stole our Rangers’ hearts. It looked like it wanted to play hide and seek but couldn’t fully grasp the concept. Our Rangers were glad the cub was bad at the game, because it meant they saw it more. #AnanBearAwards

Yakutat Ranger Nate Catterson, delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is closing the 2026 Federal subsistence moose season for Unit 5A west of the Dangerous River, except the Nunatak Bench, effective Oct. 17, at 11:59 p.m. Learn more: buff.ly/TplLqmH

The term “Mama Bear” comes from the fearless aggression mother bears show if they sense danger to their young. Osso is a prime example. A female brown bear got too close for comfort and Osso didn’t hesitate before sending her cubs up a tree & taking a swipe. #AnanBearAwards

Tatonka was a presence at Anan for years. He won best attendance in the Anan Bear Awards last year, showing up at the falls more than any other bear. Our Rangers were anxiously awaiting his arrival this season, but he never came. If he’s gone for good, the staff will miss him.

The Forest Service published the draft record of decision for a timber project on Prince of Wales Island. The proposed action is expected to produce appr. 26.4 million board feet of timber from 1,783 acres & support 111 to 119 jobs. Learn more: buff.ly/12Ha7xn #Tongass

Our live cams caught something special in Sept. when a wolf visited Anan. Thanks to T3 & Explore.org for helping install & host the livestreams, making this extraordinary place accessible to all. DYK? Wrangell has a healthy population of alexander archipelago wolves.

That's the sound of the Anan Bear Awards heading your way! Starting Oct. 19th, and daily for 30 days, see a new award featuring one of our dynamic cast of bears from the Anan Wildlife Observatory. These pictures & videos will give you all the ursine entertainment you can bear.

Critical minerals (like cobalt, zinc, and lithium) are critical to modern life. They are in your phones, cars, batteries, and more. The Forest Service facilitates responsible access to the minerals that modern society depends on. Did you know the Greens Creek Mine produces zinc?

This vintage poster shares age-old wisdom from Smokey Bear. Recreate responsibly by making sure fires are dead out before leaving. Remember, only you can prevent wildfires.

Thank you to all the wonderful people who helped improve trails along the Starrigavan estuary in Sitka for National Public Lands Day last month! With Sitka Trail Works, Inc., we gathered more than 30 volunteers to be part of the the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event.

The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center has begun winter hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., every Friday and Saturday. Admission is free for the exhibits. The center will open on request for homeschool programs and events. For more info: [email protected].

Come enjoy a baseball movie on the big screen! Join us Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. in the SE Alaska Discovery Center for a screening of the 2026 Midnight Sun baseball game. This Alaskan tradition began in the early 1900s & continues every summer in Fairbanks. Photo: Alaska Goldpanners