2025 Save Bristol Bay Guide Ambassador Program

Meet the Save Bristol Bay Guide Ambassadors

Bristol Bay guides have proven to be instrumental in racking up a number of wins on the conservation front in Bristol Bay. For the past five years, our Guide Ambassador Team has played a key role in efforts that advanced permanent safeguards for the people, fish and economies in Bristol Bay. This included the denial of a key permit needed by Pebble in 2020 and Clean Water Act 404(c) safeguards in 2023. In 2025, our work continues to defend current safeguards and to enact new, more durable ones. We are asking fishing, hunting, bear viewing guides, eco-tourism guides and pilots in Bristol Bay to join Trout Unlimited’s strategic efforts to keep Bristol Bay free from the threat of Pebble Mine, or other large-scale mining proposals like it, for good.

The work to permanently safeguard Bristol Bay isn’t over yet. Are you with us? Apply here.

Why Guides

Bristol Bay guides have a unique and untapped position: experience in the region and daily access to visitors who are inspired by the place, and often well-connected enough to support efforts to safeguard Bristol Bay. Trout Unlimited wants to ensure that guides have the resources they need to educate interested clients on the status and history of the proposed Pebble Mine, and to be effective advocates for the region as we pursue long-term safeguards for southwest Alaska.

The Program

As an Ambassador, participants will serve as experts to help educate staff and visitors about the history of the proposed Pebble Mine, and support ongoing advocacy efforts to permanently safeguard the region.

Specifically, Guide Ambassadors will be expected to:

• Attend one spring online training webinar with Trout Unlimited staff. Training will cover the history of Pebble, pathways for permanent safeguards in Bristol Bay, tips for productive conversations about the issue, and how to best connect new supporters to the cause. Training will be offered multiple times.

• Plan one program to raise awareness about the issue. Whether you establish a “conservation corner” at your lodge and stock it was Save Bristol Bay materials, or table at a fly fishing trade show or industry event during the offseason, we ask Ambassadors to carry out one specific program. Programs can be very simple, and our team can provide ideas, planning assistance, materials, etc.

• Share photo and video content for Save Bristol Bay social media. We want to share the incredible fishing and wildlife experiences you help visitors have in this incredible region. We always tag and give photo (and fish) credits when we share photos.

• Connect willing clients to campaign staff. Client casually says they work for a U.S. Congressperson, or asks for more ways to help efforts to stop the Pebble Mine? We want to know who these people are, and we need you to direct them to us.

WHY BE A GUIDE AMBASSADOR?

Aside from getting to strategically help fight the Pebble Mine in a critical decision-making year, Ambassadors can benefit greatly from participating in the program. Ambassadors receive:

• Knowledge + advocacy = more tips

• A Save Bristol Bay swag box with stickers, hats, and other materials mailed to you at the start of the season

• An additional title to add to your resume that makes you stand out

• Networking opportunities with other Ambassadors

• Short list for Washington, D.C. lobbying trips

• Social media promotion

• Live profile on Bristol Bay Guide Ambassador webpage

• Direct connection to Trout Unlimited staff for questions and support

Who can be an ambassador?

Any fishing, hunting, bear-viewing, eco-tourism guide or pilot working at a Bristol Bay-based business in the 2025 season.

how to become a save bristol bay guide ambassador

Apply here to join the 2025 Guide Ambassador team. Note for past guide ambassadors: thank you for your continued involvement in the fight to safeguard Bristol Bay! We ask that you still fill out an application, to update your information and reconfirm your commitment in the program.

Questions? Want more information?

Contact Trout Unlimited’s Bristol Bay Engagement Manager, Tica Drury, at martica.drury@tu.org.