Putting science in the hands of Alaskans on the front lines
Authentic, actionable science that empowers communities to understand and respond to environmental change doesn’t happen through observation alone. By shifting technical research out of academia and directly into communities, we can help strengthen local capacity and resilience.
With the Arctic environment changing at a rate three times faster than the rest of the globe, Alaskans living in remote areas face intense environmental challenges. Rapid permafrost thaw, severe coastal erosion and increasing extreme storms and precipitation are just a few examples that impact infrastructure and community cohesion.
The Western Alaska Drone Community of Practice (DCoP) project began in 2022, with roots that go back further. Established by Jessica Garron, research assistant professor at the International Arctic Research Center and John Henry Jr., the deputy director of the Native Village of Unalakleet, with funding from the Department of Homeland Security through the Arctic Domain Awareness Center: Addressing Rapid Changes through Technology, Innovation, & Collaboration (ADAC ARCTIC), the DCoP’s vision was to create a community-based drone observational framework for monitoring change that could be responsive to the needs of the communities.
The DCoP focused on building technical capacity by training local drone pilots and putting them in control of mapping their communities, enabling critical routine and post-disaster infrastructure inspections.
The team successfully deployed in communities during the typhoon remnants of Merbok in 2022 and Halong in 2026 as part of the disaster response. They provided near-real-time drone surveys of damaged communities. The team integrated the maps directly into the State Emergency Operations Center to guide disaster recovery, and shared digital and print versions with tribal leaders in the impacted communities.
During the summer of 2026, the team worked on three major multi-agency inspection missions. Using Bethel and Nome as hubs, DCoP-trained local pilots led surveys of 18 rural locations. The pilots completed the missions independently, producing high-resolution maps and 3D scans created with electro-optical photogrammetry and infrared drone technology. In other words, using digital camera sensors to turn photos into precise 3D maps and measurements.
According to Garron, “the drone pilots’ highly technical skill sets, knowledge of their home region, and the partnerships that we have developed as a successful DCoP have allowed us the opportunity to apply cutting-edge remote-sensing technologies in direct support of Alaskans. By mapping areas of acute and chronic environmental impacts, including those impacts on critical dual-use infrastructure, we directly support Alaskan community recovery and risk mitigation planning.”
The Denali Commission is using this imagery, through the Alaska Energy Authority, to help determine priorities for upgrading aging and deteriorating bulk fuel tank farms across rural communities in Alaska.
John Henry, Jr. bolstered DCoP’s sustainability by establishing NVU Drone Services, LLC under the Native Village of Unalakleet. This lets the drone team secure direct contracts outside traditional academic proposal cycles, expanding economic diversity in the region. To ensure the program can continue supporting communities across Alaska, the DCoP team is actively seeking new funding.
“Alaska is changing quickly in a warming Arctic, with erosion and disturbances from flooding and thawing permafrost affecting landscape and coastal stability, water quality, infrastructure, overland travel routes, and subsistence opportunities. High-resolution aerial drone mapping to create risk-reduction maps and locally driven applied research are critical for equitable, adaptive community decision-making,” said Garron. “We remain steadfast in our vision to foster community partnerships and learning opportunities through applied research to enhance the DcoP’s service to the state and Tribes in this time of dramatic change, and seek funders that share this actionable vision.”
For more information, please contact Jessica Garron at jigarron@alaska.edu.