From Vision to Action: AOA Joins Global Regenerative Futures with Unearthodox’s Sparks of Regeneration

The first Confluence Summit in 2016 at Alaska Pacific University attracted outdoor product innovators like Heather Kelly of Heather's Choice (pictured), Greg Matyas of Corvus Cycles, elected leaders, and stalwart non-profit and governmental outdoor recreation advocates.

The Alaska Outdoor Alliance (AOA) has been selected as the first and only US initiative to join Unearthodox’s 2026 Sparks of Regeneration incubation cohort—a significant milestone not just for AOA, but for Alaska’s outdoors and the communities who steward them.

Sparks of Regeneration is part of Unearthodox’s global Regenerative Futures initiative and drew an exceptionally competitive response: 576 completed applications from 80 countries and 107 nationalities. From this deep and diverse field, Unearthodox selected just eight initiatives worldwide, each reflecting place-rooted, systems-level approaches to regeneration. Alaska’s inclusion signals growing global recognition that Arctic, rural, and Indigenous-informed perspectives are essential to shaping a regenerative future.

“This grant is an incredible honor and allows us to bring global regenerative expertise home to Alaska—supporting an outdoor future rooted in the gateway communities and cultures, ways of life, and myriad ways to adventure that define Alaska’s lifestyle and power its economic vitality,” said Lee Hart, Executive Director of the Alaska Outdoor Alliance. “This work reflects ten years of community listening through our annual Confluence convenings.”

Equally notable is the caliber of the Sparks of Regeneration incubation team. The program is guided by internationally respected thought-leaders and mentors with deep expertise in regenerative development, Indigenous knowledge systems, ecological economics, systems design, land and human rights, and futures thinking. Their role is not to impose solutions, but to support initiatives in translating deeply local knowledge into grounded, life-affirming strategies—ensuring regeneration is practiced, not abstract.

AOA will join this eight-month incubation alongside peers from around the world, supported through mentoring, strategic guidance, peer learning, and global visibility. For AOA, this opportunity accelerates a shift already underway: moving from a single statewide regenerative vision toward a practical toolkit that enables Alaska communities and regions to develop their own regenerative vision plans—responsive to Alaska’s immense geographic and cultural diversity.

At the heart of this work is a commitment to a regenerative future for Alaska’s outdoors—for all. AOA is actively recruiting more partners — Alaska Native and non-Native communities, trail organizations, clubs, youth and senior/elder programs, tourism, economic development, health, cultural groups and other allies — to join this effort and help shape regenerative pathways for people and outdoor places. If your community or organization wants to help define what a regenerative future for Alaska's outdoors truly looks like, reach out today to request more information on how to get involved: director [at] alaskaoutdooralliance [dot] org.