Rob Bosworth

"I think we are in an important time in the Tongass," said Rob Bosworth, Southeast Alaska coordinator for The Nature Conservancy.

The Tongass has about 600,000 acres of second-growth timber that could be thinned and serve as a resource for a small-scale timber industry, according to the Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research Station.

"Thinning can be done in such a way that it improves habitat," Bosworth explained."Within the same stand of timber, you can have wildlife and economic benefits."

Most of the second-growth trees approaching timber size are on Prince of Wales, Kuiu and Hecata islands, he said.

But there are a few locations in northern Southeast Alaska where The Nature Conservancy is interested in working on restoration projects.

On Chichagof Island, for example, "there are some issues with culverts that need to be replaced because they interfere with fish habitat," Bosworth said.

"In my view, this is just the kind of land conservation project the Nature Conservancy looks for," said Rob Bosworth, director of the organization's Southeast Alaska chapter.

"I give a lot of credit to the community for its vision.If you think about it, in how many places have people chosen to set their beaches aside for public use and access ... rather than letting whatever development happen?"Bosworth said.

As part of the sale, more than 2,700 acres will be added to the adjacent Dude Creek Critical Habitat Area, managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, to provide additional protection for the 17,000 sandhill cranes that refuel there in spring and fall on their migratory path between the Arctic and Central California.

"These refueling stops are really critical to their migration," said Bosworth, noting that only four other suitable landing spots are available along the southern Alaska coastline for the birds.

The Gustavus moose herd is also an avid visitor to the Gustavus shoreline, where wet, new land is producing extensive willow bush flats.

"One of the nice things about the area is that it's wide open - you can really see the wildlife," Bosworth said.