TTT Organization

Turning The Tides (TTT) is a grassroots nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization based out of Juneau, Southeast Alaska. It strives to raise awareness about ocean issues and to promote ocean-friendly practices, clean-up efforts, waste reduction and sustainability through various projects and events. One of our major undertakings is reduction of single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, bottles, containers, etc.

Our Vision

Inspiring hearts, minds and actions to restore a healthy ocean.

Our Mission

Foster an international culture that recognizes the interdependence of people and the ocean. Turning The Tides seeks to sponsor programs and activities that promote environmental awareness and cultural change. We promote the health of living systems, which support us and promote awareness of the connections between earth, ocean, plants and animals, including humans.

Significantly reduce marine pollutants via advocacy and action programs.

Our Principles

To respect traditional ways
To use finite resources consciously and with respect
To empower people to move from a throw-away toward a sustainable culture
To promote balance between privilege and responsibility
To learn by doing and to lead by example

Major accomplishments

Introduction of two legislative bills -- Senate Bill 118 sponsored by Senator Kim Elton and House Bill 230 sponsored by House Representative Andrea Doll: "An Act establishing a fee for disposable plastic bags distributed by retail sellers of goods or services to consumers to carry away or protect goods; and establishing the Alaska litter and marine debris reduction and recycling fund." Spring 2007.
Beach clean-ups (in cooperation with other local organizations)
Retreat/workshop “Earth Connections” to raise awareness about our connections to nature -- featuring speakers, musicians and practitioners. August 18-20, 2007, Juneau Boy Scout Camp. 30 participants. (Fundraiser)
Invite and sponsor speakers in conjunction with Juneau World Affairs Council:

Carlos Yaipen-Llanos (ORCA), a Peruvian veterinarian who leads an international volunteer program to save stranded animals and raise awareness about the environmental crisis in the South Pacific. Cosponsor: Juneau World Affairs Council. Dec. 2005.

Eric Lancaster, executive vice president of Effective Microorganisms (EM) America. EM denotes a method to improve soil and water quality using a mixture of microorganisms consisting mainly of lactic acid bacteria, purple bacteria, and yeasts which co-exist for the benefit of whichever environment they are introduced. June 2006.

Marcus Eriksen, Ph.D. (Algalita Marine Research Foundation), an expert on the pollution of the Pacific with plastics. Cosponsor: Juneau World Affairs Council. April 2007.

Established a partner relationship with ORCA, an organization in Peru dedicated to saving marine mammals and raising awareness about ocean issues. TTT facilitates Alaska college and high school student internships with ORCA in Lima, Peru. Spring 2006 – present.

Participation in Juneau’s Earth Day events to raise awareness about ocean issues. 2006, 2007.
Benefit concert “Ocean Celebration” to raise awareness about the negative effects of plastics on the ocean. Marine Park, Juneau, July 3^rd, 2006.
Sustainable lunch at the University of Alaska Southeast as part of the UAS Spring Forum, March 31, 2007.
Presentations at Juneau-Douglas High School and the University of Alaska Southeast.
Establishment of Turning the Tides @ UAS, an environmental student club at the University of Alaska Southeast. Spring 2007.
The Plastic Poison -- an eight by seventeen feet Viking ship made of 4,000 plastic bottles, 3,000 plastic bags and other scrap materials. Purpose: Raise awareness about the pollution of the ocean. Dr. Marcus Eriksen (Algalita Marine Reseach Foundation - Los Angeles) led the construction together with Dr. Hildegard Sellner (Turning the Tides) as project organizer: About 50 local volunteers built the vessel; an unknown but much higher number of citizens were involved in gathering and donating the materials. Press coverage of the maiden voyage (Auke Bay Harbor, Juneau): Juneau Empire, Capital News Weekly, Anchorage Daily News, ABC News, Good Morning America, In Touch. First prizes in the 2007 Juneau and Douglas Independence Day Parades: Juneau – “Most Alaskan”, Douglas – “Most Original”.

TTT volunteers showcased the Plastic Poison at the 2007 Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines and the Alaska State Fair in Palmer.

TTT sent $1,000 to its Peruvian partner organization ORCA to bring relief after the August 2007 earthquake.

Beneficiaries

TTT works for the benefit of earth, ocean, plants, and animals, including humans (of this and future generations).

Primary contacts

Dixie Belcher, director: 907-789-0449

Hildegard Sellner, Ph.D., vise-president: 907-723-0789

Executive Director

Dixie Belcher

Tax Status

501 (c)(3) -- 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)

Date of Establishment

Turning the Tides’ parent organization, Alaska Performing Artists for Peace, was established May 6, 1985, to open up channels for cultural exchange between Alaska and the former Soviet Union. On January 30, 2007, the name changed to Camai Cultural Exchange. “Camai” is the Yupik Eskimo word for "hello". In 2005, Turning the Tides was founded under the umbrella of Camai Cultural Exchange, and on November 26, 2007, the name was changed from Camai Cultural Exchange to Turning the Tides.

Fiscal year

January though December