VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 2 | JUNE 2026
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 2 | MAY 2026
"Making safety a priority is not about slowing Alaska down. It is about making sure we all get to come home and do it again tomorrow. It is about protecting our friends, our families, our coworkers and ourselves." — Scott Habberstad, President, RDC
READY, SAFE, GO: WHY SAFETY MUST BE A SUMMER PRIORITY
S UMMER IN ALASKA IS A SEASON UNLIKE ANY OTHER. AFTER A LONG WINTER, OUR STATE COMES ALIVE WITH ENERGY, MOVEMENT AND OPPORTUNITY. We fish, hike, boat, camp, work long hours and make the most of every minute of daylight. From job sites to family week- ends to double-limit midnight red runs to the Russian River, Alaskans are known for working hard and playing hard. That spirit is part of who we are. But it also comes with responsibility. The same season that brings freedom and adventure also brings risk. Fast-moving water, crowded banks, fatigue, wildlife encounters, changing weather and overconfidence can turn a great day into a bad one in a matter of seconds. That is why safety cannot be an after- thought. It has to be a priority. A simple way to think about it is this: Ready, Safe, Go. Ready means taking time to prepare before leaving the house, the dock, the trail- head or the worksite. It means checking the weather, knowing the regulations, making sure gear is in working order, packing the essentials and telling someone where you are going. Official Alaska safety guidance consistently emphasizes planning ahead, wearing life jackets around water, being bear aware in fishing areas and sharing trip plans before heading out. Safe means staying alert in the moment. It means watching your footing on slick rocks, keeping an eye on kids near water, giving wildlife space and not letting excite-
Photo by Will Leschper Whether you're fishing on the Russian River or on the job, staying safe means staying alert in the moment.
ment or routine override good judgment. Go means enjoying everything Alaska has to offer — but only after the first two steps are in place. The Russian River is a perfect example of why this mindset matters. When the reds are running and the crowds are shoulder to shoulder, people are focused on fish, family and filling the freezer. But crowded fishing conditions demand patience, awareness and respect. Even on the brightest nights, fatigue is real. Midnight sun does not elim- inate the need for rest, hydration or clear thinking. In Alaska, being tired, rushed or distracted can be just as dangerous as being unprepared. Making safety a priority is not about
slowing Alaska down. It is about mak- ing sure we all get to come home and do it again tomorrow. It is about protecting our friends, our families, our coworkers and ourselves. A culture of safety starts with individual choices, but it grows when communities make it normal to speak up, double check, lend a hand and model smart behavior. When we choose to be ready, choose to be safe and then choose to go, we honor the best of what it means to be Alaskan. We can still chase fish, chase adventure and chase every bit of summer — but we should do it with the mindset that preparation is strength, awareness is responsibility and safety is part of the plan every single time.
PROUDLY PROVIDING ALASKA with underground, surface and helicopter supported core drilling for mineral exploration and geotechnical work.
800-322-3201 • office@ruendrilling.com ruendrilling.com
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ALASKA RESOURCE REVIEW JUNE 2026
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