Expanding its reach to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region, Alaska Sea Grant has appointed Katie Basile as a new specialist. Basile will assist communities in addressing environmental changes such as erosion, permafrost thaw, flooding, and food security issues. She will also work with partners to improve access to scientific tools and information. Based in Bethel, where she has resided for most of her life, Basile will operate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Kuskokwim Campus.
“I’ve observed many changes in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta since I was a kid—from increases in flooding and permafrost thaw to declines in resources like salmon that are so precious to us,” Basile said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn more about what coastal resilience looks like in communities across the region and how I can support their efforts.”
Jointly funded by the Alaska Ocean Observing System, Basile aims to identify tools and data needs in the region. She plans to make the AOOS Ocean Data Explorer more accessible and user-friendly. This tool provides scientific and management data on Alaska’s biological, chemical, and physical characteristics. Basile will aid local leaders and community members in accessing necessary data for decision-making and resilience building.
“I’m driven by the intersection of storytelling and data—and the impact they have when brought together,” Basile said. “Alaska Sea Grant is an ideal place to deepen this work. This year, I’ll be facilitating a coastal resilience youth storytelling initiative and spending time in communities to better understand their needs and priorities. These conversations will be essential in shaping the program I ultimately build.”
Since 2018, Basile has collaborated with Alaskan communities affected by erosion through visual storytelling projects like “To Keep as One,” an award-winning short film created with Newtok Village Council. Her work has been featured by PBS NewsHour, The Washington Post Magazine, NPR, The New York Times, and High Country News Magazine. She is also a We, Women Photo and IWMF grantee and co-recipient of a National Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in video reporting during her tenure at KYUK Public Media.
“For some time now, we’ve been looking for a way to bring back our presence in Bethel and the Y-K Delta region,” explained Alaska Sea Grant director Ginny Eckert. “For the first time since 2012, we will have someone directly connected to the community working with our team to support the priorities of a region facing some of the most urgent coastal challenges in the state.”
Basile holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Montana and has over 15 years of experience as a teaching artist leading storytelling and media workshops across rural Alaska. Her collaborative approach includes youth-led reporting on teacher turnover and documenting Yup’ik kayak building while exploring traditional knowledge alongside modern challenges.
Basile resides in Bethel with her husband and two young sons.
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