Northern Alaska Environmental Center
Promoting conservation of the environment and sustainable resource stewardship in Interior and Arctic Alaska through education and advocacy
The Northern Alaska Environmental Center
The Northern Alaska Environmental Center is an Alaska-based conservation organization dedicated to protecting the land, waters and wildlife of Interior and Arctic Alaska for current and future generations to use and enjoy. We understand the unique challenges of living in Alaska and seek to balance natural resource development with conserving what makes Alaska special.
The Northern Center is committed to defending special places in Northern and Interior Alaska from irresponsible extraction activities, and promoting local initiatives to protect the health and way of life of people living in Fairbanks and Interior Alaska.
We acknowledge that we work throughout the unceded territories of the Indigenous Peoples of Alaska; that our office is located on the traditional territories of the Lower Tanana Dené Athabascan Peoples. We honor the ancestral and ongoing land and water stewardship and place-based knowledge of the peoples of these territories.
Our Guiding Principles
- Believes that a healthy environment is a prerequisite for a sustainable economy.
- Bases conservation decisions on sound science and ethics.
- Uses our stakeholders’ energy, expertise and enthusiasm to strengthen the organization.
- Seeks opportunities to collaborate with federal, state and local government agencies, and with other organizations to enhance our effectiveness.
- Supports the establishment, protection and appropriate stewardship of designated Wilderness areas, as well other less-restrictive management that protects sustainable uses of non-Wilderness wild lands.
- Values healthy and intact ecosystems where habitat fragmentation is minimized and wildlands are respected.
- Favors stewardship over intensive management of natural resources, in order to meet the needs of the present generation without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
- Encourages the implementation of clean energy technologies and management practices that minimize air, water and noise pollution and impacts on habitat.
- Supports public processes—including use of legal, legislative, and administrative systems—in natural resource use decisions.
- Expects to comment on issues in our areas of expertise and interest.
- Puts our greatest effort into issues whose results are irreversible or long lasting.
- Employs clear, honest communication and constructive dialogue.
Northern Center Programs
Latest News
NDAA amendment hurts progress against the Ambler Road
In an upsetting move, Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan added an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would require the Department of the Interior to approve permits for the proposed Ambler Road. The amendment would require them to select Alternative A or B...
Meet Danielle Stickman, our 2024 Featured Artist
Every year, the Northern Center has the honor of commissioning an Alaska-based artist whose work embodies the spirit of Northern Alaska to create an original piece for our organization.
Each annual art piece embodies relationships to the lands in Interior and Arctic Alaska that we work to protect and is featured on our event publicity and fundraising materials throughout the year. The original piece is also auctioned off at our annual Night for the North fundraiser event in November.
This year’s Featured Artist is Danielle Stickman, a beading artist, creative advocate, environmentalist, and facilitator based in Anchorage, Alaska.
Kobuk River named one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® due to community-led nomination
Last month, American Rivers named the Kobuk River as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2024. This was largely in part due to the tireless efforts from members of Protect the Kobuk, a grassroots organization of Northwest Arctic residents who oppose development of the Ambler Road.
“The thing that brings us all together … is the importance of subsistence,” China Kantner said as she talked with Northern Center shortly after news of the nomination became public.
Kantner grew up on the Kobuk River and in Kotzebue, where she currently lives. She worked closely with Ruth Iten, Susan Georgette, and numerous volunteers in neighboring villages on the nomination’s rigorous process.
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