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 Alaska Environmental Center Programs
Latest News
We’re Hiring: Fairbanks Clean Water & Mining Community Organizer Contract Position
In recent months,, two mining exploration companies - Millrock Resources and Felix Gold - have formed a partnership to explore for gold in the Fairbanks area. Community members are concerned that any development will interfere with recreation trails, increase noise...
Donate Stock
Now is the perfect time to donate: For your gift to be eligible for your 2021 tax return, the transaction must be complete by December 31, 2021. Start today!
We’re Hiring: Director of Finance & Operations
The Director of Finance & Operations plans, directs, or coordinates the administrative services of the organization, including records and information management, bookkeeping and payroll, transportation, facilities planning and maintenance, procurement, human...
Upcoming Events
Come by for our First Friday gift sale! We will have prints for sale from the past 5 years of Featured Artists, as well as holiday cards and collectables from past decades at the Northern Center. Pre-order at northern.org/shop and stop by our office between 4:00 and 6:00 pm to pick up your items and say hi. Hot cocoa and cider will be available– this will be an outdoors event!
WHAT: “Paving Tundra” — virtual film screening (on your own time) and live conversation
WHEN (Live Conversation): Thursday, December 9, 12 – 1 p.m. Alaska Time | 4 – 5 p.m. Eastern Time
WHO: Opening remarks by PJ Simon, First Chief of Tanana Chiefs Conference
Indigenous women’s panel discussion:
- Jessica Wilson, Tribal Enrollment Specialist at Tanana Chiefs Conference
- Elisa Bergman, Allakaket tribal member
- Eva Burk, Indigenous food sovereignty expert, University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Iriqtaq Hailstone, Noorvik tribal member
Film discussion and panel facilitation by Jayme Dittmar, “Paving Tundra” filmmaker
NPCA Park Talk hosted by Alex Johnson, Alaska Senior Program Manager
With Julianne Warren! Details TBA
Get In Touch!
