...thanks to Jill Richie, this year's Featured Artist at Northern Center. |
Art connects us as people. At Northern Center, we deeply value art as an entry point for many individuals to come into the world of conservation and sustainability work.
That's why we partner with a local artist every year to create something unique that reflects our values and brings more people into the fold. We also host events throughout the year focused on film, music, and other visual art. (Save the date for our Arctic Fest Pop-Up throughout the weekend of August 25-27!) Read on for more about this year's artwork, and other opportunities to get involved with our work. |
Ground Truth: Our featured art, unveiled |
This week, we unveiled our featured artwork for 2023. Featured artist Jill Richie spoke to us about her experience and inspiration in creating this piece.
In Jill's words, "Ground Truth is an original watercolor painting depicting northern Alaska’s textural tundra - and the wide range of nature and culture it holds. Plants, caribou tracks, archaeological artifacts, insects, and feathers populate the late-summer scene and invite discussion of the long-standing interdependence of humans and nature. Which of these species are integral to subsistence, past and present? How might this environment be affected by infrastructure development or climate change? What truths does this ground tell?"
We look forward to sharing more about this work soon. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy looking for all the little details. |
Job Opportunity: Arctic Program Coordinator |
Join our team or help spread the word. The Arctic Program Coordinator will work to honor, respect, and enhance communications between Indigenous and Alaska-based groups on environmental justice campaigns in Arctic Alaska. This position will increase capacity for land and water defense in Arctic Alaska and ensure communication and coordination between Alaska-based partners and national defense campaigns.
We are currently accepting applications for this role by email. Please send a cover letter and resume to Lois Barger at lois@northern.org and include your last name and "Arctic Program Coordinator" in the subject line. For more information on this position, click here. Please share this opportunity with your networks. |
Comment Now on Manh Choh mine related bridge replacement plans |
Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) is currently accepting public comments for the Johnson River, Gerstle River, and Robertson River bridge replacement projects. Replacement of these aging bridges is being fast-tracked to support the proposed Kinross ore haul plan related to the Manh Choh mine. The replacement of these bridges is necessary given their age, but could easily follow standard DOT timelines and construction practices if they were not being used for the ore haul, which will cause increased degradation due to higher traffic volumes and heavy loads.
Public comments on the Johnson River bridge replacement are due by April 21, 2023. Public comments on the Gerstle River and Robertson River bridge replacements are due by May 5, 2023.
Questions and comments should be submitted to Sarah Schlichting, P.E., Engineering Manager, at (907) 451-2041, sarah.schlichting@alaska.gov, or by mail at: Sarah Schlichting Department of Transportation & Public Facilities 2301 Peger Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-5316
Replacement of these bridges is welcome and needed, but should not be expedited solely to accommodate a private mining company’s business plan that does not include financial contributions towards road improvements or maintenance. |
Coalition of Alaska Native Tribes file federal lawsuit to halt Donlin Gold mine construction |
This month, the Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition, represented by Earthjustice, filed a federal lawsuit to halt construction of what would be the largest open-pit gold mine in the world. The Alaska Native Tribes represented by the Coalition aim to protect the Kuskokwim River, a food source that has sustained Alaska Native cultures for more than 10,000 years.
As Sophie Swope, Director of the Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition stated in the group's press release, "The Army Corps environmental impact statement process lacked climate analysis, relied on an incomplete human health impacts study, did not take into account the now occurring fisheries collapse in the Kuskokwim River, and contained wholly inadequate Tribal consultation."
The Northern Center supports the Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition and stands with them in opposition of the proposed Donlin Gold mine. |
GVEA members: Opportunities to be Heard |
Our partners at Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition will host a Rally for Renewables on Thursday April 27th at 5:30pm outside the Hering Auditorium (901 Airport Way)! Join the rally to express gratitude for the steps GVEA has taken and voice the next steps needed to achieve a future of renewable energy and climate justice.
If you’re a member owner of GVEA (meaning you pay them an electric bill in your name), we encourage you to attend and comment at GVEA’s Annual Meeting starting at 6:30pm on Thursday, April 27th at the Hering Auditorium, just following the rally.
Prepare to make your voice heard at these events by attending a Renewable Energy Workshop on Tuesday, April 18th from 5:30-7pm at FCAC’s Office (60 Hall Street). Join the Renewable Energy Working Group to discuss GVEA’s past efforts, vision future needs, create posters for the rally, and prepare comments for the Annual Meeting. Pizza and snacks will be provided!
Please reach out to kenzley@fbxclimateaction.org with any questions and learn more by clicking here.
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Pogo Mine operator fined for waste violations: Northern Star Resources is being fined $600,000 by the EPA for 80+ environmental violations at the mine site, including numerous waste management issues such as improper treatment & disposal of hazardous wastes, unpermitted waste management, & disposal of more than 360,000 tons of untreated waste. The state of Alaska & the mining industry both assert that mining operations in Alaska are better than anywhere else in the world, with the highest environmental and social standards, yet international companies still take shortcuts at the expense of Alaska’s lands & waters.
- Sustainable mining reform must be everything, everywhere, all at once: This article in The Hill provides a zoomed out look at what needs to happen to ensure all mining of materials necessary for renewable energy happens in a sustainable and just manner.
- Camp Habitat is filling up fast! If you have a child ages 4-11, you can register for a week-long nature and ecology camp at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Scholarships are available. Click here for more information.
Do you have a No Road to Ambler sweatshirt or tee shirt? We'd love to see where you're wearing it. Send a photo of yourself in your No Road to Ambler sweatshirt to katie@northern.org and include a sentence or two about why you oppose this road. We're hoping to share images from all over Alaska in the coming months, and would love to include our Northern Center supporters. Don't have a sweatshirt yet? Get one here.
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The Northern Alaska Environmental Center is a nonprofit and depends on the contributions of its members and supporters. You can donate any time by going to
northern.org/donate. Thank you for continuing to make our advocacy possible! |
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April 15: Seattle Screening of Siqiñiq
In Seattle this weekend? Join us for a free screening of the new film Siqiñiq, which highlights the climate state of emergency, The Willow Project, and the health issues facing Iñupiat Indigenous communities in the Arctic circle. The film takes a poetic, creative approach to illustrate the complexity, pain, and struggle of Siqiñiq, the Director of Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic. Doors open at 6:00 pm. RSVP here.
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| April 23: Delta Junction Migratory Bird Viewing Field Trip with Adventure Borealis guide Ryan Marsh
The Arctic Audubon Society is hosting a field trip on April 23 to the Delta Junction area to view migratory birds. This all-day trip will be led by Adventure Borealis guide and Arctic Audubon board member Ryan Marsh. Meet at the Creamer’s Field Farmhouse parking lot at 8 AM sharp. Dress for walking in snow (possibly mud) and bring lunch, snacks, and water. Register online here.
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MISSION The Northern Alaska Environmental Center promotes conservation of the environment and sustainable resource stewardship in Interior and Arctic Alaska through education and advocacy. |
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