4/10/25

Fresh show covers the landscape in Interior Alaska. Photo by Emily Mesner

This week's E-Newsletter is packed with information on upcoming comment periods, grassroots success stories, and chances for in-person participation. We're also thrilled to be sharing Tehya McLeod's "Linger in the Lupine”, a stunning piece of work that she created for the Northern Center as part of her 2025 Featured Artist residency. Our staff remains busy monitoring and advocating for environmental protections across Interior and Arctic Alaska. Thank you for being here with us.

- Emily Mesner (mesner@northern.org)

  Communications Coordinator

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers just issued several revised public notices for the proposed Bethel Yard Dock expansion, acknowledging for the first time that the primary purpose of the expansion is to serve the proposed Donlin Gold Mine.

The Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition has been fighting the Donlin Mine to protect their homelands, waters, fish, and community health. You can learn more about their concerns related to the project at their website. For talking points to help inform your comments, and information on how to submit them, click the button below. Comments on the dock expansion are due April 28.

For more information contact Carolyn Farmer at (561) 785-5634, or via email at carolyn.h.farmer@usace.army.mil.

Last week, the Senate Resources Committee voted to advance SB 92—a bill that would set up a more equal state corporate income tax structure for oil companies, ensuring Alaskans aren’t missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Currently, Hilcorp is the main beneficiary of the S-corp loophole, which treats privately held companies differently than publicly traded ones. 

The bill now moves to the Senate Finance Committee. Alaskans, they need to hear from all of us! You can learn more about how to comment and contact your legislators on this great blog from our friends at the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Arctic Program coordinator (sean@northern.org) with any questions.

Featured Artist Tehya McLeod stands with her finished artwork, "Linger in the Lupine". Photo by Christin Swearingen

Tehya McLeod, Northern Center's 2025 Featured Artist, recently stopped by our office to show us her finished piece and we are beyond excited to share it with you. Read about her inspiration for this year's artwork below—and remember, you can bid on this item during Night for the North, our November fundraiser!

“Linger in the Lupine” is inspired by a hike Tehya took to the Harding Icefield via Exit Glacier near Seward, Alaska a couple of years ago. "I visited the same area about twenty years prior—when the ice reached further to the road and was within an accessible walking distance," she said. "Somehow, we managed to dodge a black bear who had been hanging out on the trail the whole day, sighted by many fellow hikers. Wildlife holds presence on trails such as these—from birds to goats and bears—even if they are unseen."

Come to an open house at the Northern Center on April 17 from 4-6 p.m. to see the painting and meet Tehya! Enjoy refreshments, purchase an art print, and peruse our 2024 annual report. 

A detail of the pattern Tehya created throughout the painting. Photo by Katie McClellan

Underlaid with a repeating pattern of the unique tracks of these residents, this piece offers a subtle reminder of who lives and thrives in these ecosystems, Tehya said. "I am grateful for every opportunity I’ve had to experience beautiful and wild places in Alaska, and I'm honored to paint for the Northern Center and continue to promote stewardship for the land throughout my work."

People demonstrate in Nome against destructive mining proposals at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race's finish line in Nome. Photo by Dawn Wehde

Last month, local groups Elim Students Against Uranium and Sacred Kiglauit held demonstrations along the Iditarod Trail, including at the race's finish line in Nome. 

Alongside allies and advocates, these grassroots groups called to protect Norton Sound, drawing attention to destructive mining proposals including Graphite One, Panther Minerals' uranium project, and the IPOP gold project.

Their demonstrations were featured in an article published in The Guardian and can be read here.

Alaska-based non-profit Alaska Trails and its partners have been working for years on a multi-braid trail system that would connect Fairbanks and Seward through more than 500 miles of trail. Dubbed the Alaska Long Trail, it would incorporate multiple year-round uses—including motorized and non-motorized—and connect existing and planned trails along the route, mainly using public lands.

Last month, the Bureau of Land Management published its National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study and is accepting public comments until April 14. They are evaluating the trail’s characteristics in order to determine its eligibility for the National Trails System designation as a national scenic trail.

To view more information about the trail, and to share your comments, you can visit BLM’s planning webpage for the project. 

The generosity of private foundations, major donors, and businesses is recognized in our annual reports. We aim to be transparent and timely in our annual reporting of revenue and expenses. Click the button above to view our most recent report. You can also see past reports on our website.

Last month, Alaska Community Actions on Toxics filed a complaint to the United Nations special rapporteur on toxics and human rights for contamination on Sivuqaq (St. Lawrence Island) caused by abandoned Air Force and Army bases. Hear from Viola Waghiyi, ACAT's environmental health and justice program director, in the article linked above and written by Anita Hofschneider.

Fairbanks: Felix Gold has released a community feedback page on their website with updated snapshots of information about their projects in the Fairbanks area. Included are brief project summaries, FAQs, maps, and a slide deck with information from their executive director, Joe Webb. 

Most critically, there is a community survey where Fairbanksans can share questions and comments about the Treasure Creek project, located north of town along the north side of Old Murphy Dome Road. Felix Gold says they are “committed to ensuring the project reflects local values and addresses community priorities before making any development decisions”, so be sure to share your thoughts and let the company know your priorities.

In collaboration with the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, join our book club on April 17 at 5:30 p.m. for an evening spent exploring how resistance movements and changemakers have created long lasting change in the face of immense odds. This is a welcoming and friendly book club with no page number requirements, free snacks, and child care. For more information please click here.

Join Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic for a night of celebration as they host a watch party to celebrate Inupiaq actress Nutaaq Simmonds (as Elisapee) during the premiere of “North of North”, a Netflix comedy series! The event will be located at the JP Jones Center (2400 Rickert Street) in Fairbanks. Doors open at 6 p.m. and refreshments and beverages will be provided. 

2024 Member Appreciation Picnic. Photo by Emily Hikes

Check out this year's Northern Center events! We will be sharing more information, including registration and events details, in the coming months. 

• Open House: Waste Reduction Week - April 17 (4-6 p.m.)
• Member Appreciation Picnic - June 14 (6-8 p.m.)
• Run for the Refuge (virtual event) - August 22-24
• Night for the North - November 22 (6-9 p.m.)

• Friends of Alaska Wildlife Refuges is hosting an art program on April 15 at 5 p.m. in Fairbanks to share the experience of being in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Come check it out and find more reasons to stand for permanent protection of the Arctic Refuge. There will be watch parties hosted in Homer, Soldotna, and Anchorage, in addition to an online option via Zoom. Click here to learn more.

• Last reminder: The public has until 5 p.m. on April 18 to comment on the draft Tanana Valley State Forest Management Plan. You can submit comments in writing to dnr.for.tvsfrevision@alaska.gov.

• The Earth Day Fair and Maker's Market in Fairbanks is April 19 from 12-4 p.m. at the Joy Community Center.
• Are you qualified to train CPR? Camp Habitat is seeking a certified CPR instructor to give the camp counselors and instructors training they need to keep campers safe. Contact lauren@friendsofcreamersfield.org if you are available in Fairbanks between June 9-13.
• Adventure Borealis is gathering supplies for their “gear library” that will be used by participants in the Leadership at Macomb Plateau (L.A.M.P.) retreat and other excursions. Items needed include: backpacks, sleeping bags (rated at least zero degree or below), sleeping pads, two-person tents, WhisperLite stoves, winter clothing in various sizes (especially coats, snow pants, and mittens). Please respond to this email if you have any items available to donate. Thank you!

• READ: Statement from the Indigenous Participants of the International Conference on Arctic Research Planning IV Summit

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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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