...while celebrating Earth's sounds and songs |
Happy belated Earth Day! Staff at the Northern Center found this episode from Emergence Magazine Podcast beautifully relaxing and powerfully transformative. You can dive into the recording and hear sounds from the Hoh Rain Forest, one of the quietest places in North America. Further in this E-Newsletter, find ways you can help protect an Alaska river and stand with Tribal and grassroots organizations. Plus, don't miss out on your chance to participate in open comment periods.
- Emily Mesner (mesner@northern.org)
Communications Coordinator |
Susitna River listed as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® |
A small plane flies above the Susitna River. Photo by Sarah Ann Loreth |
The Susitna River was named one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2025 by American Rivers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing river threats from coast-to-coast.
The Susitna River is home to five species of Pacific salmon, and critical populations of moose, grizzly bears, and black bears. Not only that, but this area also supplies clean water for local communities and supports local subsistence and recreation uses. The river is threatened by the proposed West Susitna Industrial Access Road, a 100-mile road used for mining and oil and gas exploration that would cross approximately 180 streams in the watershed. "It’s possible this threat will be exacerbated by recent presidential executive orders that prioritize mining in Alaska and aim to expedite permitting of extractive mineral projects in this state while limiting public participation," American Rivers wrote in their press release (click the button below to read it in its entirety).
Find ways to get involved in protecting the Susitna River here, and get in touch with our friends at the Susitna River Coalition to learn more. |
AIDEA doesn't listen, call your legislators |
“It’s interesting, we don’t get many people showing up to provide public comment.” This is what Randy Rauro, Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority’s (AIDEA) executive director, told members of the House and Senate State Affairs committees about AIDEA’s public process.
The truth is, AIDEA has regularly only given two to three weekday’s notice of their resolutions, and when the public shows up to comment, they cut off testimony.
AIDEA passed two resolutions (G25-01 and G25-02) during their board meeting last week, aimed at creating new accounts in their Revolving Fund to pursue oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the proposed Ambler road. Frustratingly, only one person who called in to testify was allowed to comment, along with two members of the public who attended in person. AIDEA board members were told that there were a number of people waiting to testify over the phone, but they did not allow callers to testify at the time.
This has been a regular occurrence at AIDEA’s public board meetings and we want to know if this has happened to you too. Please let us know by emailing sean@northern.org or katie@northern.org. |
New bill aims to hold AIDEA accountable |
Aerial view of part of the proposed Ambler Road corridor, in the eastern Brooks Range. Photo by Keri Oberly. |
This legislative session, Representative Ashley Carrick introduced the AIDEA Accountability Act (House Bill 124) in an effort to increase transparency and accountability of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. AIDEA is a controversial state-owned corporation that has invested in projects like the proposed Ambler Road and oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. For years, Alaskans have been sounding the alarm over the lack of transparency and accountability AIDEA has to both residents of Alaska, and to the state legislature. AIDEA’s disregard for Alaskans is not an exception, it’s the standard. HB124 is a first step in a longer process of reforming the corporation. While the bill is not perfect, we encourage members to contact Rep. Carrick’s office and the House State Affairs Committee to share your thoughts on AIDEA and the much needed changes to improve its operations. Phone: (907) 465-4976 Representative.Ashley.Carrick@akleg.gov House.State.Affairs@akleg.gov |
Things are about to get worse for endangered species |
The Endangered Species Act is a crucial protection that keeps industry and developers from harming habitats and ecosystems that threatened species rely on to survive and thrive.
Now, the Trump administration is planning to rewrite what it means to ‘harm’ protected plants and animals. Rather than preserving both the endangered species and their habitats, this change would limit protections to directly injuring or killing animals.
Habitat loss is the primary cause of extinction. This rule will pave the way for extractive industry to destroy essential habitats.
We need your help: The public comment period is now open—tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that their new rule is a road to extinction.
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Urge your federal senators to vote against Senate Bill 544 |
The Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (SB544) passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee earlier this month and is making its way to the Senate floor.
As we’ve previously shared, this bill would reduce existing protections for community and environmental health in the face of hardrock mine development—protections that are incredibly outdated and already limited in scope.
We encourage our members to continue contacting their senators and urge them to vote against this bill.
Instead, request that they advocate for stronger protections like those in the Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act, which was introduced last legislative session but has not yet been introduced this year. For more information about SB544 and our preferred alternative protections, such as those outlined in the Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act, visit our blog post.
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Comment dues April 28: Support Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 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 and support them by commenting on the dock expansion, due April 28. For talking points to help inform your comments, and information on how to submit them, click here.
For more information, contact Carolyn Farmer at (561) 785-5634 or via email at carolyn.h.farmer@usace.army.mil. |
Fairbanks: Do you have thoughts on mining near Murphy Dome? |
Felix Gold has shared brief project updates, maps, and FAQs on a new page on their website, and has developed a community survey for residents to share their thoughts, values, questions, and concerns with the company.
According to Felix Gold, "This early engagement phase is the perfect time for your input to help shape our project design, environmental studies, and permit applications. We are committed to ensuring the project reflects local values and addresses community priorities before making any development decisions." Let them know your thoughts by completing the survey and sharing it with friends. Save Our Domes has shared talking points for your consideration when submitting your survey. You can find them on their website, or by clicking here. |
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Give your brain a break with these inspiring stories |
The latest from Hazard Hughes |
Check out this year's Northern Center events! We will be sharing more information, including registration and events details, in the coming months. - 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.)
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Join us and the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition on Thursday, May 15 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Dená Movement Commons for the third meeting of our Fairbanks-based book club. We will be reading "Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World" by Katharine Hayhoe. Please RSVP here.
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Inside Climate News (ICN) hosted an Earth Day event on Tuesday where they discussed renewable energy, plus recent and anticipated moves by the Trump administration. You can watch the recording here of Washington bureau chief Marianne Lavelle and clean energy reporter Dan Gearino fielding questions from ICN executive editor Vernon Loeb as they talk about what it’s like to cover their beats during a nonstop breaking news cycle and the dismantling of environmental protections.
- View our 2024 Annual Report here.
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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.
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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!
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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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