11/22/2023

...we have a few updates to share.

On Friday, we gathered with our community for our annual Night for the North. The room buzzed with energy as folks laughed, connected, and pledged money to the Jim Kowalsky Youth Engagement Fund. We are so grateful to those of you who were able to attend or volunteer at the event, and hope to see those of you who couldn't make it very soon. 

We also were thrilled to release the Winter 2023 issue of The Northern Line at the event. This issue centers around the concept of hearth, and features beautiful cover artwork by Klara Maisch. Check out the digital version on our website, or stop by the office for a limited edition print copy. 

Open Comment Periods: Ambler & the Arctic

If you have a long weekend ahead, we encourage you to take a few moments to submit your comments for three important issues. 

1. Ambler Road - If you have not yet had an opportunity, now is your chance to read through our talking points and send in your comment opposing the development of this road. Comments will be accepted until December 22, 2023. 
2. Reserve Rulemaking - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is continuing to accept comments regarding a new proposed rule for the Western Arctic Reserve, which would create stronger safeguards against oil-and-gas leasing in Special Areas. See our talking points and how to comment here. This will remain open until December 7, 2023. 
3. Seismic for Willow - At the same time, ConocoPhillips has submitted a proposal for seismic exploration in the Reserve. The plan goes beyond the boundaries of the Willow project, and threatens polar bear and caribou habitats by sending massive trucks weighing up to 95,000 pounds across these regions. Comments will be accepted until December 8, 2023. 

Thank you for taking the time to make your voice heard.

Giving Tuesday: Help us build on our success

Last year, supporters like you launched the Defend the Brooks Range campaign, raising $15,000 on Giving Tuesday. You helped make the successes above possible, and we are so grateful for the enormous momentum of this campaign.

Please join us again this year to continue our work fighting the proposed Ambler mining road, and support our broader Mining Impacts and Energy Program as we prevent other dangerous developments in Interior and Arctic Alaska.

Make a donation to the Northern Center on or before Giving Tuesday (11/28) and be entered into a drawing for a Glacier Landing Tour, donated by Alaska Helicopter Tours! Redeemable for one guest leaving from Anchorage and landing on a glacier. Weight limit 300 lbs including clothing and gear. 

Other News & Updates

• Looking for resources on navigating difficult conversations around Thanksgiving? Take a look at the list FCAC has put together here. 
• Check out Vogue's profile of two Indigenous climate activists here in Alaska: Brittany Woods-Orrison and Rodney Evans. 
• Listen to a moving song titled "Won't Give Up" centering hope for our future in this collaboration between Ahtna Athabascan and Iñupiaq songwriter Quinn Christopherson, drag queen and climate activist Pattie Gonia, and famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. 
• Read this article on caribou disappearance from National Geographic, which confirms: “Several studies have shown that industrial development disrupts caribou behavior. The animals often seem to perceive roads and pipelines in particular as obstacles blocking their migratory paths and feeding patterns. They also tend to avoid mining camps and oil fields, which can leak chemical odors and tailings, shake the earth with drilling equipment and truck traffic, and fill the air with the racket of planes and helicopters.”
• The Center for American Progress laid out the steps President Biden could take to protect the Western Arctic in light of climate change and current threats to the region. 
• Hunters and anglers unite in opposing the road to Ambler and protecting the Brooks Range in this piece from Gear Junkie. 
• We're hiring! We're searching for our next Arctic Program Coordinator. Please share this opportunity with your network to help us find the next member of our team. 

Upcoming Events

December 13: No Ambler Road Public Hearing & Rally

Join Native Movement for a rally outside Loussac Library before the Anchorage hearing on Ambler road. Rally to start at 6:30 pm, with hearing starting at 7:00 pm. RSVP and help spread the word on Facebook. 

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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