…including a few important reminders |
A caribou and calf eat among a small field of fireweed in Denali National Park and Preserve. (NPS Photo by Emily Mesner) |
Discover the power of community action in this week's newsletter and read about the Northwest Arctic community members who rallied to nominate the Kobuk River as one of America's Most Endangered Rivers® of 2024. Also, be sure to check out the bottom of this page for job opportunities and avenues for event sponsorship. - Emily Mesner (mesner@northern.org) Communications Coordinator |
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Celebrating community, conservation, and the Kobuk River |
Ambler resident and Protect the Kobuk member Ila Griepentrog passed out sweatshirts and helped gather petition signatures during a weather delay at Bering Air in Kotzebue in Nov. 2023. (Photo courtesy of China Kantner) |
Last month, American Rivers named the Kobuk River as one of America's Most Endangered Rivers® of 2024. This was largely in part due to the tireless efforts from members of Protect the Kobuk, a grassroots organization of Northwest Arctic residents who oppose development of the Ambler Road.
China Kantner, a driving force behind the nomination, grew up on the Kobuk River and in Kotzebue, where she currently lives.
"I feel really connected to the land here,” she said. “I can't imagine it any other way. I'd be an entirely different person."
The Kobuk River flows more than 300 miles through hairpin turns from the Endicott Mountains in the Brooks Range and west to Kotzebue Sound. Large, white and silver sheefish use the Kobuk River for spawning, in addition to salmon, and caribou cross the river twice per year as they migrate to and from their breeding grounds.
Indigenous communities throughout the area depend on its resources for physical, cultural, and spiritual needs, but it continues to face threats from mining, development, and climate change. These examples only scratch the surface when talking about the importance of this region, Kantner said. |
Federal Grants Awarded for Energy Progress: |
New from Alaska Native News: Tanana Chief’s Conference received a $5 million grant to install the Tanacross Solar PV and Tok Battery Energy Storage System for the Native Villages of Tanacross and Tok. According to Alaska Native News, the system will be sold back to the grid at the Alaska Power & Telephone power plant and paired with a 1.5MHw battery energy storage system. It is expected to replace more than 12,500 gallons of diesel fuel each year. Click the here to read more about the six Alaska projects that received grants. |
A bee prepares to land on fireweed in Sable Pass in Denali National Park and Preserve in July 2019. (NPS Photo by Emily Mesner) |
The Entomology Department at Cornell University reached out to us to ask for help mapping ground-nesting bees to learn their distribution in Alaska. If you can take a photo of a bee entering or exiting a ground nest and share it with them via the three options below, it would really help them out!
Website | iNaturalist | Instagram
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Compelling local and environmental stories |
Esther Suŋauraq Hugo walks on stage to receive an Honorary Associate of Arts Degree in Iñupiaq Studies in May. (Photo courtesy of Iḷisaġvik College) |
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Go birding with Adventure Borealis |
Adventure Borealis Director and Head Guide Ryan Marsh. (Photo by Ralph Clevenger) |
Northern Center's Adventure Borealis program will lead a birding day trip this Saturday, May 25, at Chena River State Recreation Area in Fairbanks.
The group will hike the Granite Tors Trail, a challenging loop trail that takes users through a variety of habitats from bog and burn areas, to alpine tundra, with access to great views and unusual rock outcroppings called tors.
The goal is 10-12 miles round-trip, in order to reach the alpine tundra and the first of the tors while searching for olive-sided flycatcher, American pipits, lapland longspurs, horned larks, and Northern wheatears. What to bring: -
Water and food for the day
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Binoculars
- Layers for variable conditions including rain gear (tops and bottoms)
- Sun and insect protection
This trip is very challenging and you should be in strong physical fitness. Learn more and register here. |
Golden Valley Electric Association Board Elections deadline is June 4 |
The GVEA board elections this spring are for Districts 4 and 7 and the ballot return deadline is 5 p.m. on June 4.
The Fairbanks community would benefit from Board members that prioritize transparency, the need for more renewable energy options for all Alaskans, and a climate champion that is not afraid to address the reality of our rapidly changing environment in Fairbanks and Alaska. Additionally, having a Board that is investing in options to get Fairbanks and Alaska on a track to carbon emission reduction and the increase of renewables within their portfolio should be a priority. For more information on how to submit your ballot and on candidates, click here. |
- Donations Needed: Backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and binoculars (like new) for our Adventure Borealis program. Contact christin@northern.org to arrange a donation.
Our annual Member Appreciation Potluck will be on Wednesday, June 5, at Northern Center's office in Fairbanks (830 College Road), from 6-8 p.m. Please click here to RSVP or volunteer!
Run for the Refuge registration is open and seeking business sponsorship! This year we are holding a virtual event, much like we did in 2021. We are so grateful for the incredible outpouring of support this event has received over the years, and we are enthusiastic to continue raising awareness for Arctic Refuge protections through the virtual run July 12-14. To see sponsor benefits, click here.
Our biggest event of the year isn't until November but we are well underway and seeking sponsorship. Night for the North is an auction and dinner where we look back at the past year and highlight successes, celebrate our supporters, and fundraise for our programs. Become a sponsor here.
Susitna River Coalition is seeking a new Executive Director. The deadline to apply for this position is June 1. Click here for more information, including pay range, key responsibilities, and qualifications.
Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition is hiring for three positions:
Policy & Politics Organizer: Coordinate and support FCAC’s volunteer-led efforts within the Policy & Politics Working Group to advance climate action policy and political priorities within the Fairbanks community.
Summer Outreach Fellow: Coordinate and lead FCAC summer outreach opportunities. (Part time, June-August)
Administrative Executive Assistant: This role is 20 hours per week and will provide administrative support in the coordination of multiple campaigns and internal processes for local and statewide coalition development.
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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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