…while continuing to fight for permanent protections |
Fireweed grows near a braided river. NPS Photo by Emily Mesner |
Last week, the Bureau of Land Management announced that the best path forward for the Brooks Range does not include the Ambler Road and we are thrilled about this final decision. Continue reading to hear about our celebration and what more needs to be done to secure these permanent protections. Also in this newsletter, hear from Emily Sullivan, our Communications Director, about this year's recent Imago Initiative trip. - Emily Mesner (mesner@northern.org) Communications Coordinator
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Celebrating No Ambler Road |
Celebration at the Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall in Fairbanks on July 1. Photo by Katie McClellan |
Last Friday, the Bureau of Land Management officially selected the No Action alternative as the preferred alternative in its Record of Decision on the proposed Ambler Road. BLM determined that all of the action alternatives would significantly and adversely impact communities and natural resources along the route — including important subsistence resources like fish and caribou — in ways that could not be adequately mitigated.
To celebrate, we co-hosted the Ambler Progress Celebration alongside Tanana Chiefs Conference, Native Movement, and the National Parks Conservation Association, where we saw an estimated 600+ people in attendance. We are thrilled with this decision and grateful for the hard work of many coalition partners and the powerful leadership of Indigenous activists across the region. As we celebrate this historic win, we acknowledge that there is more work to be done to protect the Brooks Range, including speaking out against Sen. Dan Sullivan’s recent rider in the National Defense Authorization Act.
In spite of the fight ahead, the room was full of laughter and dancing as we listened to music by Quinn Christopherson, Marc Brown and the Blues Crew, and enjoyed food from Grandma's Genuine Navajo Tacos! We are continuing to encourage our members to write to key legislators decrying
Sen. Sullivan's amendment to the NDAA that would require the Department of the Interior to approve permits for the proposed Ambler Road. Unlike the Senator's claims, this project does not secure America’s supply of critical minerals, nor does it improve our national defense.
Email Sen. Sullivan and members of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and tell them that this amendment is disingenuous — it neither furthers American national security nor critical minerals supplies, and as such, should be removed from the NDAA.
Dan Sullivan (R, AK) Jack Reed (D, RI)
Mazie Hirono (D, HI) Joe Manchin (D, WV)
Mark Kelly (D, AZ) Kirsten Gillibrand (D, NY)
Angus King (I, ME) |
North winds in the Arctic |
Zina Rodriguez and Dustin Newman hike near base camp during a free moment in the Brooks Range. Photo by Emily Sullivan |
The Imago Initiative, created and hosted by The Wilderness Society, returned to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for another round of place-based dialogues in June. The Northern Center is honored to collaborate with this incredible group of Indigenous people and conservation partners who convene each year to re-imagine conservation of the Arctic through an Indigenous world view.
Each Imago trip is different, with varying participants, weather, and topics, but the undercurrents remain the same – the gatherings focus on just outcomes for local communities in the Arctic Refuge while creating equitable access to Indigenous lands for Indigenous people.
Meda Dewitt, Imago Specialist and Interim State Director at The Wilderness Society, often points out how the weather at Imago base camp changes throughout the week, reflecting the themes of our brainstorming discussions or the tone of our talking circles. This year's theme was wind: Each morning, around mid-day, a cold North wind would pick up and chill our base camp. The wind carried on, gusting and howling into the golden evenings, when it would eventually die down for a few hours of calm.
I've been thinking about those winds and what they signified since leaving the Brooks Range. Though cold and sometimes irritating, the gusts did us numerous favors. They kept us cool when the sun beat down on camp, and they kept the mosquitos from descending on us like they have in past years. They carried the cold ocean air down from the coastal plain, reminding us of the bio-rich zone to the north that we are working to protect. Each day, as caribou streamed past our camp by the hundreds, we could feel the energy of the calving grounds that they travel to.
With an election and a 2024 lease sale looming ahead of us for the Arctic Refuge, these collaborative efforts for protection are as important as ever. Listening to local Iñupiat and Gwich'in perspectives, brainstorming just alternatives to the fossil fuel economy, and contemplating potential paths for co-stewardship are just a few ways that the Imago Initiative keeps me energized and engaged in the Arctic Refuge space. Quyanaqpak and Mahsi'choo to all of the organizers who make this effort a reality.
Emily Sullivan, Communications Director - |
Run for the Refuge is THIS WEEKEND |
People participate in a virtual Run for the Refuge in 2020. Photo by Joseph Franich |
Run for the Refuge starts FRIDAY — please remind your friends and family that there is still time to register. Proceeds and donations for Run for the Refuge directly support Northern Center’s Arctic Program work.
On Monday, July 15, we will give away several door prizes from our sponsors. If you’ve registered for this event, you’ve already been entered! Prizes include Nocs Binoculars, a Dog Sled Tour for three from Susitna Sled Dog Adventures, Lat 65 Brewing Company swag bag, Northern Center swag bags, art prints by Anya Toelle, and a Wild Scoops gift certificate.
Winners will be drawn randomly and individually emailed the same day. If your name is drawn, please respond to that email no later than Monday, July 22. If we do not receive a response, we will draw a new name.
We’re also looking forward to seeing how and where everyone participates. Use #RunForTheRefuge and #ProtectTheArctic, tag @NorthernCenter on Facebook and @TheNorthernCenter on Instagram, or email photos to events@northern.org. You do not need to send a photo to be entered for our door prizes.
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Screenshot of "A Day in the Life of Conservation Advocate Tess Hostetter" from americanprogress.org. |
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Alaska Wilderness League is hiring a Communications Associate. This is a full-time position with a salary range of $55,000 - $70,000. This position has a preferred location in Washington, D.C., but a remote option will be considered. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to careers@alaskawild.org. This position is open until filled, with priority given to those who apply by July 15. For more information on the job description and requirements, click here.
- Donations Needed: Backpacks, sleeping bags, and tents (like new) are needed for our Adventure Borealis program. Contact christin@northern.org to arrange a donation.
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Don't forget to order your Run for the Refuge T-shirt.
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THANK YOU Run for the Refuge sponsors! |
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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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