…and don't miss an opportunity to contact your legislators |
A short-eared owl takes off from a branch in Denali National Park and Preserve. NPS Photo by Emily Mesner |
As summer gets into full swing in Alaska, we encourage you to take a moment to contact your legislators about an egregious amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Also, don't forget to register for our virtual Run for the Refuge event — we are just under a month away! Thanks for learning more and taking action today. - Emily Mesner (mesner@northern.org) Communications Coordinator |
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In an upsetting move, Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan added an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would require the Department of the Interior to approve permits for the proposed Ambler Road. The amendment would require them to select Alternative A or B for the route to reach the Ambler Mining District, located in the heart of the Brooks Range.
This flies in the face of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who commented and spoke out against the road during the comment period last year. Sen. Sullivan is blatantly ignoring the voices of local residents who have stated that the road would irreversibly harm their traditional way of life, and he is disregarding the sound science gathered by DOI. The Final Environmental Impact Statement clearly outlined that the road's development would have massive negative impacts on the region's lands, waters, and wildlife.
We encourage our members to write to key legislators decrying this decision. Unlike the Senator's claims, this project does not secure America’s supply of critical minerals, nor does it improve our national defense. Copper is not a critical mineral, and the data on other minerals present is highly speculative. Further, any minerals sourced from the region would require shipment overseas for processing; they would not — and currently cannot — be processed in the U.S. 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 or 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) |
Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Petition |
Last week, a coalition of organizations petitioned the Department of the Interior to expedite an updated environmental review of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. The last review was 20 years ago, and a lot has changed since then. Rapid warming in the Arctic is impacting Alaskan communities, the region’s biodiversity, and permafrost thaw is potentially undermining oil pipeline infrastructure. Now is the time to take a hard look at Alaska’s future.
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Run, walk, bike, hike, or paddle to show your support for protections in the Arctic |
Join us for this year’s Run for the Refuge, happening virtually over the weekend of July 12-14. It’s already been a big year for the Arctic, with new changes in management policies that prioritize cultural and ecological values in the Western Arctic.
After oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge were rushed through under the previous administration’s 2017 Tax Act, we saw an outpouring of support for the Refuge — the leases were canceled and courts have repeatedly ruled against development. But that same legislation also requires another oil lease sale in the Refuge before the end of this year. We need to make sure community voices continue to be heard.
Register online and share photos of your adventures on social media using #RunForTheRefuge and #ProtectTheArctic, tag @NorthernCenter on Facebook, @TheNorthernCenter on Instagram, or email your photos to events@northern.org. We would love to see the places you enjoyed during the event!
Event T-shirts are available and feature original artwork by Danielle Stickman. Click here to order. Proceeds and donations for Run for the Refuge directly support Northern Center’s Arctic program work. We hope you’ll join us in July!
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In this June 4 webinar recording, listen as Dr. Therese Karlsson, Pamela Miller, and Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough discuss how the combined effects of plastic pollution, petrochemical operations, and climate change are harming the health and well-being of communities in the Arctic. |
Are you a Target Circle member? |
We are honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to us!
Now through June 30, vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up. Every vote counts as we continue our mission of promoting conservation of the environment and sustainable resource stewardship in Interior and Arctic Alaska through education and advocacy. Learn more about the Target Circle program here.
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Celebrating No Ambler Road progress |
Design by Sarah Whalen-Lunn, Inkstitcher Studios (@inkstitcher) |
Join us July 1 at Griffin Park in Fairbanks (360 Wendell Ave.) from 5-8 p.m. to celebrate progress in the fight against the proposed Ambler Road.
The event is co-hosted by Tanana Chiefs Conference and Native Movement, with support from Northern Center and the National Parks Conservation Association. There will be food, community games, art, and music from Marc Brown & the Blues Crew and Quinn Christopherson.
While there is more work to be done to protect the Brooks Range from the Ambler Road, it is important to be with community and uplift the voices at the forefront of this movement and the victories earned thus far! |
Wildflower Day Trip, space available |
Adventure Borealis is hosting a Wildflower Day Trip Saturday, June 22 at Eagle Summit in Fairbanks! What to know: -
The group will carpool from the Northern Center parking lot (830 College Rd.). Meet there at 8 a.m. and expect to return by about 6 p.m.
- The walk (about 1-3 miles) is meant to be a saunter, stopping every few meters to give participants the opportunity to look for rarities among alpine tundra wildflowers.
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Register online here.
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More local and national stories |
Seals photographed along the rocky shore of a fjord in Kenai Fjords National Park. Photo by Emily Mesner |
U.S. acknowledges Northwest dams have devastated the region’s Native tribes
From Gene Johnson for The Associated Press: "The U.S. government on Tuesday acknowledged, for the first time, the harmful role it has played over the past century in building and operating dams in the Pacific Northwest — dams that devastated Native American tribes by inundating their villages and decimating salmon runs while bringing electricity, irrigation and jobs to nearby communities. The report was accompanied by the announcement of a new task force to coordinate salmon-recovery efforts across federal agencies."
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Local author Michael Engelhard has two new books. Join him for a reading at the Bear Gallery in Fairbanks this Saturday from 7-8:30 p.m. as he shares selections from What the River Knows: Essays from the Heart of Alaska and his memoir Arctic Traverse: A Thousand-Mile Summer of Trekking the Brooks Range.
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From the Alaska Center Education Fund: At the Youth Organizer Summit, held each fall in the Anchorage area, participants gather with 15-20 teens from across Alaska to participate in five action-packed days of training in leadership, advocacy, community organizing, and learning how to take action on environmental issues in our communities. Alaskan teens, ages 13-18, are encouraged to apply to be a Youth Organizer. Applications close June 30.
- Adventure Borealis is hosting their next BIPOC Bird Club June 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Great Northwest Peat Ponds. Park at the end of Henrik Court. Questions? Email ryan@northern.org.
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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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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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