Washington, DC (September 11, 2019)—Today, leaders in the U.S. Senate introduced the Arctic Refuge Protection Act to designate the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain a wilderness area and protect it from destructive oil and gas development. Protect the Arctic is a special 3 part series on The Coolest Show. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge includes eighteen major rivers, hundreds of species of birds, land and marine mammals, and fish. Of course not! A place of immense natural vitality, the refuge's coastal plain is the only large swath of Alaska's—and thus the nation's—Arctic coastline that has remained off limits to development. The purpose of the trip, designed by Ritzman, was twofold: 1) to raise funds for the fight to protect the Arctic Refuge; and 2) to raise the profile of this work with potential supporters, partners, and the broader public. Act now to protect the Arctic Refuge. Learn how. (October 20, 2020) For tens of thousands of years, indigenous caribou-hunting cultures have existed on the lands of the Arctic Refuge. It also consists of 19,286,722 acres of wilderness . When you leave a voicemail your position on the issue is . Urge Congress to add all recommended lands in the Arctic Refuge to the National Wilderness Preservation System, which would establish a nearly 19.4 million-acre Arctic Refuge Wilderness! BP did the right thing by cancelling its plans to drill. Download Graphics Pledge to Defend The Sacred Place Where Life Begins • This solidarity toolkit is intended to be a guide for allied protectors. Protect the Arctic Refuge! We will protect the birthplace of the Porcupine Caribou. Tell your representatives before it's too late—vote to pass the Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is urgently at risk THIS MONTH. AMERICANS: Take 90 seconds to participate in the "Call Congress For The Arctic" campaign today! Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the measure, which is the first stand-alone bill the House of Representatives has passed to protect the sacred Arctic Refuge. For these reasons, we are more determined than ever to defend the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. As Dunaway describes, the Gwich'in of Alaska and the Yukon viewed the campaign to protect the Arctic Refuge as a fight for survival. This piece originally appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Overview . Join us to protect the environment for generations to come. Free of roads, trails or any visible sign of modern development, The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is an increasingly rare landscape where you can glimpse into nature's past. Protecting the Arctic Refuge The protection of the coastal plain is a matter of survival and food security for the Gwich'in people, whose way of life is tied inextricably to the health of the caribou. Drilling in the sacred Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is bad for business. We protect the environment. 100% Capacity Special Offer - Buy 2 or more in-person tickets and get 25% off! September 27, 2017. Biden opens the door to protecting the Arctic Refuge. . THE THREAT The Arctic Refuge is at risk of energy development. We will not waiver. Under a law passed in 2017, the Interior Department was required to sell oil and gas drilling leases on at least 800,000 acres of Arctic Refuge land by 2024. Learn more about the Terra Mater Factual Studios giant screen film coming 2021, and explore the millennia-long relationship between wildlife and the Indigenous Peoples of this pristine ecosystem. Alaska Natives, communities of color, outdoor enthusiasts, veterans and conservation and religious leaders from across the U.S. are standing together to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. An oil spill in the fragile Arctic Refuge would devastate the home of the largest denning population of U.S. polar bears and the . The Arctic Refuge coastal plain is an incredibly vast expanse of ecologically rich and life-giving land is Iizhik Gwats'an Gwandaii Goodlit to the Gwich'in Nation, or "The Sacred Place Where Life Begins" - the birthing grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd. . The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge) is a place of spectacular beauty as well as ecological and cultural significance, but right now it's vulnerable to oil and gas development. Overview . We need to preserve and protect intact ecosystems, like the Arctic Refuge, not disregard the devastating biological, cultural, and climate impacts fossil fuel extraction will have on top of the impacts the Refuge already is facing in the rapidly warming Arctic. — Bernadette Demientieff (@bernademientief) January 6, 2021. . More than 200 species of birds depend on the Arctic NWR during their annual migrations. Take action to protect the Arctic today. The current threat to the Arctic Refuge. The refuge is an incredible place. Now is the time for bold action that permanently protects the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Only 5% of Alaska's wild coastal plain remains protected from development. I grew up enjoying walks along Bangor's waterfront and hiking through wooded trails in Acadia National Park here in Maine. Protect The Arctic Refuge - Live presentations and films raising awareness for the unique wilderness, wildlife, culture and protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This process could threaten local wildlife, indigenous cultures, and the global climate. Polar bears and cubs den on the coastal plain over the winter. We will continue to protect our way of life, as we always have. Tens of thousands of caribou in the Porcupine herd calve on the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge each year, and oil drilling, the Gwich'in believe, would negatively affect their harvest of the hoofed . When we made the decision to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—the coastal plain, the Iizhik Gwats'an Gwandaii Goodlit—that happened here in Arctic Village in June 1988. Protect the Arctic is a special 3 part series on The Coolest Show. The House has already voted to approve the budget and its drilling (Mark Amodei voted to drill). Indigenous People, Alaskans, Wildlife Enthusiasts, Conservationists, Veterans, Sportsmen, Athletes, People of Faith, Scientists, People like You Committed to Protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Help protect America's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as Wilderness! Keeping Arctic Refuge oil in the ground would prevent the release of 4.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the annual emissions from more than 1,100 coal-fired power plants. ### The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is in the northeast corner of Alaska, past the Arctic Circle and beyond Alaska's Brooks Range mountains. Here is how you can help protect the Arctic Refuge today! (June 9, 2021) Princess Daazhraii Johnson: An Arctic Protector. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and . The Gwich'in people are a tribe in the northern part of Alaska and Canada, the Gwich'in people have relied on the Porcupine Caribou Herd for thousands of years, for food, cultural and spiritual needs. There are no established campgrounds or camping facilities in the refuge. and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) today to designate the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness and protect the land from future development. We must keep oil and gas drilling out of this area. Together, we can help ensure the survival of the people and wildlife that call the Arctic Refuge home. . Protecting the Arctic Refuge is an Indigenous Rights Issue. In the last 60 years, both Democratic and Republican presidents have taken steps to protect its wildlife, wilderness, and history. Stand with the Gwich'in Protect the Arctic Refuge the calving grounds of the majestic porcupine caribou herd. Please ask Congress to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and oppose any bills, including the budget, that include oil drilling in this special place.. The 19.6 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are full of life and history. To amend Public Law 115-97 (commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) to repeal the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil and gas program, and to preserve the Arctic coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, as wilderness in recognition of its extraordinary natural ecosystems and for the permanent good of present and future generations of Americans. Stand with the Gwich'in Protect the Arctic Refuge the calving grounds of the majestic porcupine caribou herd. Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge! 1146 (Rep. Huffman), To amend Public Law 115-97 (commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) to repeal the . Gwich'in like myself call the Arctic Refuge "Iizhik Gwats'an Gwandaii Goodlit," or . The region was first protected in 1960 by President Dwight Eisenhower. Check out the We Are The Arctic book which showcases the vast beauty of this remarkable untouched wilderness and videos . recipient: United States Senate. Approximately 200 species of birds call the Arctic Refuge home at least part of the year, including snowy owls, Arctic terns and golden eagles. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge, not an oil field. The refuge has long been a target for the oil and . Their plan is to lease 1.6 million acres on the Coastal Plains of the Arctic Refuge before the end of the year, and the plan must be stopped. The Senate will be voting soon (maybe even this . AXA (France) - "French insurer Axa SA has prohibited insurance of oil and gas exploration in the Arctic regions since 2018, and that includes the wildlife refuge in Alaska. UN says pandemic created an `unparalleled' employment crisis. Development in the Refuge poses an intolerable risk to one of our nation's greatest . On Tuesday, March 26, at 2:00 p.m., in Room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a legislative hearing titled, "The Need to Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain," on the following legislation: . The clock . Millions of migratory birds flock there to nest. Ice cover in the Arctic Ocean reached a record low in July. First established in 1960 and expanded to its current size of 19 million acres in 1980, the Arctic refuge is home to 42 species of fish, 45 mammals (including eight marine mammals), and more than 200 types of birds. This public land needs our protection. Protect the Arctic Refuge WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The fight to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is nothing new. Letter: Protect the Arctic refuge. Our work in outreach, conservation science, and land protection has resulted in significant conservation gains to protect the most ecologically significant landscapes in southern Florida, directly benefiting several national wildlife refuges or the landscapes where . More oil to burn would only fuel the climate crisis and put the Refuge and everything living within it at risk from toxic spills and mishaps. The Arctic Refuge Protection Act was introduced earlier this month with 76 co-sponsors. We must reinstate key safeguards to protect this critical wilderness habitat and sacred place of the Gwich'in people. Protecting the Arctic Refuge represents many things to us: the pinnacle of a decades long campaign to save our public lands; a fight for basic human rights; and an effort to save our entire planet from the impacts of fossil fuel driven climate change. Protect the Arctic Refuge • Action Toolkit Iizhik Gwats'an Gwandaii Goodlit . Protect The Arctic Refuge From Oil Industry Allies In Congress. Tips for backcountry campers: A few areas of the refuge receive concentrated use, resulting in unwanted trail formation and trampled vegetation. The Gwich'in people consider the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge sacred. Our identity is non-negotiable and our human rights inalienable." In a Gwich'in creation story, the original people of the Arctic used to be caribou. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has deep significance for individuals across the United States, particularly for the Gwich'in nation who have a strong connection to this special place. The Arctic Wildlife Refuge is threatened by oil and gas development after being opened to oil and gas leasing by a provision in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Some have called it "America's Serengeti" due to its sheer diversity of life — throughout the 19 million federally protected acres, wolf packs hunt vast herds of caribou, polar bears den and stalk . The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is home to 40+ species of mammals and 200+ species of birds. Find your state below for a list of names and phone numbers. But there's one wild place in desperate need of our protection now — the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The crown jewel of Alaska's wild frontier is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is home to an incredible array of biodiversity. — Bernadette Demientieff (@bernademientief) January 6, 2021. The Coastal Plain represents roughly 1.5 million acres of the 19.6 million-acre wildlife refuge. "The Sierra Club proudly supports our congressional champions for again making this abundantly clear and working to permanently protect the Arctic Refuge." "The coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the calving ground of the Porcupine Caribou Herd and the densest onshore polar bear denning habitat in all of America's Arctic. From mammals like polar bears or whales, to birds, fish and small plants, the Arctic is flooded with wildlife. To safeguard the coastal plan, we need more support in Congress. Send a message to Maine's US Senators! PUBLIC LAND The Arctic Refuge covers 19.6 million acres in northeast Alaska, and includes the Mollie Beattie Wilderness, the second largest wilderness area in the U.S. at 8 million acres. Use the script provided to leave a brief but effective voice message! However, a recently introduced bill, the Arctic Refuge Protection Act (S. 2461) would permanently protect the Coastal Plains of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas development. The Arctic NWR is one of the few places on Earth where polar, brown (grizzly), and black bears coexist. We are covering the urgency to preserve the Arctic Refuge from the Trump administration's efforts to expand oil and gas development. The Arctic Refuge provides summer nesting grounds for millions of migratory birds that fly north through all 50 states in order to reach this lush ecosystem. Above - The Porcupine Caribou Herd calves annually on the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Throughout my visits, I've seen how deeply Mainers care about our local wilderness and wildlife — and who could blame them. Protect Special Places in the Western Hemisphere But Last month the Trump administration dropped a hasty draft environmental impact statement aimed at steamrolling oil and gas drilling in the coastal plain. The Porcupine Caribou Herd migrates to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge-Coastal Plain every . 6 President Biden has temporarily halted oil and gas activity in the refuge — but, as long as that law is on the books, the Arctic Refuge is in danger. protect this unique place." "Unique" is sometimes used too casually, but in this case it fits. Carrying out these tasks in the vast, roadless expanse of northern Alaska requires a distinct approach to law enforcement. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is home to some of the planet's most spectacular wildlife. They are the first and forever guardians of these lands. EPPN: Protect the Arctic Refuge. The Gwich'in people are a tribe in the northern part of Alaska and Canada, the Gwich'in people have relied on the Porcupine Caribou Herd for thousands of years, for food, cultural and spiritual needs. The Arctic Refuge is a place of ecological and cultural significance, but it's vulnerable to oil and gas drilling that threatens to pollute our air and water, degrade public lands, and ruin an Indigenous way of life. We are a coalition of. The fight to protect the Arctic Refuge is not just about our climate or wildlife conservation — it's also about indigenous rights. Some 200,000 caribou migrate hundreds of miles annually to give birth there. If oil companies are allowed to drill on the refuge's sensitive coastal plain, this essential landscape will be lost forever. Environment America and our allies will be building public support to encourage more members of Congress from both parties to co-sponsor the bill in the coming weeks and months. Camping - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Now their entire way of life is threatened by this Congress' budget. President Biden recently passed an executive order to permanently protect the Arctic Refuge from oil and gas drilling, but our work isn't over yet! We are covering the urgency to preserve the Arctic Refuge from the Trump administration’s efforts to expand oil and gas development. Climate change is rapidly changing the Arctic, and its implications are global. This legislation repeals the Arctic Refuge leasing program mandated by the 2017 Tax Act. There are no established campgrounds or camping facilities in the refuge. It supports indigenous cultures and has global ecological importance. The Porcupine Caribou Herd migrates to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge-Coastal Plain every . Learn how. Welcome to Petro Show 2019! Camping - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Fish and Wildlife Service has federally-trained law enforcement officers who protect the natural and cultural resources of the refuge. Protect the Arctic Refuge from oil industry allies in Congress . 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