WILD ALASKA BLOG
Congress Moves Forward on Arctic Land Sell-Off; Arctic Refuge CRA Passes House, Senate Vote Still Critical
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: November 18, 2025 Contact: Anja Semanco | 724-967-2777 | anja@alaskawild.org Congress Moves Forward on Arctic Land Sell-Off; Arctic Refuge CRA Passes House, Senate Vote Still Critical Washington, D.C. — Today, Congress took a major step advancing the Trump administration’s agenda to sell off some of our nation’s most treasured public lands in the Arctic—not for the…
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From the Arctic to the Capitol: An Alaskan Guide Speaks Up for the Refuge
This past fall, Alaska Wilderness League invited Arctic Wild guide Emilie Entrikin to D.C. to advocate for the Arctic Refuge during Wilderness Week–an advocacy event hosted by the National Wilderness Coalition. Read more about her experience below. For 17 years, I’ve traveled through some of the most remote and spectacular corners of the Alaskan Arctic.…
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Interior Rescinds Protections in the Western Arctic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: November 13, 2025 Contact: Anja Semanco | 724-967-2777 | anja@alaskawild.org In response to today’s Department of the Interior announcement rescinding the 2024 Bureau of Land Management rule governing Special Areas in the Western Arctic, Monica Scherer, senior director of campaigns at Alaska Wilderness League, released the following statement: “Today’s actions make one thing painfully clear:…
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Sam Kolton: A Personal Connection to Public Lands
From the moment my mom, brother and I first stepped onto the coastal plain, I was mind blown by the peacefulness of this rugged terrain. The mountain ranges stared back at me, while the thick, grassy terrain comforted me like a cozy mattress. As the brisk and cool Arctic air hit my face, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by the area around me. My whole life, I watched from a distance as my father worked passionately and tirelessly to protect the Refuge from oil and gas lease sales. Now it was my turn.
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Senate Vote Shows Government Open for the Oil Industry, Closed for People
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: October 30, 2025 Contact: Anja Semanco | 724-967-2777 | anja@alaskawild.org Senate Vote Shows Government Open for the Oil Industry, Closed for People Washington, D.C.— In a move that threatens key protections in Alaska’s Western Arctic, the U.S. Senate today passed S.J. Resolution 80 by a vote of 52-45, which would disallow President Biden’s Record of Decision (ROD) for the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska. The bill, sponsored by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), still requires a final vote in…
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What Public Lands will Alaska Have Left Once Trump is Through with Them?
In just nine months, Trump has taken brash and inconceivable moves to open Alaska’s public lands to industrialization. From roads that could rip through Gates of the Arctic National Park, to opening the Arctic Refuge’s coastal plain to drilling, and offering up Special Areas on a buffet table to oil and gas companies, it’s clear…
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Alaska Wilderness League Condemns President Trump’s Attack On Alaska During the Government Shutdown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: October 23, 2025 Contact: Anja Semanco | 724-967-2777 | anja@alaskawild.org Alaska Wilderness League Condemns President Trump’s Attack On Alaska During the Government Shutdown Washington, D.C.—Following today’s announcement by Secretary Burgum related to Alaska actions, Alaska Wilderness League Executive Director Kristen Miller issued the following statement: “The Arctic Refuge is the crown jewel of our public lands system. During a government shutdown, when everyday Americans are left…
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Statement from Alaska Wilderness League on BLM’s Call for Nominations in the Western Arctic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: October 21, 2025 Contact: Anja Semanco | 724-967-2777 | anja@alaskawild.org Statement from Alaska Wilderness League on BLM’s Call for Nominations in the Western Arctic Washington, D.C.—In response to today’s announcement that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is issuing a call for nominations and comments on an upcoming 2025 Western Arctic Oil and Gas Lease Sale, Andy Moderow, senior director of policy…
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Rep. Nick Begich Ignores Government Shutdown, Pushes Drilling Resolution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: October 14, 2025 Contact: Anja Semanco | 724-967-2777 | anja@alaskawild.org Rep. Nick Begich Ignores Government Shutdown, Pushes Drilling Resolution WASHINGTON, D.C. — Late last week, despite an ongoing government shutdown, Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska) introduced a resolution (H.J.Res. 131) to overturn the Biden administration’s Record of Decision (ROD) that provided stronger protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This resolution aims to utilize the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to strike Biden’s 2024 Arctic Refuge action, in a…
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