WILD ALASKA BLOG

Hidden Wonders of the Western Arctic with Peter Mather

By Hilary Stamper | May 25, 2023

After spending over a decade photographing hidden wonders partly in a region inadequately named the “National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska,” Peter pairs first-hand stories with world-class images that show why the Arctic is such a unique and special place.

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Alaska’s Critical Role in Protecting Global Biological Diversity

By Anja Semanco | May 22, 2023

In addition to serving as home to 229 federally recognized tribes and the highest proportion of American Indian and Alaska Native people in the U.S., a 2020 study of intact habitats around the world identified 93.6 percent of Alaska’s lands as essential in stabilizing climate and avoiding species extinction. The study emphasized the unique importance of Alaska’s vast landscapes and high carbon storage capacity.

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Proposed Land Exchange in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge Raises Legal Questions

By Aileo Weinmann | May 18, 2023

Today the Department of the Interior published a Notice of Intent to prepare a supplemental environmental review of a possible land exchange involving Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge for a road.

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Forest Service Announces Inventory of Mature, Old-Growth Trees and Forests

By Aileo Weinmann | April 20, 2023

Today, the U.S. Forest Service announced a process to protect mature and old-growth trees and forests as part of its strategy to help federally managed forests cope with effects from climate change. A rulemaking process will come next, including a public comment period to gather input on new policies under consideration. 

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Chubb Insurance Bans Underwriting Arctic Refuge Drilling

By Anja Semanco | April 19, 2023

Chubb insurance company officially signed a new policy prohibiting the underwriting of oil and gas extraction projects in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (as well as other government-protected conservation areas).

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ExxonMobil Says They Are Not Interested in Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

By Aileo Weinmann | April 17, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 17, 2023 Washington, D.C. — Industry giant ExxonMobil has informed shareholders in a new proxy statement that the company has no plans for new oil and gas exploration or development in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. ExxonMobil’s announcement is another strong indication that major oil companies view drilling in the Arctic…

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Alaska Wilderness League Appeals Court Ruling, Seeks to Halt ConocoPhillips’ Willow Project

By Aileo Weinmann | April 4, 2023

Alaska Wilderness League was among six groups that filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court challenging the Biden administration’s approval of ConocoPhillips’ Willow oil and gas project in Alaska’s Arctic. The organization’s attorneys also filed for a preliminary injunction in the case, asking the court to step in before ConocoPhillips started a race to road construction. Today, the court denied the injunction, allowing construction to proceed, with bulldozers poised to tear across the tundra.

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Victorious: The Magic of Bristol Bay

By Hilary Stamper | March 31, 2023

Alaska Wilderness League and filmmaker Mark Titus present a true “Geography of Hope” in Bristol Bay, Alaska. This virtual celebration of our recent victory protecting Bristol Bay from the proposed Pebble Mine showcases vibrant videos, images and stories about what it means to be connected to this magical region and its salmon.

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New Film Highlights the Beauty of the Arctic, and the Need to Protect it 

By Maddie Halloran | March 29, 2023

As opportunities for in-person gatherings have increased in recent years, Alaska Wilderness League has proudly supported the distribution of a captivating new documentary, “The Arctic: Our Last Great Wilderness.”

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Love is King Project Roam Participants Travel from The Arctic Refuge to Washington, D.C.

By League Staff | March 28, 2023

When I visited Alaska with Love Is King Project Roam, I ventured into a new territory of outdoor adventure and experiences. When Chad Brown introduced the opportunity to travel to Alaska, something deep inside me said yes. I attended an Arctic National Wildlife Refuge deployment in July of 2022. We were honored to stay on…

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