Posts Tagged ‘League Post’
Congress Wants to Hand the Western Arctic Back to Big Oil
The Western Arctic is one of the last vast, wild places left in America. It’s home to caribou herds that travel hundreds of miles to calve, millions of migratory birds from across the globe, and Alaska Native communities who have lived off these lands for generations. At 23 million acres, the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (more warmly known as the…
Read MoreSeismic Exploration Explained: Why the Arctic Refuge Is at Risk
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the last truly wild places left on Earth. Every spring, caribou travel hundreds of miles to give birth here. Polar bears dig dens in the snow to raise their cubs. Millions of birds migrate from all 50 states to nest on its tundra. This isn’t just Alaska’s backyard. It’s our backyard. A living, breathing…
Read MoreWe Lost a Vote—But Not the Fight
Watching the budget bill pass hurt. There’s no way around it. Despite everything we poured into this fight—the long nights, the relentless pressure, the stories shared, the ground gained—Congress has once again sold-out Alaska and our public lands to billionaires. In a budget deal led by President Trump and his allies, we saw sweeping new…
Read MoreFrom Arctic Village to Advocacy: Danica Carey’s Journey to Protect America’s Arctic
In July of 2023, blog author Danica Carey traveled to the Arctic Refuge with four other women as part of a collaboration between Alaska Wilderness League and Love is King. This blog interview is an account of her experience, both in the Arctic Refuge and then more recently advocating in D.C. It’s been about a…
Read MoreWhat the Chevron Ruling Means for the League
Since 1984 – under what was known as the “Chevron doctrine” – courts in the United States deferred to agency interpretations of ambiguous laws passed by Congress. This gave federal agencies the leniency and power to interpret unclear laws, under the idea that agencies – with expertise in applicable science, public consultation, and a depth…
Read MoreProtecting America’s Arctic: Battling Backlash Against Conservation Efforts
In the wake of Earth Day, the Biden administration took a significant step forward for environmental conservation by announcing regulations safeguarding 13 million acres in the Western Arctic. This move not only signified a commitment to preserving vital ecosystems – especially around the Arctic’s five Special Areas – but also set the stage for future conservation efforts. However, the path to progress is not always straightforward, especially when political agendas clash with environmental stewardship.
Read MoreChampioning the Western Arctic: A Landmark Conservation Milestone for 2024
In the spring of 2024, President Biden took a monumental step in conservation, enacting new protections for over 13 million acres in the Western Arctic — the nation’s largest single unit of public land. This landmark regulation represents a significant victory for Alaska Wilderness League, culminating from thousands of hours of dedicated effort by our staff and supporters.
Read MoreWhat to Know About the Ambler Road Project
In the heart of northern Alaska, the threat of a devastating development project has hung over wild landscapes for decades. The proposed Ambler Road would be a new, 211-mile industrial corridor on the south side of the Brooks Range, extending west from the Dalton Highway to the south bank of the Ambler River.
Read MoreSafeguarding Our Western Arctic: A Quick Journey Through Time
America’s Western Arctic – and in particular the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (Reserve) – is a landscape that catapulted to the forefront of public attention as the Willow project gained notoriety. Yet, the Reserve is more than just Willow; it’s a region of Alaska that Alaska Wilderness League has worked to protect for decades, and we’ve recently seen positive steps toward stronger protections.
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