Alaska Wilderness League

Results: alaskawild.org/report-2019/

Programs: The arctic national wildlife refuge is our nation's greatest wilderness icon and must be protected for future generations. Drilling in the arctic refuge will do nothing to lower today's gas prices and will not address our nation's long-term energy needs. The league works to defend and protect this iconic place by educating the public and decision-makers through outreach and the media about what is at stake, advancing legislation and other tactics that will hold off any development on the coastal plain of the refuge, and seeking long term protections.

America's arctic ocean, the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, are some of the most unique marine ecosystems in the world. The arctic ocean is home to the entire population of u. S. Polar bears and have consequently been designated a critical habitat. Many of america's most beloved sea animals thrive here, including the endangered bowhead whale, walrus, seals, and countless birds. This marine wildlife, especially the bowhead whale, is vital to the survival of the subsistence culture of the Inupiat people of Alaska's north slope. The league continues to lead coalition efforts to push back on future leasing and drilling, as well as coordinating a public campaign to maintain the current 125 million acres of protection that have been granted to the arctic ocean. The league also reaches out to people living on the front lines of development through the environmental justice campaign.

the national petroleum reserve-Alaska (the reserve) is one of america's best-kept wilderness secrets. At 22 million acres, the reserve is our nation's largest single piece of federal land. It contains rich wild lands and vibrant wildlife such as grizzly and polar bears, walrus, beluga whales, and caribou. The league's work focuses on upholding the current management plan for the reserve that includes protection for 11 million acres of ecologically sensitive land, as well as opposing any legislative or administrative threats to the reserve while educating the public in the lower 48 about the subsistence and wildlife values of the reserve.

Tongass national forest - at over 17 million acres, the Tongass is our nation's largest rainforest and one of the largest remaining temperate rainforests in the world. It is a place bursting with abundant wildlife - some of the largest remaining populations of black bear, eagles, and salmon thrive within the forest - and where southeast Alaskans still live a traditional life off of its lands and waterways. The Tongass is an economic powerhouse where commercial fishing as well as tourism and recreation jobs are the fastest growing job sectors in the area.