Why is the Arctic important?

The Arctic is the largest wildlife refuge in the country. Its habitats range from boreal forests, to rivers, tundra, lakes and wetlands to coastal lagoons, barrier lands and bays of the Arctic Ocean. Even for those who may never set foot there, the Arctic Refuge is an important symbol of conservation, and a cornerstone of the hope and peace of mind that can only be found in connecting with nature.

The Arctic Refuge is also home to some of our most iconic species of wildlife, including polar bears, grizzly bears, musk oxen, Dall sheep, wolves, wolverines and many more. Each year, the Arctic Refuge coastal plain’s vast expanse of lush tundra acts as the birthing grounds for much of this wildlife. Birds we see in our own backyards, in all 50 states and across six continents, begin their lives in the Arctic Refuge. The Refuge’s coastal plain is the most important land habitat for mother polar bears, who build dens there each year to give birth to their cubs.

Despite its importance, the Arctic Refuge has been under threat from oil and gas drilling for decades - and this has only gotten worse under the second Trump administration. We need permanent protections to keep this land safe for future generations, but instead we're fighting attack after attack. Recently, the administration finalized a plan to open up millions of acres of fragile landscapes in the Western Arctic to oil and gas drilling. If oil and gas drilling takes place here, the Refuge and the people who depend on it will suffer. We need permanent protections to keep this land safe for future generations.

The Arctic is facing coordinated attacks on multiple fronts right now: Oil leasing threats in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a mining road cutting through Gates of the Arctic National Park, and expanded drilling across the Western Arctic. These are some of the wildest, most ecologically important landscapes left in the United States.

The Sierra Club is working to protect the Arctic Refuge for good. We’ve already convinced major banks not to fund drilling projects. We’re working hard to educate the Oil and Gas industry on the huge risk and low reward of pursuing Arctic Drilling, elevating the voices of front line communities who depend on the Arctic's abundant wildlife, and using every tool in the toolbox to push back against the Arctic giveaway.