Dall Sheep in Denali National Park and Preserve
North of the Arctic Circle and beyond Alaska’s Brooks Range mountains lies America’s Arctic. It’s ground zero for climate change, warming twice as fast as the rest of the world yet remains at risk from oil drilling that will only worsen climate and other pollution.
The Arctic’s rolling tundra, wild rivers, wetlands, ponds, deep lakes and sparkling coastal waters are home to a stunning array of wildlife. Every year millions of birds from across the country and around the world return to America’s Arctic tundra and wetlands to nest and raise their young. Caribou, musk oxen, wolverines, grizzly and polar bears roam the vast expanse of land while walrus, bowhead and beluga whales ply the Arctic waters. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, special areas in the Western Arctic and the Arctic Ocean are the jewels of the far north.
The health of this landscape is vital to the subsistence way of life of Alaska Native communities. For centuries the Gwich’in and Inupiaq people have relied on the bounty of the Arctic for their livelihood.
We must act now to save these places from destructive drilling and mining and to help these special places, wondrous wildlife, and local communities survive in a rapidly changing world.
Experience the Arctic Refuge through video and learn more about this amazing place here.