Northern Alaska Environmental Center

SINCE 1971, THE NORTHERN ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER HAS PROMOTED ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP IN INTERIOR AND ARCTIC ALASKA THROUGH EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY.

THE ARCTIC PROGRAM ADVOCATES FOR HABITAT AND WILDLIFE PROTECTIONS IN THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND THE NATIONAL PETROLEUM RESERVE-ALASKA AND MARINE MAMMAL AND MIGRATORY WATERFOWL HABITAT PROTECTION IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN AND OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF. ADVOCACY AND GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING ARE DONE THROUGH COLLABORATIONS WITH LOCAL TRIBES; STATE AND NATIONAL COALITION WORK; AND ACTIVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COMMENT SUBMISSIONS AND AT HEARINGS THAT AFFECT WILD HABITATS. THE ARCTIC PROGRAM PRODUCES EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH MATERIALS SUCH AS MAPS, IMAGES, VIDEOS, NEWSLETTERS, AND BROCHURES TO CONVEY THAT ARCTIC AND INTERIOR ALASKA CONTAIN SOME OF AMERICA'S MOST SPECIAL PLACES-UNSPOILED LANDSCAPES WITH A DIVERSITY OF HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS, WILDLIFE, AND INDIGENOUS CULTURES THAT HAVE THRIVED OFF THE LAND FOR CENTURIES. THE ARCTIC PROGRAM AND NORTHERN CENTER WORK TO PRESERVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL INHABITANTS-NOW AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

THE CLEAN WATER & MINING PROGRAM ADVOCATES FOR STRONG WATER RESOURCE PROTECTIONS CONNECTED TO MINERAL EXTRACTION AND RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS THROUGH: COLLABORATIONS WITH LOCAL VILLAGES; PARTICIPATION AT REGIONAL CONFERENCES AND IN ALASKA AND NATIONAL COALITIONS; SUBMITTING COMMENT LETTERS TO AGENCIES ON PLANNING AND SCOPING DOCUMENTS; AND PRODUCING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS-FACT SHEETS AND WEB CONTENT-TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF INFORMED INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN WORK TO ENSURE CLEAN RIVERS, HEALTHY FISH, AND QUALITY HABITATS FOR RURAL AND URBAN SETTINGS.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE: THE NORTHERN CENTER ADDRESSES CLIMATE CHANGE BY PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS THAT REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS THROUGH: PARTICIPATION IN AND LEADERSHIP IN A COALITION OF STATEWIDE RENEWABLE ENERGY COORDINATORS; EDUCATING AND ENGAGING LOCAL UTILITY RATEPAYERS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERIOR ALASKA; AND PROMOTING CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS.

YOUTH AND EDUCATION: EDUCATING AND DEVELOPING YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY IS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE NORTHERN CENTER MEMBERSHIP THROUGH DIRECT, DESIGNATED DONATIONS. THESE FUNDS DIRECTLY SUPPORT A LOCAL SUMMER CAMP FOR CHILDREN, ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH GROUPS, AND SUMMER INTERNSHIPS. THE CAMP HAS BEEN ON HOLD THE LAST TWO YEARS DUE TO COVID. LOCAL & LEGISLATIVE: LOCAL, STATEWIDE, AND NATIONAL GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING AROUND ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ESPECIALLY POOR AIR QUALITY. TRACK AND ACT UPON RELATED LEGISLATION MOVING THROUGH ALASKA STATE LEGISLATIVE BODIES.