arctic national wildlife refuge animals

"If you go up there in the spring it's crazy, every little puddle, even if it's just half a metre by half a metre you can barely see the water, it's just covered in ducks and geese," she tells the BBC. Nearly all countries in the Arctic are rushing to claim the resources and minerals found in the Arctic. [9] The question of whether to drill for oil in the National Wildlife Arctic Refuge has been a political controversy since 1977. 206 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[118 113]/Info 117 0 R/Length 240/Prev 296690/Root 119 0 R/Size 231/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream In addition, the community of Kaktovik has a non-resident travel restriction in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, there are no roads within or leading into the refuge, but there are a few Native settlements scattered within. Even for Americans who would never travel there, "he thought they would benefit knowing that it still existed in the condition it always had." Some parts of the ocean's surface are frozen all or most of the year. hbbd```b``1 lh` Le`DA$WT. This often leads them to relying on trash abundances for nutrition. r@dduMp`o%dR `Y0 V3,Ln!+"SQt!ddq,jdv$]`U2Ab.$!zw#Y DH DJvH}3G vC?,8&W ~7 Learn More: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Migratory Birds in Alaska | U.S. [citation needed] The oppositions of drilling include people who currently reside in Alaska and people who want to preserve the wildlife and land for future considerations. Additional information and instructions. There are also several lawsuits proceeding through the court system to stop oil and gas development in the Refuge, includingNational Audubon Society v. Bernhardt. One of the easiest ways that anyone can support bird habitat conservation is by buying duck stamps. One side argues that drilling for oil could bring in significant amounts of money, while providing jobs for people in Alaska. It consists of 19,286,722 acres (78,050.59km2) in the Alaska North Slope region. Shorefast ice tends to form later in fall. Thinning has occurred due to the sun melting the ice at a higher pace. Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority emergingas the highest bidder. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is an iconic American treasure. The southern portion of the Arctic Refuge is within the Interior Alaska-Yukon lowland taiga (boreal forest) ecoregion. This northernmost extension of the Rocky Mountains marks the continental divide, with north-flowing rivers emptying into the Arctic Ocean and south-flowing rivers joining the great Yukon River. "Polar bears must maintain a pristine hair coat as insulation against the cold - but when a polar bear comes into contact with spilled oil, it can soak a polar bear's fur and persist for several weeks. Beginning as predominantly treeless tundra with scattered islands of black and white spruce trees, the forest becomes progressively denser as the foothills yield to the expansive flats north of the Yukon River. An auction for the land leases was held on January 6, 2021. An Alaskan state entity, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, won the bids on nine tracts. %%EOF Because of the passage of the tax bill in late 2017, the Arctic Refuge is no longer protected from oil and gas development. Find out how you can get involved! In a review of the statement the U.S. It is also the biggest and wildestpublicly owned land in our country. Harlequin ducks and red-breasted mergansers are seen on swift-flowing rivers. Our email newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives. [36][37] Their annual land migration of 1,500 miles (2,400km), between their winter range in the boreal forests of Alaska and northwest Canada over the mountains to the coastal plain and their calving grounds on the Beaufort Sea coastal plain,[38] is the longest of any land mammal on earth. In 1954, the National Park Service recommended that the untouched areas in the Northeastern region of Alaska be preserved for research and protection of nature. Much of the debate over whether to drill in the 1002 area of ANWR rests on the amount of economically recoverable oil, as it relates to world oil markets, weighed against the potential harm oil exploration might have upon the natural wildlife, in particular the calving ground of the Porcupine caribou. In September 2007, the concentration of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean was significantly less than ever previously recorded. If you own a business, please consider joining 1% for the Planet to support Audubon Alaskas conservation efforts. Dall sheep, muskoxen, and Alaskan Arctic tundra wolves are active all year, while grizzly bears and Arctic ground squirrels are frequently seen during summer but hibernate in winter. Furthermore, Republicans claim that drilling will make the United States more independent from other countries because it will increase the oil reserves of the country. On January 20, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration put a temporary halt on oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Now, the Trump administration is aggressively moving ahead with a plan to sell leases to oil companies on the pristine coastal plain in the next year. Located in Alaska's northeast corner, it is home to a wide variety of species, such as polar bears, caribou, and wolves. If you observe an injured, sick or dead (when there is no apparent cause) eagle or other wild bird, please report it to the Sick and Dead Bird Hotline: 1-866-527-3358. In 1929, a 28-year-old forester named Bob Marshall visited the upper Koyukuk River and the central Brooks Range on his summer vacation "in what seemed on the map to be the most unknown section of Alaska. It is located on the traditional homelands of the Iupiat and Gwichin peoples. [10] There are two sides of this debate: support for drilling and the opposition of drilling. There are 12 species of marine mammals of the Arctic found in the refuge. [40][41], The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the only refuge that regularly dens polar bears in that local region, and contains the most consistent number of polar bears in the area. Wetlands and south-flowing rivers create openings in the forest canopy. Eightmillion acres (32,000km2) of the refuge are designated as wilderness area, the Mollie Beattie Wilderness. More on the climate crisis in the Arctic: the Arctic circle recorded its highest ever temperatures. These bears extend more than 800 miles (1,300km) along the coast of Northern Alaska and Canada. DollyVardenchar thrivehere, includinga relatively small resident form and a large salmon-sized anadromous form (thanks to perennial springs that stay unfrozen year-round). %PDF-1.4 % In response to public outcry and concerns of worsening climate change, U.S. banks Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo publicly announced that they will not fund oil and gas projects in the Arctic region. "With industrial activity comes a great deal of sound, from aeroplane noise, helicopter noise, truck noises, seismic activity," she says. [21] By 2008 the Central Arctic caribou herd had approximately 67,000 animals. [13], The region first became a federal protected area in 1960 by order of Fred Andrew Seaton, Secretary of the Interior under U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. "[21] Though numbers fluctuate, there were approximately 169,000 animals in the herd in 2010. This area for possible future oil drilling on the coastal plains of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, encompasses much of the Porcupine caribou calving grounds. Along the northern coast of the refuge, the barrier islands, coastal lagoons, salt marshes, and river deltas of the Arctic coastal tundra provide habitat for migratory waterbirds including sea ducks, geese, swans, and shorebirds. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Arctic coastal plain stretches southward from the coast to the foothills of the Brooks Range. The refuge supports a greater variety of plant and animal life than any other protected area in the Arctic Circle. Other year-round residents of the boreal forest include moose, polar foxes, beavers, Canadian lynxes, martens, red foxes, river otters, porcupines, muskrats, black bears, wolverines, and minks. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov). By Ben Sullender. Frequent forest fires ignited by lightning result in a complex mosaic of birch, aspen, and spruce forests of various ages. ", Arctic Circle sees 'highest-ever' temperatures, Satellites capture Arctic ice shelf split, Siberian heatwave 'clear evidence' of climate change. This limits their ability to hunt seals to build up fat for hibernation. On August 17, 2020, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt announced an oil and gas leasing program in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A trip to Arctic National Wildlife Refuge can be an inspiring, life-changing experience. These bears are known for traveling in the region to den and give birth. The Arctic gradually loses snow and ice, bare rock and water absorb more and more of the sun's energy, making the Arctic even warmer. After several days adapting to the outside environment, the families leave the dens. But environmentalists say the US government has not adequately considered the risks to wildlife and local communities. Where can they be just left alone to live their lives and fulfil their own purpose? "There's been very little scientific study into how this impacts the many different animals up there, but there's a lot of anecdotal evidence that sounds that are associated with any anthropogenic activity really bother them.". Moreover, the practice of drilling could present a potential threat to the region as a whole. When companies are exploring and drilling they are extracting the vegetation and destroying permafrost which can cause harm to the land. However, the Central Arctic herd is much smaller than the Porcupine herd, and has an area that is much larger. Birds migrate from across the United States and from six continents in order to feed, nest, and raise thier young in the Arctic Refuge. The Arctic is relatively covered by water, much of it is frozen. These areas are suitable for wilderness designation, although there are presently no proposals to designate them as wilderness. Rather, the leasing programme is just the latest step in a controversy that has been ongoing since the late 1970s. Arctic Refuge has established application periods for the following types of Special Use Permits: Commercial Activities - There are two applications periods: January 1 until April 15 and October 1 until November 30. "[6] The article became a much-quoted call to action and by the late 20th century was considered seminal by wilderness historians. Neotropical migratory birds breed here in spring and summer, attracted by plentiful food and the variety of habitats. [27] This will allow for future drilling in the Refuge. In 2017, President Trump signed a tax bill into law that includeda provision that openedthe Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling to offset massive corporate tax cuts. Oil industry bosses insist they have a well-established record of environmentally responsible development of Alaska's energy resources. [citation needed]. Founding the Alaska Conservation Society in 1960, Celia worked tirelessly to garner support for the protection of Alaskan wilderness ecosystems. Legal Notices Privacy Policy Contact National Audubon, Type in your search and hit Enter on desktop or hit Go on mobile device. In December 2017, Congress passed the Trump administration's tax bill which [21] The Arctic was found to have an immense amount of oil and natural gas deposits. "[4], In February 1930, Marshall published an essay, "The Problem of the Wilderness", a spirited defense of wilderness preservation in The Scientific Monthly, arguing that wilderness was worth saving not only because of its unique aesthetic qualities, but because it could provide visitors with a chance for adventure. [1] It is the largest national wildlife refuge in the country, slightly larger than the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. In 1980, Congress enlarged the original range to protect additional wildlife habitat and to establish the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Researchers at Oxford University explained that increasing temperatures, melting glaciers, thawing permafrost, and rising sea levels are all indications of warming throughout the Arctic. Help protect the spectacular natural ecosystems of the Arctic. In 2001, proponents of the development of the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay and Kuparuk, which would be approximately 60 miles (97km) west of the Refuge, argued that Central Arctic caribou herd, had increased its numbers "in spite of several hundred miles of gravel roads and more than a thousand miles of elevated pipe." [39] Polar Bears follow the trace of current carrying sea ice which leads them to travel south. The Arctic is mostly an ocean surrounded by land. Nearly 50 of these species migrate along the coast to the refuge in September. The administration's plan calls for "the construction of as many as four places for airstrips and well pads, 175 miles [282km] of roads, vertical supports for pipelines, a seawater-treatment plant and a barge landing and storage site."[24][25]. Specifically, ANWR occupies land beneath which there may be 7.7 to 11.8billionbbl (1.22 to 1.88billionm3) of oil. But also, what does that noise do to animals' stress levels? The fight is not over until this special place is permantently protected! [36][37] In 2001, some biologists feared development in the Refuge would "push caribou into the foothills, where calves would be more prone to predation. Most of the Arctic's liquid saltwater is from the Arctic Ocean's basin. This anecdotal evidence, she adds, comes from the Native Alaskan communities that live near the refuge. Although the total area of ice built up in recent years, the amount of ice continued to decline because of this thinning. We are proud to bepart of the 1% for the Planet network. Much controversial, the polar bears are widely affected by the climate change happening in this region. There are no roads, established trails, or facilities of any type within the refuge's 19 million acres. In 1980, Congress passed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. That hope is the organization of spirited people who will fight for the freedom of the wilderness. The 19.6 million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is an exceptional example of a complete, intact, arctic and subarctic ecosystem on a vast scale. Your support will power our science, education, advocacy and on-the-ground conservation efforts. In the United States, the geographic location most remote from human trails, roads, or settlements is found here, at the headwaters of the Sheenjek River. Caribou travel to the coastal plain during June and July to give birth and raise their young. Any drilling is going to impact their lives drastically, as well as all the other animals and people who depend on that caribou.". It is an ideal location where birdscantake advantage of the burst of plant and insect life during the long days of the Arctic summer. Fish and Wildlife Service is working closely with partners to document where the virus is occurring in wild birds, the bird species that are affected, and determine when, where and by whom action should be taken, including the collection of samples. The people who live in this Refuge have become accustomed over thousands of years to both survive and prosper in these harsh conditions. This phenomenon is called the albedo effect.[35]. "It's not only a safe haven for the wildlife, but also a symbol of our country's national heritage. People who oppose the drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge believe that it would be a threat to the lives of indigenous tribes. Just across the border in Yukon, Canada, are two Canadian National Parks, Ivvavik and Vuntut. ", "Potential Oil Production from the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Updated Assessment", Congress moves to 'drill, baby, drill' in Alaska's ANWR. Polar bears are particularly at risk of dying in oil spills, Muskoxen are one of many species of animals in the refuge, The controversy over drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has been ongoing since 1977, Oil can destroy a polar bear's fur, which protects it from the harsh environment, The refuge is home to more than 200 species of bird including the northern shrike, The refuge's caribou herd is particularly vulnerable. TAKE ACTIONto defend the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Coastal lands and sea ice are used by caribou seeking relief from biting insects during summer, and by polar bears hunting seals and giving birth in snow dens during winter. The Arctic marine food web consists of Primary consumers, Secondary consumers, Tertiary consumers, and scavengers. Siberian Arctic 'up to 10 degrees warmer' in June. For Republicans to enable exploitation of the oil, they would need 51 votes in the Senate to pass the House bill that cannot include the ANWR drilling language. Search for volunteer opportunities around the country, News about wonderful wild things and places, FWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts, Search employment opportunities with USFWS, America's largest and northernmost Wildlife Refuge. In Alaska, it is known for major oil companies to work with the indigenous groups, Alaska native corporations, to drill and export millions of barrels of oil each year. However, it is also home to many animals, including reindeer, polar bears and different species of bird. On the northern edge of the refuge is the Inupiat village of Kaktovik (population 258)[16] and on the southern boundary the Gwich'in settlement of Arctic Village (population 152). River mouths and calving glaciers, are continually moving ocean currents contribute to a unique marine ecosystem in the Arctic. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov). [32] Sea Ice has thinned and decreased. The Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has filed a final environmental impact statement and plans to start granting leases by the end of the year. During summer, peregrine falcons, gyrfalcons, and golden eagles build nests on cliffs. It takes a lot of territory to keep this alive, a living wilderness, for scientific observation and for esthetic inspiration. Those tribes rely on the ANWR's wildlife, the animals and plants that reside in the refuge. All refuge lands are open to the public, and there are no visitor fees or specific entry points. Take action now. Congressional authorization is required before oil drilling may proceed in this area. They consist of four species of whales, polar bears, the walrus and six species of ice-associated seals, sperm whales, blue whales, fin whales, humpback whales, killer whales, Harbor Porpoise. This process starts in the Arctic region, specifically in Alaska. They also begin targeting unusual animals as prey. Polar bears, Ms Monsell adds, are "particularly vulnerable" to oil spills. This area of rolling hills, small lakes, and north-flowing, braided rivers is dominated by tundra vegetation consisting of low shrubs, sedges, and mosses. It will be groomed and ingested, irritate the skin, and destroy the insulating abilities of the fur," she says. The Coastal Plain is the heart of this wild Arctic ecosystem, supporting the 197,000-animal Porcupine Caribou Herd, millions of migratory birds, and a full-complement of large predators, such as wolves, grizzly bears, and polar bears.

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