The Wilderness Blog

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What Mexico is teaching this Alaskan scientist

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On my first day at Wild 9, I found it funny that I had to come all the way to Merida, Mexico to see colleagues from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office in Anchorage and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and to make new contacts with people from Lake Clark National Park and wildlife photographers that have captured Alaska’s amazing landscapes on film to share with the international audience. more

My afternoon as a Polar Bear

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There was a bit of hesitancy in communications director Kathy Westra’s voice last Thursday when she asked me how I would feel about wearing a polar bear costume to an outdoor mid-day rally at the Department of the Interior to raise awareness about oil drilling in Arctic waters. As a communications intern new to Washington, I jumped at an opportunity to draw attention to myself, and I then proceeded to research the issue more in-depth, so I would know why I was wearing this enormous furry outfit in the noonday Washington heat. more

The Climatologist who came in from the cold

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From 007 to Austin Powers, we love a good spy story. What’s not to like? Intrigue. Cool gadgets. Polar bears. State secrets. “Wait,” you say. “Polar bears?” That’s right. U.S. military satellites aren’t just focused on Russia and rogue states…They also keep a close eye on the states of former rogue veep nominees. Alaska, home to more than just Palins and polar bears, is also the front-line when it comes to global warming, as evidenced by previously-secret images of melting sea ice off the states' coast. more

Celebrating 45 years of the Wilderness Act

America's Wilderness spans magnificent lands from coast to coast — north to south. We can celebrate these outstanding natural benefits today — and be sure they will be available to us tomorrow — because forty-five years ago, our nation’s leaders introduced visionary legislation unlike any the world had ever seen: The Wilderness Act. A deliberate and farsighted effort to protect from development vast areas of wild places, the Wilderness Act preserves the lasting benefits of wilderness for the enjoyment of all Americans. more

Seafood enthusiasts won’t like the news about global warming in Alaska

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It can help your cholesterol problems, is a healthy source of protein, contains essential oils, and has even been dubbed “brain food” — and your ability to buy it will be impacted by the effects global warming has on a state many of us will never be lucky enough to visit. Yes, I’m talking about seafood — and yes, much of our seafood comes from Alaska. more

How our science is helping save the Tongass National Forest

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Yesterday, The Wilderness Society celebrated a small but meaningful victory in our ongoing efforts to protect America’s largest national forest — the Tongass National Forest. more

Yukon Flats Safe at Last!

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Last week the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its decision to identify the “no action alternative” for a proposed land exchange under consideration for the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. more

Ecologist Wendy Loya helps agencies plan for future change

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Alaska is ground zero for global warming. Temperatures here are rising faster than anywhere else in the world, and the kinds of things scientists have been warning about for years — hotter and drier summers, more wild fires, insect outbreaks, and unusual weather patterns — are already posing some unprecedented threats for the state’s natural resources. more