Archive for the 'Alaska Region' Category

Mar 08, 2010

Comments Needed on Izembek Land Swap

The National Audubon Society has put out an Action Alert asking citizens to submit comments opposing the proposed land swap at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. This blog has reported many times on the proposed land swap (see posts on Sept. 15, 2008, March 25, 2009, and Sept. 29, 2009), which would lead to [...]

Mar 01, 2010

Alaska Wildlife Officials Look to Expand Powers to Federal Lands

The blog National Parks Traveler is reporting that the state of Alaska is moving to expand their powers so they would be allowed to kill predators in national parks and preserves without prior approval from the federal government.

The matter is before the Alaska Board of Game, which convenes Friday in Fairbanks for a session [...]

Jan 30, 2010

2010 Friends Group of the Year

The Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges have been awarded the “2010 Friends Group of the Year” award.
From the National Wildlife Refuge Association announcement:

The Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges will receive the Friends Group of the Year Award. Alaska is home to some of the largest and wildest refuges in the country. Some refuges, [...]

Jan 26, 2010

2010 Employee of the Year Award

Vernon Byrd, of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska has won the 2010 Refuge System “Employee of the Year” award.
From the National Wildlife Refuge Association announcement:

Vernon Byrd, a biologist at Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, has been selected to receive the Refuge System Employee of the Year Award for demonstrating dedication [...]

Nov 30, 2009

Book: National Wildlife Refuges of Alaska

I recently acquired a wonderful book titled “National Wildlife Refuges of Alaska: Wild Wonders, Wild Lands.” The book, which was authored by Elaine Rhode, was published back in 2003, but it can still be found on the excellent Alaska Geographic website.
Although the book is only 58 pages, it provides a wealth of superb photography and [...]

Sep 29, 2009

Former DOI Officials Oppose Izembek NWR Land Swap

On March 25, 2009, this blog reported on the ongoing controversy regarding a land swap at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, which would lead to the construction of a $15.6 million, nine-mile gravel road through federally designated wilderness in one of the most pristine refuges in the Refuge System.
The land swap was rolled into [...]

Jul 31, 2009

Photo Friday: Aerial Photos of the Arctic NWR

Alaska photographer Patrick Endres has posted an amazing collection of aerial photography from Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in his Alaska PhotoGraphics blog.
In this day of high energy demands and exploding human populations, many argue over whether wilderness such as this is necessary. In reply, I provide a quote from Howard Zahniser, who was [...]

Jul 02, 2009

Decision Reached on Yukon Flats NWR Land Exchange

On January 7 and March 20, 2008, this blog reported on an initial agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Doyon corporation regarding a land exchange at the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has now reached a decision on this land swap.
From the National [...]

Mar 25, 2009

Wilderness Bill with Izembek NWR Land Swap Passes

In the past, this blog has followed the saga of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge land swap provision, which would lead to the construction of a $15.6 million, nine-mile gravel road through federally designated wilderness in one of the most pristine refuges in the Refuge System.
The Izembek NWR land swap deal could have been defeated [...]

Mar 11, 2009

House Defeats Omnibus Public Land Management Act

The House of Representatives today defeated the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The bill would have allowed construction of a $15.6 million, nine-mile gravel road through federally designated wilderness in one of the most pristine refuges in the Refuge System - Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
As this blog reported on January 11, [...]

Mar 05, 2009

Win a Trip to an Alaskan Wildlife Refuge

Barbara’s Bakery — which has been a strong supporter of the National Wildlife Refuge System — has just announced a contest that will let you win a trip to Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
The “Families Gone Wild” sweepstakes encourages people to submit a photo with 50 words or less telling Barbara’s Bakery about your [...]

Jan 11, 2009

Izembek Land-Swap Bill Likely to Pass Senate

The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 — which includes a bill that would allow a land swap at the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska — has passed a major hurdle in the U.S. Senate today and appears likely to pass the Senate later this week, when it will then be sent to [...]