EPA proposes protecting Bristol Bay from the Pebble mine
The EPA just took an important step toward protecting Bristol Bay salmon, communities, and ways of life. Right now, you can help by making yourself heard.
A Supreme betrayal: Alaska News Brief May 2022
We like to believe that certain groups of people, when given the right knowledge, experience, education, guidelines, etc., can make decisions for all of us without bias or agenda. One such body is the Supreme Court, the “highest” adjudicating body in the United States and the final authority on the law. Let me tell you, we have a lot to worry about right now.
An Arctic update: Restored protections, a methane leak, a looming threat
Western Arctic Alaska basks in endless sunlight these days, with caribou and birds migrating, blooms and tundra life emerging, and communities embracing the summertime warmth and nourishment. You can find industrialization here, too, and evidence of extraction and pollution that impacts the health of the region and planet.
Howling pierced the morning quiet
We looked up the hillside and saw a pack of five or six wolves. We spent the next half hour watching their movements. They continued howling while we continued skiing. -- Katie Strong shares a story of time in wild places.
Litigation 101: What is a petition for a rehearing en banc and why did we file one?
We filed a petition en banc late last month asking the entire Ninth Circuit Court to review a March decision by a three-judge Ninth Circuit panel that allows an Interior Secretary to overrule Congress by approving a land swap that allows a commercial gravel road in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. So what is an en banc review and why did we petition for one?
Stories can teach, stories can lie: Alaska News Brief April 2022
15 Apr, 2022
in America's Arctic, Bristol Bay, Clean Air and Water, Climate Change, Newsletters, Wild Lands & Wildlife
It doesn’t take long spending time with dogs, bears, birds and bees to know they communicate. Some animals even manipulate. Only human animals uniquely share knowledge, wisdom, tall tales and lies through stories. The writer Margaret Atwood describes the origin of storytelling as the coupling of language with concepts of the past, present, and future to help people learn about what happened before—to teach people things to avoid having to learn by trial and error every time.
in America's Arctic, Bristol Bay, Clean Air and Water, Climate Change, Newsletters, Wild Lands & Wildlife
Permitting process severely underestimates mining spills in Alaska
A report released this month shows that the number of documented spills between 1995 and 2020 at the five major operational hardrock mines in Alaska far exceeded those estimated in permit applications and environmental reports.
What’s going on in Juneau?
The Alaska legislature finishes its first session of the year in mid-May, and there’s a lot going on. Some of it sounds weedy, confusing, even like good news for climate. There’s more than meets the eye, though, so let’s take a look under the surface.
Warren Keogh talks about Alaska, advocacy, and why he gives
We first crossed paths with Warren Keogh when he served as vice president of the Castle Mountain Coalition – a citizen group that has worked to promote the health of the Matanuska watershed for decades. We talked to him about Alaska, advocacy and how he contributes to the health of land, water, and communities.
Where the extraordinary begins. Alaska News Brief March 2022
We often hear from Alaska’s political players about the need to extract more oil in Alaska, but it’s reached a crescendo in recent weeks. They're now taking advantage of the suffering of Ukrainians to use the mantras of “national defense” and “energy independence” to promote fossil fuel interests.
Litigation 101: What does it mean to intervene?
What does it mean to intervene in a lawsuit? Let's use our recent legal action to protect the Arctic Refuge to explain.
What’s it like making your first arguments in court (…virtually)?
Rachel Briggs made her first two oral arguments as an attorney during the COVID pandemic; Bridget Psarianos argued in court for the first time, then again online, after ten years an attorney. Here, they tell their stories about arguing in court for the first time.
Biden administration recognizes some, not all, legal problems with Ambler road approvals
The Biden administration failed to rescind permits for the Ambler road proposal while refusing to acknowledge the full and long list of legal problems with the Interior Department’s approval process. This means the applicant, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, can continue funding and working on the project with outside corporate mining interests.
All the wings in motion. Alaska News Brief February 2022
The thick sludge of winter can get to me sometimes. The dark, the cold, the cycling from snow to slush to ice to snow to—you get the picture. All of it gets old. I suppose that’s how cycles feel sometimes. That’s why we have to break out of them—at least in terms of our emotions and perspectives.
We can repair the climate crisis. Will we?
I want to tell you about a podcast that gets real about the climate crisis. You might say, “Great, another post about climate change telling me about a podcast about climate change. I’ve had enough of the doom and gloom!” I hear you. The Repair does talk about how we got here, and also how we as humans can take responsibility and make changes that make a meaningful difference in our future.
We went to court to protect bears and wolves in the Kenai Refuge
We argued in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Feb. 18...
You can’t duct tape the climate crisis. Biden agency must say no to Willow oil and gas project
UPDATED: The Alaska office of the Bureau of Land Management announced on...
An Alaska way of giving
It's that time of year for Alaskans to Pick.Click.Give. to Alaska nonprofits that help create a healthy, sustainable future for our state. This Alaska way of giving can help us protect clean water and air, healthy land and communities, and in taking climate action with a positive impact.
Hurtful feelings and hard conversations: Alaska News Brief January 2022
It’s hard for me to understand why we can’t look directly at the insurrection, or climate chaos, or the way technology has undermined social connections and democratic principles, and then have the hard, necessary conversations to get back to our common constitutional values. When you really listen to people, you hear the same claims of feeling left out, of feeling demeaned or without opportunities—and the same fears, resentments, anger, and other dangerous emotions—no matter their political perspectives. There is common ground, even if it’s lost in the chaos and sound bites.
A mom’s lifetime learning: Taking a college climate class with her son
What happens when a mom takes a college climate class with her son? Let's just say she sharpened her pencils and jumped right into the virtual learning sphere, the first time in college since the 1980s.
Climate action in the western Arctic
The Biden administration announced in January 2022 that it intends to reverse a Trump-era plan that would have allowed for increased and extensive oil extraction within the largest unit of public land in the country. This is good news, and also it's not enough.
The wisdom of doing something: Alaska News Brief December 2021
Sometimes I feel so caught up in tasks and to-do lists and...
2021 lessons we’re taking into the New Year
We asked everyone at Trustees , what did you learn in 2021...
Since coming to Alaska, Mackenzie’s bucket list has gotten out of hand
Mackenzie Pope joined Trustees at the end of November. She joins our...
An Arctic wish list with 2022 resolve
Our work feels less frantic and chaotic than it did a year ago. Nonetheless, the divisive 2020 election that led to an insurrection slashed any hope of taking a break from staying vigilant about defending democracy, ensuring climate action, and sustaining the health of Alaska’s lands and waters. Yes, a lot has changed in 2021, with real hope that climate policy will honor and prioritize frontline communities and Indigenous ways of life. Yet the Biden administration continues to defend Trump era decisions and actions that threaten Alaska communities, animals, and landscapes.
Ungrateful // grateful: Alaska News Brief November 2022
Okay, it’s true. Sometimes I want to stay in bed. It’s cold...
What’s Up with Peg? It’s her 90th shindig with Trustees!
One of our cofounders Peg Tileston turns 90 this month and we’re throwing a party. . If you’ve spent a minute with Peg, you know there’s nothing like hearing her chat about Alaska, the role of policy and the law in our communities, and the power of passion and commitment.
For the birds
Birds give us song, beauty, food, a vision of flight. Some birds use tools. Some fly thousands and thousands of miles nonstop one way on annual migrations. Some swim as seamlessly as they fly. Some birds rely on specific foods like eelgrass while others eat almost anything. Some birds live all year in Alaska and others fly over oceans and continents to get here.