This the second in a series about how a Supreme Court decision has muddied the waters for agencies managing the use of rivers and streams on federal lands like national parks. In part two: Alaska Governor Dunleavy announced the “Unlock Alaska” initiative in late March with a vague and incredibly broad assertion of state sovereignty over navigable waters throughout Alaska. The initiative is as perplexing as it is misguided. … Read More

In our work, we sometimes talk about going on the defensive. For us, that means doing everything we can to hold the line in court when those with power make decisions and take actions that put the health of Alaska’s lands and communities, water and air at risk. Defensive work requires focusing on stopping harmful things and sometimes forgetting to shine the light on what we can build together. So today, I want to shine that light again on who we are and what we stand for.… Read More

You might have heard Governor Dunleavy recently announce the “Unlock Alaska” initiative. Through it, he basically dares federal agencies to regulate any waterway running through federal lands, and encourages Alaska citizens to flout federal regulations. This is political posturing, for sure, a flawed interpretation of the State’s authority, and a bizarre attempt at a power grab certain to lead to extensive litigation. … Read More

It’s hard to believe it has been a year since we first hunkered down due to the pandemic.

The concept of time has been unreal—it dragged, it sped up, it stood still. And in the midst of it all, we faced an existential crisis to our democracy, an ongoing racial reckoning, and so much loss—the loss of so many lives to COVID and racist violence and injustice. The loss of connection to family, friends, coworkers, social gatherings, and even purpose and meaning. A year can change everything and nothing at all. The months from last March to this March certainly proves it.… Read More

Things look far rosier now than a year ago when it comes to public lands management, clean air and water, protecting wildlife and tackling the climate crisis. The Biden administration came out of the gate with clear actions that make climate and environmental health a key component of every decision-making process across all departments. But prior federal actions and lawsuits mean the work has in many ways just begun.… Read More

Dulce Ben-East, co-owner of Alaska Wild Harvest, shares her story about how she helps keep Alaska land, water, animals, and people healthy. “The health of our forests is intricately tied to our climate. In Alaska, the temperature is rising at three times the rate of the Lower 48. Our forests and fisheries are struggling to survive. Not only is forest health integral to my business, it is integral to the health of fisheries, wildlife, air and water, and people. …”… Read More

On Friday Jan. 6, during the siege on the Capitol, Gov. Dunleavy announced that the state of Alaska would appeal the Army Corps’ denial of a permit for the proposed Pebble mine. So in our first Pebble update 2021, we … Read More

Sharing the same space really matters. It helps us understand each other more fully, with compassion, and to better communicate the nuance when making a point, light heartedly ribbing a friend, sharing a favorite song by oversharing it, or dishing out another cinnamon roll–oh how I miss my mother’s homemade holiday cinnamon rolls! … Read More

The good news is that a November court win upheld the prohibition of brown bear baiting in the Kenai Refuge; the bad news is that a new proposed rule would allow the baiting of Kenai brown bears for the first time ever. … Read More