Arctic Refuge |
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The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, located in the northeast corner of Alaska, is one of the wildest and most pristine places left in the United States. Some 180 bird species have been recorded in the Arctic Refuge, including 135 on the “coastal plain,” which migrate there from all 50 states and four continents. The coastal plain is also the central calving ground for the Porcupine caribou herd; it contains the most important denning habitat for polar bears in the Alaskan Arctic; it hosts habitat for wolves and grizzly bears; and it is the year-round home to muskoxen, Arctic foxes and wolverines. The Refuge and its wildlife are central to the identity and the cultural survival of the Alaskan Gwich’in Nation. Cool Facts about the Arctic Refuge
For over 15 years, the biological heart of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has been a prime target for oil and gas exploration. The Refuge was originally set aside in 1960 as a promise to the American people to preserve the area’s “unique wildlife, wilderness, and recreational values.” Production of oil and gas from the Refuge is currently prohibited, unless authorized by an act of Congress. Nevertheless, the Administration has called for drilling the Refuge as part of its development-focused energy plan, as well in the FY 2006 budget bill. Similarly, the Senate recently voted to include provisions opening the Arctic Refuge for energy development in the Senate version of this year’s (FY 2006) budget. The National Wildlife Federation helps lead a nationwide grassroots effort to protect the Arctic Refuge. We will continue to be a watchdog for the Arctic Refuge by tracking of efforts in Congress to open this area for oil development and working with members of Congress to secure a wilderness designation for this national treasure. NWF, along with a coalition of groups dedicated to protecting the Arctic Refuge, has:
Incredibly, even though the majority of Americans do not want any drilling in the Arctic Refuge, the battle continues. Do your part to help reduce global warming by taking the Good Neighbor Pledge today. |
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