What We Do

The International Conservation Program in Alaska strengthens cooperation and scientific exchange about trans-boundary species and ecosystems among the nations of the circumpolar Arctic and other international partners. Alaska is uniquely situated between two international neighbors, Canada and Russia. Species and habitats of critical importance, benefit, and meaning to Americans, occur not only within the borders of the United States, but also in shared boreal and Arctic ecosystems extending around the globe.

Coordinate and Serve as Liaison: We work with the other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) programs, such as Migratory Bird Management and Marine Mammals Management, to assist in coordinating many of the Region’s international activities. In 2006, the Alaska Region founded the cross-programmatic Alaska Region Coordinating Team for International Cooperation ( “ARCTIC”), chaired by International Conservation. The other major USFWS programs in Alaska all have representation on ARCTIC, as does the Washington Office Division of International Conservation. The purpose of ARCTIC is to further improve international collaboration opportunities between and among programs in Alaska, and also enhance coordination with the Washington Office’s international program and with other partners, such as the USGS Alaska Science Center. The International Conservation Program serves as liaison on international activities with the Department of the Interior and the Washington Office of the USFWS.

Promote and Support USFWS Programs: The International Conservation Program supports the other USFWS programs by communicating their priorities and objectives to other Arctic countries and our resource agency counterparts there. The USFWS promotes cooperative science and stewardship of fish and wildlife resources by partnering and leveraging dollars with our counterparts in all of the other Arctic countries through official representation in such international working groups as the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna working group (CAFF) of the Arctic Council. We take an active leadership role to strengthen and expand international partnerships, landscape-level planning efforts, and technical assistance to deliver efficient range-wide conservation of migratory species. We implement and support international partnerships, treaties, shared scientific monitoring and research endeavors, and effective stewardship of the globally significant biodiversity of the circumpolar Arctic. We work to support USFWS priorities such as landscape conservation, migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, aquatic species, and connecting people with nature to ensure the future of conservation.

Caribou herd in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Last updated: June 26, 2008