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ANWR is one of the least disturbed ecosystems on Earth, giving it global significance for scientific research and as part of Earth's natural heritage. ANWR is also thought to hold considerable reserves of oil and gas.
- What is special about ANWR?
- Why is the Arctic Refuge so important?
- Why should we protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
- Why was ANWR created?
- Is ANWR federal land?
- What is ANWR history?
- Can you visit ANWR?
- How long has ANWR been protected?
- What are the environmental concerns with opening ANWR to oil exploration?
- What are the economic benefits of opening ANWR to oil exploration?
- What is ANWR and where is it located?
- Who owns the ANWR?
- Did we save ANWR?
- How was ANWR created?
What is special about ANWR?
Often referred to as America's last great wilderness, it is home to polar bears, caribou, Alaskan moose, wolverines, migratory birds and other animals. It's also the homeland of the Gwich'in, a group of indigenous people who have subsisted on the land for thousands of years.
Why is the Arctic Refuge so important?
The Arctic Refuge is critical to polar bear denning. ... While the bears prefer to spend most of their time on pack ice in the Arctic Ocean, land denning sites on the refuge's northern coast are increasingly important as sea ice recedes due to climate change.
Why should we protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
The Arctic Refuge is at risk of energy development. This process could threaten local wildlife, indigenous cultures, and the global climate. Although 95% of the North Coast of Alaska is already open to drilling, the last 5% is now at risk of being developed for oil and gas exploration.
Why was ANWR created?
Through their efforts, the Refuge was originally established "For the purpose of preserving unique wildlife, wilderness and recreational values... ." In 1980 the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act renamed "Range" to "Refuge," increased the total area of the Refuge to nineteen million acres, designated a ...
Is ANWR federal land?
Founding the Alaska Conservation Society in 1960, Celia worked tirelessly to garner support for the protection of Alaskan wilderness ecosystems. The region first became a federal protected area in 1960 by order of Fred Andrew Seaton, Secretary of the Interior under U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
What is ANWR history?
On December 6, 1960, President Dwight Eisenhower made their vision a reality by establishing the 8.9-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Range specifically for its “unique wildlife, wilderness, and recreational values.” In 1980, President Jimmy Carter continued this legacy by expanding the area, designating much of ...
Can you visit ANWR?
All Arctic Refuge lands are open to the public at all times. This is a true wilderness Refuge. There are no roads, established trails, or facilities of any type within our borders.
How long has ANWR been protected?
It's home to more than 200 different species of migratory birds and is an important breeding ground for caribou and polar bears. But it's what lies beneath the permafrost that has been sparking political debate since the refuge was created. In 1980, Congress passed a law that protected 80 percent of ANWR.
What are the environmental concerns with opening ANWR to oil exploration?
Democrats, native tribes in the area and environmental groups have long opposed the government's plan to open the refuge to oil and gas drilling, arguing that it will not only cause an increase in greenhouse gas emissions but also lead to spills and fragment important wildlife habitat.
What are the economic benefits of opening ANWR to oil exploration?
Opening a small portion of ANWR to energy production could create tens of thousands of American jobs and contribute to significant economic growth. In addition, development is estimated to bring in between $150 billion and $296 billion in new federal revenue.
What is ANWR and where is it located?
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is one of Alaska's crown jewels in the Arctic region and encompasses 19.6 million acres in remote northeastern Alaska. The refuge straddles the eastern Brooks Range from the treeless Arctic Coast to the taiga of the Porcupine River Valley.
Who owns the ANWR?
It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with headquarters in Fairbanks. One of the great pristine and largely undisturbed wilderness areas of North America, the refuge has been the subject of much controversy because of the potential hydrocarbon reserves within it.
Did we save ANWR?
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest unspoiled, intact ecosystems left on the planet. ... The final Environmental Impact Statement for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was released in September 2019. The federal government has recommended opening nearly all of the proposed area to drilling.
How was ANWR created?
The Secretary of Interior in the Eisenhower administration signed a Public Land Order establishing the 8.9 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Range. President Lyndon Johnson signed the Wilderness Act, establishing the National Wilderness Preservation System and provisions for wilderness use and protection.
