Here’s why, in their words, the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should not be developed. I spoke with seven of these scientists, all of whom have signed a letter with 30 other colleagues to Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, chair of the Natural Resources Committee, urging her to consider its priceless qualities-its isolation, its wildlife, and its profound beauty-and not just its short-term economic potential. ![]() ![]() “We should never underestimate how important that is to our psyches, whether it’s psychological or spiritual. We want our children and grandchildren to have the chance not only to experience these places but to make their own decisions about what’s the best thing to do with them.”Īmong those lucky enough to have visited the refuge are scientists who have spent extensive time exploring its wildlands and studying the coastal plain. “I’ve spent years talking about the Arctic Refuge all over the country, and people care so deeply knowing that these wild places exist even if they will never visit them themselves,” says Stan Senner, vice president of bird conservation for Audubon’s Pacific Flyway. Yet again, Americans are being asked to stand up and fight for a place they’ve never seen. Today, the refuge faces its biggest threat yet, as Alaskan representatives, supported by the Trump administration and members of Congress, move to drill for oil in this pristine place. Even so, for decades Americans have stood up to block oil development in the refuge and its coastal plain, the pond-riddled tundra along Alaska’s northeastern coast that is critical for caribou, nesting shorebirds and geese, polar bears, and countless other species. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is remote and roadless, and few people have the opportunity to visit. AUDUBON BIRD GUIDE Search for Birds in Your Area.Visit Our Guide To North American Birds.Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging.The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation.In Their Words: Scientists On Why the Arctic Refuge Must Remain Wild | Audubon Skip to main content
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