Alaska Wilderness League

Refuge - the arctic national wildlife refuge has been a primary focus of awl since our founding. Ever since congress voted to open the arctic refuge coastal plain up for oil and gas extraction in 2017, our primary goal has been restoring protections while stopping & limiting damage from any and all industrial activity associated with resource development. To secure this goal, we work with members of congress and the administration alike to secure a wilderness designation and minimize impacts from the 2017 tax act, along with other policies that protect refuge lands for long term sustainable uses. Our work also includes educating and mobilizing americans - including alaskans - in our 100,000+ member and supporter network, while we also lead likeminded organizations and entities who are also seeking long term protections for this iconic landscape.

Arctic refuge defense campaign - alaska wilderness league houses the central staff and serves as the fiscal sponsor for this collaborative campaign effort involving national and state-based conservation groups as well as indigenous organizations based in alaska. Formerly the arctic refuge defense campaign, this recently expanded collaborative effort is now aimed at protecting both the national petroleum reserve-alaska and the arctic national wildlife refuge from oil extraction threats.

Tongass. In southeast alaska, the tongass national forest has already transitioned to a post-clear cut logging economy, but for the past decade policies of the government have lagged behind. Awl worked hard to secure, and are heartened, by president biden's "southeast alaska sustainability strategy" announced during 2021, and today awl is working to secure full implementation of it. At the same time, awl works closely with partners - both nationally and in-alaska - to push back against any legislation that would privatize currently public lands in this forest.30x30. Today, it's a global imperative to secure at least 30% of lands and waters from destruction by 2030, and the current administration has stated an intention to make this a reality in the united states. As the league has both national and in-alaska partners, awl works to highlight critical opportunities that are alaska-centric to help achieve this policy goal, with an eye towards securing conservation wins for the campaigns listed above, along with other pro-public land policies and decisions across the state.rapid defense. Defending alaska's public lands requires constant attention. Some threats - like drilling the arctic refuge - are high profile, and garner public scrutiny that awl will help to support through our long running advocacy efforts described above. However, other threats to the integrity of alaska's public lands aren't as obvious, through the legislative process or via administrative action. With awl's policy expertise and office in alaska, awl is well equipped to analyze public land threats statewide, while awl simultaneously works to influence federal decisions in washington dc.