Anchorage, AK

Alaska's western Arctic encompasses a vast, wild stretch of land called the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska. At 23 million acres it is the largest single unit of public land in the nation. That's about the same size as the entire state of Indiana!

When you hear the name, National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A, or Reserve), you might think of a barren land filled with oil wells and industrial equipment, but the vast majority of the Reserve actually remains free of industrial development and provides necessary habitats and resources for an incredible array of wildlife and indigenous peoples who have lived and thrived in this landscape since time immemorial. 

Defenders of Wildlife's new ArcGIS Storymap illustrates why the NPR-A is important to wildlife.

 

 

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

Media Contact

Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
202-772-3244

News

Image
Florida Panther
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Passes Ill-Conceived Amendment 2, Wildlife Conflict Could Ensue

Florida voters yesterday affirmed Amendment 2 to the state’s constitution, a wholly unnecessary amendment disguised as an effort to preserve the right to fishing and
Image
2024.05.07 - Polar Bear on Beaufort Sea on Foggy Day - Alaska - Dr. Pablo Clemente-Colon-NOAA.jpg

Environmental Review Underscores Grave Threat to National Treasure

The Department of the Interior released today its second report detailing the devastating impacts of transforming the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge