Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Called "America's Serengeti" for its tremendous biodiversity, the coastal plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Alaska’s North Slope is one of the most intact and untouched ecosystems in America. The refuge is home to more than 200 species of birds, 42 species of fish, and 45 mammal species—including more than 120,000 head of caribou. Many of the birds of the refuge migrate to and from all fifty states and six continents to feed and reproduce, taking advantage of the burst of biological growth which blossoms here in the long days of the Arctic summer.

The refuge as a target

The Refuge was established in 1960 under President Dwight Eisenhower. While much of Alaska is open to oil and gas drilling, oil and gas interests continue to lobby hard to drill in the refuge’s pristine habitats.

In recent years, special interests have persuaded their supporters in Congress to force several votes to allow energy extraction in the coastal plain of the Arctic refuge, putting at risk the wildlife that relies on the refuge for its survival. Conservation groups like Audubon have held firm and helped prevent this pro-drilling legislation from moving forward in Congress.

Visit the Audubon Action Center to send a note to your representatives.