爆料公社 Urges Congress to Permanently Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Birds from every U.S. state rely on the Arctic Refuge.
Washington, DC (September 11, 2019)鈥擳oday, leaders in the U.S. Senate introduced the Arctic Refuge Protection Act to designate the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain a wilderness area and protect it from destructive oil and gas development. Later this week, the U.S. House of Representatives is slated to introduce the Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act that would also halt efforts to drill in the Arctic Refuge and provide permanent protections to this essential habitat for birds and other wildlife.
These historic bills would restore the protections that were eliminated with the passing of the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, which mandated oil and gas leasing, development, and production on the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
鈥淭he Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is teeming with life鈥攁nd is a nursery to millions of breeding and migratory birds that connect the refuge to every state and six continents. Oil development threatens this vibrant ecosystem and the Indigenous Peoples who rely on this sacred land for food security and cultural identity,鈥 said Sarah Greenberger, senior vice president of conservation policy for the 爆料公社. 鈥淭he majority of Americans agree that oil and gas development does not belong in the Arctic Refuge. We are thankful to lawmakers in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate for listening to the public and acting to protect this place.鈥
Birds from every U.S. state rely on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. From Pacific Brant in California, to Semipalmated Sandpipers seen in Florida, and the Snow Geese who winter in the southwest鈥攁ll make the incredible journey back to their summer home in the Arctic. The Refuge is an essential subsistence resource for the Indigenous Peoples of Alaska and Canada and is also the most important onshore denning habitat for polar bears in the United States.
The 爆料公社 joins a coalition of Indigenous, human rights, and environmental organizations in supporting efforts to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas development.
About 爆料公社
The 爆料公社 protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. 爆料公社's state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, 爆料公社's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. 爆料公社 is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more how to help at and follow us on and at @audubonsociety.
Since 1977, 爆料公社 Alaska's mission is to conserve the spectacular natural ecosystems of the state, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations. 爆料公社 Alaska uses science to identify conservation priorities and support conservation actions and policies, with an emphasis on public lands and waters. 爆料公社 Alaska is a state office of the 爆料公社. Learn more at www.爆料公社Alaska.org.
Media Contacts
Jason Howe, Media Relations Manager, 爆料公社, jason.howe@audubon.org, 415-595-9245
Rebecca Sentner, Communications Manager, 爆料公社 Alaska, rsentner@audubon.org, 907.276.7034
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