Alaska’s Western Arctic, home to the vast public lands known as the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPR-A), supports some of the most important bird habitats on the planet.
Take action today to uphold hard-won protections for these invaluable places. The deadline to comment is Monday, August 4.
The Western Arctic provides vital habitat for a globally significant abundance of waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors.
Millions of migratory birds from six continents, including threatened species like Spectacled and Steller’s Eiders, depend on this landscape.
In 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) modernized the regulations for the NPR-A to better reflect our understanding of climate challenges, wildlife habitats, and Tribal and community needs. This rule was the first significant update in over 40 years, and balanced development interests with the land’s value for subsistence, recreation, conservation, and scenic and historic importance.
The new rule brought long-sought protections for the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area—the most ecologically important wetlands complex in America’s Arctic.
But BLM is proposing to roll back the updated rule and advance extractive development in the Western Arctic.
Tell BLM to support the 2024 rule, which protects 13 million acres of vital wildlife habitat and is the result of decades of cooperative work. The deadline to submit a public comment is Monday, August 4. It’s quick and easy to send an official public comment directly to BLM through our Action Center.
Removing protections jeopardizes globally important habitats, threatened species, and resources fundamental to Indigenous ways of life. We need to support modernized, collaborative policies that improve conservation safeguards and incorporate Indigenous knowledge and Tribal co-stewardship.
For the birds, wildlife, communities, and future generations, use your voice to protect Alaska’s Western Arctic.
