The Arctic Refuge in Alaska is home to polar bears and migrating caribou. It also promises wealth from oil. After over sixty years of protection, the current administration has just finalized plans to open the area to drilling and fracking. “I do believe there could be a lease sale by the end of the year,” Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said.
Republicans since Ronald Reagan have worked to claim the fossil fuels in Alaska’s coastal plains. The current Democratic presidential nominee does not favor drilling, but if it passes now, undoing it will be difficult if not impossible once the lease rights have been auctioned to energy companies.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge spans 19 million acres in northeastern Alaska. Alaskan lawmakers support drilling. Because of its likely effect on climate and wildlife environmental activists including Native Americans are strongly opposed. In this time of pandemic and civil unrest, it is easy to miss such actions that will affect our children and their children. We need to be vocal about our concerns by contacting our lawmakers whether we are for or against this and other actions.
Crooked Creek by Sue Mattingly 
You are so right. Our very existence depends on protecting our planet, not destroying it.
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Hello.
Great post. In Finland we have free roaming reindeer and some of them visit even summer cottages. Here is example:
Reindeer2 are curious
Have a wonderful day!
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Your photos are amazing! Thank you.
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Several years ago this administration also passed a law opening up the Artic Refuge to shooting hibernating bears and cubs in their den, wolves and wolf puppies during the winter when they are most vulnerable. Some of my friends and I contacted our representatives here and in Iowa, Senators, Rand Paul and Joni Ernst, who were extremely indifferent to the situation. So, good luck contacting your representatives on this matter!
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I know what you mean and am not surprised at Paul or Ernst. But, I still think we need to be vocal. There is so much to protest today!
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Sometimes it seems Overwhelming how we are going backward.
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Such an important topic! I loved reading this 🙂 Please feel encouraged to check out my recent blog post regarding the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ❤️
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Absolutely! Thank you.
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