Background Articles

“It’s out of the ordinary but nothing that’s unprecedented,” according to Arctic Valley Ski Area general manager John Robinson-Wilson.

Snowy owls are migrating to Maine this winter due to an abundance of food in their Arctic breeding grounds. Observers are advised on ethical viewing practices to avoid disturbing these birds.

The 2024 Arctic Report Card highlights the unusual shift of the Arctic tundra from a carbon sink to a carbon source and reports significant declines in large migratory caribou herds, attributed to climate change impacts like increased winter precipitation and warmer summers.

A new conservation initiative allows the Nuiqsut community and its Native corporation to oversee 1 million acres around Teshekpuk Lake to protect caribou habitat from oil drilling impacts.

Orcas have begun to inhabit Arctic waters due to melting sea ice, posing threats to local whale species and potentially affecting Indigenous communities reliant on these ecosystems.

Despite the inability to conduct a population count this year due to weather conditions, recent data indicates slightly improved survival rates for cows and calves in the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, offering a glimmer of hope amid ongoing concerns about the herd's decline.

The 2024 Christmas Bird Count in Homer, Alaska, recorded over 8,000 birds across 64 species, despite challenging weather conditions.

A study revealed that 4 million common murres died during the North Pacific marine heatwave known as the 'Blob,' marking the biggest bird die-off in recorded history.

The EPA has designated portions of the Upper Columbia River as a Superfund site due to pollution primarily from Canadian industrial sites, opening up federal funding for cleanup.

Deer populations in southwestern British Columbia have expanded beyond historical levels, causing significant harm to forest plants and bird species. This article explores the impacts and possible solutions to manage deer populations and restore ecological balance.

In Ruby, Alaska, Indigenous families face cultural and nutritional challenges as climate change and fisheries management impact the availability of chinook and chum salmon, central to their traditions.

Alaska is experiencing rapid environmental changes, including record-high temperatures, shrinking sea ice, increased wildfires, and unusual wildlife patterns, such as the decline of salmon and the rise of snow goose populations.

A newly updated report titled 'Alaska's Changing Environment' explores the climatic shifts affecting Alaska, from landslides to late freezes, emphasizing the significant impact of climate change.

A University of Alaska Fairbanks study links king salmon decline in the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers to climate change impacts such as warming temperatures, which decrease salmon body size and breeding efficiency.

Finns are experiencing 'eco-grief' due to a lack of snow, which holds cultural significance for many. This emotional state arises from noticeable environmental changes and concerns for future generations.

Rehabilitation efforts have successfully brought spawning salmon back to urban streams in Metro Vancouver, highlighting the importance of conservation and community stewardship.

A dead fin whale washed up near downtown Anchorage, attracting hundreds of onlookers while scientists study it to learn more about the whale's life and death.

Efforts to restore urban waterways have led to spawning salmon returning to Metro Vancouver streams, highlighting the success of rehabilitation projects amidst industrial and residential areas.

The Biden administration supports a land trade in an Alaskan wildlife refuge, exchanging 490 acres for 31,198 acres, despite controversy and opposition from some tribal communities.

Commercial whaling and climate change are inhibiting the evolutionary potential of Arctic whales by reducing genetic variation necessary for adaptation, with bowhead whales markedly affected by historical hunting.