Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska
Any time Republicans gain power, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is in a little more threat. Some Alaskan conservationists are looking to change that with a push to protect ANWR indefinitely (or as close to indefinitely as possible).
The Alaska Wilderness League is pushing Obama to declare ANWR a National Monument, “a move that would protect the refuge from drilling pushers in Congress and hopefully lead the way to an official wilderness designation through legislation,” Jess Leber of Change.org writes.
Change is hosting a petition from the League to Obama that nearly 30,000 people have already signed. The petition reads:
With the 50th anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge only weeks away, President Obama has the opportunity to make a real statement: America will not submit to the follies of the past or the whims of the present when it comes to protecting one of our country’s great wild places….
President Obama has a chance to create a legacy for our country and for future generations. Over 60% of Americans support the idea of placing the Refuge on par with other pristine areas such as the Grand Canyon and Yosemite.
The Arctic is one of our last refuges for wildlife – invaluable, iconic and alive! Big mammals still roam this land and millions of the world’s birds feed and nest on the plains.
Head on over and sign this petition encouraging Obama to take this step to protect a true national treasure today.
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Photo Credit: ANWR by reurinkjan via flickr (CC license)