Documenting Alaska’s first aerial bear control program - “That day, I was not proud to be an Alaskan.”
The State has started its fourth year of gunning bears from planes and helicopters.
Last year, AWA got curious about Cook Inlet fish stock trends and research gaps, recognizing that this information could be key to understanding beluga prey availability. Check out the resulting research and report here!
On October 14th, Superior Court Judge Christina Rankin affirmed her finding that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game acted in bad faith when they shot 11 bears from the air this spring.
On June 6, the State released a public notice that the Board of Game has proposed to adopt regulation changes to the 2011 Mulchatna wolf predator control program that would allow ADFG to also aerially gun black and brown bears.
Johnson Tract Mine is a polymetallic mine located 125 miles southwest of Anchorage, near Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. The mine is seeking easements through Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. In June 2024, AWA and our partners wrote a letter to the Lake Clark Superintendent as a voice for wildlife in this process.
A huge congratulations are in order for AWA’s Vice President, John Morton. John was recently awarded the Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions by the Alaska Conservation Fund.
In June, AWA and our partners at the Native Village of Paimiut spoke at the National Environmental Health Association Summit in Anchorage. The summit, Climate and Health: Alaska Native Engagement Summit sought to “identify ways to address the urgent and disproportionate impacts of climate change on Alaska Native communities.”
AWA Executive Director, Nicole Schmitt, and Board Member Angute'karaq Qakvalria, Estelle Thomson spoke at the Climate Change Preparedness Conference in Las Vegas last month.
The three-day event included climate experts, government officials and policymakers, community organizers, youth leaders, environmental professionals, and other stakeholders from around the country.
Last week, AWA's Executive Director was honored to receive the Alaska Chapter of the Wildlife Society's 2024 Wildlife Conservation Award! This award recognizes "outstanding professional achievement during the preceding five years."
Nicole enjoys overseeing all AWA's programs, from being a voice for wildlife at state and federal regulatory meetings, to developing climate resiliency for wildlife, and engaging with folks all around Alaska in support of species and habitats. We are honored to share this award in recognition off all the hard work by AWA's staff and board, and the members who makes this possible. Thank you!
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