Defend Brooks Range

Rivers in northwest Alaska are turning orange due to melting permafrost, caused by climate change. As permafrost melts, iron and other trace minerals are released into rivers, causing the water and banks to turn orange and the potential for humans, fish, and wildlife to become contaminated. As Alaska faces the brunt of a warming climate, there is still a push for extractive projects like the proposed industrial Ambler Road that will only accelerate these climate catastrophes. The Bureau of Land Management found in 2023 that the Ambler Road would cause significant, accelerated permafrost thawing across Alaska’s Brooks Range, resulting in irreparable habitat damage.

Happy Arbor Day from Defend the Brooks Range!

While threats of extraction and development continue to loom over the Brooks Range in northwest Alaska, we want to remind you that there are still many positive things to look at when it comes to issues impacting this area of Alaska. Right now, caribou are migrating across the tundra, the Brooks Range and its foothills remains largely undeveloped, water runs clean through the Yukon and other major rivers, and no ground has been broken to build the Ambler Road. Happy Earth Day.

The Western Arctic Caribou herd has seen a historic and catastrophic decline over the 21st century, and constructing a road through their habitat could be the final straw for this culturally significant subsistence resource. Follow to learn more about the proposed industrial Ambler Road, other threats to the Brooks Range, and what you can odo to help.

The recent revocation of Public Land Orders in Alaska that would impact the Brooks Range is not going unchallenged. Scan the QR code to read the full article from .

Data and economic analysis proved that the proposed industrial Ambler Road would be a financial burden on Alaskans, who are already struggling to get by. This road would cost at minimum $2 billion from the State of Alaska almost double what is being spent on education in the state. The Ambler Mining District only has an estimate lifetime of 13 years, and would be the primary benefactor of the mine- despite Ambler Metals being a Canadian and Australian conglomerate. The State of Alaska wants to spend YOUR money on foreign private mining interests.

Tribal representation on the Federal Subsistence Board matters because decisions should include the people who know these places best.

Add your voice to stop this by Feb 13, 2026. Submit comments to: [email protected] Or at regulations.gov (Docket DOI-2025-0170)

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) is a direct threat to the Brooks Range, and this publicly funded corporation needs more public oversight before they continue making harmful decisions that hurt Alaska’s economy, people, resources, land, and Indigenous sovereignty. Comment tomorrow, January 29th 2026, at the phone number and email listed above and comment below “AIDEA accountability” to be entered into a giveaway for a No Ambler Road hoodie. If you have any questions, comment below!