WWF US Arctic Program

In honor of World Oceans Day this week, The Scientista podcast speaks with WWF's Sarah Glaser and Gabby Ahmadia to unpack what's really threatening the ocean — industrial fishing, marine heat waves, and a warming climate that's pushing fish toward the poles and conflict in their wake.

It's Not About the Fish, It's About the People Inside WWF's Ocean Work with Sarah Glaser and Gabby Ahmadia

"The ARTIST Act reaffirms the rights of Alaska Native artists to create and sell authentic artworks and traditional handicrafts in the US that are made from sustainably sourced marine mammal products, including walrus ivory. This longstanding cultural tradition is a vital source of economic opportunity and income for many Alaska Native communities, and walrus remain a critical component of Indigenous food security and cultural expression. Alaska’s congressional delegation, working with the Eskimo Walrus Commission, has shown dedication and leadership in advancing this bill, which helps to restore opportunities for Alaska Native Artists to share their artwork and provide for their families." - Steve MacLean, Managing Director

Bill protecting Alaska Native ivory sales heads to president The bill would amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a broad set of federal regulations first passed in 1972.

Arctic Watch, a collaborative initiative that WWF is involved in, recommends safety measures and shares live data to vessels to make the Strait safer for people and marine wildlife.

How to make the Bering Strait safer for wildlife and people Arctic Watch helps vessels navigate the Bering Strait safely by sharing real-time data, wildlife alerts, and weather to protect wildlife.

In honor of World Environment Day today, we've put together an interactive look at five urgent threats to our planet and the conservation work your support makes possible.

World Environment Day is June 5 Protecting the environment means protecting the many places that people and nature depend on. Find out about some urgent threats to the environment and how WWF is protecting the planet.

What our planet’s greatest travelers can tell us about Arctic connectivity

What our planet’s greatest travellers can tell us about Arctic connectivity - WWF Arctic The Arctic tern breeds at the top of the world and winters at the bottom of it—a round trip of up to 70,000 kilometres every year. Its extraordinary journey, like so many Arctic animal migrations, perfectly embodies the far-reaching connections that tie the Arctic region to every corner of the pla...

Could an increase in shipping bring new species into Arctic waters?

Could an increase in shipping bring new species into Arctic waters? - WWF Arctic Kimberley Howland conducts intertidal surveys for non Indigenous species near the Port of Deception Bay in Nunavik, Canada. Photo credit: Kimberley Howland

From legal breakthrough to ocean action

From legal breakthrough to ocean action - WWF Arctic Small-scale fishers near Buru Island, Maluku, Indonesia. The High Seas treaty aims to strengthen cooperation across interconnected ocean ecosystems. Photo credit: © WWF US/Sirachai Arunrugsticha

How the Arctic is connected (and disconnected) by pollution

How the Arctic is connected (and disconnected) by pollution - WWF Arctic Pollutants and contaminants have become an unwelcome part of Arctic landscapes and socio-ecological systems. As ADAM STEPIEN, THORA HERMANN, ÉLISE LÉPY and TAHNEE PRIOR write, by its very presence, pollution acts as an uninvited connector between different places and times. It is also corroding th...

Bringing whale superhighways to life

Bringing whale superhighways to life - WWF Arctic In the Arctic, connectivity is not an abstract idea—it’s alive in the movement of whales. Gray whales and humpbacks travel thousands of kilometres between Arctic feeding grounds and distant tropical or temperate breeding areas, linking ecosystems that span entire ocean basins. Narwhals and bowhe...

News from around the Arctic

News in brief - WWF Arctic Children play at the beach in front of Qaanaaq in early summer, shortly after the sea ice has broken away. Photo credit: Saki Daorana