Arctic News 2005

September 7, 2005 - The Wildlife Conservation Society is on the ground in the biggest piece of public land in the United States  It is quite possibly the largest breeding ground of its kind in the world, and yet few Americans have heard of it: the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A).  Birds from every continent in the world migrate there to breed.  WCS is working to ensure these birds persist and that their key breeding grounds remain intact. The need and opportunity for effective conservation there is now.

Western arctic Alaska is virtually encompassed by the NPR-A, and much of its 23.5 million acres are prime nesting habitat for migratory birds from all continents and all oceans.  Three regions within the NPR-A have Special Area status highlighting their importance to wildlife: the Teshekpuk Lake, Colville River, and Utukok River Uplands Special Areas.  Teshekpuk is the most important area for breeding birds in western Alaska – shorebirds, including many species that pass through the lower 48 states, breed here in high densities.  Waterfowl and loons are also here in great numbers, including Brant Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese, and Snow Geese important to subsistence and recreational hunting throughout North America.  Cliffs along the Colville River provide nesting sites for high densities of Peregrine Falcons, Gyrfalcons, Rough-legged Hawks, and Golden Eagles.  Utukok River Uplands are important caribou breeding grounds.  Special Areas in the NPR-A are spectacular and essential for wildlife.

It is a rapidly changing landscape.  Oil development is spreading westward from the existing oil fields.  There is an opportunity for sensible balance between development and wildlife protection with new development.  We at WCS argue that Special Areas should remain special for wildlife and have the protection that these tremendous areas deserve now and into the future.  The arctic climate is changing more rapidly than any place on earth.  How shorter winters, permafrost degradation, and shifts in tundra ecology will affect wildlife is poorly known, but undertaking efforts to gain such understanding requires close study.

This past spring and summer, WCS obtained some of the first information on shorebird diversity and productivity in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area, and we traversed three rivers in the Colville River Special Area distinguished by high densities of nesting birds of prey.  Both efforts are tied to our intent to bring forth good science, increased public awareness, and lasting conservation to these regions.  We are seeking to understand how migratory bird conservation is best achieved in this time of growing development and shifting climates.  This effort is on the heels of our involvement in a large collaboration with oil companies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others to examine the connection between oil and human infrastructure, the noted increases in nest predators (arctic fox, ravens, and gulls), and the effect on nesting bird populations.  Results from that four-year effort are being assessed now.

The Wildlife Conservation Society played a leading role in creating the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  We remained committed to brining good science and effective wildlife conservation to America’s arctic, the nesting home for birds from all over the world.

For more information on WCS’ Arctic program, please visit:
http://www.wcs.org/alaska