ENVIRONMENT Gatherings of walruses crowded together on northwestern Alaska shorelines, like the congregation of about 35,000 animals spotted this weekend near the village of Point Lay, have become regular occurrences in the new era of scarce summer sea ice. (Alaska Dispatch News) Use our resources to learn more about shrinking summer sea ice. Thanks to our once-and-future oceans expert, Julie, for the heads-up and help … Continue reading Walruses Crowd Alaska Beach
SPORTS Athletes are mushing across the Alaskan wilderness in hopes of becoming top dog in the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (National Geographic News) Read our interview with current Iditarod leader Jeff King to better understand what it takes to win the ‘Last Great Race.’ Discussion Ideas Read through our terrific 2010 article on the Iditarod. What are some of the most difficult obstacles … Continue reading The ‘Last Great Race’ Is On
ENVIRONMENT Citing threats to the salmon population and watershed health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency put on hold plans for a massive open-pit copper mine in Alaska, invoking Clean Water Act rules. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to better understand the debate surrounding the Pebble Mine. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Watch our … Continue reading EPA Puts Mine on Hold
GEOGRAPHY Geography is destiny for cab drivers in Bethel, Alaska, home to the most taxicabs per capita in the United States—66 cars serving a population of just over 6,000. (Anchorage Daily News) Zoom into Bethel on our MapMaker Interactive. Watch this terrific, five-minute slice of Alaskan life, and discuss the issues below. Discussion Ideas The small town of Bethel, Alaska, is home to the most … Continue reading Alaska Cabbies Keep Their Cool
Spirit Bear in British Columbia. Photo by Justin Hofman. During this most recent excursion, which just concluded this month, several whale sightings were tallied as the Sea Bird traversed northward through the islands and straights of maritime British Columbia on her way to Alaska. This landscape has been described as “an unspoiled labyrinth of tiny islands, spectacular fiords, and abundant wildlife.” This is a land where wolves can fish, deer have been known to swim, and black bears are sometimes white.
