“The Arctic Refuge coastal plain is the ecological heart and wildlife oasis of the entire refuge. It is, in the words of the naturalist Peter Matthiessen, ‘the earth’s last sanctuary of the great Ice Age fauna that includes . . . bears, gray wolves and wolverines, musk ox, moose, and, in the summer, the Porcupine River herd of caribou, 120,000 strong.’ Drilling the Arctic Refuge would not solve America’s energy crisis. To the contrary, drilling there would only continue, not reduce, our dependence on fossil fuels.”
–Tom Udall, U.S. Congressman, New Mexico, “A Family Legacy,” Patagonia Fall 2007 Catalog

Patagonia’s Fall 2007 environmental campaign was focused on protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Our goal was, and still is, to help permanently protect the 1.5 million acre Coastal Plain of the Refuge by designating it as Wilderness. Working to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is something we at Patagonia have done for many years. We’ve educated our customers through stores displays, emails and our Web site about this important place and the need to keep it wild.

Located in the northeastern corner of Alaska, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is an unparalleled landscape of rugged mountains, thick forests, wild rivers and vast tundra vistas. It is home to polar and grizzly bears, wolves, a vital migration stop for 125 species of birds and the birthing grounds for the Porcupine caribou. Undoubtedly, there are few better spots in America to be immersed in wildness – to camp, hike, raft, fish or simply take in the pure natural rhythms of this unique place.

Despite all these values, the Refuge has also been a target for decades. The 1.5 million acre Coastal Plain of America's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is still on the oil industry's wish list for drilling, despite estimates that doing so would yield less oil than the U.S. consumes in one year, and would forever damage a national treasure. The battle has been fierce, but thanks to the millions of people who have taken action the Refuge remains one of America's last wild places, for now.

Our current Congress represents the first opportunity in over a decade to pass legislation that permanently protects this special place. Legislation has been introduced in both houses of Congress to make the Arctic coastal plain a wilderness area, finally affording the area permanent protection from drilling.

Please contact you House member to support HR. 39 and Senator to support S.2316, two bills that designate the Coastal Plain as Wilderness. Passage of this legislation would put to rest the long struggle over the Refuge’s future, permanently protecting this rare and beautiful place.

Learn more and take action.