October 2024 – Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges

Chasing Answers in the Arctic: Researching the Effects of Climate Change on the Porcupine Caribou Herd

Presented by Heather Johnson USGS Research Wildlife Biologist and Paul Leonard Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Supervisory Biologist
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 5 – 6 AKDT

This event was held with in person speakers at Fairbanks and Anchorage, at watch parties in Soldotna and Homer and on Zoom.

The Porcupine caribou herd is currently the largest in Alaska and one of the largest herds in North America. Each summer, it undergoes one of the longest terrestrial migrations on Earth to birth calves on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. But what is the future of the herd given changing climate conditions? Join us to hear about how an innovative research project aims to discover whether and how a changing climate will impact the herd. Arctic Refuge Supervisory Biologist Paul Leonard will share with us the significance of the Porcupine caribou herd as a cornerstone of the ecological, cultural, and economic landscape of the Arctic Refuge, and as a vital part of the livelihoods and traditions of Indigenous peoples of the region, including the Iñupiat and Gwich’in. Lead researcher Heather Johnson of US Geological Survey (USGS) will discuss the research she is conducting on the Porcupine caribou herd in collaboration with partners including the refuge. Their research aims to understand the influence of changing climate conditions on summer habitat for caribou in the Arctic, the impacts of these changes on caribou behavior and population dynamics, and the implications for the future of the Porcupine herd. As part of the project, caribou wear video camera collars so researchers can ‘see’ life from a caribou’s perspective, footage we look forward to sharing with you!

Cow caribou carried video cameras which turned on every 20 minutes to takea 10 second video. This allowed researchers to see what they were eating, what habitat they were using, if they had calves and other important information.

This is a partnered program with the Campbell Creek Science Center serving as not only our monthly meeting but also their Fireside Chats monthly talk series.

Biographies

Heather Johnson is a Research Wildlife Biologist at USGS Alaska Science Center in Anchorage. Heather has a PhD in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana, a Masters in Wildlife Science from the University of Arizona, and a Bachelors in Ecology from the University of California, San Diego. Heather’s research focuses on understanding how changes in climate and land-use are influencing the behavior and population dynamics of large mammals, and how management strategies can minimize impacts. In her free time, Heather loves doing just about every type of outdoor adventure, especially when it means playing outside with her son.

Paul Leonard grew up in the rolling hills of central Kentucky and spent most of his youth playing out of doors and being constantly curious about the living things around him. He came to Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 2019 after finishing a postdoctoral fellowship at Clemson University in South Carolina. His research and ecological interests are focused on recognizing and quantifying the spatial patterns in the distribution of natural resources and understanding the reasons for those patterns. He strives to synthesize large, complex spatial data on land use change, climate change and other human caused impacts to develop decision support tools and conservation strategies for diverse communities at a landscape level.In his free time, he likes self-powered adventures in the outdoors via boat, bike, and foot. He also spends a fair amount of time studying, photographing, and reading about birds.

It’s National Wildlife Refuge Week, and We Need Your Help

This week, October 13-19, 2024, we celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week, a time to honor the special places that make up the National Wildlife Refuge System. Here in Alaska, we are home to 16 national wildlife refuges, vast and diverse lands that protect an incredible variety of wildlife. From migratory birds to bears and salmon, these refuges safeguard species that are crucial to Alaska’s ecosystems. They also give us beautiful spaces to explore and enjoy the outdoors.

But Alaska’s refuges are just part of a much larger system that stretches across the entire United States. Together, these lands form the largest network of public lands dedicated to wildlife conservation. Sadly, this system is in danger. Severe budget cuts have left many refuges understaffed and underfunded. Nationwide, the system has lost over 800 staff members since 2010, making it difficult to maintain habitats and protect wildlife.

Why Refuges Matter in Alaska and Across the Country

In Alaska, our 16 refuges are vital to protecting our state’s unique landscapes and wildlife. Whether you’ve visited the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, hiked the stunning Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or explored the vast wetlands of the Yukon Delta, you know how special these places are. They protect important habitats and give us a chance to experience nature up close.

But this problem goes beyond Alaska. Across the country, national wildlife refuges are facing similar challenges. Without enough staff and funding, many refuges are struggling to meet basic needs like habitat restoration, infrastructure upkeep, and visitor programs. This puts wildlife and the lands they depend on at risk.

How You Can Help

There are several ways you can support our refuges during National Wildlife Refuge Week:

Explore a Refuge: Get outside and visit one of Alaska’s refuges, or find a refuge near you. Spending time in these wild places is a great way to appreciate their beauty and learn more about their importance.
Raise Awareness: Help spread the word about National Wildlife Refuge Week by sharing posts on social media with #RefugeWeek. Let others know why these places matter and what they can do to help protect them.
Advocate for Change: One of the most powerful ways to make a difference is by contacting Congress. Let your representatives know that you care about national wildlife refuges and want them to support increased funding. It’s quick and easy to take action—just click here to get started.

Our national wildlife refuges, both in Alaska and across the country, are essential to protecting wildlife and preserving the natural beauty we love. By raising awareness and taking action, we can help ensure these special places remain protected for generations to come.

Board Comings and Goings We Lose Two of the Best but Welcome Kim Zook

By Poppy Benson, Vice President for Outreach

In July when Board terms were up, we lost invaluable Board Members Jason Sodergren and Jerry Hupp. Jason was a Friends founder and driving force in his 18 years on the Board. He was treasurer, chief of tech, all things Shorebird Festival and more. Our “go to guy”. Jerry was Volunteer Coordinator and Liaison Coordinator and added science credentials to our Board. A sad day when those two resigned. We are so grateful for all they did for refuges and wildlife.

Want to be “where the interesting stuff happens”? Talk to us about a two- year term on the Board. We could use three more members. We need a Volunteer Coordinator (very fun job you get to talk to all the refuges about their needs) a liaison coordinator, more members for our Advocacy Committee and additional Fairbanks, Anchorage and outstate members for the Outreach Committee, someone interested in the newsletter and a refuge liaison for Alaska Peninsula-Becharof. Contact us and let’s talk. It is a good feeling to feel useful and needed.