The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is governed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is located on the traditional homelands of the Iñupiat and Gwichʼin peoples. At 19,286,722 acres, it is the largest wildlife refuge in the United States. The refuge is a vital ecosystem for wildlife and local communities in the region.
Starting in 2021, FPC staff, including our Green Jobs Workforce Development Program staff, have participated in Operation Roam with our friends at Love is King. As part of Operation Roam, new BIPOC leaders travel to the ANWR and connect with local Indigenous leaders to learn about social and environmental issues outside of their local community.
Climate change has been happening in ANWR twice as fast as the global average. Indigenous people living in the Arctic are experiencing the impacts at a disproportionate rate. However, climate change impacts are not just limited to ANWR, they also pose a danger to the long-term health of Forest Park. We need global action to fight the devastating effects of climate change, and our staff is proud to support Love is King’s advocacy work to campaign for further action.
Last week, two FPC staff members who participated in Operation Roam in 2021, Matt McLean and Chie Togo, traveled to Capitol Hill as part of a group of Love is King ROAM leaders to share their experience visiting ANWR with lawmakers and policy experts in Washington D.C. The goal of the trip was to advocate for greater actions to be taken to protect ANWR.
After the trip, Chie took some time to gather her thoughts on this powerful experience and the importance of this advocacy work.
“I was privileged to be invited to Washington D.C. by the Alaska Wilderness League. We had opportunities to talk to lawmakers and policymakers about our expeditions to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Our group of eight BIPOC leaders, from different parts of the country, had 15 separate meetings with staff members of Congress and Senators to express our strong fondness towards ANWR and why it needs to be protected.”
What did you learn during the trip?
“I learned more firsthand about the complexity of political systems and how they protect or challenge certain bills, as well as learning more about who in our government play significant roles in implementing or stopping particular agendas. It is important to know the right channels and key players so that you know how to and who to connect with when you want to voice your concerns on the issues you are passionate about.”
What was the biggest takeaway from the trip?
“You do not have to have a law degree or be a policy expert to talk to lawmakers about your concerns. Start speaking up your mind honestly and engage with the people who listen to you. It is not just what you know, but who you know and work with that is the key to success when it comes to politics (and life in general).
You also need to seek connections with people, communities, and organizations who share your goals and collaborate with them to elevate your voices together to make change happen. I was very fortunate to be able to work together with these amazing BIPOC leaders who are all passionate about preserving this magical place.”
Did this work have any reflection on your thoughts about FPC’s mission and Forest Park? Our partnership with Love is King?
“This project is aligned with FPC’s mission to protect not only Forest Park and the surrounding region, but the future of our community. Alaska is facing the impacts of climate change four times faster than the rest of the continental United States. The rest of our country will face serious climate change consequences if we don’t act now. I’m glad I got to be a part of this experience at the capital, as well as Operation Roam, to help be a part of the conversation regarding these concerns, many of which will affect our daily lives sooner than you think.
I want to thank the Alaska Wilderness League and Love is King for making this incredible experience for learning and advocacy possible. “
Want to learn more? Read the full press release:
https://forestparkconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/LIK-Press-Release-2023.pdf
Photo Courtesy of Chad Brown