About Americans for Alaska

From the beginning, the fight for the Arctic Refuge has drawn support that transcends political parties. The Refuge was established in 1960 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and expanded in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter. Americans from all walks of life and every state in the Union agree that places like the Refuge are too special to sacrifice. In that spirit, Americans for Alaska as a select group of leading Americans from all fields and endeavors continue to be committed to protecting the wild, unspoiled lands of Alaska and, in particular, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

"This is the last chance we have to do it right the first time" stated Cecil Andrus, current endorser of the Americans for Alaska advertisement in the February 4 edition of Roll Call and former Secretary of Interior in the Carter Administration, speaking during the late 1970s Alaska lands debate. Andrus expressed the basic motivation of many of those involved with Americans for Alaska when over 100 leaders in business, labor and civic affairs formed it 25 years ago. In 1980 Americans for Alaska was instrumental in successfully gaining Congressional approval of the Alaska National Interest Lands Act (ANILCA), which created 100 million acres of new national parks and wildlife refuges, in what was considered "the Conservation Vote of the Century".

At the dawn of a new century, Americans for Alaska continues to stand for the national interest in protection of Alaska's wilderness heritage, with a broad-based initiative to secure protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and to advance true energy security.

The Americans for Alaska is a project of the Alaska Conservation Foundation.

For further information, visit www.americansforalaska.net or call 202-266-0486