https://www.nps.gov/gaar News releases from Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve. en-us https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/faplic-closure.htm Wed, 15 Jan 2025 07:00:00 EST Due to staffing challenges, the Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center Visitor Center will be closed on January 18th and January 25th. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/faplic-closure.htm https://www.nps.gov/yuch/learn/news/jrscienceadvisor.htm Mon, 17 Jul 2023 07:24:00 EST The National Park Service has selected long-time NPS employee Jeff Rasic as the Alaska Region Science Advisor and lead for the Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit (CESU) for Alaska. Jeff comes to the position from Gates of the Arctic National Park and Yukon-Charley Rivers Preserve (YUGA) where he has served as the Chief of Integrated Resources Management since 2013. https://www.nps.gov/yuch/learn/news/jrscienceadvisor.htm https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/proposed-changes-to-hunting-regs.htm Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:00:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) today announced a proposal to amend regulations for hunting and trapping on national preserves in Alaska.   The proposed regulation would reverse the 2020 Alaska Hunting and Trapping rule, which authorized several controversial sport hunting practices, including bear baiting. The new regulation would reduce visitor use conflicts and concerns over potential safety issues related to bear baiting and would also restore consistency between harvest practices allowed in national preserves and NPS management policies with respect to natural processes, abundances and wildlife behavior. https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/proposed-changes-to-hunting-regs.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/first-wildfire-2022.htm Wed, 22 Jun 2022 12:30:00 EST The first fire of 2022 in Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve was discovered yesterday, June 21. The lightning-caused Wormy Fire (#334) is estimated at 9.5 acres, approximately 21 miles west-northwest of Wiseman. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/first-wildfire-2022.htm https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1840/mark-dowdle-selected-as-superintendent-for-gates-of-the-arctic-national-park-and-preserve-and-yukon-charley-rivers-national-preserve.htm Wed, 16 Mar 2022 15:00:00 EST Mark Dowdle selected as Superintendent for Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1840/mark-dowdle-selected-as-superintendent-for-gates-of-the-arctic-national-park-and-preserve-and-yukon-charley-rivers-national-preserve.htm https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/news/greg-dudgeon-selected-as-mount-rainier-national-park-superintendent.htm Tue, 15 Jun 2021 06:26:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Greg Dudgeon to serve as the superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park starting in July 2021. Dudgeon currently serves as acting deputy regional director overseeing the management of 15 national parks, preserves, monuments and national historical parks in Alaska. https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/news/greg-dudgeon-selected-as-mount-rainier-national-park-superintendent.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/northern-alaska-chief-ranger-pilot-national-aviation-safety-award.htm Wed, 27 Jan 2021 03:00:00 EST Congratulations to Chief Ranger/Pilot Scott Sample, the 2020 recipient of the National Park Service Wright Brothers National Aviation Safety Award. This award "recognizes an individual or organization within the NPS at the park, regional, or national level who proactively promotes an open-minded attitude in the prevention of aviation mishaps and accidents, works diligently to correct and improve aviation safety deficiencies, and effectively communicates the actions and results to others." It is given annually to aviation specialists who exemplify excellence in the field of aviation safety. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/northern-alaska-chief-ranger-pilot-national-aviation-safety-award.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/nps-aligns-regs-state-law-hunting-trapping-ak-nat-preserves.htm Wed, 20 May 2020 04:00:00 EST The National Park Service announced a final rule that amends its regulations for hunting and trapping in Alaska national preserves, removing prohibitions adopted in 2015 on harvest practices, which are otherwise permitted by the state of Alaska and federal law. This rule provides for Alaska residents who rely on state law to engage in their traditional hunting practices. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/nps-aligns-regs-state-law-hunting-trapping-ak-nat-preserves.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/alaska-announces-updates-to-park-compendiums.htm Mon, 20 Apr 2020 12:00:00 EST The National Park Service has updated park compendiums. A compendium – one for each NPS area in Alaska – is a compilation of designations, closures and restrictions adopted under the discretionary authority within the regulations covering national parks. This regulatory tool helps manage Alaska's national park areas for the public’s enjoyment, use and protection. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/alaska-announces-updates-to-park-compendiums.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/nps-hosting-gaar-subsistence-resource-commission-meeting.htm Mon, 23 Mar 2020 11:00:00 EST The Gates of the Arctic National Park Subsistence Resource Commission will be holding a teleconference meeting on Wednesday, April 15. The meeting will begin at 8:30 am on Wednesday and adjourn for the day at 5:00 pm. The teleconference call is free of charge and the number is 1-866-810-1272, using the participant code of 5366629. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/nps-hosting-gaar-subsistence-resource-commission-meeting.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/fairbanks-aplic-closure.htm Tue, 17 Mar 2020 04:00:00 EST Effective Wednesday, March 18, Gates of the Arctic's Contact Station at Alaska Centers - Fairbanks will be closed to public contact until further notice. Staff will still be available to answer visitor questions via email and phone, though response time may vary due to current circumstances. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve remains open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/fairbanks-aplic-closure.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/nps-hosting-gaar-subsistence-resource-commission-meeting-november.htm Mon, 07 Oct 2019 10:00:00 EST The National Park Service’s Gates of the Arctic National Park Subsistence Resource Commission is meeting in Fairbanks on Wednesday, November 13 and Thursday, November 14 at Sophie Station Hotel, Zach’s Boardroom. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/nps-hosting-gaar-subsistence-resource-commission-meeting-november.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/comment-period-extended-for-national-park-service-draft-environmental-and-economic-analysis-for-the-proposed-ambler-road-across-preserve-lands.htm Fri, 27 Sep 2019 17:23:00 EST FAIRBANKS, Alaska—The National Park Service (NPS) extended the deadline today for public comments on the proposed Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Road Draft Environmental and Economic Analysis (EEA) from 45 to 60 days, moving the deadline to Oct. 29, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/comment-period-extended-for-national-park-service-draft-environmental-and-economic-analysis-for-the-proposed-ambler-road-across-preserve-lands.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/nps-draft-eea-ambler-road-public-review-comment-period.htm Fri, 23 Aug 2019 13:00:00 EST The National Park Service is releasing a Draft Environmental and Economic Analysis for public review and comment. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/nps-draft-eea-ambler-road-public-review-comment-period.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/nps-environmental-assessment-proposed-ak-sport-hunt-regs-amendment.htm Wed, 05 Sep 2018 08:00:00 EST The National Park Service released an environmental assessment that evaluates the possible impacts of a proposal to amend its regulations for sport hunting and trapping on national preserves in Alaska. The proposal would establish better consistency with state regulations by removing regulatory provisions issued in 2015 that prohibit certain hunting practices that are otherwise permitted by the State of Alaska. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/nps-environmental-assessment-proposed-ak-sport-hunt-regs-amendment.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/proposed-amend-hunting-trapping-regulations-ak-national-preserves.htm Mon, 21 May 2018 10:26:00 EST The National Park Service today announced a proposal to amend its regulations for hunting and trapping on national preserves in Alaska to establish better consistency with the state. The proposed rule would remove regulatory provisions issued in 2015 that prohibit certain hunting practices that are otherwise permitted by Alaska. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/proposed-amend-hunting-trapping-regulations-ak-national-preserves.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/subsistence-resource-commission-meeting-in-november.htm Wed, 25 Oct 2017 06:48:00 EST The National Park Service’s Gates of the Arctic National Park Subsistence Resource Commission is meeting in Fairbanks on Tuesday, November 14 and Wednesday, November 15 at the Sophie Station Hotel Board Room. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/subsistence-resource-commission-meeting-in-november.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/staying-safe-in-bear-country-public-advisory.htm Mon, 31 Jul 2017 08:00:00 EST Bear attacks are very rare in general, and predatory black bear attacks represent a very small minority of those attacks. Over a course of 100+ years (1900-2009), just 59 predatory attacks by black bears occurred in the entirety of Alaska and Canada combined. Greater than 90% of these incidents were perpetrated on groups of 1-2 people and greater than 90% of those incidents involved male black bears. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/staying-safe-in-bear-country-public-advisory.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/first-wildfire-of-the-summer-burning-in-gates-of-the-arctic-national-preserve.htm Thu, 29 Jun 2017 10:00:00 EST The lightning-caused Narvak Lake Fire was discovered by detection aircraft on Tuesday, June 27. It is burning on the western shore of Narvak Lake, which is on the northwestern edge of the “boot” portion of the Gates of the Arctic National Preserve. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/first-wildfire-of-the-summer-burning-in-gates-of-the-arctic-national-preserve.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/uaf-summer-field-courses-in-gaar.htm Mon, 22 May 2017 15:18:00 EST The National Park Service is partnering with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Summer Sessions & Lifelong Learning to offer field courses in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve this summer. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/uaf-summer-field-courses-in-gaar.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/alaska-national-park-tourism-creates-economic-benefit.htm Thu, 20 Apr 2017 13:26:00 EST A new National Park Service report shows that 2.78 million visitors to national parks in Alaska spent nearly $1.3 billion in the state in 2016. That record visitation and spending supported 18,000 jobs. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/alaska-national-park-tourism-creates-economic-benefit.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/hovercraft-remain-prohibited.htm Tue, 28 Jun 2016 19:42:00 EST As the boating and hunting seasons get underway in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and other areas within the National Park System in Alaska, visitors are reminded that a recent court case has not changed the regulations which govern activities on navigable waters. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/hovercraft-remain-prohibited.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/lightning-ignites-lockwood-fire-at-gates-of-the-arctic-national-park-and-preserve.htm Wed, 15 Jul 2015 18:33:00 EST An Alaska Fire Service detection flight discovered the lightning-ignited Lockwood Fire on Wednesday afternoon, July 15, 2015. The fire is burning in a limited protection area and has been placed in monitor status. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/lightning-ignites-lockwood-fire-at-gates-of-the-arctic-national-park-and-preserve.htm https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/prohibition-of-unmanned-aircraft-in-national-parks.htm Fri, 20 Jun 2014 09:56:00 EST National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis today signed a policy memorandum that directs superintendents nationwide to prohibit launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/gaar/learn/news/prohibition-of-unmanned-aircraft-in-national-parks.htm