Nature & Wildlife
Just five days from now, the magic will happen. Santa Claus will step into his gift-laden, reindeer-powered sleigh and make his annual, around-the-world trip. The character of Santa Claus was originally inspired by the fourth-century, Greek bishop Saint Nicholas of Myra in Asia Minor (now Turkey), a man renowned for his generosity and kindness.
Canada & the North
Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders and culturally significant areas—received some much-needed support recently. In early September 2023, President Biden canceled the last seven gas and oil leases there.
Nature & Wildlife
Every Friday, we choose our favorite photo of the week from our Wildlife Photo of the Day website. This week we chose a curious polar bear in Alaska. Photographer Leigh Lofgren Captured this polar bear in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge! Have you taken some amazing wildlife photos during your travels?
Conservation
In early December 2017, Patagonia—the outdoor clothing and gear company for silent sports—took a major stand. When Christmas shoppers looking for gifts visited the Patagonia website, they were met not by the usual ads but by a black screen with big, white letters that stated: “The President Stole Your Land.”
Nature & Wildlife
Once a national monument is designated to conserve a landscape and its cultural history, once a natural habitat is legally protected to save wildlife, or once an oil pipeline is stayed to safeguard a community’s clean water, you can breathe a sigh of relief, right? The battle is won; end of story.
Nature Photography
High above the Arctic Circle, along the remote northern coast of Alaska, lies the small Inupiat village of Kaktovik. This tiny hamlet, surrounded by the famed wilderness of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, is the best place in Alaska to see polar bears.
Videos
Almost 10 years ago, in the summer of 2005, I attended an outdoor-writing conference that included a silent auction as part of its activities.
Travel Tips
I still vividly recall the dream, even though I couldn’t have been more than six or seven years old when I had it. I was flying, low—without a plane, mind you—over Alaska. I soared above waving fields of purple flowers and gurgling, ribbon-like, blue rivers.
