Message from our Alaska Coalition partners, Alaska Wilderness League.  Phyllis

 I want to share with you some exciting news.  Senators Marie Cantwell (D-WA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) earlier this week introduced a bill in the Senate to designate as wilderness the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  There have been such bills before, but this is the first time in many years that a Republican member of the Senate has stood up for protecting the Coastal Plain from oil development.  We now have bi-partisan support for protecting the Coastal Plain in both the Senate and House.  If you are a resident of Illinois, a note or call of thanks to Senator Kirk would be appreciated (addresses and phone numbers are below).  And tell your friends – he deserves our recognition for taking this position.  Here is a link to the Senators’ joint press release - http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=b93bff7d-86fe-49c5-9c7e-438f38b22bc2)

Also, here is a link to a very inspirational discussion with Tom Campion, the League’s former Board Chair, about why it is so important to save the wild lands of Alaska - http://youtu.be/Wj_qVzMrXpg.  It is only two minutes long and well worth watching.

Many thanks for your support! 

Andy Schlickman