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Conservation in Alaska
Alaska's wild lands have been and continue to be the focus of some of the greatest conservation issues in the history of our nation. 2005 marks the 25th anniversary of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). The ANILCA statute protected over 100 million acres of federal lands in Alaska, doubling the size of the country's national park and refuge system and tripling the amount of land designated as wilderness. 2004 marks the 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The Alaskan Lands Act established seven wilderness areas in Alaska, comprising 18,560,000 acres. Two of Alaska's pristine wilderness areas continue to be at the forefront of conservation issues:
1) The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, in the northeastern corner of the state, has been the site of an ongoing conservation battle over protecting the Arctic coastal plain from oil exploration and development.
2) The Tongass National Forest - the largest and most intact temperate rainforest in the world, stretching 500 miles along the southeastern coast of Alaska, contains a significant percentage of the unlogged temperate rainforest remaining on the planet. It continues to be at the forefront of conservation issues in regards to logging projects and road building.
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Our Mission Statement
Alaska Discovery's original mission statement was and still is, "dedicated to the enjoyment and conservation of the great Alaskan wilderness." The company was founded on the premise that the more people who experience Alaska, the easier it will be to protect America's last wilderness.
For three decades Alaska Discovery has pioneered the concept eco-tourism by connecting people to some of the most wild, scenic, and fascinating areas of Alaska while walking softly on the land. We educate guests about the natural intricacies, balances, and rhythms of the areas we visit. Our trips promote "leave-no-trace" camp techniques. We continue to lead efforts toward proper stewardship of Alaska's natural resources in our company policies and our public activism.
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A Dollar a Day & Alaska Conservation Foundation
Alaska Discovery offers two exciting programs in which we (and you) can help conserve and protect Alaska's pristine wilderness:
A Dollar-a-Day
We encourage our guests to participate in our "Dollar-a-Day" program. Most of our guests donate two dollars for each day of our trips into the Alaskan wilderness. Alaska Discovery distributes those funds along with our own donations among Alaskan organizations that work for conservation of the areas of Alaska in which we operate.
Alaska Conservation Foundation
Alaska Discovery is a founding member of the Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF). ACF is dedicated to the long-term protection of Alaska and raises money and distributes grants to over 60 environmental groups working to protect Alaska wild lands and wildlife. For more information on this non-profit organization, please go to Alaska Conservation Foundation.
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Environmental Awards
2000 The Outstanding Long-Term Program Award of the Alaska Land Manager's Forum for excellence in dedication and commitment to ethically and socially aware use of the land.
1997 The Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau Navigator Award for pioneering tourism in Juneau.
1996 The Alaska Wilderness & Recreation Tourism Association's Ginny Hill Wood Award for outstanding contributions toward protecting the natural resources on which recreation and tourism depend.
1990 The Southeast Alaska Conservation Council for outstanding efforts to conserve and protect the wild lands and wildlife that are the foundation of a healthy Alaskan environment and economy.
1987 Stellar Award of the Juneau Audubon Society for "setting a high standard for commitment to protecting outdoor resources...emphasis on environmental education...and environmentally sensitive business practices."
1979 Honored by the Alaska State Legislature for "absolute minimum impact on flora and fauna" combined with "maximum visitor appreciation."
1978 The Connie Award by the Society of American Travel Writers "for pioneering environmentally sound use of the southeastern Alaska wilderness."
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Memberships
Alaska Conservation Foundation
America Outdoors
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
Alaska Travel Industry Association
Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association
Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau
Friends of Admiralty Island
Friends of Glacier Bay
Gustavus Visitors Association
Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau
The International Ecotourism Society
Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council
Matanuska-Susitna (MatSu) Convention and Visitors Bureau
National Tour Association
Northern Alaska Environmental Center
Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau
Southeast Alaska Conservation Council
Trade Association of Paddle Sports
Travel Industry of America
Valdez Convention and Visitors Bureau
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