Protecting the Arctic Refuge National Wildlife Refuge

The Deep Cultural Roots of Native Allotments 

Under the 1906 Native Allotment Act, Alaska Natives were able to claim lands where they had longstanding histories of traditional use — often places where fish and wildlife gathered in seasonal abundance. Though communities were historically semi-nomadic, these locations were vital for harvesting and survival. 

One allotment we protected sits along the Hula Hula River, where deep pools hold winter concentrations of fish — essential subsistence locations that are passed down through generations. 

Why Small Places Matter in Big Landscapes 

The Arctic may appear vast and uniform, but life concentrates in specific locations at specific times. Because allotments are often located in these strategic ecological hotspots — places where fish and wildlife naturally concentrate — they carry an outsized influence on surrounding landscapes. Protecting even a small tract can safeguard migration routes, subsistence resources, and wildlife gathering areas across vast regions. 

Yet many original Native allotment holders are now elders. Some have no heirs who want to manage remote lands, while others see ownership becoming increasingly fragmented across generations, weakening personal connections to the property. As ties become more tenuous, parcels are more frequently being placed on the open market — where buyers may view them as prime locations for lodges, airstrips, hunting operations, or other commercial development. 

Protecting a Legacy for Wildlife, Culture, and Community 

The Conservation Fund is partnering with Alaska Native landowners looking to sell these critical Native allotments within the Arctic Refuge — protecting wildlife migration routes, preserving subsistence landscapes, and strengthening the integrity of this extraordinary national treasure. 

In a region defined by vastness, these small but vital places demonstrate how targeted conservation can safeguard entire ecosystems and cultures. By protecting the sites where animals gather and people have relied on the land for generations, The Conservation Fund is helping ensure that the Arctic Refuge remains a living landscape — one where wildlife thrives, traditions endure, and the rhythms of the Arctic continue unchanged.