Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, AK

Our very first completed land project was the 1983 purchase of a five-acre inholding in the interior of Gates of the Arctic National Park, at the headwaters of the Alatna River. This acquisition resulted in developed property deep inside the preserve being reclaimed as wilderness, increasing protection of important wildlife habitat.

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Project Details:

Project Years: 1983

Parcel Size: 5 acres 

Park Trust Role: Buy, hold, and sell to NPS

Overview

At the time of purchase, the parcel was surrounded by 7 million acres of federally designated wilderness, yet it contained two cabins and a marked helicopter landing area. Through an arrangement with the Northern Alaska Environmental Center, the cabins and landing area were removed, allowing the land to revert back to its natural state, removing barriers keeping the property from being transferred to the National Park Service.

Why This Place Matters

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve protects the vast, wild, undeveloped character and environmental integrity of Alaska’s central Brooks Range and provides opportunities for wilderness recreation and traditional subsistence uses.

Significance of the Acquisition:

• Acquisition and removal of manmade structures allowed property to be returned to a state of wilderness.
• Property is managed permanently as wilderness, compatible with surrounding land, and can have no potential negative impact on the natural landscape or plant/animal habitats.
• Visitors to the remote area can enjoy a wilderness experience without visual disturbance to the landscape or noise from equipment such as generators or arriving and departing aircraft.