A critical moment to speak up for Alaska's wildlife

Originally posted by AKMuckracker at the Mudflats.

There are times when we use our energy toward projects of a long-term nature.  We work on campaigns, we support ballot initiatives through the long and arduous process, we collect signatures, we man tables, we attend long boring meetings.  But there are other times when a simple hour or two of our time can have immediate results of a critical nature.

This is one of those times.

Clear your calendar for Tuesday night, because you will have the opportunity to cast a vote for wildlife, and for supporting a sustainable model of conservation - a recognition that the land and its wildlife are not here for us to “harvest” only, but that we must strike a balance between what we take, and what we leave for the greater enjoyment of all.  There is no question that many Alaskans, Native and non-Native, rural and urban, hunt and fish for subsistence, and for sport.  But for too long, the voices of those who stack our commissions see Alaska’s wildlife as ONLY a resource to be eaten or hung on a wall, and not as creatures in their own right, and a renewable resource for photographers, tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.

You have the opportunity on Tuesday night to put Alaskans who understand that there must be a balance in these matters on the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.  These positions DO matter in determining policy.

The “kill & grill” crowd understands the importance of this meeting. That’s why they are “up in arms” so to speak, and urging members of organizations like the Second Amendment Task Force to storm this meeting and install candidates who, if elected could reverse some important ground we’ve gained this year, including the recommendation to expand the safe buffer zone for wolves around Denali Park.  Here’s how they are mobilizing:

Radical environmental groups have mobilized to insert their preferred candidate’s in order to use the board have mobilized to insert their preferred candidate’s in order to use the board to promote their twisted agenda, including supporting the listing of cook inlet Beluga’s as endangered.

Members of Anchorage 2ATF as well as other conservative candidate’s are in need of the public votes. A conservative slate of candidates will be made evident at the meeting. We need you there to vote for these candidates.

Wow.  The gun club has suddenly become full of marine biologists.  Their lack of a balanced perspective is obvious, and all it will take is warm bodies 18 and older at the meeting to vote.

So, yes.  This is urgent.

And quite simply, the outcome will be determined by who has more people there – those whose sole objective is to seek any opportunity to kill things, and those who see the bigger picture.

So please send this information to every conservation-minded person you know and ask them to forward as well.  Make it fun.  Come with friends.  Join with like-minded people to stand up for what we love most about our state.

Thanks to these seven candidates for their willingness to donate their time and talent in support of balanced conservation.  Each candidate will give a short speech on their behalf at the meeting before you vote.

Karen Deatheradge (Biologist and Conservationist)
Valerie Conner (B.S. in Environmental Planning and Management)
Kate Swift (Biologist and Conservationist)
Kneely Taylor (Lawyer and Conservationist)
Lynette Morino  Hinz (Native Alaskan & Subsistence Advocate)
Jusitn McGinnis (Hunter and Conservationist)
Terry Miracle (Hunter and Conservationist)

The Anchorage Fish & Game Advisory Committee will hold its election meeting

Tuesday, January 5th at 6:00 pm
Anchorage School District Education Center,
located at 5530 E Northern Lights Blvd, in the School Board room.

Last year the conservation community rallied to elect three members to the committee and what a difference it made! In one short year those three members successfully passed conservation proposals to:

• Support the expansion of the Denali Wolf Buffer Zone;
• Restrict Nonresidents from hunting in predator control areas;
• Support the proposal to end wolverine trapping in Chugach State Park

These are incredibly positive changes, and if those who do not support conservation are elected to the open seats, they will undo the good work that has already been accomplished.  We cannot let that happen.

So, put on your activist cap, grab your friends and give an hour or two that will have an immediate positive impact on your community, your state and the wild creatures that share our home.

See you there!

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