“Global warming is happening. It is affecting different villages in different ways”
“Our ice takes longer to form… [and] disappears faster…ice is not as thick…[these changes] impact our whaling, our hunting…more animal migrations are coming earlier and earlier.”

“I also collect observation data [with AAOKH]…this is an important tool we can use for the future.”


Taikuu Guy Omnik (AAOKH Observer from Tikiġaq/Point Hope) for sharing these and other on-the-ground observations and perspectives on Alaska’s changing environment on yesterday’s Native America Calling radio show, along with other guests Vera Metcalf from the Eskimo Walrus Commission and Walt Meier from the National Read full story

We are working hard to keep Utqiaġvik satellite imagery updated at this slideshow website. We will post the latest AAOKH observations, MODIS and SAR imagery as well as comparisons of ice cover to previous years. Trails are being mapped, and will be added – note trails may change or be incomplete as the season changes.

We’re sending our best for a safe and successful whaling season! Read full story

Alaska Arctic communities are the “first responders” to experience and detect changes in the environment given their deep connections to place and integral reliance on traditional resources. Here’s how we are working together to track changes: a story we provided to ARCUS for the Witness Community Highlights series.

Quyanaqpak and Taikuu to our authors: Donna D.W. Hauser (UAF); Joshua Jones (UAF); Robert (Bobby) Puya Schaeffer, AAOKH Observer, Kotzebue, Alaska; Billy Adams, AAOKH Observer, Utqiaġvik, Alaska; Matthew L. Druckenmiller (University of Colorado Boulder); Roberta Tuurraq Glenn (graduate student in Geography at UAF); Elena Bautista Sparrow (UAF); and Hajo Eicken (UAF). Read full story

We are excited to share our latest newsletter! This Spring 2020 edition features key observations and  shares first hand experiences from AAOKH observers about how this winter compared to past winters. Don’t miss the new visualization of AAOKH activities to see how all the pieces fit together to better understand the changing seasonal cycle in the Arctic and impacts to the Indigenous way of life.

This newsletter also addresses how coronavirus may impact AAOKH activities and introduces a new AAOKH project testing various camera systems to study ice seals.

The newsletter will soon be arriving in mailboxes in AAOKH communities, Read full story

We were thrilled to have a full room at our Alaska Forum on the Environment 2020 presentation! A copy of our presentation can be downloaded here (sorry the videos and animations don’t play in this version – contact us for copies).

It was a pleasure and privilege to share observations and information about AAOKH. Taikuu and quyanaqpak!! Graduate student Roberta Glenn made the room stop with her Iñupiaq introduction and then told us about her upcoming coastal erosion monitoring research, Kotzebue Observer Bobby Schaeffer made clear the “unheard of” ice and ocean conditions in his region during 2019, UAF climatologist Read full story

Are you going to the Alaska Forum on the Environment in Anchorage next week?

Please join us for a presentation and discussion about the Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub on Monday morning, 10:30 am, in Tikahtnu C at the Dena’ina Center.

Our presentation will feature an introduction to the project by Science Lead Donna Hauser, discussion of recent observations and participation in the program by Kotzebue and Utqiaġvik Observers Bobby Schaeffer and Billy Adams, overview of 2019 ice and ocean conditions by UAF climatologist Rick Thoman, introduction to our Education & Outreach program by Elena Bautista Sparrow, and a Read full story

Tomorrow Dec 3, at 10 am, join AAOKH Science Lead Donna Hauser, Sea Grant’s Gay Sheffield, and UAF’s Rick Thoman for a summary of 2019’s notable observations and conditions from the Bering and Chukchi Sea regions. Key observations and measurements by AAOKH observers will be featured in this webinar.

Click here for more details on how to join by phone or computer. A full recording should be available by checking back at the link at a later date. Read full story

Check out our latest installment of AAOKH News online, right here! This e-newsletter is an electronic version of the paper newsletter that will be sent in the coming weeks to mailbox holders in Wales, Kotzebue, Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, Utqiaġvik, and Kaktovik. AAOKH News is intended to improve visibility, further engage community members, and highlight recent activities and updates.
Please enjoy! Also let us know if you have any questions or feedback to improve our communications, suggestions for other recipients of the e-newsletter, or ideas for information you think would be a good addition to future newsletters.
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AAOKH will be presenting community-based observations of Arctic Change today at the Arctic Futures 2050 meeting, which has a goal to bring together “Arctic scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and policy makers jointly exploring the knowledge needed to inform decisions concerning the Arctic in coming decades.” Although it’s on East Coast time (4 hr earlier than AK), you can live stream or watch recordings of the sessions later at this link: https://www.searcharcticscience.org/…/conference-2019/stream. Read full story

Billy Adams recently recorded an “ice breakout” event offshore of Utqiagvik. The landfast sea ice in front of town detached with the recent warm temperatures and winds, which is quite unusual for February.

This event has big implications for safe travel, hunting, wildlife management, etc. Billy’s photos are below.

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