News Releases

The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce the selection of Siikauraq Whiting as the new superintendent for Western Arctic National Parklands, which administers Kobuk Valley National Park, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, and Noatak National Preserve.

The Superintendent of Western Arctic National Parklands announces that the seasons for the Federal Subsistence Dall’s Sheep hunts within portions of Game Management Units (GMUs) 23 and 26A will remain closed for the regulatory year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2025.

Due to warm, dry, and windy conditions, two wildfires in Noatak National Preserve have increased in size over the weekend. The 135-Tututalak and 131-Urgoon fires were first observed by the Galena Fire Management Zone Office on June 13, 2024.

The first confirmed wildland fires of the season have been detected in Noatak National Preserve. On June 13th, fires were reported by the Galena Fire Management Zone Office. The cause of the fires is undetermined at this time.

Western Arctic National Parklands opens the muskox (UMIŊMAK) federal subsistence permit lottery on Monday, June 3, 2024 The National Park Service at the Western Arctic National Parklands will be issuing federal subsistence hunting permits for two muskox hunts – FX2312 and FX2303 – in Game Management Unit (GMU) 23 NW. The season is August 1, 2024 – March 15, 2025. A total of three (3) federal subsistence permits will be issued (one for FX2312 and two for FX2303). 

Noatak, AK The National Park Service (NPS) office in Kotzebue, Alaska, is pleased to announce a new annual award, the Eileen DeVinney Award. For the inaugural Eileen DeVinney Award, NPS staff traveled to the Native Village of Noatak to thank the Noatak Placenames project 2023 field team: Hilda Booth, Thurston Booth, Ricky Ashby, and James Adams.

A Kasilof couple were charged with multiple federal regulation violations related to alleged illegal commercial transportation of game hunters in Alaska following a multi-year investigation by National Park Service (NPS) rangers.

The National Park Service at the Western Arctic National Parklands is recruiting for a Subsistence Liaison.

Western Arctic National Parklands opens the muskox federal subsistence permit lottery on Monday, June 5, 2023

The US Departments of the Interior and Agriculture will host a Talking Circle at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue, Alaska. The purpose of the Talking Circle is to improve stewardship of public lands, waters, and wildlife by acknowledging and empowering Tribes as partners in co-stewardship.

The National Park service reports that 3.3 million visitors to national parks in Alaska spent $1.5 billion in the state in 2023. That spending resulted in 21,274 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $2.3 billion

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The National Park Service (NPS) today announced a final rule that amends its 2020 regulation for sport hunting and trapping in Alaska national preserves. The new rule, which applies only to sport hunting, prohibits bear baiting due to significant public safety concerns. The final rule reflects extensive engagement with stakeholders, Alaska Native Tribes and Corporations, local and state leaders, and the public

SKAGWAY, AK— Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is announcing today that the Chilkoot Trail on the U.S. side of the border will be open to mile 4.0 for the 2024 season. Work completed by the park last year and this spring will extend the amount of trail that will be open to the public this summer.

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 2,023,881 visitors to national parks in Alaska spent $1,160,600,000 in the state in 2022. That spending resulted in 16,450 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $1,785,800,000.

Alaska’s national parks have received millions of dollars to conduct climate change and infrastructure work in parks across the state.

The National Park Service has selected long-time NPS employee Jeff Rasic as the Alaska Region Science Advisor and lead for the Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit (CESU) for Alaska. Jeff comes to the position from Gates of the Arctic National Park and Yukon-Charley Rivers Preserve (YUGA) where he has served as the Chief of Integrated Resources Management since 2013.

Denali Park, AK – An avalanche killed Denali National Park and Preserve staff member Eric Walter while he was backcountry skiing on a north-facing slope near Mile 10 on the Park Road on Thursday, May 4.

The National Park Service’s Cape Krusenstern National Monument Subsistence Resource Commission will be meeting in Kotzebue on Wednesday and Thursday, February 22-23. The meeting is open to the public.

The National Park Service’s Kobuk Valley National Park Subsistence Resource Commission will be meeting in Kotzebue on Thursday and Friday, February 23-24. The meeting is open to the public.

David Alberg selected as National Park Service deputy regional director for Alaska