Journey through the Arctic

Journey through the Arctic

From September 23-27, 2012, Debbie Miller, journalist, teacher, Arctic explorer, conservationist, photographer and award-winning author of Midnight Wilderness: Journeys in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will be in Minnesota (St. Paul, Bloomington and St. Peter), presenting on her Arctic travels and her most recent book collaboration – a book of photographs and essays featuring the wildlife and landscape of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (Reserve) entitled Tracking Time Through Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve: On Arctic Ground released in July 2012.

Join Debbie’s journey as she paddles 600 miles through the Reserve, a vast region with special areas in need of lasting protection – the Reserve is the largest single unit of public lands in the nation. Miller has explored and studied the wilderness and wildlife of the Arctic for more than three decades. Her new book describes the largest expanse of wild lands remaining in America, along with its rich diversity of Arctic wildlife: wolves, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, wolverine, dinosaurs of the past and a host of migratory birds from all corners of the world.

“Seeing the beauty and wonder of Alaska has inspired me as a writer to share my journeys and outdoor adventures with adults and children nationwide,” said Debbie Miller. “This year is a critical year for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, as this is the first time ever that the Department of the Interior is conducting a comprehensive management plan. Now is the time to tell Secretary Ken Salazar to protect special areas within the Reserve from drilling and preserve the future of America’s Arctic.”

Former Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt wrote the book’s preface, drawing on his years of experience managing both the economic and biological resources of the Reserve. It also features essays and insight from Alaskan writers and science authorities – including wildlife biologist Jeff Fair and senior Audubon Alaska scientist John Schoen – as well as an essay and audio download by noted Alaska writer and soundscape artist Richard Nelson. Paleontologists Jack Horner and Patrick Druckenmiller share the most recent research and remarkable discoveries associated with dinosaur studies in the Alaskan Arctic.

The acclaimed author of 15 nature books for children and adults, Debbie is the author of Midnight Wilderness: Journeys in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Braided River, 2011) and a co-author of Arctic Wings: Birds of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Mountaineers Books, 2006). She is a founding board member of the Alaska Wilderness League, an organization whose mission is to protect Alaska's extraordinary wilderness.

“We have worked with Debbie Miller for over a decade and look forward to the release of her new book, Tracking Time Through Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve: On Arctic Ground,” said Cindy Shogan, Executive Director of Alaska Wilderness League. “This book will help raise awareness and elevate the amazing values of the Reserve through photographs, essays and sounds. In 2012, we hope that the wilderness-quality lands within the Reserve are granted the strongest possible protections.

WHAT: Free public presentations with book purchase and signing to follow.

WHO: Debbie Miller, award-winning author, teacher, Arctic explorer, photographer and conservationist

BOOK TOUR DETAILS:

St. Paul, MN

Wednesday, September 26

Institute on the Environment (IonE) Seminar Room R380

Learning & Environmental Sciences Building

1954 Buford Avenue, St. Paul, MN

Noon – 1:00 p.m.

For more information: https://umconnect.umn.edu/IonEFrontiers