Nature Under Trump

• ANWR was established in 1960 by Dwight Eisenhower. Today, it is the largest National Wildlife Refuge in the United States System. 
• On March 20, 2025, The Department of the Interior announced plans to reinstate previously canceled oil and gas leases in the refuge's Coastal Plain.
• This move follows an executive order signed by President Trump on January 20, 2025, aimed at unleashing Alaska's resource potential.
• The order rescinds the Biden-era moratorium on drilling activities in the refuge.
• ANWR's Coastal Plain is an ecologically sensitive area and is vital habitat for the Porcupine caribou herd, among many other Arctic wildlife species. 
• Oil exploration could begin as soon as winter, 2025, according to reports. 
• This decision has sparked strong opposition from environmental groups and Indigenous communities, particularly the Gwich’in Nation, who view the area as sacred and essential to their way of life.
• Several environmental and Alaska Native groups - including the Gwich’in Steering Committee - have sued to stop oil and gas exploration in ANWR. 

• AmeriCorps is like the Pace Corps, but in the United States. Members dedicate up to one year of service to their country in exchange for professional development and very modest pay. 
• Trump terminated 32,000 AmeriCorps volunteers, and cancelled $400 million in AmeriCorps grants to nonprofits and agencies. This has resulted in closure of over 1,000 local service programs. 
• Trump laid off 85% of AmeriCorps agency staff. 
• This is a big loss for nature conservation and local communities. Americorps volunteers do critical work. They build and maintain our nation's trails, reduce wildfire risk, control invasive species, and educate our youth. 
• 24 Democrat-led states and DC filed suit in the courts to reverse the cuts. 
• There has been local outrage nationwide about the cuts. This includes in redstates like West Virginia, Ohio, and Wyoming. 

Impact Status (In Process)

• A court ordered Trump to restore AmeriCorps funding.  However, it is unclear if the administration will follow the ruling. 
• Critical - Trump proposed total elimination of AmeriCorps in his 2026 Budget request.  But the budget will need 60 senate votes to pass.t So we can stops this if we fight.

How To Help

• Critical - Follow Voices for National Service on social media (or subscribe to their emails). Engage with their content. Follow their upcoming Action Alerts very closely. 
• Visit their Take Action page. They outline more actions you can take right now.