AAOKH news shares local Indigenous observations from Arctic Alaska

IARC’s Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub is excited to share their summer 2021 newsletter. AAOKH (pronounced A-OK) helps northern Alaska coastal communities share their expertise and observations of changing sea ice, wildlife and coastal waters.

Read this AAOKH news to hear how local observers in Tikiġaq (Point Hope), Qikiqtaġruq (Kotzebue), Wainwright, Utqiaġvik and Kaktovik describe the rapid changes in their ecosystems. The local observations are paired with satellite-based data on sea ice and temperatures along the Chukchi and Beaufort coasts to provide additional historical context.

AAOKH also has three graduate students who use input from AAOKH observers and observations for their research on fisheries, coastal erosion and more. Check out their latest efforts on pages 6–7 of the newsletter.

In its final years of funding, AAOKH scientists, observers, students and steering group are exploring AAOKH’s future keeping in mind their three main goals:

1. Support local Indigenous observers as they share their knowledge and document environmental changes.

2. Provide services to monitor environmental change and meet community needs.

3. Create educational opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

Read the 2021 summer AAOKH news to learn more.