• There are 20 million acres in ANWR, but only eight million of them are labeled "wilderness".  Of this, we will concentrate our energy on understanding the 1002 area as that is the land that is of interest to the oil companies for it's potential oil producing capabilities.

• There are over 200 animal species in ANWR, and there is about 125 migratory bird species that flock to ANWR from four continents.

• Of that, there is approximately 36 species of land mammals, nine marine mammals, 36 species of fish, and 160 species of birds.

• Also, 40,000 caribou are born in the coastal plain during a two week period in July every year.

• ANWR is drained by dozens of major rivers, contains no roads or designated/established campsites.

• The indigenous people of the region are the Gwichin Tribe.

• The habitat of ANWR varies greatly depending where on the reserve you are.

                            It is mainly split up into:   1. Coastal Lagoons
                                                                      2.  Barrier Islands
                                                                      3. Arctic Tundra
                                                                      4. Foothills
                                                                      5. Mountains
                                                                      6. and Boreal Forests

Climate

• Interior Climate (not 1002):     - most extreme
                                                  -isolated by Alaska Range to the south and                                                           Brooks Range to the North
                                                  - temperature in summer is in high 80 degrees                                                       (F)
                                                  - temp. in winter is about -40 to -50 degrees (F)
                                                  - mountain ranges limit amount of precipitation

• Arctic Region Climate:            - wet tundra
                                                  - mean precipitation is 10 inches
                                                  - permafrost is continuous
                                                  - temperature not as extreme as interior because                                                    of the ocean
                                                  - high temperature is 70 degrees (F)
                                                  - snow covers ground about 8 months of the year
                                                  - strong winds mainly from October through                                                        February