How the iconic tufted puffin sends us vital ocean signals — Have you ever peeped a tufted puffin? Chances are, you (lucky ducky) saw them during the summer breeding season: bright orange beaks, long golden feather head plumes, and a sharp white and black eye mask with red eyeliner that has earned them the name “clown of the sea.” …

Most of the tufted puffins in North American breed in Alaska during the summer… but where in the wide sea do they go during the winter? — At the end of August along the Alaskan coast, fuzzy gray pufflings fledge from their earth burrows into sleek, dark seabirds. They follow their parents to the sea to make their way in the marine world, the start of a migration away from land for the next several months.

Grow native flowers and the guests will arrive — Whatever your party preferences, a well-planned pollinator party is sure to attract polite, helpful guests who won’t leave a mess. So grab your gloves and digging tools, here’s a step by step guide to hosting a pollinator party. Step 1: Consider the guest list Before planning your pollinator…

Raise your Alaska bee IQ — What is your favorite bee species? Mine is the Confusing Bumble Bee, Bombus perplexus. But if you asked me a few years ago, I would have given you a blank (possibly perplexed) stare as I racked my brain for the name of any bee species. I commonly hear the slogan…

Extreme Resilience in a Changing World — Life at northerly latitudes can be difficult in general, and especially so for terrestrial “cold-blooded” creatures like wood frogs. Long periods of below-freezing temperatures across most of Alaska each winter means that few amphibian species occur here. But wood frogs have a hidden superpower: They can freeze mostly solid without…

The lichens are sea-glass green in the auburn morning light after the rain. A raven circles overhead, calling “kaw-kaw-kaaaaaaw.” A shallow line of tannin-rich water slowly threads through layers of leaves and branches, small rocks, grouse droppings, brush and muck. Snow is melting. …

A conversation with Dr. Diane Granfors — Alaska’s sixteen national wildlife refuges span vast landscapes: if placed over a map of the contiguous 48 states, their boundaries would touch the California coast, the state of Georgia, the northern areas of Texas, and to the top of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. …

Beautiful alternatives to harmful plants — It’s never too early to start thinking about what to plant in your garden, yard, or apartment balcony. You might have a specific plant in mind, whether it’s something to harvest later in the season or a vibrant flower to bring a splash of color into your outdoor space. …

Consider how backyard activities impact birds — Big birds, small birds, tall birds… Alaska welcomes them all in the summer months. Flocks of birds and solo flyers converge on the state from across the world. People follow right behind them to gawk in admiration. Here at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we work to protect these…