You’ve probably never heard of Tracy Brown Bering. At least not yet. But this Alaskan explorer and environmental champion is someone you should know about. For over 30 years, Tracy has been advocating for protecting the wild places of Alaska through her writing, photography, and activism. She has explored remote regions of her home state that few have ever seen, documenting both the beauty and challenges these areas face. Whether hiking hundreds of miles through bear country or kayaking icy waters along glaciers, Tracy brings stories of adventure and conservation to life. Her goal is simple but powerful: to inspire people to care about and take action to protect Alaska’s wild lands and waters. Through her work, Tracy is revealing the wonder of the Last Frontier and why it’s so important we keep it wild.
Tracy Brown Bering Early Life and Education
Tracy Brown Bering grew up in the remote Alaskan bush, where she developed a lifelong passion for adventure and the environment. Her parents were teachers in rural Eskimo villages, so Tracy attended multiple schools across western Alaska as a child.
- She earned a biology degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, focusing on botany and natural resource management. After graduating, Tracy worked seasonal jobs conducting field research on wildlife, fisheries and vegetation across the state.
- In the late 1990s, Tracy landed a full-time job helping native tribes document traditional ecological knowledge about plants and natural resources on their lands. She spent over a decade working closely with native elders, learning about native cultural traditions and the critical environmental issues facing rural communities.
- Her work with native tribes inspired Tracy to become an advocate for environmental protection and conservation in Alaska. She began volunteering with local nonprofits promoting sustainability, habitat preservation and climate change solutions.
- In 2015, Tracy founded the Alaska Conservation Coalition to organize grassroots campaigns safeguarding wildlife habitats, open spaces and native lands against pollution, development and resource extraction pressures. Under Tracy’s leadership, the coalition has led successful efforts establishing new protected areas, strengthening environmental policies and corporate accountability across Alaska.
- A lifelong Alaskan and passionate defender of the state’s natural heritage, Tracy Brown Bering has devoted her career to environmental stewardship and empowering communities to stand up for sustainability. She continues advocating for conservation and pushing for a greener future in Alaska.
Tracy Exploration of Remote Alaska
Tracy fell in love with the remote wilds of Alaska at a young age. As an explorer and environmentalist, she has dedicated her life to protecting the state’s pristine places.###
Tracy first traveled to Alaska as a student in the 1970s. She was awestruck by the scale and beauty of the landscape. Vast, roadless areas, massive glaciers, and abundant wildlife ignited her passion for adventure and conservation.
Over the years, Tracy embarked on many solo explorations deep into Alaska’s backcountry. She traveled by bush plane, then trekked and paddled through areas few humans had ever seen. During long summer days, she observed bears, wolves, eagles and other wild creatures in their element. She forded icy rivers, hiked misty rainforests and set up camp on remote shorelines where the calls of loons echoed at midnight.
These profound experiences led Tracy to devote herself to safeguarding Alaska’s natural heritage. She has lobbied politicians, raised public awareness and worked with native groups to establish new protected areas. Some of her proudest accomplishments include helping create the Tatshenshini-Alsek Park, a 9.8 million acre wilderness, and gaining protection for the Copper River Delta, an ecologically critical wetland.
Through her writing, photography and activism, Tracy has shared the wonder of wild Alaska with people around the world. She is a shining example of how one dedicated person can make a difference in protecting our planet for future generations. Her explorations and advocacy have ensured that swaths of Alaska’s grandeur will remain unspoiled and open for discovery.
Tracy Research on Climate Change in the Arctic
Tracy Brown Bering has dedicated her career to researching how climate change is impacting the Arctic. Through her work with the University of Alaska, she has led numerous research studies documenting the effects of a warming climate on Arctic sea ice, permafrost, and wildlife.
Tracy’s research has shown that Arctic sea ice is declining at an alarming rate. Over the past 30 years, the extent and thickness of summer sea ice in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas has decreased by over 40%. This loss of sea ice is threatening Arctic wildlife like polar bears, walruses, and seals that depend on it.
Tracy has also studied how permafrost thaw is impacting Arctic coastlines. As the permafrost – permanently frozen ground – melts due to rising temperatures, coastlines become unstable. Massive chunks of land slump into the sea, releasing trapped sediments and greenhouse gasses. Tracy’s research has mapped extensive permafrost thaw along large stretches of the Alaskan coast, highlighting the vulnerability of Arctic infrastructure as the climate continues to warm.
In addition to her research, Tracy is an outspoken advocate for action on climate change. She has testified before Congress on the impacts of a warming Arctic, and frequently speaks at events to raise awareness about this urgent issue. Tracy believes that curbing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy are critical to protecting the Arctic and communities that call it home. She continues to push for policy solutions and greener technologies to safeguard the North for future generations.
Through her groundbreaking research and advocacy, Tracy Brown Bering has highlighted the changes underway in the Arctic due to human-caused climate change. Her work is an inspiration and a call for all of us to take action to reduce our environmental footprint and transition to more sustainable ways of living. The future of the Arctic depends on the steps we take today to curb emissions and slow the warming of our planet.
Tracy Environmental Conservation Efforts
Tracy Brown Bering has dedicated much of her life to environmental conservation efforts, especially in her home state of Alaska. Through her explorations, writings, and activism, she has worked hard to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on the Arctic.
Tracy co-founded the Alaska Wilderness League, a nonprofit organization focused on protecting Alaska’s wild places. For over 20 years, the league has advocated for the protection of over 100 million acres of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. They work to limit oil and gas drilling that threatens polar bears, caribou, and other wildlife.
She has traveled extensively in the Arctic, including expeditions to map uncharted areas. Her book, The Last Wilderness: A Journey into Silence, chronicles a 600-mile dogsled journey through the Brooks Range. Tracy hoped to draw attention to proposed oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge coastal plain, considered the “Serengeti of the North.”
A lifelong environmentalist, Tracy has supported many other causes like:
- Protecting habitat for endangered whales and walruses.
- Banning single-use plastics which pollute the oceans and harm marine life.
- Transitioning to renewable energy and a low-carbon economy.
- Curbing emissions of greenhouse gasses that are rapidly warming the planet.
Through grassroots campaigns and by testifying before Congress,Tracy has lobbied political leaders to pass environmental laws and take action against climate change. She believes “what each of us does matters” in tackling this urgent problem. Though the challenges seem immense, her message is one of hope, empowerment and perseverance.
Tracy Brown Bering’s immense contributions as an explorer, author, and activist have raised awareness of environmental threats facing Alaska and our planet. She stands as an inspiration, reminding us of the difference one determined person can make. Our wild places and future generations will benefit from her lifelong work and passion for this cause.
Tracy Legacy and Impact on Alaskan Communities
Tracy Brown Bering left behind an inspiring legacy of environmental activism and community support in Alaska. Through her work, she improved the lives of many indigenous groups across the state.
Advocating for Native Alaskans
Tracy championed the rights of Alaska Natives, recognizing the importance of preserving their cultural heritage and protecting their traditional way of life. She advocated for policies that gave more control of natural resources to tribes. Tracy also fought against development that would damage critical habitat for fish and wildlife that native communities rely on. Her advocacy and legal work were instrumental in gaining more self-governance for tribes.
Conservation Efforts
An avid outdoorswoman, Tracy worked tirelessly to protect Alaska’s natural beauty and wild spaces. She was instrumental in expanding protected areas like Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Tracy also helped establish sustainable tourism programs that benefited small communities. These programs brought economic opportunity while maintaining the integrity of the land.
Lasting Influence
Though Tracy passed away in 2010, her impact on Alaska continues through the organizations and people she inspired. Groups she co-founded like the Northern Alaska Environmental Center and the Alaska Center carry on her mission. The young people Tracy mentored have become leaders in environmental law, tribal governments, and conservation. Her vision for an Alaska that honors both its natural heritage and its human communities lives on.
Tracy Brown Bering was ahead of her time. Through her work and advocacy over several decades, she shaped Alaska for the better and fought for those who often didn’t have a voice. Her dedication to social justice and sustainability serves as an inspiration and reminder of how one person can make a lasting difference.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the inspiring story of Tracy Brown Bering and her important work as an Alaskan explorer and environmental champion. Through her books, advocacy, and ecotourism business, she has given people around the world a glimpse into the beauty and wonder of Alaska’s wild places. At the same time, she has fought tirelessly to protect these special areas from the threats of climate change and human activity. Tracy reminds us that one person with passion, determination and vision can make a huge difference. Her accomplishments stand as a shining example for people everywhere working to safeguard the natural world. The next time you feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental challenges we face, think of Tracy and find inspiration in her remarkable journey. You too can explore, experience, advocate for, and protect the places you love.
