Biologists struggle to single out a leading cause of the caribou population’s decline. Increased wolf predation, changed migration patterns and climate warming affecting food sources can all influence the herd. “It’s going to be another rough winter again this year without caribou,” Selawik resident Norma Ballot said.

"I had never seen burrows like this, and they were everywhere on the Nuna. What seemed to be elaborate tunnel systems dug where there was apparently no permafrost, and sometimes the burrows led up to the bench behind."

The first observations of orchids in the area were in 2020. Now they are becoming more common.

An ice jam caused by warming spring temperatures near the village of Buckland has left most of the town underwater and cut off access to the airport road. Residents of the village of about 400 people are preparing to evacuate by boat if water levels continue to rise.

Mayor Clyde Ramoth says frozen pipes are a chronic problem due to issues with the initial installation of the above-ground water system. The warming climate isn’t making things any easier.

High water posed safety hazards and resulted in the removal of boardwalk but also allowed boats to go further up river than usual.

Warm water temperatures may be causing stress and increase the risk of infections and other illness in fish.

Thawing and eroding is destroying river bank, impacting access, threatening infrastructure, and causing safety concerns.

Many foggy days in Noorvik during the fall of 2017.

Technology has changed, communities have moved, people have grown older, and the beluga whales the Kanigmiut have relied on for generations have all but disappeared.

Caribou calving on the Kobuk River, seems early to calf.

Unusual swallow species

The caribou are crossing at different times and locations as the years go by.

Fishing this spring and caught a broad whitefish that had a growth.

9-5-13 Caribou delayed - Kiana, Alaska, USA

The blueberries are so ripe now that the best time to pick those are late morning while they are chilled down and the leaves are not so moist, otherwise they fall easily or squish in your fingers.

7-23-13 Horntail wood wasp - Selawik, Alaska,

Permafrost thawing causing bridge damage.

A normal daily river level here is about 46', so we are nearly eight (8') feet above normal.

5-23-12 Buckland River floods dumpsite - Buckland, Alaska, USA.