Environmental focus in Alaska

May through June is the season when the North Slope hosts the beginning of summer wildlife activity, and the area around Point Thomson is no exception. Snow buntings are among the earliest birds to arrive, and are soon followed by many other species including, ducks, geese, swans, shorebirds, songbirds and raptors. The months of May and June especially are a time of intense nesting activity. Foxes, caribou, and grizzly bears become more active and abundant in the Point Thomson area, and occasionally wolves, muskox, and other animals are also encountered near our facilities. Polar bear sows and new cubs usually emerge from their dens by mid-April, so polar bears are not usually seen on land during breakup, although they may sometimes be seen on offshore ice and barrier islands.

Point Thomson development is designed to minimize our disturbances to the local wildlife, and we take many measures to avoid any harm to either workers or the animals that are in our area. Most species are simply foraging or nesting on the tundra, or passing through our area during seasonal migrations, but there are some species and circumstances that require extra attention and precautions on our part.