Arctic Advocate's Last Stand Against Oil Drilling

Celia Hunter concluded her remarkable 54-year environmental advocacy by writing urgent letters to US politicians, opposing oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Born in 1919, Hunter's journey began in 1946 when she flew a surplus military aircraft to Fairbanks, Alaska. She co-founded the Alaska Conservation Society in 1960 and the Alaska Conservation Foundation in 1980, collectively helping to protect over 100 million acres of Alaskan public land.

Hunter's early life included service as a Women Airforce Service Pilot during WWII. After arriving in Alaska, she and a fellow pilot established Camp Denali in 1952, a wilderness lodge with strict environmental standards. As industrial development increased, Hunter transitioned to organized campaigning, co-founding the Alaska Conservation Society to give locals a voice in federal conservation policies. Her significant contributions were recognized with awards from the Sierra Club and The Wilderness Society.