Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act anniversary Dec 2, 2025

Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act anniversary

On December 2, 1980, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) reshaped America"s conservation history. With one sweeping law, more than 104 million acres of Alaska"s wild lands gained lasting protection, like the Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve, seen here, now the largest national park in the United States. ANILCA balanced preservation with tradition, safeguarding ecosystems while honoring rural subsistence rights.

© Patrick J. Endres/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Dec 2, 2018Winter in Old Nuuk
Dec 2, 2019Wild and beautiful Alaska
Dec 2, 2020Protecting Alaska
Dec 2, 2021Denali National Park
Dec 2, 2022Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act marks 42 years
Dec 2, 2023Angkor, Cambodia
Dec 2, 2024Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska

More Desktop Wallpapers:

May 26, 2018Honoring the first American woman in space
May 12, 2021A visit to Limerick on Limerick Day
Nov 16, 202250 years of World Heritage Sites
Jun 13, 2021Bear watching in the Finnish forest
Dec 27, 2020Turning darkness into light
Nov 22, 2019The Cutty Sark turns 150
Jan 12, 2026Eurasian otter and pup, Estonia
Sep 16, 2023Oktoberfest begins
May 8, 2018Raise your hand for Teacher Appreciation Day
Dec 9, 2021Glowworm caves in Australia
Jul 15, 2025Perseid meteor shower over Nevada
Feb 14, 2019Cue up the tango music
Sep 4, 2019Social climbing
May 19, 2018At ease, it’s Armed Forces Day
Oct 23, 2024Madame Sherri Forest, New Hampshire
May 26, 2024Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington
Apr 1, 2024April Fools Day
Dec 31, 2024New Years Eve in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Aug 1, 2018Don’t look down
Mar 29, 2021Rising up from the black sand like rock gods
Sep 9, 2020Where the bearded reedling sings
Dec 6, 2021Computer Science EDU Week
Sep 26, 2023Venice Skatepark, Los Angeles, California
Dec 17, 2018We have liftoff!
Nov 10, 2024Caribbean flamingos, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
Jan 17, 2024Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany
May 19, 2021A path lain with petals
Jan 18, 2026White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Dec 11, 2024International Mountain Day
Jan 17, 2022Martin Luther King Day