In October of 2025, the Trump administration green lit the Ambler Road in Alaska, a proposed mining access road that would cut through 211 miles of pristine Alaskan wilderness in the Brooks Range, crossing over 3,000 waterways and could forever change access to subsistence resources in Northwest Alaska. In collaboration with More Than Just Parks, the Dirtbag Diaries presents a two part story. Karmen Monigold and John Gaedeke each rely on the southern Brooks Range for their livelihood and have joined a grassroots effort to fight back against the Ambler Road. A pair of young conservationists, Robert Lester and Ben Kaden set out to walk the proposed Ambler Road and experience the wilderness first hand.
Protect the Kobuk and Defend Brooks Range are groups that oppose the Ambler Road.
Ambler Road Comment Period: Open through Nov 2, 2026
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Joya • Drexler • Jean Marc Yee • Evan Phillips • Brendan Burns • 1939 Ensemble • David Swenson • Brian Bombadil •
Tracks provided with permission from the artists or from Track Club
