Friends - Today's vote to protect the Arctic is the drill bit in the coffin for drilling in the Arctic Refuge. This is a tremendous victory for the American people. We have won an epic battle to protect one of the country's last truly wild places. I applaud the U.S. Senate for standing up to the pro-oil drilling special interests and doing the right thing on behalf of wildlife and conservation. The Audubon family played a key role in this critical victory. It shows the best of what we can do when we combine our strengths to achieve a common goal. Everyone deserves a big thank you. The Washington Public Policy Office and the Alaska state office led the effort with key support from the Board of Directors, Audubon's state offices, and our great chapter network of volunteers. We couldn't have done it without each of you. My congratulations to all, and thank you! John Flicker