Frozen Commons: Change, Resilience and Sustainability in the Arctic

NNA Research: Collaborative Research: Frozen Commons: Change, Resilience and Sustainability in the Arctic (Frozen Commons, # 2127348).

The Frozen Commons project explores the interconnected ice, snow, and permafrost landscapes that sustain Arctic communities and ecosystems by merging science, arts, and local and Indigenous Knowledge systems. Defined as shared resources collectively used and managed by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, governments, and external stakeholders, these “frozen commons” are critical to life in the Arctic. However, as the region experiences unprecedented climate-induced changes, ice and snow melting and permafrost’s thawing signals profound disruptions to cultural, social, and economic systems.

Collaborative Partners

The success of Frozen Commons relies on a diverse network of collaborative partners, bringing together expertise in science, arts, and Indigenous Knowledge systems. This interdisciplinary and community-centered approach ensures meaningful engagement with local communities, Indigenous Peoples, researchers, and policymakers.

George Washington University

University of Alaska Fairbanks

University of New Hampshire

University of Northern Iowa

Alaska Pacific University

Arizona State University

Research Areas

Our study focuses on the Tsagaannuur and Bayanzurkh soums in Mongolia’s Khovsgol Province and the rural and urban communities of McGrath and Nikolai in Alaska, USA. These regions share challenges such as transportation accessibility, reliance on natural resource extraction, and climate change impacts, including shifting snow depths and variations in permafrost conditions.