Encore: National Parks | Fire and Ice | 6

<p>Alaska: big, open, frozen and wild. In 1867, the acquisition of Alaska from the Russian Empire was widely derided as “folly.” But early explorers like John Muir saw its potential, and clamored for its preservation in the face of increasing development and calls for statehood. Then oil was discovered in Alaska, and the real fight began. Caught between angry Alaskan individualists and an ambitious federal government, the National Park Service struggled to do what was right for the land and the people who lived and depended on it.</p><p>Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App.&nbsp;<a href="https://wondery.app.link/historytellers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wondery.app.link/historytellers</a></p><p>Support us by supporting our sponsors!</p><p><strong>Better Help</strong>- Get 10% off your first month at&nbsp;<a href="http://betterhelp.com/tellers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>betterhelp.com/tellers</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>