Encyclopedia Westarctica - User contributions [en]

Westarctica Civilian Corps

2026-05-12T23:26:29Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Civilian Corps Achievement Recipients */ added recipient mistakenly left off list

[[File:Civilian Corps Patch-Alt1.png|thumb|Logo of the Westarctica Civilian Corps]]
The '''Westarctica Civilian Corps''' is an organization comprised of citizens of [[Westarctica]] who are admitted to the Corps regardless of noble status, knighthoods, or other rank. The only consideration is dedication to the nation and a sincere desire to better Westarctica and themselves.

It is headed by the current Commissioner of the Corps, Thomas Williams, the [[Duke of Waite]].

==Impetus for creation==
[[File:Welcome-Pack.jpg|thumb|Example of welcome packs created for the first group of Westarctica Civilian Corps members.]]
The Westarctica Civilian Corps was the brainchild of [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Duke Jordan of the Bear Peninsula]]. In his capacity as [[Minister of Citizenship & Immigration]], the Duke was contemplating ways to better engage new citizens while giving them opportunities to take actions that would benefit Westarctica and further advance the national mission of preserving and conserving the environment.

As Westarctica already had a long tradition of recognizing supporters with [[Hereditary Nobility of Westarctica|noble titles]] and [[Orders of Westarctica|knighthoods]], Duke Jordan desired an organization where each individual could gain recognition based on concrete actions, without ranks or classes. At the same time, [[Grand Duke Travis]] had been debating new ways to reward common citizens for their actions beyond giving knighthoods and titles. The two ideas merged together to become the Westarctica Civilian Corps.

==Activities of the Corps==
Members can be rewarded for successful completion of over 20 different approved activities. All awards are given in recognition for activities that citizens can engage in, regardless of Corps membership status. Each activity has an associated award ribbon, and some of them have multiple levels (denoted with an attached device). Members are also encouraged to try to earn as many as they are able to (similar to Scouting Merit Badges). These awards can only be earned / worn by members of the Citizen Corps.

===List of approved activities / ribbons===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Activity
! Ribbon(s)
! Eligibility
|-
| Balleny Islands Expeditionary ribbon
|[[File:BallenyExpeditionRibbon.jpg|60px]]
| Visit the Westarctican Colony of [[Balleny Islands]].
|-
| Calsahara Expeditionary ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-Calsahara.png|60px]]
| Visit the Westarctican [[Colony of Calsahara]].
|-
| Civilian Corps Achievement ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-Achievement.png|60px]] [[File:CC Achievement ribbon bronze star.png|60px]] [[File:Achievement Ribbon Silver.png|60px]]
| Outstanding achievement or meritorious service not of a nature that would otherwise warrant awarding the Civilian Corps Commendation Ribbon. Subsequent awards are worn as 3/16 inch star devices: bronze for the second, silver for the third, gold for the fourth.
|-
| Civilian Corps Commendation ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Corps-Commendation.png|60px]] [[File:CC Commendation ribbon bronze disc.png|60px]]
| Sustained acts of meritorious service. Subsequent awards are worn as Antarctica disk devices: bronze for the second, silver for the third, gold for the fourth.
|-
| Civilian Corps Service ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-Service.png|60px]]
| Approved for wear by all members of the Westarctica Civilian Corps.
|-
| Community Outreach ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-Human.png|60px]]
| Make a significant and sustained volunteer contribution in their home nation or local community.
|-
| Global Campaign Service ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-Global.png|60px]]
| Participate in one of the regular Westarctican [[Global Campaign|global activism campaigns]], beginning 1 May 2018. Subsequent campaign participation is recognized with 3/16 inch star devices: bronze for the fifth (5th), silver for the fifteenth (15th), gold for the thirtieth (30th).
|-
| Government Service ribbon
|[[File:GovernmentServiceRibbon.png|60px]]
| Serve in the Westarctican government for a period of 12 months
|-
| Iceberg Award ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-Ice.png|60px]]
| Participate in an annual [[Citizen's Day]] (2 August) [[Iceberg Challenge]].
|-
| Long Service ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-Long.png|60px]]
| Members who have reached the ten (10) year anniversary of their Citizenship.
|-
| Nobles ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-Nobility.png|60px]]
| Eligible for wear by all members of the Civilian Corps who are also members of the [[Hereditary Nobility of Westarctica|Peerage of Westarctica]].
|-
| Recruiting ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-Recruit.png|60px]] [[File:Recruiting ribbon bronze device.png|60px]] [[File:Silver Recruiting.png|60px]]
| Members who have referred five (5) people who have been accepted as citizens, and joined the Citizens of Westarctica Facebook Group. Subsequent recruitment is recognized with knot devices: bronze for the fifteenth (15th), silver for the thirtieth (30th), gold for the fiftieth (50th).
|-
| Westarctica Expeditionary ribbon
|[[File:Civ-cor-westarctica.png|60px]]
| Visit the physical territory of Westarctica.
|}

===Civilian Corps Commendation Recipients===
*'''[[Duke of the Balchen Glacier|Lars Vorländer]]''': Awarded for establishing the Vorländer Scholarship. ''(12 April 2018)''
*'''C Jordan Farmer''': Awarded for service as Commissioner of the Civilian Corps. ''(22 February 2019)''
*'''[[Grand Duke Travis|Travis McHenry]], [[Duke of Waesche|Wolf Tulier]], [[Christine McPhee]], Dany-el Baker, Christian Seitz, Rebecca Lower''', and '''C Jordan Farmer''' ''(2nd award)'': For serving in the [[First Constitutional Convention]]. ''(10 September 2019)''
*'''[[Jessica Barton]]''': Awarded for service as Commissioner of the Civilian Corps. ''(15 February 2021)''
*'''Travis McHenry''' ''(2nd award)'' and '''C Jordan Farmer''' ''(3rd award)'': For the planning and execution of the 20th Anniversary Event. ''(16 July 2025)''
*'''Travis McHenry''' ''(3rd award)'', '''Dinny Pulipati, James Stoshak''', and '''C Jordan Farmer''' ''(4th award)'': Awarded for serving as part of the hosting delegation for [[MicroCon 2022]. ''(16 July 2025)''

===Civilian Corps Achievement Recipients===
*'''John Chambers''': Awarded for winning the recruiting drive competition held in May and June of 2018. ''(2 July 2018)''
*'''Christian Seitz''': Awarded for translating the ''Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Westarctica'' into German, for fellow Westarcticans to enjoy. ''(15 July 2018)''
*'''Ariella Warner''': Awarded for hosting the Washington, D.C. area Icebreaker event in March 2019. ''(8 April 2019)''
*'''[[Duke of Fox Grove|August Grappin]]''': Awarded for hosting the Nashville area Icebreaker event in July 2019. ''(29 July 2019)''
*'''Travis McHenry, [[Prince-Consort Dinny|Dinny Pulipati]]''', and '''C Jordan Farmer''': Awarded for serving as members of the Westarctican delegation to [[MicroCon 2019]]. ''(6 August 2019)''
*'''Mary Jordan, [[Minister of Conservation|Sheri Sanders]], Shannon Sullivan, Melanie Wolgamott''' (team members), '''Christine McPhee''', and '''C Jordan Farmer''' ''(2nd award)'' (organizers): For involvement with Team Westarctica during [[GISH|GISH 2019]]. ''(7 August 2019)''
*'''Travis McHenry''' ''(2nd award)'', '''Kristina Sullivan, Danni Michele, [[David Chase Callahan]], August Grappin''' ''(2nd award)'', '''Brendan Cook''', and '''C Jordan Farmer''' ''(3rd award)'': For serving in the Second Constitutional Convention. ''(15 February 2021)''
*'''Travis McHenry''' ''(3rd award)'', '''David Chase Callahan''' ''(2nd award)'', '''Rebecca Lower, Wolf Tulier, Dany-el Baker, August Grappin''' ''(3rd award)'', '''Brendan Cook''' ''(2nd award)'', '''Kristina Sullivan''' ''(2nd award)'', '''Christian Seitz''' ''(2nd award)'', and '''C Jordan Farmer''' ''(4th award)'': For serving in the Third Constitutional Convention. ''(16 July 2025)''
*'''Travis McHenry''' ''(4th award)'', '''James Stoshak''', and '''[[Jessica Farmer]]''': Awarded for serving as members of the Westarctican delegation to [[MicroCon 2023]]. ''(16 July 2025)''
*'''David Chase Callahan''' ''(3rd award)'', '''August Grappin''' ''(4th award)'', and '''Brendan Cook''' ''(3rd award)'': For serving in the Fourth Constitutional Convention. ''(16 July 2025)''
*'''Brendan Cook''' ''(4th award)'', '''Jim Stoshak''' ''(2nd award)'', '''Jessica Farmer''' ''(2nd award)'', and '''Sterling Macleod''': Awarded for serving as members of the Westarctican delegation to [[MicroCon 2025]]. ''(16 July 2025)''

==Honored Westarctican Awards==
::''Main article: [[Honored Westarctican Awards]]''

As part of the Corps' goal of recognizing citizens for exceptional acts that may not merit a knighthood, the Honored Westarctican Awards were created. These awards can be issued to any Westarctican, even citizens who are not members of the Corps. Currently, only members of the Civilian Corps are awarded the corresponding ribbon.

===List of Honored Westarctican Awards===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Distinction
! Ribbon
! Eligibility
|-
| Honored Artist ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-Artist.png|60px]]
| Significant achievement of an artistic nature.
|-
| Honored Citizen ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-HonCitizen.png|60px]]
| Perform an act, accomplishment, or service that reflects positively upon them and Westarctica.
|-
| Honored Conservationist ribbon
|[[File:HonoredConservationistRibbon.png|60px]]
| Significant achievement in the field of conservation.
|-
| Honored Diplomat ribbon
|[[File:Civ-cor-hondiplomat.png|60px]]
| Significant service of a diplomatic nature.
|-
| Honored Innovator ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-HonInno.png|60px]]
| Significant achievement of a non-artistic, but still innovative or scientific in nature.
|-
| Honored Servant ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-HonService.png|60px]]
| Service in an appointed position that is not diplomatic, in nature.
|-
| Honored Volunteer ribbon
|[[File:Civ-Cor-HonVol.png|60px]]
| Significant and sustained service to the government and/or people of Westarctica that would not make them eligible for either the Servant or Diplomat Ribbons.
|}

==Approved Ribbons for Westarctican Orders==

The Civilian Corps currently has six approved ribbons that recognize non-Corps achievements. All of these are currently in recognition of [[Orders of Westarctica|Westarctican Knighthoods]].

===List of Non-Corps Ribbons===
These ribbons were awarded from the Corps' creation until July of 2025. When the Corps was reactivated after a three-year hiatus, it was decided that these had become cost prohibitive, if membership was to be kept affordable. The Addition of Kolios and Raphania to Westarctica's holdings, additional orders and ranks, and the cost of the devices were all factors that led to this outcome.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Order
! Ribbon(s)
! Eligibility
|-
| Order of the Orca ribbon
|[[File:Orca ribbon star.png|60px]]
| Approved for wear by members of the [[Illustrious Antarctic Order of the Orca]]. As the order only has one level of distinction, all members have an affixed silver polar star device.
|-
| Order of the Snowflake ribbon
|[[File:Snowflake-Ribbon.png|60px]] [[File:Snowflake ribbon bronze disk.png|60px]] [[File:02.2 OSnow - KGC.png|60px]] [[File:Snowflake ribbon gold disk.png|60px]]
| Approved for wear by members of the [[Order of the Snowflake]]. A blank ribbon is worn by those holding the rank of Knight/Dame. Knights/Dames Commander are denoted by an attached bronze Antarctica device. Knights/Dames Grand Commander are denoted by an attached silver Antarctica device. Knights/Dames Grand Cross are denoted by an attached gold Antarctica device.
|-
| Order of the Desert Heart ribbon
|[[File:DesertHeartRibbon.png|60px]] [[File:DesertHeartCommanderRibbon.png|60px]]
| Approved for wear by members of the [[Order of the Desert Heart]]. A blank ribbon is worn by those holding the rank of Knight/Dame. Knights/Dames Commander are denoted by an attached silver and turquoise heart device.
|-
| Order of Westarctica ribbon
|[[File:WestarcticaCompanionRibbon.jpg|60px]] [[File:Order-Westarctica-Ribbon.png|60px]]
| Approved for wear by members of the [[Noble Order of Westarctica]]. Members at the rank of Companion may wear a blank ribbon of the order. Those members at the rank of Knight/Dame have an affixed gold crown device.
|-
| Order of the Sword ribbon
|[[File:OrderSwordRibbon.jpg|60px]] [[File:SwordRibbonKC.jpg|60px]]
| Approved for wear by members of the [[Noble Order of the Sword]]. A blank ribbon is worn by those holding the rank of Knight/Dame. Knights/Dames Commander are denoted by an attached bronze crossed swords device.
|-
| Legion of Peace ribbon
|[[File:LegionPeaceRibbon.png|60px]]
| Approved for wear by members of the [[Legion of Peace]]. As the order only has one level of distinction, all members have an affixed silver peace sign device.
|}

==Display of the Ribbons==
While there is not a specific right or wrong way to wear the ribbons of the Corps, there are recommended guidelines. These include an order of precedence for display, usually on a military-style ribbon rack. This is done three to a row, for four ribbons up to fifteen. from sixteen ribbons on, it is recommended to wear them four to a row. All Civilian Corps awards are to follow other Westarctican awards and organizations, in precedence.

The order of precedence, for wear of the ribbons, is as follows:
* Official Westarctican Non-Corps ribbons
* Honored Westarctican Awards
** Honored Servant ribbon
** Honored Diplomat ribbon
** Honored Volunteer ribbon
** Honored Conservationist ribbon
** Honored Innovator ribbon
** Honored Artist ribbon
** Honored Citizen ribbon
* Civilian Corps Awards
** Civilian Corps Commendation ribbon
** Civilian Corps Achievement ribbon
** Recruiting ribbon
** Iceberg Award ribbon
** Westarctica Expeditionary ribbon
** Balleny Islands Expeditionary ribbon
** Calsahara Expeditionary ribbon
** Government Service ribbon
** Global Campaign Service ribbon
** Long Service ribbon
** Civilian Corps Service ribbon
** Community Outreach ribbon
** Nobles ribbon

==Milestone Gifts==
In 2019, the Corps announced the Milestone Gift initiative. This program gives Corps members special gifts for each fifth Civilian Corps ribbon earned. For the purpose of this program, ribbons for Orders do not count towards this total, while individual levels of ribbons that have them each count as a unique ribbon. Under these guidelines, the highest number of ribbons a Corps member can acquire would be 32.

==External link==
* [https://www.westarctica.info/cc-payment Official site]

[[Category:Government of Westarctica]]

D'Hainaut Island

2026-05-08T15:45:22Z

DukeBearPeninsula: corrected penguin breed

[[File:Flag Island 1.jpg|400px|thumb|The flag of Westarctica on D'Hainaut Island in 2023]]
'''D'Hainaut Island''' is a small island lying in Mikkelsen Harbor, Trinity Island, in the Palmer Archipelago of [[Antarctica]].

It was charted by the French Antarctic Expedition, 1908–10, under Jean-Baptiste Charcot, and named by the sixth Chilean Antarctic Expedition (1952) for Lieutenant Ladislao D'Hainaut.

The island is not located in [[Westarctica]]'s claimed territory.

==Caillet-Bois Refuge==
Refuge Caillet-Bois is an Argentine refuge in Antarctica located on the D'Hainaut Island. The refuge was inaugurated by the Argentine Navy on 10 December 1954. Originally it took the name of refuge Port Mikkelsen referred to the name of the Danish arctic explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen. The refuge with its current name, which pays tribute to the Argentine naval Captain and historian Teodoro Caillet Bois, was given in December 1977 by the [[icebreaker]] ARA ''General San Martin'' (Q-4). Then it was closed and evacuated on 17 January of the following year by the icebreaker personnel.

The ARA Petty Officer Castillo visited the shelter in early 2000 during the Antarctic campaign of 1999-2000 and the ARA ''Almirante Irizar'' inspected the refuge in April of the same year. The refuge was renovated in March 2017 by the personnel of the transport ARA ''Bahía San Blas''.

==Flag of Westarctica==
On 20 November 2023, D'Hainaut Island was the first place in [[Antarctica]] that the [[Flag of Westarctica]] visited during its journey to the Antarctic continent. The flag was photographed beside a colony of [[Gentoo penguin]]s by anthropologist Ashley Meredith and her husband.

The arrival of the flag in Antarctica is considered a major event in the history of [[Westarctica]] and a sign of the nation's commitment to conducting operations in the southern polar region. As [[penguin]]s are a [[National Symbols of Westarctica|national symbol of Westarctica]], the landing on D'Hainaut Island was considered of equal importance to the subsequent landing on the [[Antarctic Peninsula]].

[[Category:Geography of Antarctica]]

Adélie penguin

2026-05-08T15:35:03Z

DukeBearPeninsula: removed erroneous info

[[File:Hope Bay-Adélie penguin.jpg|thumb|right|Adélie penguin]]
The '''Adélie penguin''' (''Pygoscelis adeliae'') is a species of [[penguin]] common along the entire [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] coast, which is their only residence. They are among the most southerly distributed of all seabirds, along with the [[emperor penguin]], the south polar skua, [[Wilson's storm petrel]], the [[snow petrel]], and the [[Antarctic petrel]]. They are named after [[Adélie Land]], in turn named for Adèle Dumont D'Urville, the wife of French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville, who discovered these penguins in 1840.

==Distribution and habitat==
Based on a 2014 analysis of fresh guano-discolored coastal areas, 3.79 million breeding pairs of Adélie penguins are in 251 breeding colonies, a 53% increase over a census completed 20 years earlier. The colonies are distributed around the coastline of the Antarctic land and ocean. Colonies have declined on the [[Antarctic Peninsula]], but those declines have been more than offset by increases in [[East Antarctica]]. During the breeding season, they congregate in large breeding colonies, some over a quarter of a million pairs. Individual colonies can vary dramatically in size, and some may be particularly vulnerable to climate fluctuations. The Danger Islands have been identified as an "important bird area" by BirdLife International largely because it supports Adélie penguin colonies, with 751,527 pairs recorded in at least five distinct colonies. In March 2018, a colony of 1.5 million was discovered.

Adélie penguins breed from October to February on shores around the Antarctic continent. Adélies build rough nests of stones. Two eggs are laid; these are incubated for 32 to 34 days by the parents taking turns (shifts typically last for 12 days). The chicks remain in the nest for 22 days before joining crèches. The chicks molt into their juvenile plumage and go out to sea after 50 to 60 days.

==Description==
These penguins are mid-sized, being 46 to 71 cm (18 to 28 in) in height and 3.6 to 6.0 kg (7.9 to 13.2 lb) in weight. Distinctive marks are the white ring surrounding the eye and the feathers at the base of the bill. These long feathers hide most of the red bill. The tail is a little longer than other penguins' tails. The appearance looks somewhat like a tuxedo. They are a little smaller than other penguin species.

Adélie penguins usually swim at around 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h).

Adélie penguins are preyed on by [[leopard seal]]s, skuas, and occasionally, [[orca|killer whales]].

==Behavior==
[[File:Adelie Penguins on iceberg.jpg|thumb|right|Adélie penguins on an iceberg]]
Specifics of their behavior were documented extensively by [[Apsley Cherry-Garrard]] (a survivor of [[Robert Falcon Scott]]’s fateful final journey to the [[South Pole]]) in his book The Worst Journey in the World. Cherry-Garrard noted: "They are extraordinarily like children, these little people of the Antarctic world, either like children or like old men, full of their own importance." Certain displays of their selfishness were commented upon by George Murray Levick, a Royal Navy surgeon-lieutenant and scientist who also accompanied Scott on his ill-fated British Antarctic Expedition of 1910, during his surveying of penguins in the [[Antarctic]]:

<blockquote>
"At the place where they most often went in [the water], a long terrace of ice about six feet in height ran for some hundreds of yards along the edge of the water, and here, just as on the sea-ice, crowds would stand near the brink. When they had succeeded in pushing one of their number over, all would crane their necks over the edge, and when they saw the pioneer safe in the water, the rest followed."</blockquote>

It was observed how the penguin's intrigue could also put them in harm’s way, which Scott found a particular nuisance:

<blockquote>The great trouble with [the dog teams] has been due to the fatuous conduct of the penguins. Groups of these have been constantly leaping onto our [ice] floe. From the moment of landing on their feet their whole attitude expressed devouring curiosity and a pig-headed disregard for their own safety. They waddle forward, poking their heads to and fro in their usually absurd way, in spite of a string of howling dogs straining to get at them. "Hulloa!" they seem to say, "here’s a game – what do all you ridiculous things want?" And they come a few steps nearer. The dogs make a rush as far as their harness or leashes allow. The penguins are not daunted in the least, but their ruffs go up and they squawk with semblance of anger.</blockquote>

Regularly, this attitude led to the demise of an Adélie penguin, "Then the final fatal steps forward are taken and they come within reach. There is a spring, a squawk, a horrid red patch on the snow, and the incident is closed." Others on the mission to the South Pole were more receptive of this element of the Adélies' intrigue. Cherry-Garrard:

<blockquote>Meares and Dimitri exercised the dog-teams out upon the larger floes when we were held up for any length of time. One day a team was tethered by the side of the ship, and a penguin sighted them and hurried from afar off. The dogs became frantic with excitement as he neared them: he supposed it was a greeting, and the louder they barked and the more they strained at their ropes, the faster he bustled to meet them. He was extremely angry with a man who went and saved him from a very sudden end, clinging to his trousers with his beak, and furiously beating his shins with his flippers.</blockquote>

This was an occurrence of some regularity, "It was not an uncommon sight to see a little Adélie penguin standing within a few inches of the nose of a dog which was almost frantic with desire and passion."

Due to their obstinate personality traits, Cherry-Garrard held the birds in great regard, "Whatever [an Adélie] penguin does has individuality, and he lays bare his whole life for all to see. He cannot fly away. And because he is quaint in all that he does, but still more because he is fighting against bigger odds than any other bird, and fighting always with the most gallant pluck."

===Diet===
[[File:Adélie Penguin feeding krill.jpg|thumb|right|Adélie penguin regurgitating krill for a chick.]]
The Adélie penguin is known to feed mainly on [[Antarctic krill]], ice krill, [[Antarctic silverfish]], sea krill, and [[glacial squid]] (diet varies depending on geographic location) during the chick-rearing season. The stable isotope record of fossil eggshell accumulated in colonies over the last 38,000 years reveals a sudden change from a fish-based diet to [[krill]] that started 200 years ago. This is most likely due to the decline of the Antarctic fur seal since the late 18th century and baleen whales in the 20th century. The reduction of competition from these predators has resulted in a surplus of krill, which the penguins now exploit as an easier source of food.

Jellyfish including species in the genera ''Chrysaora'' and ''Cyanea'' were found to be actively sought-out food items, while they previously had been thought to be only accidentally ingested. Similar preferences were found in the little penguin, yellow-eyed penguin, and Magellanic penguin.

===Reproduction===
Adélie penguins arrive at their breeding grounds in October or November, at the end of winter and the start of spring. Their nests consist of stones piled together. In December, the warmest month in [[Antarctica]] (about −2 °C or 28 °F), the parents take turns incubating the egg; one goes to feed and the other stays to warm the egg. The parent that is incubating does not eat. In March, the adults and their young return to the sea. The Adélie penguin lives on sea ice, but needs the ice-free land to breed. With a reduction in sea [[ice]], populations of the Adélie penguin have dropped by 65% over the past 25 years in the [[Antarctic Peninsula]].

Young Adélie penguins which have no experience in social interaction may react to false cues when the penguins gather to breed. They may, for instance, attempt to mate with other males, with young chicks, or with dead females. On account of the birds' relatively human-like appearance and behavior, human observers have interpreted this behavior anthropomorphically as sexual deviance. The first to record such behavior was Dr. Levick, in 1911 and 1912, but his notes were deemed too indecent for publication at the time; they were rediscovered and published in 2012.
[[File:Adeile Penguin-close-OSU.jpg|thumb|right|Adelie penguin close up.]]

"The pamphlet, declined for publication with the official Scott expedition reports, commented on the frequency of sexual activity, auto-erotic behavior, and seemingly aberrant behavior of young unpaired males and females, including necrophilia, sexual coercion, sexual and physical abuse of chicks and homosexual behavior," states the analysis written by Douglas Russell and colleagues William Sladen and David Ainley. "His observations were, however, accurate, valid and, with the benefit of hindsight, deserving of publication." Levick observed the Adélie penguins at Cape Adare, the site of the largest Adélie penguin rookery in the world. As of June 2012, he has been the only one to study this particular colony and he observed it for an entire breeding cycle. The discovery significantly illuminates the behavior of the species that some researchers believe to be an indicator of [[climate change]].

===Migration===
Adélie penguins living in the [[Ross Sea]] region in [[Antarctica]] migrate an average of about 13,000 kilometers (8,100 mi) during the year as they follow the sun from their breeding colonies to winter foraging grounds and back again. "Follow the sun" means that during the winter the sun does not rise south of the [[Antarctic Circle]], but sea ice grows during the winter months and increases for hundreds of miles from the shoreline, and into more northern latitudes, all around Antarctica, so that as long as the penguins live at the edge of the fast [[ice]], there will be sunlight. As the ice recedes in the spring, they remain on the edge of it, until they are once again on the shoreline during a sunnier season. The longest treks have been recorded at 17,600 kilometers (10,900 mi).

==Osmoregulation==
Adélie penguins are faced with extreme osmotic conditions, as their frozen habitats offer little fresh water. Such desert conditions mean that the vast majority of the available water is highly saline, causing the diets of Adélie penguins to be highly saline. They manage to circumvent this problem by eating krill with internal concentrations of salt at the lower end of their possible concentrations, helping to lower the amount of ingested salts. The salt load imposed by this sort of diet is still relatively heavy, and can create complications when considering the less tolerant chicks.

Salt glands also play a major role in the excretion of excess salts. In aquatic birds such as the Adelie penguin, nasal salt glands excrete an extremely concentrated sodium chloride solution, reducing the load on their kidneys.

==Significance in Westarctica==
Adélie penguins are one of the most common types of penguins found in [[Westarctica]]'s borders. As such, it has become a common image utilized by the government hoping to capitalize on the Adélie's cuteness.

==Stamps==
Three [[Stamps of Westarctica|stamps]] featuring Adélie penguins have been released by Westarctica as part of an animal series of stamps. The first two were released in 2005 and the third was released ten years later in 2015. All stamps were of the $1.60 denomination, which was the common price paid by the [[Grand Duke Travis|Grand Duke]] to ship individual title certificates in 2005.

<gallery>
Peguin-Stamp1.jpg|2005 and 2016 Adélie penguin stamp
Stamp Runner-up.jpg|Unreleased 2005 Adélie penguin stamp
File:Adelie alone.jpg|2005 Adélie penguin stamp
</gallery>

[[Category:Animals of Westarctica]]
[[Category:Penguins]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]

Talk:1st Duke of Goldstream

2026-05-08T15:31:40Z

DukeBearPeninsula: Created page with "The current framing of all this is a bit of revisionist history, if we're being honest. That's fine, but while fleshing out the Grand Ducal Court article to discuss the only t..."

The current framing of all this is a bit of revisionist history, if we're being honest. That's fine, but while fleshing out the Grand Ducal Court article to discuss the only time we've needed the entire bench so far, it became obvious that some info needed to be added to this page to accompany it. I tried to keep it as brief as possible, stick to lean facts, and not editorialize at all. I also felt I was fairer to the Duke's perspective than necessary. I just want to point out that this edit is here to serve a greater purpose, I couldn't care less about the rest. --[[User:DukeBearPeninsula|DukeBearPeninsula]] ([[User talk:DukeBearPeninsula|talk]]) 15:31, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

1st Duke of Goldstream

2026-05-08T15:24:01Z

DukeBearPeninsula: Added info regarding the Grand Ducal Court action in February 2011.

{{Infobox Royalty
| type = monarch
| name = His Grace The 1st Duke of Goldstream
| title = 1st Viscount Grier Knight Grand Commander of the Snowflake
| image = Count-Goldstream.jpg
| imgw = 200px
| succession = [[Foreign Minister]]
| reign = February 2018 - February 2021
| reign-type = In Office
| predecessor = [[Lady Thurston]] ''As Minister of Affairs''
| pre-type = Preceded by
| successor = [[Baron of Dorrel]]
| suc-type = Successor
| succession1 = Duke of Goldstream
| reign1 = January 2020 - 15 January 2023
| reign-type1 = In Office
| predecessor1 = Himself ''as Count of Goldstream''
| pre-type1 = Preceded by
| successor1 = [[2nd Duke of Goldstream]]
| suc-type1 = Successor
|-
| spouse =
| spouse-type =
| issue = None
| father = Matthias Winkler
| mother = Ingrid Winkler
| date of birth = 29 January 1969
}}

His Grace, the '''1st Duke of Goldstream''', '''Stefan Winkler''' (29 January 1969 - 15 January 2023) was a member of the [[Peerage of Westarctica]] and served as [[Foreign Minister]] on the [[Royal Council]] from February 2018 to February 2021. He was also the Captain of the Goldstream Guards. The Duke's title came from [[Goldstream Peak]] in the [[La Gorce Mountains]] of [[Westarctica]].

His death in 2023 marked only the second passing of a Westarctican peer in the 22 year history of the nation.

==Service with German military==
His Grace served as a front line officer in the Bosnian and Afghanistan wars and was awarded the Gold Cross of Honour from the German Army, as well the US Army commendation and the US Army achievement medal. He also held the German army achievement medal in gold with 5 successive repeats.

==As Foreign Minister==
In his capacity as Westarctica's Foreign Minister, the Duke was extremely active and helped inspire the international members of the [[Honorary Consular Corps]]. With [[Royal Decrees|Royal Decree RD-2021-001]], [[Grand Duke Travis]] gave the Foreign Minister nearly autonomous authority over his office to help speed activities without waiting for approval from the Crown.

In early February of 2021, Prime Minister Farmer learned that the Foreign Minister had been signing treaties of mutual recognition with other micronations. The Prime Minister pointed out that, moving forward, these needed legislative review, as required by the constitution. The Foreign Minister responded that he felt this review undermined executive authority and that he would not submit to it, saying he did not think the constitution actually granted such review authority in a way he was bound to. After several attempts to resolve the issue, the Prime Minister filed documents with the [[Grand Ducal Court]] to halt all treaty negotiation, and to get a copy of existing treaties that he felt were in violation of the law, to review and approve and bring in line what he saw as the required processes.

On 11 February 2021, the Duke of Goldstream resigned from his position as Foreign Minister in protest to the Prime Minister's actions. Right before he resigned, he attempted to completely disband the [[Honorary Consular Corps]]. This caused a minor crisis that led to an injunction from the Grand Ducal Court staying the dismissal of consuls while [[Grand Duke Travis]] was consulted. This whole affair was the first time the entire bench of the Grand Ducal Court was needed for anything. After resigning, the Duke became a private citizen of [[Westarctica]] and did not engage with the community again until his passing almost two years later.

==Viscount Grier==
On 13 July 2018, the Duke was granted the [[subordinate title]] "Viscount Grier" in recognition for his work with the [[Honorary Consular Corps]]. It was named for [[Mount Grier]], which is situated directly to the west of Goldstream Peak.

==Titles==
Upon the duke's passing, both the title of Viscount Grier and Duke of Goldstream were placed in [[abeyance]] for lack of a suitable legal heir.

On 2 November 2023, as part of the Anniversary Honors, [[Grand Duke Travis]] bestowed these titles upon two members of Westarctica's diplomatic staff who were especially close with the duke. Sterling MacLeod became the [[2nd Duke of Goldstream]].

==Candidate for Prime Minister==
The Duke's candidacy for [[Prime Minister of Westarctica]] in the [[2019 Prime Minister election|2019 election]] was announced on 9 January of that year. His Grace received 26.5% of the popular [[Voting in Westarctica|vote]].

==Awards and honors==
* {{flagiconstart|Flag of Westarctica.jpg}} Knight Grand Commander in the [[Order of the Snowflake]], 2020
* {{flagiconstart|Flag of Westarctica.jpg}} [[Honored Westarctican Awards|Honored Diplomat of Westarctica]], 2020
* {{flagiconstart|Flag of Westarctica.jpg}} Knight Commander in the [[Order of the Snowflake]], 2018

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Dukes]]
[[Category:Peerage of Westarctica]]

Grand Ducal Court

2026-05-08T15:18:21Z

DukeBearPeninsula: Added info about only time the whole bench has been needed for a ruling so far.

[[File:Arms of the Grand Ducal Court.png|300px|thumb|Arms of the Grand Ducal Court: ''Paly Azure and Argent a laurel wreath in fess point a sword in pale inverted proper from each quillon hangs a scale Or]]
The '''Grand Ducal Court''' is the judicial branch of the [[Government of Westarctica]], and the highest court in the nation.

==History==
::See also: [[Justices of the Grand Ducal Court of Westarctica]]

The Grand Ducal Court was discussed by members of the [[Constitutional Convention]] during their creation of the [[Constitution of Westarctica]] in early 2019, when it was determined that [[Westarctica]] would require a third branch of government in order to function as a legitimate constitutional monarchy. During this process, it was decided that the Justices of the Court would be appointed by the [[Grand Duke of Westarctica|Grand Duke]], on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|Prime Minister]].

The Court was brought into existence on 17 September 2019 when [[Grand Duke Travis]] [[Westarctican Ordinance|signed an ordinance]] which outlined the composition and duties of the Grand Ducal Court. The first three justices of the Grand Ducal Court were appointed on 18 October 2019 by [[Grand Duke Travis]] in Royal Decree RD-2019-001 (Appointment of Justices to the Grand Ducal Court) on the advice of [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Prime Minister Farmer]]. The Prime Minister nominated five citizens of [[Westarctica]], with the recommendation that no less than three be appointed as Justices.'

To date, the majority of activity for the Court has been the assignment of a lone Justice to each Constitutional Convention as an advisor. So far, the only time the entire bench has been needed was in February of 2021 when [[Prime Minister]] [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Farmer]] filed to have [[Foreign Minister]] [[1st Duke of Goldstream|Winkler]] cease all treaty negotiations and hand over previous ones to assess compliance with the constitution. While this was being considered, the Foreign Minister resigned in protest and attempted to disband the [[Honorary Consular Corps]]. The Court issued an injunction staying this action until [[Grand Duke Travis]] and the Deputy Foreign Minister could address the issue.

==Composition==
The Grand Ducal Court may have no more than five Justices. They are appointed for life and may not hold any other position in the government during their tenure. If a Justice fails to pass an opinion on two consecutive matters, they are deemed to be absentee and are automatically retired from their post. In other cases of negligence or unbecoming conduct, the Grand Duke has the option to remove a Justice, but this may be blocked by the other Justices together with the Prime Minister.

The Justices are assisted in the administrative functions of the court by the Clerk of the Grand Ducal Court, a post held by [[Sir James Murphy]] from August 2020 - September 2021. On 29 November 2020, Sir James was appointed as the Fourth Justice of the Court, but he resigned from all Westarctican posts in September 2021 to assume the throne of Greater Hanover.

==Chief Justice==
The Chief Justice is the longest-tenured Justice on the Grand Ducal Court and is responsible for presiding over the Court. The Chief Justice serves on the [[Royal Council]] as a legal advisor to the Grand Duke, although they are still independent from the executive branch.

==Current justices==

{| class="wikitable"
!Justice Name
! Titles, Honors, and Accolades
!Seniority
!Date of Appointment
|-
|[[Christine McPhee]]
|Countess of [[Lepley Nunatak|Lepley]]
|Chief Justice
|18 October 2019
|-
|[[Viscount of Bursey|Christian Klempsmann]]
|1st Viscount of [[Mount Bursey|Bursey]]
|Second Justice
|18 October 2019
|-
|[[David Chase Callahan|D Chase Callahan]]
|Prince and 2nd [[Driscoll Island|Duke of Driscoll]]
|Third Justice
|18 October 2019
|-
|Sophie Meis
|Countess of [[Mount Mooney|Mooney]]
|Fourth Justice
|2 November 2021
|}

==External links==
[https://penumbralemanations.blogspot.com/ Clerk of the Grand Ducal Court]

[[Category: Government of Westarctica]]
[[Category: Law in Westarctica]]

Boyd Glacier National Park

2026-04-29T18:06:46Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* History */ added info about elevation to national park.

[[File:Boyd Glacier Sulz.jpg|thumb|400px|The edge of Boyd Glacier, along the Sulzburger Ice Shelf]]
'''Boyd Glacier National Park''' is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve [[Boyd Glacier]], the [[The Billboard|Billboard]] and the surrounding portion of the [[Sarnoff Mountains]] in the greater [[Ford Ranges]]. It was created on 10 June 2025 by a [[Westarctican Ordinance]] passed by the [[Senate of Westarctica]] which combined two separate protected areas into Westarctica's first National Park.

It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
The glacier was discovered on aerial flights of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition in 1934, and named for Vernon D. Boyd, an expedition machinist, and a member of West Base of the United States Antarctic Service.

Boyd Glacier was on the January 2024 list of ten sites that should be considered for eventual protection as a national park of Westarctica. The glacier was identified primarily for its size, striking scenery, stability and coastal location. These factors were deemed to make Boyd an ideal candidate for successful conservation balance against the increased visitation in ecotourism that eventual national park designation would require.

It was on the list of five recommended areas to protect made by [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] to [[Grand Duke Travis]] in March of 2025. On 20 April 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] declared Boyd Glacier a conservation zone under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]]. There are already legislative efforts to enshrine Boyd Glacier as a national park, by combining it with Billboard National Monument, which it borders.

The Sarnoff Mountains were named for David Sarnoff, president of RCA (Radio Corporation of America), who provided radio equipment for receiving and transmitting that was used in the field and at Little America by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition (1933–35).

The summit of the Billboard was first visited by Bruce Luyendyk and Kuno Lecha by helicopter in January 1993 during expedition GANOVEX VII. In 1998-99, Christine Siddoway led a geological party from Colorado College that reached the summit by climbing a west route.

The Sarnoff Mountains were on the January 2024 list of ten sites that should be considered for eventual protection as a national park of Westarctica. Further research and consideration resulted in the current borders being on the list of five recommended areas to protect made by [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] to [[Grand Duke Travis]] in March of 2025. On 20 April 2025, Grand Duke Travis declared the Billboard and surrounding portions of the western Sarnoff Mountains a national monument under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

Boyd Glacier and the Billboard were proposed as a unified single national park by legislation introduced by Senator Hann Dougie on 1 June 2025 after working to finalize the language with the WPS. After clearing the Senate and receiving the approval of Prime Minister Cook, it was officially reorganized into Westarctica's first national park on 10 June 2025 by Grand Duke Travis.

===''Conservans Protectorem''===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title.

* Marquis of Sarnoff

==Conservation==
[[File:The Billboard1 - Sarnoff mts.jpg|thumb|An aerial view of the Billboard]]
Boyd Glacier National Park's roughly 453,700 acres (1,836 square kilometers) is protected under category I (national park) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at minimizing the human impact of the glacial melt of the [[Boyd Glacier]]. Glacial formations are only a semi-permanent aspect of a landscape, while easily considered permanent within the scope of a human lifespan, they are fleeting on a geologic scale. Despite this, limiting the effects of climate change on these formations is crucial to the concern of rising sea levels and biosphere preservation.

Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect biodiversity found within its boundaries.

==Features==
Boyd Glacier National Park protects the glacier itself, including its outlet into the waters of the [[Marshall Archipelago]], the Swope Glacier, and the surrounding peninsula running from Mount Woodward to [[Mount Douglass]]. It also includes the northwestern portion of the [[Sarnoff Mountains]], itself a part of the [[Ford Ranges]] between [[Arthur Glacier]] and [[Boyd Glacier]].

===Key locations===
[[File:Billboard NM Boyd Glacier CZ.jpg|thumb|The boundaries of Boyd Glacier National Park (outlined in red and green)]]
* '''[[The Billboard]]''' (77°04′S 145°40′W) is a massive granite monolith with vertical faces rising more than 300 metres (980 ft) high above the continental ice, standing just west of Mount Rea between Arthur and Boyd Glaciers. Discovered in November 1934 by the ByrdAE sledge party under Paul Siple, and so named because of its form and appearance.

* '''[[Boyd Glacier]]''' (77°14′S 145°25′W) is a heavily crevassed glacier flowing west-northwest for about 45 nautical miles (83 km; 52 mi) to the Sulzberger Ice Shelf between Bailey Ridge and Mount Douglass in the Ford Ranges. Discovered on aerial flights of the ByrdAE in 1934, and named for Vernon D. Boyd, expedition machinist, and a member of West Base of the USAS (1939–41).

* '''Mount Blades''' (77°10′S 145°15′W) is a mountain 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) west-northwest of Bailey Ridge, on the north side of Boyd Glacier. Discovered and mapped by the USAS (1932-41). Named by US-ACAN for Commander J.L. Blades, United States Navy, in charge of Antarctic support activities at McMurdo Station during the winter of 1965.

* '''Mount Cooper''' (77°08′S 145°22′W) is a large mountain standing 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) west of Asman Ridge on the south side of Arthur Glacier. Discovered on aerial flights in 1934 by the ByrdAE, and named by Byrd for Merian C. Cooper, motion picture producer of Hollywood.

* '''Mount Dolber''' (77°07′S 145°31′W) is a prominent mountain 865 metres (2,838 ft) high with a large snow-free summit, located between Mount Rea and Mount Cooper. Mapped by the USAS (1939-41) and by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by the United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Captain Sumner R. Dolber, USCG, captain of the icebreaker Southwind in the Antarctic Peninsula Ship Group (1967-68) and the Ross Sea Ship Group (1968-69).

* '''[[Mount Douglass]]''' (77°20′S 145°20′W) is an ice-covered mountain 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) east-southeast of Mount Woodward on the south side of Boyd Glacier. Discovered in 1934 on aerial flights of the ByrdAE. Named for Malcolm C. Douglass, dog driver at West Base of the USAS (1939–41).

* '''Mount Kohler''' (77°17′S 145°35′W) is a mountain 480 metres (1,570 ft) high on the south side of Boyd Glacier, 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) east of Mount Woodward. Mapped by USAS (1939–41) led by R. Admiral R.E. Byrd. Named for Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., and Ruth DeYoung Kohler II, son and daughter of Herbert V. Kohler, financial contributors to the ByrdAE, 1933-35.

* '''[[Mount Rea]]''' (77°04′31″S 145°36′10″W) is a prominent rock mountain with an imposing monolith on its west side called The Billboard, standing between Arthur Glacier and Boyd Glacier. Discovered by the ByrdAE on the Eastern Flight of December 5, 1929, and named by Byrd for Mr. and Mrs. Rea, of Pittsburgh, PA, contributors to the expedition.

* '''Mount Woodward''' (77°18′S 145°47′W) is a mountain with broad twin summits standing between Hammond Glacier and Boyd Glacier, 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) west-northwest of Mount Douglass. Discovered by the ByrdAE (1928-30) and named for Donald Woodward, a patron of the expedition.

* '''Swope Glacier''' (77°20′S 145°50′W) is a glacier which drains westward from the Ford Ranges, between Mount Woodward and Mount West, into Sulzberger Ice Shelf. Features in these ranges were discovered and successively mapped by the ByrdAE (1928-30) and (1933-35) and by the USAS (1939-41) all led by R. Admiral R.E. Byrd. The glacier is named for Gerard Swope, president of General Electric, who contributed various types of electrical equipment to the ByrdAE (1933-35).

* '''[[Walgreen Peak]]''' (77°03′S 145°43′W) is a prominent rock peak 570 metres (1,870 ft) high which forms the northwest extremity of the Sarnoff Mountains. Mapped by the United States Antarctic Service (USAS) (1939-41) led by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Named for Charles Rudolph Walgreen Jr., vice president of The Walgreen Company, 1933-39 (later chairman of the board), who contributed malted milk powder used on the USAS (1939-41).

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

McHenry Range Conservation Area

2025-11-17T18:07:01Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Key locations */ updated name of range in features, where applicable

[[File:Mount Sidley.png|thumb|Peak of Mount Sidley in the Conservation Area]]
The '''McHenry Range Conservation Area''' (76°50′S 126°06′W) is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve the volcanic landscape of the [[McHenry Range]]. It was created via Royal Decree on 20 April 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
The range was discovered on 15 December 1940 by the United States Antarctic Service expedition on a reconnaissance flight. It was named Executive Committee Range for the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] Service Executive Committee. Individual mountains (e.g. [[Mount Hampton]], [[Mount Waesche]]) are named in honor of members of the committee, except for [[Mount Sidley]], the most imposing mountain in the range, which was discovered and named by [[Richard E. Byrd|Rear Admiral Byrd]] in 1934. The entire range was mapped in detail by USGS from surveys and [[U.S. Navy]] aerial photography, 1958-60.

In November 2013, Lough et al. reported deep long period volcanic earthquakes centered at depths of 30-40 km approximately 55 km S of Mount Sidley that were interpreted as indications of present deep crustal magmatic activity beneath the Executive Committee Range. Ice penetrating radar results reported in this study indicated a sub-ice topographic feature, interpreted as a volcano, above the seismic swarms. The study also reported a mid-icecap (1400 m depth) ash layer about 8,000 years old that was interpreted as probably originating at nearby Mount Waesche.

On 4 September 2023, the [[Senate of Westarctica]] passed [[Westarctican Ordinance]] WO-2023-003 which renamed the Executive Committee Range to the McHenry Range, in honor of [[Grand Duke Travis]]. The justification for the change was that the members of the committee are all honored with geographic features within the range, and a desire to memorialize the efforts of Grand Duke Travis to preserve and raise awareness for Westarctica.

The McHenry Range was on the January 2024 list of ten sites that should be considered for eventual protection as a national park of Westarctica. The range was initially considered for protection as a national monument, as its striking vistas and Mount Sidley's status as the highest volcanic mountain on the continent of Antarctica draw world-class hikers; most notably those tackling the Volcanic Seven Summits. Despite this, it was decided that recent indications of deep-earth magma activity required more research into the likelihood of parts of the range becoming active again in the near future. While this is being conducted, it was recommended to protect the site as a Conservation Zone, which allows for more finely tuned recommendations of responsible access.

It was on the list of five recommended areas to protect made by [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] to [[Grand Duke Travis]] in March of 2025. On 20 April 2025, Grand Duke Travis declared the McHenry Range a conservation zone under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]]. McHenry Range Conservation Zone has been identified as a potential candidate for elevation to the status of national park, but more research into the volcanic factors of the area are being conducted in order to ensure this action is appropriate first. The site was renamed McHenry Range Conservation Area on 10 June 2025.

===Conservans Protectorem===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. McHenry Range Conservation Area granted that honorific to the following:

* Duke of Boudette
* Duke of Hampton
* Duke of Le Vaux
* Duke of Waesche
* Count of Mintz
* Viscount of Annexstad
* Baron of Bennett
* Baroness of Feyerharm
* Baron of Lavris
* Baron of Weiss

==Conservation==
McHenry Range Conservation Area's roughly 40,700 acres (164.7 square kilometers) is protected under category III (national monument or feature) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the geologic and natural landscape. Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect biodiversity found within its boundaries.

==Features==
The area comprises the five mountains of the McHenry Range, which includes Mount Sidley, [[Antarctica|Antarctica's]] highest volcanic mountain.

===Key locations===
[[File:McHenry Range CZ.png|thumb|The boundaries of McHenry Range Conservation Area]]
* '''[[Mount Cumming]]''' (76°40′S 125°48′W) is a low, mostly snow-covered mountain, volcanic in origin, located midway between Mount Hampton and Mount Hartigan. A circular snow-covered crater occupies the summit area. Discovered by the USAS (1939-41) on a flight, December 15, 1940, and named for Hugh S. Cumming, Jr., State Department member of the USAS Executive Committee. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy trimetrogon photography, 1958-60.

:* '''[[Annexstad Peak]]''' (76°41′S 125°52′W) is a partially ice-free peak 2,610 metres (8,560 ft) high on the west side of the crater rim of Mount Cumming. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy trimetrogon photography, 1958-60. Named by US-ACAN for John O. Annexstad, geomagnetician and station seismologist at Byrd Station, 1958; later with the Meteorite Working Group, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas.

:* '''[[Le Vaux Peak]]''' (76°40′S 125°43′W) is a small peak on the east side of the crater rim of Mount Cumming. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy aerial photographs, 1958-60. Named by US-ACAN for Howard A. Le Vaux, auroral physicist at Byrd Station, 1959, and a member of the Marie Byrd Land Traverse Party, 1959-60.

:* '''Woolam Peak''' (76°41′S 125°49′W) is a small peak on the southern part of the crater rim of Mount Gumming. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy trimetrogon photography, 1958-60. Named by US-ACAN for Alvis E. Woolam, ionospheric physicist at Byrd Station, 1959.

* '''[[Mount Hampton]]''' (76°29′S 125°48′W) is an impressive mountain 3,325 metres (10,909 ft) high with a circular ice-filled crater occupying much of the summit area. It is the northernmost of the extinct volcanoes which comprise the McHenry Range. Discovered by the United States Antarctic Service (USAS) on a flight, December 15, 1940, and named for Ruth Hampton, United States Department of the Interior member of the USAS Executive Committee. Mapped in detail by USGS from surveys and United States Navy trimetrogon photography, 1958-60.

:* '''[[Marks Peak]]''' (76°30′S 125°45′W) is a rocky peak 3,325 metres (10,909 ft) high on the south side of the crater rim of Mount Hampton. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy trimetrogon photography, 1958-60. Named by US-ACAN for Keith E. Marks, electronics engineer, National Bureau of Standards, a member of the Marie Byrd Land Traverse Party, 1959-60.

:* '''Whitney Peak''' (76°26′S 126°03′W) isa conspicuous peak 3,005 metres (9,859 ft) high rising 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) northwest of Mount Hampton, from which it is separated by a distinctive ice-covered saddle. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy aerial photographs, 1958-60. Named by the United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Captain Herbert Whitney, United States Navy Reserve, commander of the Navy's Mobile Construction Battalion responsible for the building of Antarctic stations for use during the International Geophysical Year. Whitney wintered over at Little America V in 1956.

* '''[[Mount Hartigan]]''' (76°52′S 126°00′W) is a broad, mostly snow-covered mountain with several individually named peaks which rise up to 2,800 metres (9,200 ft). It is situated immediately north of Mount Sidley in the McHenry Range, Marie Byrd Land. Discovered by the United States Antarctic Service expedition on a flight, December 15, 1940, and named for R. Admiral Charles C. Hartigan, United States Navy, Navy Department member of the Antarctic Service Executive Committee.

:* '''Boudette Peak''' (76°50′S 126°02′W) is a twin peaks 2,810 metres (9,220 ft) high and 2,815 metres (9,236 ft) high located 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) west-southwest of Lavris Peak in the northern portion of Mount Hartigan. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy trimetrogon photography, 1958-60. Named by US-ACAN for Eugene L. Boudette, Geologist, USGS, a member of the Marie Byrd Land Traverse Party, 1959-60.

:* '''[[Lavris Peak]]''' (76°49′S 125°56′W) is a snow-capped peak which rises to 2,745 metres (9,006 ft) high in the northeast portion of Mount Hartigan. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy trimetrogon photography, 1958-60. Named by US-ACAN for William C. Lavris, Meteorological Technician at Byrd Station, 1959.

:* '''[[Mintz Peak]]''' (76°53′S 126°03′W) is a small peak rising above the southeast corner of Mount Hartigan. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy trimetrogon photography, 1958-60. Named by US-ACAN for Jerome Mintz, Meteorological Electronics Technician at Byrd Station, 1959.

:* '''Tusing Peak''' (76°51′S 126°00′W) is a snow-capped peak 2,650 metres (8,690 ft) high rising from the central portion of Mount Hartigan. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy trimetrogon photography, 1958-60, Named by US-ACAN for Alien D. Tusing, meteorologist at Byrd Station, 1959.

* '''[[Mount Sidley]]''' (77°02′S 126°06′W) is a massive, mainly snow-covered mountain 4,285 metres (14,058 ft) high which is the highest and most imposing of the five extinct volcanic mountains that comprise the McHenry Range. The feature is marked by a spectacular caldera on the southern side and stands northeast of Mount Waesche in the southern part of the range. Discovered by R. Admiral Richard E. Byrd on an airplane flight, November 18, 1934, and named by him for Mabelle E. Sidley, the daughter of William Horlick, manufacturer, who was a contributor to the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, 1933-35.

:* '''Doumani Peak''' (77°07′S 126°03′W) is a subsidiary peak 2,675 metres (8,776 ft) high on the southern slopes of Mount Sidley. Named by US-ACAN for George A. Doumani, Traverse Seismologist at Byrd Station, a member of the Executive Committee Range Traverse (February 1959) and Marie Byrd Land Traverse (1959-60) that carried out surveys of this area.

:* '''[[Feyerharm Knoll]]''' (77°00′S 125°46′W) is an ice-covered knoll on the lower northeastern slope of Mount Sidley. Surveyed by USGS during the Executive Committee Range Traverse of 1959. Named by US-ACAN for William R. Feyerharm, Meteorologist at Byrd Station, 1960.

:* '''Parks Glacier''' (77°07′S 125°55′W) is a glacier draining southeastward from Weiss Amphitheater, a caldera in southern Mount Sidley. Mapped by USGS on the Executive Committee Range Traverse of 1959. Named by US-ACAN for Perry E. Parks, Jr., exploration geophysicist and assistant seismologist on the Marie Byrd Land Traverse, 1959-60.

:* '''[[Weiss Amphitheater]]''' (77°04′S 126°06′W) is an amphitheater-like caldera, 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) wide and breached at the southern side, occupying the south-central part of Mount Sidley. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy trimetrogon photography, 1958-60. Named by US-ACAN for Bernard D. Weiss, Meteorologist-in-Charge at Byrd Station, 1959.

* '''[[Mount Waesche]]''' (77°10′S 126°54′W) is a large and prominent mountain 3,290 metres (10,790 ft) high of volcanic origin, standing immediately southwest of Mount Sidley and marking the southern end of the McHenry Range. The feature is snow covered except for rock exposures on the south and southwest slopes. Discovered by the United States Antarctic Service expedition on a flight, December 15, 1940. Named for V. Admiral Russell R. Waesche, United States Coast Guard, member of the Antarctic Service Executive Committee.

:* '''[[Bennett Saddle]]''' (77°05′S 126°26′W) is the deep snow saddle between Mount Waesche and Mount Sidley. Named by US-ACAN for Gerard A. Bennett, Traverse Specialist at Byrd Station, a member of the Executive Committee Range Traverse (February 1959) and Marie Byrd Land Traverse (1959-60) that carried out surveys in this area.

:* '''[[Chang Peak]]''' (77°04′S 126°38′W) is a snow-covered subsidiary peak 2,920 metres (9,580 ft) high on the northeastern slope of Mount Waesche. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy trimetrogon photography, 1958-60. Named by US-ACAN for Feng-Keng (Frank) Chang, Traverse Seismologist at Byrd Station, 1959, and a member of the Marie Byrd Land Traverse Party that explored this area, 1959-60.

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]
[[Category:Grand Duke Travis]]

The Monolith

2025-08-12T22:56:22Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

[[File:The Monolith.jpg|thumb|The Monolith]]
'''The Monolith''' is a group of two small islands in the [[Balleny Islands]] to the immediate south of [[Sabrina Island]]. It rises 360 ft high and is thought to be a volcanic plug.

==Description==
The Monolith stands as a bleak dagger of barren rock pointing directly upward into the sky. Its craggy geography makes landing extremely treacherous and there have been no known assents of the peak.

==Ecology==
There are no known lifeforms of any kind on the island, including [[chinstrap penguin]]s, which have established breeding colonies on the neighboring islands.

==Exploration==
New Zealand's [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] research division has conducted numerous research trips to Sabrina Island, but has never successfully landed upon The Monolith.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the formation under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Balleny Islands National Monument]].

[[Category:Balleny Islands]]
[[Category:Islands]]

Chinstrap Island

2025-08-12T22:55:54Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

[[File:Chinstrap Island Picture.png|thumb|right|Chinstrap Island as seen from above]]
'''Chinstrap Island''' or '''Chinstrap Islet''' (66°54'45"S 163°19'00"E) is a small (150 meter square) low-lying island in the [[Balleny Islands]] group. The island was named for the breeding colonies of [[chinstrap penguin|chinstrap penguin]]s which make their home there. Prior to 2015, it was commonly considered to be an islet.

In 2015, the Chinstrap Island was designated an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) by New Zealand in a management plan that enlarged the previously-existing ASPA covering [[Sabrina Island]] (ASPA No. 104) which had been created in 2009. This enlargement specifically did not cover the maritime areas, only the islands themselves.

==Location and terrain==
It is located approximately 3 kilometers south south-east of [[Buckle Island]], and 0.8 kilometers away from the slightly larger Sabrina Island. Chinstrap Island is difficult to access due to the steep cliffs and terrain as well as ice conditions at different times of the year. There is no preferred access route identified to visit the island.

[[File:Chinstrap Island.jpg|thumb|1000px|center|Panorama showing (L to R) Chinstrap Island, Sabrina Island, and The Monolith]]

==Penguin breeding colony==
[[File:Chinstrap Map.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Map of Chinstrap Island showing location of chinstrap penguin breeding colonies]]
In addition to nearby Sabrina Island and [[The Monolith]], Chinstrap Island is the only known breeding site for [[chinstrap penguin]]s between Bouvetoya Island in east [[Antarctica]] and [[Peter I Island]] in [[Westarctica]], a span of 264° longitude, with the majority of breeding pairs found on Sabrina Island.

This population co-exists with a much larger [[Adélie penguin]] colony where normally the two species breeding ranges are
completely separate, except where some colonies overlap near the tip of the [[Antarctic Peninsula]] on the South Shetland Islands, and further north on the South Orkney Islands.

Chinstrap Island had 2,298 penguin breeding pairs in 2000, with approximately 10 Chinstrap pairs recorded on the Islet in 1965 and 1984.

==Change from ''islet'' to ''island''==
Since the early days of exploration by New Zealand scientists, the island was commonly called "Chinstrap Islet" due to its small size in comparison with neighboring islands. On 29 October 2015, a ''Notice of the Final Determinations on Assigning Official Antarctic Geographic Names'' was issued by the New Zealand Geographic Board which officially altered the previously existing recorded name of Chinstrap Islet to Chinstrap Island.

==Annexation by Westarctica==
Chinstrap Island was annexed by [[Westarctica]] on 14 January 2005 when it annexed the entire [[Balleny Islands]] group.

No [[Coins of Westarctica|coins]] or [[Stamps of Westarctica|stamps]] have yet been created for the island.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the island under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Balleny Islands National Monument]].

[[Category:Islands]]
[[Category:Balleny Islands]]
[[Category:Geography of Westarctica]]

Sabrina Island

2025-08-12T22:55:11Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

[[File:Sabrina Island1.png|thumb|Sabrina Island from the air]]
'''Sabrina Island''' is the largest of three small islets lying 1.5 km (0.93 mi) south of [[Buckle Island]] in the [[Balleny Islands]] off the coast of continental [[Antarctica]]. It was annexed, along with the rest of the Balleny Islands, by Westarctica in 2005.

==Discovery and name==
The island was discovered by [[whaling]] captain [[John Balleny]] in 1839. It was named for the ''Sabrina'', the cutter captained by Thomas Freeman during the expedition.

==Animal life==
[[File:Sabrina Island South.png|thumb|Penguin colony on the narrow beach of the southern tip of Sabrina Island. The Monolith is in the background.]]
The island has outstanding environmental and scientific value as a representative sample of the Balleny Islands – the only oceanic archipelago located within the main Antarctic Coastal Current. It is a breeding site for [[chinstrap penguin|chinstrap]] and [[Adélie penguin]]s as well as [[Cape petrel]]s.

The site is protected under the [[Antarctic Treaty]] System as Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) No.104.

==Sabrina Island Coin==
A copper $2 WAD [[Coins of Westarctica|coin]] was minted in 2012 by the [[Central Bank of Westarctica]] and remains the only coin ever created by any country to celebrate the island. The coin has an image of the [[southern elephant seal]] instead of the island itself.
[[File:Sabrina Island.png|thumb|left|Sabrina Island coin]]

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the island under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Balleny Islands National Monument]].

[[Category:Balleny Islands]]
[[Category:Islands]]
[[Category:Geography of Westarctica]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]

Buckle Island

2025-08-12T22:54:35Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

[[File:Buckle-Island-Westside-Balleny Islands.jpg|thumb|350.px|right|The western side of Buckle Island]]
'''Buckle Island''' is one of the three main islands in the uninhabited [[Balleny Islands]] group located in eastern section of the [[Southern Ocean]]. It lies 25 km (16 mi) north-west of [[Sturge Island]] and 8 km (5 mi) south-east of [[Young Island]], some 110 km (68 mi) north-north-east of Belousov Point on the Antarctic mainland.

==Description==
[[File:Buckle Island.jpg|thumb|right|Automated Weather Station on Buckle Island]]
The island is roughly triangular in shape, with long east and west coasts and a short north coast. It is about 6 km (3 mi) wide in the north, with a maximum length of 24 km (15 mi). It is of volcanic origin, and is still volcanically active, the last eruption being in 1899.

The northernmost point is Cape Cornish. Several small islets also lie in the channel separating Cape Cornish and Young Island, the largest of which is [[Borradaile Island]]. Several small islets lie off the island's southern extremity, Cape McNab, including [[Sabrina Island]], [[Chinstrap Island]], and the 80-meter (262 ft) tall stack of [[The Monolith]].

Both Buckle Island and Sabrina Island are home to colonies of [[Adélie penguin|Adelie]] and [[chinstrap penguin|chinstrap penguins]].

==Annexation by Westarctica==
Buckle Island was annexed by [[Westarctica]] on 14 January 2005 when it annexed the entire [[Balleny Islands]] group.

As a member of the Balleny Islands, Buckle Island is governed by the [[Marquis of Williamson]], who has served as Governor of the Balleny Islands since they were originally annexed from New Zealand.

The island has been featured on two of Westarctica's [[Coins of Westarctica|coins]]: the first was a bronze $1 WAD coin minted in 2005 by the [[Central Bank of Westarctica]] and shows Buckle Island on a map of the Balleny Islands. The second coin was a brass $2 WAD coin minted in 2013 and was one of the last coins created by the Central Bank. That coin has an image of an [[Antarctic shag]] instead of the island itself.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the island under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Balleny Islands National Monument]].

<gallery>
Coin-Balleny Island 1 2005 Bronze.jpg|Balleny Islands Coin
Buckle Island 2 dollars 2013.jpg|Buckle Island Coin
</gallery>

[[Category:Islands]]
[[Category:Balleny Islands]]
[[Category:Geography of Westarctica]]

Balleny Islands National Monument

2025-08-12T22:53:24Z

DukeBearPeninsula: Created page with "Adélie penguins on Sabrina Island '''Balleny Islands National Monument''' (66°76′S 163°21′E) is a protected area of West..."

[[File:Sabrina Island South.png|thumb|400px|Adélie penguins on Sabrina Island]]
'''Balleny Islands National Monument''' (66°76′S 163°21′E) is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve the landscape and wildlife of [[Buckle Island]] and its surrounding minor islands. It was created via Royal Decree on 8 August 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
On 8 August 2025, Grand Duke Travis declared the Balleny Islands a national monument under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]]. Balleny Islands National Monument has been identified as a leading candidate for elevation to the status of national park.

===Conservans Protectorem===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Balleny Islands National Monument did not bestow this honorific on any peers.

==Conservation==
Balleny Islands National Monument's roughly 76,794 acres (310.8 square kilometers) is protected under category III (national monument or feature) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the geologic and natural landscape. Only slightly behind this are the efforts made to protect biodiversity found within its boundaries.

==Features==
The monument preserves the entirety of Buckle Island and all nearby minor formations.

===Key locations===
[[File:Balleny NM.JPG|thumb|The boundaries of Balleny Islands National Monument]]
* '''[[Buckle Island]]''' (66°76′S 163°21′E) is one of the three main islands in the Balleny Islands. It lies 25 km (16 mi) north-west of Sturge Island and 8 km (5 mi) south-east of Young Island, some 110 km (68 mi) north-north-east of Belousov Point on the Antarctic mainland.
** '''Cape Cornish''' (66°43′S 163°5′E) is a cape which forms the northern tip of Buckle Island in the Balleny Islands. It was named by personnel on the Discovery II in 1938 for A.W. Cornish, a meteorologist with the Australian Central Bureau who was an observer aboard the Discovery II during 1937–38.
** '''Cape Davis''' (66°24′S 56°50′E) is a rounded ice-covered cape along the north coast of Edward VIII Plateau, 17 kilometres (9 nmi) east of Magnet Bay. It was named it for Captain John King Davis, Director of Navigation under the Commonwealth Government and ship's captain and second in command of BANZARE.
** '''Cape McNab''' (66°56′S 163°14′E) is a cape, 350 metres (1,150 ft) high, which forms the south end of Buckle Island in the Balleny Islands of Antarctica. It was named for John McNab, second mate of the schooner Eliza Scott, who made a sketch of the Balleny Islands when they were discovered by John Balleny in 1839.

* '''[[Chinstrap Island]]''' (66°91'S 163°31'E) is a small (150 meter square) low-lying island in the Balleny Islands group. The island was named for the breeding colonies of chinstrap penguins which make their home there. Prior to 2015, it was commonly considered to be an islet.

* '''Eliza Cone''' (66°55′S 163°12′E) is a rock with an archway through it standing 1 nautical mile (2 km) west of Cape McNab on the south end of Buckle Island, in the Balleny Islands. It is located adjacent to Scott Cone; the two features appear to have been named after John Balleny's schooner, the Eliza Scott, in which he discovered the Balleny Islands in February 1839.

* '''[[The Monolith]]''' (66°92′S 163°31′E) is a group of two small islands in the Balleny Islands to the immediate south of Sabrina Island. It rises 360 ft high and is thought to be a volcanic plug.

* '''[[Sabrina Island]]''' (66°92′S 163°31′E) is the largest of three small islets lying 1.5 km (0.93 mi) south of Buckle Island in the Balleny Islands. It was named for ''the Sabrina'', the cutter captained by Thomas Freeman during the expedition.

* '''Scott Cone''' (66°55′S 163°15′E) is a conical hill about 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) north-northeast of Cape McNab on the south end of Buckle Island, in the Balleny Islands. Located adjacent to Eliza Cone, the two features appear to have been named after John Balleny's schooner, the Eliza Scott, in which he discovered the Balleny Islands in February 1839.

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

File:Balleny NM.JPG

2025-08-12T22:23:28Z

DukeBearPeninsula: A map showing the boundaries of Balleny Islands National Monument.

== Summary ==
A map showing the boundaries of Balleny Islands National Monument.
== Licensing ==
{{PD-0}}

Seven Seas of Rhye

2025-08-12T21:56:53Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Protection by the government */ updated to reflect protection under WPS

[[File:SevenSeasofRhye.png|thumb|Seven Seas of Rhye in early summer]]
The '''Seven Seas of Rhye''' is a major body of water in the [[Colony of Calsahara]]. It forms the western border of Calsahara and the United States and is almost entirely within the [[Principality of Rhye]].

==Description==
The Seven Seas of Rhye is comprised of a series of shallow pools of heavily alkaline water. The actual number of pools or "seas" varies from season to season— the designation "seven" is arbitrary.

The Seas are subject to seasonal flooding, and during the early spring or late fall they are transformed from individual shallow pools into a river that flows into the Soda Lake of San Luis Obispo County.

==Life==
[[File:Rhye Brine Shrimp.png|thumb|Brine shrimp in the Seven Seas of Rhye]]
Due to the heavily alkaline nature of the water in the Seven Seas of Rhye, the only life found there are brine shrimp or fairy shrimp. These are most prevalent during the early spring when the Seas are full of fresh rain water and the shrimp eggs from the previous season suddenly spring to life. This type of brine shrimp is popularly known as "Sea Monkeys."

At certain times of the year, the Seas become a popular feeding ground for migratory birds looking to enjoy the massive numbers of brine shrimp.

In April of 2019, a California condor was observed feeding on carrion along the sea in the southeast corner of Calsahara.

==Name==
The name of the Seven Seas of Rhye was chosen by [[Grand Duke Travis]] in honor of the song "Seven Seas of Rhye" by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury, a personal hero of the Grand Duke.

==Warden of the Marshes==
The position of Warden of the Marshes is not a part of the [[Nobility of Calsahara|peerage of Calsahara]], but is a ceremonial position reflecting the responsibility of the leader of Calsahara to manage and protect this important waterway.

The office was created in 2017 by [[Grand Duke Travis]] in his capacity as Overlord of Calsahara and designated as an honorific for the Head of Government. He held the title from 2017 until 2023 when the function of the office was modified. At this time, Warden of the Marshes became an office in the [[Royal Household of Grand Duke Travis]] reserved for the ceremonial head of [[Westarctica]]'s military forces. It was bestowed upon the [[Duke of Waesche]] on 28 April 2023.

The role was part of the inspiration behind the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] adopting the term Warden for its personnel instead of the expected title of Ranger.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the entirety of the Seven Seas located within Calsahara under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Calsahara National Monument]].

==Gallery of pictures==
<gallery>
Rhye-Filming.jpg|Grand Duke Travis with a film crew from Saugeais at the Seven Seas of Rhye
Seven seas of rhye1.jpg|The Seven Seas in Winter
</gallery>

[[Category:Calsahara]]
[[Category:Geography of Calsahara]]

Calsahara National Monument

2025-08-12T21:49:19Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* History */

[[File:Seven seas of rhye1.jpg|thumb|400px|The Seven Seas of Rhye]]
'''Calsahara National Monument''' (35°27′36"N 119°94′46"W) is a protected area of the [[Westarctica|Westarctican]] colony of [[Calsahara]] created to preserve and raise awareness for conservation of a number of endangered species in the area. It was created via Royal Decree on 20 April 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
The [[Seven Seas of Rhye]] is a tongue-in-cheek name given to a previously unnamed seasonal waterway along the southern border of Calsahara. This name was bestowed by [[Grand Duke Travis]] when the territorial claim to Calsahara was made in January of 2011. This waterway feeds into Soda Lake and is a feeding ground for migratory birds, in addition to supporting local species of wildlife.

In April of 2019, newly elected Westarctican [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|Prime Minister]] [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] spent two nights in Calsahara on a diplomatic tour. While there, he observed a California condor feeding on carrion along the waterway in the southeast corner of Calsahara.

On 8 August 2025, Grand Duke Travis declared the Seven Seas a national monument under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]]. Calsahara National Monument has been identified as a leading candidate for elevation to the status of national park, which would make it the world's smallest national park at 19.3 acres, beating out the current holder of that designation, Moyenne Island National Park (24 acres), which is located in the Seychelles.

===Conservans Protectorem===
[[File:Calsahara NM.jpg|thumb|The boundaries of Calsahara National Monument]]
Those [[Nobility of Calsahara|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Calsahara National Monument granted that honorific to only one noble: the Prince of Rhye.

==Conservation==
Calsahara National Monument is by far the smallest area within the Parks Service, at 19.3 acres (0.08 square kilometers) and is protected under category IV (habitat or species management area) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the biodiversity found within its boundaries. Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect the geologic and natural landscape.

The banks of the Seven Seas support several endangered species, including the California condor, giant kangaroo rat, longhorn fairy shrimp, and San Joaquin kit fox.

==Features==
The monument's only geographic feature is the Seven Seas, a seasonally-running minor waterway.

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

Calsahara National Monument

2025-08-12T21:48:17Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Conservation */

[[File:Seven seas of rhye1.jpg|thumb|400px|The Seven Seas of Rhye]]
'''Calsahara National Monument''' (35°27′36"N 119°94′46"W) is a protected area of the [[Westarctica|Westarctican]] colony of [[Calsahara]] created to preserve and raise awareness for conservation of a number of endangered species in the area. It was created via Royal Decree on 20 April 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
The [[Seven Seas of Rhye]] is a tongue-in-cheek name given to a previously unnamed seasonal waterway along the southern border of Calsahara. This name was bestowed by [[Grand Duke Travis]] when the territorial claim to Calsahara was made in January of 2011. This waterway feeds into Soda Lake and is a feeding ground for migratory birds, in addition to supporting local species of wildlife.

In April of 2019, newly elected Westarctican [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|Prime Minister]] [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] spent two nights in Calsahara on a diplomatic tour. While there, he observed a California condor feeding on carrion along the waterway in the southeast corner of Calsahara.

On 8 August 2025, Grand Duke Travis declared the Seven Seas a national monument under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]]. Calsahara National Monument has been identified as a leading candidate for elevation to the status of national park, which would make it the world's smallest national park at 19.3 acres, beating out the current holder of that designation, Moyenne Island National Park (24 acres).

===Conservans Protectorem===
[[File:Calsahara NM.jpg|thumb|The boundaries of Calsahara National Monument]]
Those [[Nobility of Calsahara|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Calsahara National Monument granted that honorific to only one noble: the Prince of Rhye.

==Conservation==
Calsahara National Monument is by far the smallest area within the Parks Service, at 19.3 acres (0.08 square kilometers) and is protected under category IV (habitat or species management area) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the biodiversity found within its boundaries. Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect the geologic and natural landscape.

The banks of the Seven Seas support several endangered species, including the California condor, giant kangaroo rat, longhorn fairy shrimp, and San Joaquin kit fox.

==Features==
The monument's only geographic feature is the Seven Seas, a seasonally-running minor waterway.

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

Calsahara National Monument

2025-08-12T21:47:40Z

DukeBearPeninsula: Created page with "The Seven Seas of Rhye '''Calsahara National Monument''' (35°27′36"N 119°94′46"W) is a protected area of the Westarctica|W..."

[[File:Seven seas of rhye1.jpg|thumb|400px|The Seven Seas of Rhye]]
'''Calsahara National Monument''' (35°27′36"N 119°94′46"W) is a protected area of the [[Westarctica|Westarctican]] colony of [[Calsahara]] created to preserve and raise awareness for conservation of a number of endangered species in the area. It was created via Royal Decree on 20 April 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
The [[Seven Seas of Rhye]] is a tongue-in-cheek name given to a previously unnamed seasonal waterway along the southern border of Calsahara. This name was bestowed by [[Grand Duke Travis]] when the territorial claim to Calsahara was made in January of 2011. This waterway feeds into Soda Lake and is a feeding ground for migratory birds, in addition to supporting local species of wildlife.

In April of 2019, newly elected Westarctican [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|Prime Minister]] [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] spent two nights in Calsahara on a diplomatic tour. While there, he observed a California condor feeding on carrion along the waterway in the southeast corner of Calsahara.

On 8 August 2025, Grand Duke Travis declared the Seven Seas a national monument under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]]. Calsahara National Monument has been identified as a leading candidate for elevation to the status of national park, which would make it the world's smallest national park at 19.3 acres, beating out the current holder of that designation, Moyenne Island National Park (24 acres).

===Conservans Protectorem===
[[File:Calsahara NM.jpg|thumb|The boundaries of Calsahara National Monument]]
Those [[Nobility of Calsahara|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Calsahara National Monument granted that honorific to only one noble: the Prince of Rhye.

==Conservation==
Calsahara National Monument is by far the smallest area within the Parks Service, at 3,19.3 acres (0.08 square kilometers) and is protected under category IV (habitat or species management area) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the biodiversity found within its boundaries. Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect the geologic and natural landscape.

The banks of the Seven Seas support several endangered species, including the California condor, giant kangaroo rat, longhorn fairy shrimp, and San Joaquin kit fox.

==Features==
The monument's only geographic feature is the Seven Seas, a seasonally-running minor waterway.

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

Seven Seas of Rhye

2025-08-12T21:34:05Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Warden of the Marshes */

[[File:SevenSeasofRhye.png|thumb|Seven Seas of Rhye in early summer]]
The '''Seven Seas of Rhye''' is a major body of water in the [[Colony of Calsahara]]. It forms the western border of Calsahara and the United States and is almost entirely within the [[Principality of Rhye]].

==Description==
The Seven Seas of Rhye is comprised of a series of shallow pools of heavily alkaline water. The actual number of pools or "seas" varies from season to season— the designation "seven" is arbitrary.

The Seas are subject to seasonal flooding, and during the early spring or late fall they are transformed from individual shallow pools into a river that flows into the Soda Lake of San Luis Obispo County.

==Life==
[[File:Rhye Brine Shrimp.png|thumb|Brine shrimp in the Seven Seas of Rhye]]
Due to the heavily alkaline nature of the water in the Seven Seas of Rhye, the only life found there are brine shrimp or fairy shrimp. These are most prevalent during the early spring when the Seas are full of fresh rain water and the shrimp eggs from the previous season suddenly spring to life. This type of brine shrimp is popularly known as "Sea Monkeys."

At certain times of the year, the Seas become a popular feeding ground for migratory birds looking to enjoy the massive numbers of brine shrimp.

In April of 2019, a California condor was observed feeding on carrion along the sea in the southeast corner of Calsahara.

==Name==
The name of the Seven Seas of Rhye was chosen by [[Grand Duke Travis]] in honor of the song "Seven Seas of Rhye" by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury, a personal hero of the Grand Duke.

==Warden of the Marshes==
The position of Warden of the Marshes is not a part of the [[Nobility of Calsahara|peerage of Calsahara]], but is a ceremonial position reflecting the responsibility of the leader of Calsahara to manage and protect this important waterway.

The office was created in 2017 by [[Grand Duke Travis]] in his capacity as Overlord of Calsahara and designated as an honorific for the Head of Government. He held the title from 2017 until 2023 when the function of the office was modified. At this time, Warden of the Marshes became an office in the [[Royal Household of Grand Duke Travis]] reserved for the ceremonial head of [[Westarctica]]'s military forces. It was bestowed upon the [[Duke of Waesche]] on 28 April 2023.

The role was part of the inspiration behind the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] adopting the term Warden for its personnel instead of the expected title of Ranger.

==Protection by the government==
The area had been identified as a candidate for protection under the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==Gallery of pictures==
<gallery>
Rhye-Filming.jpg|Grand Duke Travis with a film crew from Saugeais at the Seven Seas of Rhye
Seven seas of rhye1.jpg|The Seven Seas in Winter
</gallery>

[[Category:Calsahara]]
[[Category:Geography of Calsahara]]

File:Calsahara NM.jpg

2025-08-12T20:52:49Z

DukeBearPeninsula: A Map depicting the territory designated as Calsahara National Monument (highlighted in green).

== Summary ==
A Map depicting the territory designated as Calsahara National Monument (highlighted in green).
== Licensing ==
{{PD-0}}

Bear Peninsula

2025-08-12T17:14:56Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

[[File:Bear and martin peninsulas.jpg|thumb|Bear and Martin Peninsulas]]
The '''Bear Peninsula''' (74°35′S 111°00′W) is a peninsula about 80 km (50 mi) long and 40 km (25 mi) wide which is [[ice]] covered except for several isolated rock bluffs and outcrops along its margins, lying 48 km 30 mi) east of [[Martin Peninsula]] on the [[Walgreen Coast]] of [[Westarctica]].

==Discovery and name==
The peninsula was first delineated from aerial photographs taken by [[U.S. Navy]] Operation Highjump in January 1947, and was named after the ice-ship [[USS Bear|USS ''Bear'']], flagship of the U.S. [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] Service, from which three reconnaissance flights were made in late February 1940, resulting in the discovery of the [[Walgreen Coast]] (with probable sighting of this feature) and the [[Thurston Island]] area.

This ship, under the name ''Bear of Oakland'', also served as flagship of Admiral [[Richard E. Byrd]] from 1933-35.

==Weather and climate==
[[File:Bear Peninsula - AWS 31dec2017.jpg|thumb|AWS at the Bear Peninsula]]
On 13 January 2011 a team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison installed an [[automatic weather station]] on a rock outcrop on the western side of the Bear Peninsula at an elevation of 312 meters. This station has been in continuous operation since that time and provides automatic climate data, including temperature, every ten minutes. Routine maintenance is performed by a University of Wisconsin team according to their maintenance schedule.

The highest temperature recorded on the Bear Peninsula was 5°C (41°F) on 14 Jan 2013. The lowest temperature recorded was -42.4°C (-44.32°F)

==Important Bird Area==
A 490 ha site on fast ice east of the headland of Hummer Point on [[Gurnon Peninsula]] has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a breeding colony of about 9,500 emperor penguins, estimated from 2009 satellite

==Duchy of the Bear Peninsula==
In 2017, the title [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula]] was bestowed upon C. Jordan Farmer. He was later appointed to the cabinet post of [[Minister of Citizenship & Immigration]] as well as serving as the Commissioner of the [[Westarctica Civilian Corps]] prior to being elected [[Prime Minister of Westarctica]] in February 2019.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the part of the peninsula under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]].

==Geographic features==
* [[Koloc Point]]
* [[Moore Dome]]
* [[Eckman Bluff]]
* [[Mount Wilbanks]]
* [[Garwood Point]]
* [[Merrick Point]]
* [[Barnes Bluff]]
* [[Gurnon Peninsula]]
* [[Boschert Glacier]]
* [[Harmon Bay]]

==External links==
* [http://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/aws/index.php?region=West%20Antarctica&station=Bear%20Peninsula&year=2016&mode=international University of Wisconsin-Madison AWS Page]

[[Category: Geography of Westarctica]]

Bunner Glacier

2025-08-12T17:14:14Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

The '''Bunner Glacier''' (74° 28'S 110° 40'W) is a [[glacier]] in the northeast part of [[Bear Peninsula]], flowing to the sea along the southeast side of [[Gurnon Peninsula]]

==Discovery and name==
The glacier was mapped by the United States Geological Survey from surveys and from [[U.S. Navy]] air photos taken during the years 1959–66. Bunner Glacier was named by the Advisory Committee on [[Antarctic]] Names in honor of Sergeant Donald R. Bunner, a member of the U.S. Army Aviation Detachment in Antarctica during U.S. Navy Operation Deepfreeze 1965 and 1966.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the glacier under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]].

[[Category: Geography of Westarctica]]
[[Category: Glaciers]]

Merrick Point

2025-08-12T17:13:51Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

[[File:Gurnon-Peninsula.png|thumb|350px|Map of the Gurnon Peninsula showing Merrick Point in the south]]
'''Merrick Point''' (74°28′S 110°9′W) is an [[ice]]-covered point on the east side of [[Hamilton Ice Piedmont]] on the eastern edge of the [[Bear Peninsula]], on the [[Walgreen Coast]] of [[Westarctica]].

==Discovery and name==
The point was mapped by the United States Geological Survey from surveys and [[U.S. Navy]] aerial photographs collected during the years 1959–66. Merrick Point was named by the Advisory Committee on [[Antarctic]] Names in 1977 after Dale Merrick of Stanford University. Merrick was an upper atmosphere researcher and Station Scientific Leader at Siple Station during the over-winter of the 1975 season.

==Peerage title==
On 20 December 2017, Dr. Brady McNulty, a pharmacist, was granted the [[Peerage of Westarctica|peerage title]] Baron of Merrick in recognition of his support of Westarctica. In December 2023, he also received the title Duke of [[Hammond Glacier|Hammond]] and Baron of Merrick became his [[subordinate title]].

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the point under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]].

[[Category: Geography of Westarctica]]

Gurnon Peninsula

2025-08-12T17:13:18Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

[[File:Gurnon-Peninsula.png|thumb|350px|Map of the Gurnon Peninsula]]
'''Gurnon Peninsula''' (74°22′S 110°35′W) is a completely [[ice]]-covered peninsula about 10 nautical miles (20 km) long, between [[Park Glacier]] and [[Bunner Glacier]] in the northeast part of the [[Bear Peninsula]] of [[Westarctica]].

==Discovery and name==
It was first mapped by the United States Geological Survey from air photos obtained by [[U.S. Navy]] Operation Highjump in January 1947. The Gurnon Peninsula was named by the Advisory Committee on [[Antarctic]] Names in honor of Lieutenant P.J. Gurnon, U.S. Navy, a Lockheed Hercules aircraft commander in Antarctica during Operation Deep Freeze 1965–67.

==Peerage title==
On 22 June 2020, Leonel Limonte was granted the [[Peerage of Westarctica|peerage title]] Count of Gurnon in recognition of his support of Westarctica.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the peninsula under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]].

[[Category: Geography of Westarctica]]

Garwood Point

2025-08-12T17:12:43Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

[[File:Gurnon-Peninsula.png|350px|thumb|Map of the Gurnon Peninsula showing Merrick Point]]
'''Garwood Point''' (74°14′S 110°36′W) is a point marking the northern extremity of Gurnon Peninsula, a northeast arm of the [[Bear Peninsula]], on the Walgreen Coast of [[Westarctica]].

==Discovery and name==
The point was mapped by the United States Geological Survey from aerial photographs taken by the [[U.S. Navy]]'s Operation Highjump in 1947. Garwood Point was named by the Advisory Committee on [[Antarctic]] Names in honor of James W. Garwood, a U.S. Navy metalsmith, who served as crew chief at Williams Field, McMurdo Sound, and in Christchurch, New Zealand, as well as maintenance shop supervisor in eight Operation Deep Freeze deployments.

There is also a Garwood Valley in [[Victoria Land]] in [[East Antarctica]].

==Peerage title==
On 22 December 2017, Eli Simon Sacra was granted the [[Peerage of Westarctica|peerage title]] Baron of Garwood as a gift from his grandfather, the Duke of [[Tapley Mountains|Tapley]]. His mother is the Protector of Garwood. His aunt is the Countess of [[Downs Cone|Downs]].

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the point under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]].

[[Category: Geography of Westarctica]]

Harmon Bay

2025-08-12T17:11:53Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

[[File:Harmon Bay.jpg|350px|thumb|Map showing location of Harmon Bay along the Bear Peninsula]]
'''Harmon Bay''' (74°15′S 110°52′W) is an embayment at the north end of the [[Bear Peninsula]], about 7 nautical miles (13 km) wide, defined by the northeast shore of [[Moore Dome]], the terminus of [[Park Glacier]] and the northwest end of the [[Gurnon Peninsula]], on the [[Walgreen Coast]] of [[Westarctica]].

==Discovery and name==
The bay was mapped by the United States Geological Survey from surveys and [[U.S. Navy]] aerial photographs collected during the years 1959–66. Harmon Bay was named by the Advisory Committee on [[Antarctic]] Names after Commander Robert H. Harmon, Executive Officer on the USCGC ''Burton Island'' (WAGB-283) during U.S. Navy Operation Deep Freeze in 1969.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected part of the bay under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]].

[[Category: Geography of Westarctica]]

Hamilton Ice Piedmont

2025-08-12T17:11:12Z

DukeBearPeninsula: updated note on WPS protection

[[File:Hamilton Ice.png|350px|thumb|Hamilton Ice Piedmont map]]
The '''Hamilton Ice Piedmont''' (74°30′S 110°18′W) is an [[ice]] piedmont, 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) wide, to the east of Wyatt Hill on the [[Bear Peninsula]].

A "piedmont" is a geographic term for any lake or glacier at the base of a mountain. This feature is notable for being one of only two piedmonts in [[Westarctica]].

==Discovery and name==
The ice piedmont was mapped by the USGS using surveys and United States Navy aerial photographs collected during the years 1959-66. The Hamilton Ice Piedmont was named in 1977 by US-ACAN after Robert Hamilton, a meteorologist from the University of California, Davis who served as the USARP Station Scientific Leader at [[South Pole]] Station during the winter of 1975.

==Features==
* [[Merrick Point]]
* Wyatt Hill

==Peerage title==
On 17 June 2024, Michael Simpson was granted the [[Peerage of Westarctica|peerage title]] Duke of Hamilton in recognition of his support of Westarctica's goals. His Grace's title is so-named for this feature.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected piedmont under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]].

[[Category:Geography of Westarctica]]

Moore Dome

2025-08-12T17:10:41Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

[[File:Koloc-Point.png|thumb|350px|Map of Moore Dome]]
'''Moore Dome''' (74°20′S 111°20′W) is an ice dome, circular in plan and 15 nautical miles (28 km) in extent, rising to 700 meters (2,300 ft) and forming the northwest portion of the [[Bear Peninsula]], along [[Westarctica]]'s [[Walgreen Coast]]. [[Koloc Point]] is at the northern extremity of the coast of the dome.

==Discovery and name==
Moore Dome was mapped by the United States Geological Survey from aerial photographs taken by [[U.S. Navy]] Operation Highjump in 1947 and the U.S. Navy in 1966. It was named by the Advisory Committee on [[Antarctic]] Names in 1977 after Captain Robert G. Moore, USCG, Commanding Officer of USCGC ''Burton Island''. The ''Burton Island'' conducted operations in the [[Ross Sea]], [[Pine Island Bay]], and along the [[Antarctic Peninsula]] during the 1974–75 season.

==Peerage title==
On 25 September 2015, the [[Peerage of Westarctica|peerage title]] Count of Moore was bestowed upon Italian-Westarctican citizen Vicente Bicudo de Castro in recognition of his support of the nation and its goals.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected part of the dome under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]].

[[Category: Geography of Westarctica]]

Park Glacier

2025-08-12T17:10:01Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added note on WPS protection

[[File:Gurnon-Peninsula.png|thumb|350px|Map of the Gurnon Peninsula showing the Park Glacier to the west of it]]
The '''Park Glacier''' (74°20′S 110°38′) is a [[glacier]] located on the northern part of the [[Bear Peninsula]] of [[Westarctica]]. It flows to the sea along the west side of the [[Gurnon Peninsula]].

==Name==
It is named for Chung G. Park, who worked as an ionosphere physics researcher at [[Byrd Station]] in 1966.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the glacier under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]].

[[Category:Glaciers]]

Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area

2025-08-12T16:56:05Z

DukeBearPeninsula: Created page with "A glacier calved from Park Glacier within the Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area '''Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area''..."

[[File:Calved Park Glacier.png|thumb|400px|A glacier calved from Park Glacier within the Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]]
'''Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area''' (74°30′S 110°18′W) is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve a number of landscape features. It was created via Royal Decree on 8 August 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
A 490 ha site on fast ice east of the headland of Hummer Point on Gurnon Peninsula has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a breeding colony of about 9,500 emperor penguins, estimated from 2009 satellite images.

===Conservans Protectorem===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area granted that honorific to the following:

* Duke of the Bear Peninsula
* Duke of Hamilton
* Count of Gurnon
* Count of Moore
* Baron of Garwood
* Baron of Merrick

==Conservation==
Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area's roughly 366,175 acres (1,481 square kilometers) is protected under category III (natural monument or feature) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the geologic and natural landscape. Although a slightly lesser concern, efforts are also made to protect biodiversity found within its boundaries.

In addition to protecting one of Westarctica's two ice piedmonts, this area also protects two glaciers, coastal waters, and the nation's largest colony of emperor penguins.

==Features==
The conservation area envelops a large portion of the [[Bear Peninsula]] and is one of the more geographically diverse protected areas in the Parks Service.

===Key locations===
[[File:Hamilton Ice Piedmont CZ.JPG|thumb|The boundaries of Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]]
* '''[[Bunner Glacier]]''' (74° 28'S 110° 40'W) is a glacier in the northeast part of Bear Peninsula, flowing to the sea along the southeast side of Gurnon Peninsula. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names in honor of Sergeant Donald R. Bunner, a member of the U.S. Army Aviation Detachment in Antarctica during U.S. Navy Operation Deepfreeze 1965 and 1966.

* '''[[Garwood Point]]''' (74°14′S 110°36′W) is a point marking the northern extremity of Gurnon Peninsula, a northeast arm of the Bear Peninsula. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names in honor of James W. Garwood, a U.S. Navy metalsmith, who served as crew chief at Williams Field, McMurdo Sound, and in Christchurch, New Zealand, as well as maintenance shop supervisor in eight Operation Deep Freeze deployments.

* '''Goepfert Bluff''' (74°38′S 110°19′W) is a bluff at the east end of Grimes Ridge, Bear Peninsula. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names in 1977 after Lieutenant Eric R. Goepfert, U.S. Navy, officer in charge of the U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, winter detachment at McMurdo Station, 1976.

* '''Grimes Ridge''' (74°38′S 110°30′W) is a high, mostly ice-covered ridge at the north side of Holt Glacier on Bear Peninsula. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names after Captain E.W. Grimes, a member of the U.S. Army Aviation Detachment that provided Antarctic support during U.S. Navy Operation Deep Freeze 1966.

* '''[[Gurnon Peninsula]]''' (74°22′S 110°35′W) is a completely ice-covered peninsula about 10 nautical miles (20 km) long, between Park Glacier and Bunner Glacier in the northeast part of the Bear Peninsula. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names in honor of Lieutenant P.J. Gurnon, U.S. Navy, a Lockheed Hercules aircraft commander in Antarctica during Operation Deep Freeze 1965–67.

* '''[[Hamilton Ice Piedmont]]''' (74°30′S 110°18′W) is an ice piedmont, 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) wide, to the east of Wyatt Hill on the Bear Peninsula. It was named in 1977 by US-ACAN after Robert Hamilton, a meteorologist from the University of California, Davis who served as the USARP Station Scientific Leader at South Pole Station during the winter of 1975.

* '''[[Harmon Bay]]''' (74°15′S 110°52′W) is an embayment at the north end of the Bear Peninsula, about 7 nautical miles (13 km) wide, defined by the northeast shore of Moore Dome, the terminus of Park Glacier and the northwest end of the Gurnon Peninsula. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names after Commander Robert H. Harmon, Executive Officer on the USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) during U.S. Navy Operation Deep Freeze in 1969.

* '''Hummer Point''' (74°37′S 110°25′W) is the eastern point of the ice-covered Gurnon Peninsula, and is the location of Westarctica's largest emperor penguin colony. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names in 1977 after Dr. Michael G. Hummer.

* '''[[Merrick Point]]''' (74°28′S 110°9′W) is an ice-covered point on the east side of Hamilton Ice Piedmont on the eastern edge of the Bear Peninsula. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names in 1977 after Dale Merrick of Stanford University. Merrick was an upper atmosphere researcher and Station Scientific Leader at Siple Station during the over-winter of the 1975 season.

* '''[[Moore Dome]]''' (74°20′S 111°20′W) is an ice dome, circular in plan and 15 nautical miles (28 km) in extent, rising to 700 meters (2,300 ft) and forming the northwest portion of the Bear Peninsula. Koloc Point is at the northern extremity of the coast of the dome. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names in 1977 after Captain Robert G. Moore, USCG, Commanding Officer of USCGC Burton Island. Only the eastern portion of the dome is protected by the conservation area.

* '''[[Park Glacier]]''' (74°20′S 110°38′) is a glacier located on the northern part of the Bear Peninsula of Westarctica. It flows to the sea along the west side of the Gurnon Peninsula. It is named for Chung G. Park, who worked as an ionosphere physics researcher at Byrd Station in 1966.

* '''Wyatt Hill''' (74°32′S 110°27′W) is a small ice-covered hill rising to about 500 m at the west side of Hamilton Ice Piedmont, Bear Peninsula. It was named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) after Joseph T. Wyatt, electrical engineer, Lockheed-Georgia Company, a member of the aircraft recovery team at Dome Charlie in 1975-76 and 1976–77, which accomplished the repair and recovery of three LC-130 Hercules aircraft damaged there during January and November 1975.

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

Tulier Glacier Conservation Area

2025-08-12T16:39:32Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Features */

[[File:Hull Glacier.jpg|thumb|400px|An aerial view of Tulier Glacier]]
'''Tulier Glacier Conservation Area''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve [[Tulier Glacier]] and the surrounding area.. It was created via Royal Decree on 8 August 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
Tulier Glacier was discovered by the United States Antarctic Service (1939–41). On 4 September 2023, the Senate of Westarctica passed Westarctican Ordinance WO-2023-003 which renamed Hull Glacier to the Tulier Glacier, in honor of Luis "Wolf" Tulier, the Duke of Waesche. This was done, in part, to help differentiate it from the adjacent Hull Bay.

Tulier Glacier Conservation Area has been identified as a leading candidate for elevation to the status of national park, possibly via a merger with [[Cape Burks National Monument]].

===Conservans Protectorem===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Tulier Glacier Conservation Area granted that honorific to the following:

* Viscount of Frost
* Baron of Hull Bay

==Conservation==
Tulier Glacier Conservation Area's roughly 599,172 acres (2,425 square kilometers) is protected under category V (protected landscape or seascape) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the geologic and natural landscape. Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect biodiversity found within its boundaries.

During the evaluation process for the glacier's protection, [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] was told during a conference call with the glaciology team at Brigham Young University that ice samples from it contained some of the oldest indicators they had seen on the continent. This makes the preservation of the formation more crucial to the nation's scientific endeavors.

==Features==
The conservation area envelops the entirety of Tulier Glacier, as well as a number of surrounding landscape.

===Key locations===
[[File:Tulier-Cape Burks Boundaries.JPG|thumb|The boundaries of Tulier Glacier Conservation Area (outlined in green)]]
* '''[[Frost Cliff]]''' (75°13′S 135°43′W) is a steep, partly ice-covered cliff 2 nautical miles (4 km) east of Mount Steinfeld, on the south side of the divide between the upper reaches of Tulier Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier near Strawn Pass. it was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Commander William L. Frost, U.S. Navy, Officer-in-Charge of Antarctic Support Activities at McMurdo Station in 1970.

* '''[[Hull Bay]]''' (74°55′S 137°40′W) is an ice-filled bay, about 46 kilometers (25 nmi) wide, fed by the Tulier Glacier, which descends into it between Lynch Point and Cape Burks. The bay was named for U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull.

* '''Kirkpatrick Glacier''' (75°9′S 136°0′W) is a tributary glacier about 12 nautical miles (22 km) long, flowing west along the south side of the McDonald Heights to enter the east side of Tulier Glacier. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Commander Thomas W. Kirkpatrick, United States Coast Guard, Ship Operations Officer, U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, during Operation Deep Freeze 1972 and 1973.

* '''[[Lynch Point]]''' (775°5′S 137°44′W) is a rocky point at the seaward end of the peninsula between Frostman Glacier and Tulier Glacier. The point was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Ensign William R. Lynch II, U.S. Navy Reserve, Damage Control Officer aboard USS Glacier in exploring these coastal waters, 1961–62.

* '''Miller Spur''' (75°7′S 137°29′W) is an ice-covered spur that descends northeast from Mount Giles. The spur terminates in a small rock bluff about 1 nautical mile (2 km) west of lower Tulier Glacier. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for sailmaker Linwood T. Miller, a member of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, 1933–35, who produced windproof shirts, parkas, tents and other canvas materials for the expedition.

* '''[[Mount Giles]]''' (75°9′S 137°37′W) is a mainly snow-covered mountain, 820 meters (2,690 ft) high, located 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) south-southeast of Lynch Point. The mountain is the highest elevation on the divide between the seaward ends of Frostman Glacier and Tulier Glacier. It was named in honor of Walter R. Giles, a technical sergeant in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), who worked as a copilot and radio operator on some of the ariel flights which discovered and mapped this region of Antarctica.

* '''Mount Gray''' (75°1′S 136°42′W) is a rounded, ice-worn mountain on the southwest part of the McDonald Heights. It stands on the east side of Tulier Glacier, 2 nautical miles (4 km) north of Oehlenschlager Bluff. The mountain was named for Orville Gray, an aviation machinist's mate, and plane captain on these flights.

* '''Mount Steinfeld''' (75°12′S 135°51′W) is a mountain (685 m) at the west end of an ice-covered ridge that overlooks the confluence of Tulier Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Edward F. Steinfeld, Jr., United States Antarctic Research Program (USARP) meteorologist at Byrd Station, 1962.

* '''Oehlenschlager Bluff''' (75°3′S 136°42′W) is a steep rock bluff overlooking Tulier Glacier from the north. It marks the southwest extremity of Erickson Bluffs and McDonald Heights. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Richard J. Oehlenschlager, member of the biological party that made population studies of seals, whales, and birds in the pack ice of the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas using USCGC Southwind and its two helicopters, 1971-72.

* '''[[Tulier Glacier]]''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a glacier, about 35 nautical miles (65 km) long, flowing northwest between Mount Giles and Mount Gray into Hull Bay. It is named in honor of Luis "Wolf" Tulier, the Duke of Waesche, who served as the first [[Prime Minister of Westarctica]].

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

File:Hamilton Ice Piedmont CZ.JPG

2025-08-12T16:19:13Z

DukeBearPeninsula: A map outlining the boundaries of Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area.

== Summary ==
A map outlining the boundaries of Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area.
== Licensing ==
{{PD-0}}

Frost Cliff

2025-08-12T16:12:19Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added info on WPS protection

[[File:Frost Cliff.jpg|350px|thumb|Map showing Frost Cliff]]
'''Frost Cliff''' (75°13′S 135°43′W) is a steep, partly [[ice]]-covered cliff 2 nautical miles (4 km) east of Mount Steinfeld, on the south side of the divide between the upper reaches of [[Tulier Glacier]] and Kirkpatrick Glacier near [[Strawn Pass]] in [[Westarctica]].

==Discovery and name==
It was mapped by the United States Geological Survey from surveys and [[U.S. Navy]] air photos, 1959–65. Frost Cliff was named by the Advisory Committee on [[Antarctic]] Names for Commander William L. Frost, U.S. Navy, Officer-in-Charge of Antarctic Support Activities at [[McMurdo Station]] in 1970.

==Viscount Frost==
On 17 January 2019, Björn Schönbeck of Luxembourg was granted the [[Peerage of Westarctica|peerage title]] Viscount Frost in recognition of his support of Westarctica.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the cliff under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Tulier Glacier Conservation Area]].

[[Category:Geography of Westarctica]]

Tulier Glacier

2025-08-12T16:11:43Z

DukeBearPeninsula: updated info on WPS protection

[[File:Hull Glacier.jpg|thumb|Tulier Glacier]]
'''Tulier Glacier''', formerly known as '''Hull Glacier''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a [[glacier]], about 35 nautical miles (65 km) long, flowing northwest between [[Mount Giles]] and Mount Gray into [[Hull Bay]], in [[Westarctica]].

==Discovery and name==
It was discovered by the United States [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] Service (1939–41) and named for U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull.

On 4 September 2023, the [[Senate of Westarctica]] passed [[Westarctican Ordinance]] WO-2023-003 which renamed Hull Glacier to the Tulier Glacier, in honor of Luis "Wolf" Tulier, the [[Duke of Waesche]].

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the glacier under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as [[Tulier Glacier Conservation Area]].

[[Category:Glaciers]]

Mount Giles

2025-08-12T16:10:55Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added info on WPS protection

[[File:Mount Giles.png|400px|thumb|Map showing location of Mount Giles]]
'''Mount Giles''' (75°9′S 137°37′W) is a mainly snow-covered mountain, 820 meters (2,690 ft) high, located 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) south-southeast of [[Lynch Point]] on the coast of [[Westarctica]]. The mountain is the highest elevation on the divide between the seaward ends of [[Frostman Glacier]] and [[Tulier Glacier]].

==Discovery and name==
Mount Giles was discovered on aerial flights from the West Base of the United States [[Antarctic]] Service (USAS) in 1940. It was named in honor of Walter R. Giles, a technical sergeant in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), who worked as a copilot and radio operator on some of the ariel flights which discovered and mapped this region of Antarctica.

==Location and geology==
Mount Giles is the high point of the divide between Frostman Glacier to the west and Tulier Glacier to the east before they enter [[Hull Bay]] on the coast of [[Marie Byrd Land]]. Other features of the divide include the [[Konter Cliffs]], Lynch Point, and [[Miller Spur]].

The geology of Mount Giles includes layered gabbro holding quartz-free plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and olivine. Isotope analysis of these formations indicates an age of 154±35 million years.

==Peerage title==
On 12 June 2025, Owen Trott, the Duke of [[MacAyeal Ice Stream|MacAyeal]] was granted the [[peerage of Westarctica|peerage title]] Marquis de Giles, which immediately became a [[subordinate title]] for His Grace.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the mountain under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Tulier Glacier Conservation Area]].

[[Category:Mountains]]

Lynch Point

2025-08-12T16:10:25Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added info on WPS protection

'''Lynch Point''' (775°5′S 137°44′W) is a rocky point at the seaward end of the peninsula between Frostman Glacier and [[Tulier Glacier]] on the coast of [[Westarctica]].

==Discovery and name==
It was photographed from United States Antarctic Service (1939–41) aircraft on December 18, 1940, and was mapped by the United States Geological Survey from surveys and U.S. Navy air photos, 1959–65. The point was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Ensign William R. Lynch II, [[U.S. Navy]] Reserve, Damage Control Officer aboard USS ''[[Glacier]]'' in exploring these coastal waters, 1961–62.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected Lynch Point under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Tulier Glacier Conservation Area]].

[[Category:Geography of Westarctica]]

Hull Bay

2025-08-12T16:09:52Z

DukeBearPeninsula: added info on WPS protection

[[ File:Hobbs Coast2.jpg|thumb|Hull Bay is on the left side of this map]]
'''Hull Bay''' (74°55′S 137°40′W) is an ice-filled bay, about 46 kilometers (25 nmi) wide, fed by the [[Tulier Glacier]], which descends into it between [[Lynch Point]] and [[Cape Burks]], on the coast of [[Westarctica]].

==Discovery and name==
It was discovered by the United States [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] Service, 1939–41. The bay derives its name from the Hull Glacier, which was named for U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull.

==Noble title==
As part of the [[20th Anniversary Honors and Appointments]] celebrating [[Westarctica]]'s 20 years of sovereignty, [[Baron of Hull Bay|Sir Brendan Cook]], Baronet of Woodwin was granted the [[Peerage of Westarctica|peerage title]] Baron of Hull Bay.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected a large portion of the bay under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as part of [[Tulier Glacier Conservation Area]].

[[Category: Geography of Westarctica]]

Tulier Glacier Conservation Area

2025-08-12T16:00:54Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Key locations */

[[File:Hull Glacier.jpg|thumb|400px|An aerial view of Tulier Glacier]]
'''Tulier Glacier Conservation Area''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve [[Tulier Glacier]] and the surrounding area.. It was created via Royal Decree on 8 August 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
Tulier Glacier was discovered by the United States Antarctic Service (1939–41). On 4 September 2023, the Senate of Westarctica passed Westarctican Ordinance WO-2023-003 which renamed Hull Glacier to the Tulier Glacier, in honor of Luis "Wolf" Tulier, the Duke of Waesche. This was done, in part, to help differentiate it from the adjacent Hull Bay.

Tulier Glacier Conservation Area has been identified as a leading candidate for elevation to the status of national park, possibly via a merger with [[Cape Burks National Monument]].

===Conservans Protectorem===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Tulier Glacier Conservation Area granted that honorific to the following:

* Viscount of Frost
* Baron of Hull Bay

==Conservation==
Tulier Glacier Conservation Area's roughly 599,172 acres (2,425 square kilometers) is protected under category V (protected landscape or seascape) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the geologic and natural landscape. Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect biodiversity found within its boundaries.

During the evaluation process for the glacier's protection, [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] was told during a conference call with the glaciology team at Brigham Young University that ice samples from it contained some of the oldest indicators they had seen on the continent. This makes the preservation of the formation more crucial to the nation's scientific endeavors.

==Features==
The conservation area envelops the entirety of Tulier Glacier, as well as a number of surrounding landscape.

===Key locations===
[[File:Tulier-Cape Burks Boundaries.JPG|thumb|The boundaries of the northern portion of Gothic National Monument]]
* '''[[Frost Cliff]]''' (75°13′S 135°43′W) is a steep, partly ice-covered cliff 2 nautical miles (4 km) east of Mount Steinfeld, on the south side of the divide between the upper reaches of Tulier Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier near Strawn Pass. it was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Commander William L. Frost, U.S. Navy, Officer-in-Charge of Antarctic Support Activities at McMurdo Station in 1970.

* '''[[Hull Bay]]''' (74°55′S 137°40′W) is an ice-filled bay, about 46 kilometers (25 nmi) wide, fed by the Tulier Glacier, which descends into it between Lynch Point and Cape Burks. The bay was named for U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull.

* '''Kirkpatrick Glacier''' (75°9′S 136°0′W) is a tributary glacier about 12 nautical miles (22 km) long, flowing west along the south side of the McDonald Heights to enter the east side of Tulier Glacier. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Commander Thomas W. Kirkpatrick, United States Coast Guard, Ship Operations Officer, U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, during Operation Deep Freeze 1972 and 1973.

* '''[[Lynch Point]]''' (775°5′S 137°44′W) is a rocky point at the seaward end of the peninsula between Frostman Glacier and Tulier Glacier. The point was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Ensign William R. Lynch II, U.S. Navy Reserve, Damage Control Officer aboard USS Glacier in exploring these coastal waters, 1961–62.

* '''Miller Spur''' (75°7′S 137°29′W) is an ice-covered spur that descends northeast from Mount Giles. The spur terminates in a small rock bluff about 1 nautical mile (2 km) west of lower Tulier Glacier. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for sailmaker Linwood T. Miller, a member of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, 1933–35, who produced windproof shirts, parkas, tents and other canvas materials for the expedition.

* '''[[Mount Giles]]''' (75°9′S 137°37′W) is a mainly snow-covered mountain, 820 meters (2,690 ft) high, located 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) south-southeast of Lynch Point. The mountain is the highest elevation on the divide between the seaward ends of Frostman Glacier and Tulier Glacier. It was named in honor of Walter R. Giles, a technical sergeant in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), who worked as a copilot and radio operator on some of the ariel flights which discovered and mapped this region of Antarctica.

* '''Mount Gray''' (75°1′S 136°42′W) is a rounded, ice-worn mountain on the southwest part of the McDonald Heights. It stands on the east side of Tulier Glacier, 2 nautical miles (4 km) north of Oehlenschlager Bluff. The mountain was named for Orville Gray, an aviation machinist's mate, and plane captain on these flights.

* '''Mount Steinfeld''' (75°12′S 135°51′W) is a mountain (685 m) at the west end of an ice-covered ridge that overlooks the confluence of Tulier Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Edward F. Steinfeld, Jr., United States Antarctic Research Program (USARP) meteorologist at Byrd Station, 1962.

* '''Oehlenschlager Bluff''' (75°3′S 136°42′W) is a steep rock bluff overlooking Tulier Glacier from the north. It marks the southwest extremity of Erickson Bluffs and McDonald Heights. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Richard J. Oehlenschlager, member of the biological party that made population studies of seals, whales, and birds in the pack ice of the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas using USCGC Southwind and its two helicopters, 1971-72.

* '''[[Tulier Glacier]]''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a glacier, about 35 nautical miles (65 km) long, flowing northwest between Mount Giles and Mount Gray into Hull Bay. It is named in honor of Luis "Wolf" Tulier, the Duke of Waesche, who served as the first [[Prime Minister of Westarctica]].

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

Tulier Glacier Conservation Area

2025-08-12T16:00:06Z

DukeBearPeninsula:

[[File:Hull Glacier.jpg|thumb|400px|An aerial view of Tulier Glacier]]
'''Tulier Glacier Conservation Area''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve [[Tulier Glacier]] and the surrounding area.. It was created via Royal Decree on 8 August 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
Tulier Glacier was discovered by the United States Antarctic Service (1939–41). On 4 September 2023, the Senate of Westarctica passed Westarctican Ordinance WO-2023-003 which renamed Hull Glacier to the Tulier Glacier, in honor of Luis "Wolf" Tulier, the Duke of Waesche. This was done, in part, to help differentiate it from the adjacent Hull Bay.

Tulier Glacier Conservation Area has been identified as a leading candidate for elevation to the status of national park, possibly via a merger with [[Cape Burks National Monument]].

===Conservans Protectorem===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Tulier Glacier Conservation Area granted that honorific to the following:

* Viscount of Frost
* Baron of Hull Bay

==Conservation==
Tulier Glacier Conservation Area's roughly 599,172 acres (2,425 square kilometers) is protected under category V (protected landscape or seascape) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the geologic and natural landscape. Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect biodiversity found within its boundaries.

During the evaluation process for the glacier's protection, [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] was told during a conference call with the glaciology team at Brigham Young University that ice samples from it contained some of the oldest indicators they had seen on the continent. This makes the preservation of the formation more crucial to the nation's scientific endeavors.

==Features==
The conservation area envelops the entirety of Tulier Glacier, as well as a number of surrounding landscape.

===Key locations===
[[File:Tulier-Cape Burks Boundaries.JPG|thumb|The boundaries of the northern portion of Gothic National Monument]]
* '''[[Frost Cliff]]''' (75°13′S 135°43′W) is a steep, partly ice-covered cliff 2 nautical miles (4 km) east of Mount Steinfeld, on the south side of the divide between the upper reaches of Tulier Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier near Strawn Pass. it was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Commander William L. Frost, U.S. Navy, Officer-in-Charge of Antarctic Support Activities at McMurdo Station in 1970.

* '''[[Hull Bay]]''' (74°55′S 137°40′W) is an ice-filled bay, about 46 kilometers (25 nmi) wide, fed by the Tulier Glacier, which descends into it between Lynch Point and Cape Burks. The bay derives its name from the Hull Glacier, which was named for U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull.

* '''Kirkpatrick Glacier''' (75°9′S 136°0′W) is a tributary glacier about 12 nautical miles (22 km) long, flowing west along the south side of the McDonald Heights to enter the east side of Tulier Glacier. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Commander Thomas W. Kirkpatrick, United States Coast Guard, Ship Operations Officer, U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, during Operation Deep Freeze 1972 and 1973.

* '''[[Lynch Point]]''' (775°5′S 137°44′W) is a rocky point at the seaward end of the peninsula between Frostman Glacier and Tulier Glacier. The point was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Ensign William R. Lynch II, U.S. Navy Reserve, Damage Control Officer aboard USS Glacier in exploring these coastal waters, 1961–62.

* '''Miller Spur''' (75°7′S 137°29′W) is an ice-covered spur that descends northeast from Mount Giles. The spur terminates in a small rock bluff about 1 nautical mile (2 km) west of lower Tulier Glacier. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for sailmaker Linwood T. Miller, a member of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, 1933–35, who produced windproof shirts, parkas, tents and other canvas materials for the expedition.

* '''[[Mount Giles]]''' (75°9′S 137°37′W) is a mainly snow-covered mountain, 820 meters (2,690 ft) high, located 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) south-southeast of Lynch Point. The mountain is the highest elevation on the divide between the seaward ends of Frostman Glacier and Tulier Glacier. It was named in honor of Walter R. Giles, a technical sergeant in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), who worked as a copilot and radio operator on some of the ariel flights which discovered and mapped this region of Antarctica.

* '''Mount Gray''' (75°1′S 136°42′W) is a rounded, ice-worn mountain on the southwest part of the McDonald Heights. It stands on the east side of Tulier Glacier, 2 nautical miles (4 km) north of Oehlenschlager Bluff. The mountain was named for Orville Gray, an aviation machinist's mate, and plane captain on these flights.

* '''Mount Steinfeld''' (75°12′S 135°51′W) is a mountain (685 m) at the west end of an ice-covered ridge that overlooks the confluence of Tulier Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Edward F. Steinfeld, Jr., United States Antarctic Research Program (USARP) meteorologist at Byrd Station, 1962.

* '''Oehlenschlager Bluff''' (75°3′S 136°42′W) is a steep rock bluff overlooking Tulier Glacier from the north. It marks the southwest extremity of Erickson Bluffs and McDonald Heights. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Richard J. Oehlenschlager, member of the biological party that made population studies of seals, whales, and birds in the pack ice of the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas using USCGC Southwind and its two helicopters, 1971-72.

* '''[[Tulier Glacier]]''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a glacier, about 35 nautical miles (65 km) long, flowing northwest between Mount Giles and Mount Gray into Hull Bay. It is named in honor of Luis "Wolf" Tulier, the Duke of Waesche, who served as the first [[Prime Minister of Westarctica]].

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

Tulier Glacier Conservation Area

2025-08-12T15:59:41Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Conservation */

[[File:Hull Glacier.jpg|thumb|400px|An aerial view of Tulier Glacier]]
'''Tulier Glacier Conservation Area''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve [[Tulier Glacier]] and the surrounding area.. It was created via Royal Decree on 8 August 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
Tulier Glacier was discovered by the United States Antarctic Service (1939–41). On 4 September 2023, the Senate of Westarctica passed Westarctican Ordinance WO-2023-003 which renamed Hull Glacier to the Tulier Glacier, in honor of Luis "Wolf" Tulier, the Duke of Waesche. This was done, in part, to help differentiate it from the adjacent Hull Bay.

===Conservans Protectorem===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Tulier Glacier Conservation Area granted that honorific to the following:

* Viscount of Frost
* Baron of Hull Bay

==Conservation==
Tulier Glacier Conservation Area's roughly 599,172 acres (2,425 square kilometers) is protected under category V (protected landscape or seascape) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the geologic and natural landscape. Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect biodiversity found within its boundaries.

During the evaluation process for the glacier's protection, [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] was told during a conference call with the glaciology team at Brigham Young University that ice samples from it contained some of the oldest indicators they had seen on the continent. This makes the preservation of the formation more crucial to the nation's scientific endeavors.

==Features==
The conservation area envelops the entirety of Tulier Glacier, as well as a number of surrounding landscape.

===Key locations===
[[File:Tulier-Cape Burks Boundaries.JPG|thumb|The boundaries of the northern portion of Gothic National Monument]]
* '''[[Frost Cliff]]''' (75°13′S 135°43′W) is a steep, partly ice-covered cliff 2 nautical miles (4 km) east of Mount Steinfeld, on the south side of the divide between the upper reaches of Tulier Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier near Strawn Pass. it was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Commander William L. Frost, U.S. Navy, Officer-in-Charge of Antarctic Support Activities at McMurdo Station in 1970.

* '''[[Hull Bay]]''' (74°55′S 137°40′W) is an ice-filled bay, about 46 kilometers (25 nmi) wide, fed by the Tulier Glacier, which descends into it between Lynch Point and Cape Burks. The bay derives its name from the Hull Glacier, which was named for U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull.

* '''Kirkpatrick Glacier''' (75°9′S 136°0′W) is a tributary glacier about 12 nautical miles (22 km) long, flowing west along the south side of the McDonald Heights to enter the east side of Tulier Glacier. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Commander Thomas W. Kirkpatrick, United States Coast Guard, Ship Operations Officer, U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, during Operation Deep Freeze 1972 and 1973.

* '''[[Lynch Point]]''' (775°5′S 137°44′W) is a rocky point at the seaward end of the peninsula between Frostman Glacier and Tulier Glacier. The point was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Ensign William R. Lynch II, U.S. Navy Reserve, Damage Control Officer aboard USS Glacier in exploring these coastal waters, 1961–62.

* '''Miller Spur''' (75°7′S 137°29′W) is an ice-covered spur that descends northeast from Mount Giles. The spur terminates in a small rock bluff about 1 nautical mile (2 km) west of lower Tulier Glacier. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for sailmaker Linwood T. Miller, a member of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, 1933–35, who produced windproof shirts, parkas, tents and other canvas materials for the expedition.

* '''[[Mount Giles]]''' (75°9′S 137°37′W) is a mainly snow-covered mountain, 820 meters (2,690 ft) high, located 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) south-southeast of Lynch Point. The mountain is the highest elevation on the divide between the seaward ends of Frostman Glacier and Tulier Glacier. It was named in honor of Walter R. Giles, a technical sergeant in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), who worked as a copilot and radio operator on some of the ariel flights which discovered and mapped this region of Antarctica.

* '''Mount Gray''' (75°1′S 136°42′W) is a rounded, ice-worn mountain on the southwest part of the McDonald Heights. It stands on the east side of Tulier Glacier, 2 nautical miles (4 km) north of Oehlenschlager Bluff. The mountain was named for Orville Gray, an aviation machinist's mate, and plane captain on these flights.

* '''Mount Steinfeld''' (75°12′S 135°51′W) is a mountain (685 m) at the west end of an ice-covered ridge that overlooks the confluence of Tulier Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Edward F. Steinfeld, Jr., United States Antarctic Research Program (USARP) meteorologist at Byrd Station, 1962.

* '''Oehlenschlager Bluff''' (75°3′S 136°42′W) is a steep rock bluff overlooking Tulier Glacier from the north. It marks the southwest extremity of Erickson Bluffs and McDonald Heights. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Richard J. Oehlenschlager, member of the biological party that made population studies of seals, whales, and birds in the pack ice of the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas using USCGC Southwind and its two helicopters, 1971-72.

* '''[[Tulier Glacier]]''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a glacier, about 35 nautical miles (65 km) long, flowing northwest between Mount Giles and Mount Gray into Hull Bay. It is named in honor of Luis "Wolf" Tulier, the Duke of Waesche, who served as the first [[Prime Minister of Westarctica]].

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

Tulier Glacier Conservation Area

2025-08-12T15:58:44Z

DukeBearPeninsula: Created page with "An aerial view of Tulier Glacier '''Tulier Glacier Conservation Area''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a protected area of Westarctica cr..."

[[File:Hull Glacier.jpg|thumb|400px|An aerial view of Tulier Glacier]]
'''Tulier Glacier Conservation Area''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve [[Tulier Glacier]] and the surrounding area.. It was created via Royal Decree on 8 August 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
Tulier Glacier was discovered by the United States Antarctic Service (1939–41). On 4 September 2023, the Senate of Westarctica passed Westarctican Ordinance WO-2023-003 which renamed Hull Glacier to the Tulier Glacier, in honor of Luis "Wolf" Tulier, the Duke of Waesche. This was done, in part, to help differentiate it from the adjacent Hull Bay.

===Conservans Protectorem===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Tulier Glacier Conservation Area granted that honorific to the following:

* Viscount of Frost
* Baron of Hull Bay

==Conservation==
Tulier Glacier Conservation Area's roughly 599,172 acres (2,425 square kilometers) is protected under category V (protected landscape or seascape) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the geologic and natural landscape. Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect biodiversity found within its boundaries.

During the evaluation process for the glacier's protection, [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] was told during a conference call with the glaciology team at Brigham Young University that ice samples from it contained some of the oldest indicators they had seen on the continent. This makes the preservation of the formation more crucial to the nation's scientific endeavors.

Tulier Glacier Conservation Area has been identified as a leading candidate for elevation to the status of national park, possibly via a merger with Cape Burks National Monument.

==Features==
The conservation area envelops the entirety of Tulier Glacier, as well as a number of surrounding landscape.

===Key locations===
[[File:Tulier-Cape Burks Boundaries.JPG|thumb|The boundaries of the northern portion of Gothic National Monument]]
* '''[[Frost Cliff]]''' (75°13′S 135°43′W) is a steep, partly ice-covered cliff 2 nautical miles (4 km) east of Mount Steinfeld, on the south side of the divide between the upper reaches of Tulier Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier near Strawn Pass. it was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Commander William L. Frost, U.S. Navy, Officer-in-Charge of Antarctic Support Activities at McMurdo Station in 1970.

* '''[[Hull Bay]]''' (74°55′S 137°40′W) is an ice-filled bay, about 46 kilometers (25 nmi) wide, fed by the Tulier Glacier, which descends into it between Lynch Point and Cape Burks. The bay derives its name from the Hull Glacier, which was named for U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull.

* '''Kirkpatrick Glacier''' (75°9′S 136°0′W) is a tributary glacier about 12 nautical miles (22 km) long, flowing west along the south side of the McDonald Heights to enter the east side of Tulier Glacier. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Commander Thomas W. Kirkpatrick, United States Coast Guard, Ship Operations Officer, U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, during Operation Deep Freeze 1972 and 1973.

* '''[[Lynch Point]]''' (775°5′S 137°44′W) is a rocky point at the seaward end of the peninsula between Frostman Glacier and Tulier Glacier. The point was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Ensign William R. Lynch II, U.S. Navy Reserve, Damage Control Officer aboard USS Glacier in exploring these coastal waters, 1961–62.

* '''Miller Spur''' (75°7′S 137°29′W) is an ice-covered spur that descends northeast from Mount Giles. The spur terminates in a small rock bluff about 1 nautical mile (2 km) west of lower Tulier Glacier. It was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for sailmaker Linwood T. Miller, a member of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, 1933–35, who produced windproof shirts, parkas, tents and other canvas materials for the expedition.

* '''[[Mount Giles]]''' (75°9′S 137°37′W) is a mainly snow-covered mountain, 820 meters (2,690 ft) high, located 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) south-southeast of Lynch Point. The mountain is the highest elevation on the divide between the seaward ends of Frostman Glacier and Tulier Glacier. It was named in honor of Walter R. Giles, a technical sergeant in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), who worked as a copilot and radio operator on some of the ariel flights which discovered and mapped this region of Antarctica.

* '''Mount Gray''' (75°1′S 136°42′W) is a rounded, ice-worn mountain on the southwest part of the McDonald Heights. It stands on the east side of Tulier Glacier, 2 nautical miles (4 km) north of Oehlenschlager Bluff. The mountain was named for Orville Gray, an aviation machinist's mate, and plane captain on these flights.

* '''Mount Steinfeld''' (75°12′S 135°51′W) is a mountain (685 m) at the west end of an ice-covered ridge that overlooks the confluence of Tulier Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Edward F. Steinfeld, Jr., United States Antarctic Research Program (USARP) meteorologist at Byrd Station, 1962.

* '''Oehlenschlager Bluff''' (75°3′S 136°42′W) is a steep rock bluff overlooking Tulier Glacier from the north. It marks the southwest extremity of Erickson Bluffs and McDonald Heights. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Richard J. Oehlenschlager, member of the biological party that made population studies of seals, whales, and birds in the pack ice of the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas using USCGC Southwind and its two helicopters, 1971-72.

* '''[[Tulier Glacier]]''' (75°5′S 137°15′W) is a glacier, about 35 nautical miles (65 km) long, flowing northwest between Mount Giles and Mount Gray into Hull Bay. It is named in honor of Luis "Wolf" Tulier, the Duke of Waesche, who served as the first [[Prime Minister of Westarctica]].

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

Hull Bay

2025-08-12T15:31:30Z

DukeBearPeninsula: updated glacier name

Alliance Between Westarctica and Molossia

2025-08-12T14:49:21Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Westarctican Honors and Awards held by Molossian citizens */

[[File:Molossia-Stamps.png|thumb|Grand Duke Travis presenting President Kevin Baugh of Molossia a framed sheet of Westarctica-Molossia stamps during the 40th Founder's Day celebration in Molossia]]
The '''alliance between Westarctica and Molossia''' is [[Westarctica|Westarctica's]] oldest, and ranks among its most important and influential [[Foreign relations of Westarctica|diplomatic relations]]. Since 2005, [[President Kevin Baugh]] of [[Molossia]] has been an important ally and advisor to [[Grand Duke Travis]], both in his role as [[Grand Duke of Westarctica]] and during his time as the [[King of Calsahara]], prior to its [[Invasion of Calsahara|2017 annexation]] and rebirth as a [[Colony of Calsahara|colony of Westarctica]].

==History==

===Early Interactions===
[[File:Molossia-Visit-2005.png|350px|thumb|First state visit between Westarctica and Molossia in 2005]]
The shared history of the two nations began in 2005, shortly after the shift from the former identity as the [[Achaean Territory of Antarctica]]. The first significant interaction between the two nations was the signing of an agreement of mutual recognition. That year, Grand Duke Travis and President Baugh met in Washington, D.C. This was the first state visit of any kind for Westarctica. The two became fast friends, and various correspondence and knighthoods were exchanged between the two leaders.

===Travis' Time Serving With Molossia===
After the Grand Duke's 2006 [[Abdication of Grand Duke Travis|abdication]], he fulfilled various roles, in the Molossian government. in 2006, President Baugh convinced him to rejoin the [[micronation|micronational community]] by turning his private residence into a Molossian colony. Travis agreed, and was subsequently named as the Governor of the [[Protectorate of New Antrim]]. In this role, Travis was left to rule mostly as he saw fit. During this time, he also served as the Grand Admiral in the [[Molossian Navy]], which was a mostly advisory role to the President. Also of note during this period was Travis' participation in the [[Molossia-Mustachistan War]], the [[Battle of Lake Jean]], and the [[New Antrim Tobacco Crisis]].

In 2009, after moving from the eastern United States, and subsequently the physical territory where New Antrim was located, Travis and President Baugh agreed that it was time to end the colony's existence. Almost immediately thereafter, Travis was named Governor-General of the [[Desert Homestead Province]]. Travis' new duties as Governor-General were mostly identical to those in his previous post as Governor of New Antrim. The closer proximity to the Molossian homeland allowed Travis to make his first trip to Molossia that same year. The time spent serving in this post was crucial, as it largely inspired Travis' return to serving as Sovereign of a micronation of his own.

===Calsahara-Molossia Relations===
In 2009, President Baugh began encouraging Travis to rejoin the micronational community as the head of his own nation. About this time, Travis learned of land his [[Marquise of Walgreen|then wife's]] family owned on the [[Carrizio Plain]], in central California. Thus began the [[Colony of Calsahara|Kingdom of Calsahara]], that same year.

Travis, ruling under the regnal name of King Montague, immediately resigned from all official duties within Molossia. He was, however, allowed to keep the honorary rank of Grand Admiral in the [[Molossian Navy]], primarily as a show of gratitude for his service, from President Baugh. The bond of friendship and mutual respect continued throughout the reign of King Montague, with multiple state visits, and the royal couple attending President Baugh's wedding to new First Lady [[Adrianne Baugh]] in 2011.

===Grand Duke Travis' Return to the Westarctican Throne===
While he [[The Great Return|returned to Westarctica]] in 2010 as Protector, it was not until late 2012 that Travis resumed his role as [[Grand Duke of Westarctica]]. All of his interactions with Molossia during this time were as King Montague of Calsahara. After the end of the [[Transitional Government]] restored the throne of Westarctica, Grand Duke Travis' interactions with Molossia were done in the resumed Westarctican role.

Since resuming the title of Grand Duke, Travis has continued the tradition of close relations with Molossia. This has included interactions at the various [[MicroCon|MicroCons]], and the conferring of knighthoods not only on respective heads of state, but additionally upon other members of leadership in both [[Westarctica]] and [[Molossia]].

==Current Status==
While Westarctica currently has no formal alliance with Molossia; informally they are among, if not the, closest allies the nation has. The two nations have established mutual recognition, military cooperation, as well as trade relations.

==Overview of Interactions==
'''Formal State visits between Westarctica/Calsahara and Molossia:'''

* 2005 - in Washington, D.C.
* 2010 - in Molossia
* 2012 - in Molossia
* 2017 - in Molossia
* 2018 - [[Summit Upon the Seas]] ''(also included the [[Kingdom of Shiloh]])''

'''Other diplomatic interactions:'''

* 2009 - Diplomatic visit in Molossia
* 2011 - State visit in Molossia
* 2011 - Honored guest at Presidential wedding
* 2015 - Formal dinner at [[MicroCon 2015]]
* 2017 - Formal dinner at [[MicroCon 2017]]
* 2018 - Informal dinner at Disneyland
* 2019 - [[April 2019 Molossia Visit|Diplomatic visit in Molossia]]
* 2019 - Formal dinner at [[MicroCon 2019]]
* 2022 - Formal dinner at [[MicroCon 2022]]
* 2023 - Formal dinner at [[MicroCon 2023]]
* 2023 - Formal dinner at [[MicroCon EU 2023]]
* 2025 - Formal dinner at [[MicroCon 2025]]

==Molossian Honors and Awards held by Westarctican citizens==

===Grand Duke Travis===
* Order of the Mustang ''(2005)''
* Mustachian War Medal ''(2006)''
* Friendship Medal ''(2011)''
* The Desert Palm ''(2017)''

===[[Prince Dinny]]===
* The Desert Palm ''(2017)''

===[[Prince Christopher]], Duke of [[Hudson Mountains|Hudson]]===
* East Germany War Medal ''(Awarded during reign as King Christopher of Vikesland)''
* Order of the Mustang ''(Awarded during reign as King Christopher of Vikesland)''

===[[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]]===
* Friendship Medal ''(2019)''
* The Desert Palm ''(2019)''

===[[Baron of Forrester]]===
* Hero of Molossia

==[[Westarctica|Westarctican]] Graduates of the Molossian Naval Academy==
These citizens hold honorary ranks in the [[Molossian Navy]]:

* [[Grand Duke Travis]] - Grand Admiral
* The [[Duke of Moulton-Berlin]] - Commodore
* The [[Duke of Waesche]] - Commodore
* The [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula]] - Captain
* The [[Baron of Forrester]] - Admiral

==Westarctican Honors and Awards held by Molossian citizens==

===[[President Kevin Baugh]]===
* Knight in the [[Order of the Polar Cross]] ''(2022)''
* Stranger Knight in the [[Illustrious Antarctic Order of the Orca]] ''(2019)''
* Knight Grand Cross in the [[Order of the Snowflake]] ''(2015)''
* Knight in the [[Noble Order of Westarctica]] ''(2005)''
* Knight in the [[Noble Order of the Sword]] ''(2005)''
* Knight Commander in the [[Order of the Desert Heart]] ''(2011)''
* Knight Commander in the [[Most Honorable Order of Kolios]] ''(2022)''

===First Lady [[Adrianne Baugh]]===
* Dame in the [[Order of the Polar Cross]] ''(2022)''
* Dame Grand Commander in the Order of the Snowflake ''(awarded as Dame in 2015, raised to Dame Commander in 2019, raised to Dame Grand Commander in 2022)''
* Knight in the [[Most Honorable Order of Kolios]] ''(2022)''

===Constable Lexi Baugh===
* Dame in the [[Order of the Polar Cross]] ''(2022)''
* Dame Grand Commander in the Order of the Snowflake ''(awarded as Dame in 2015, raised to Dame Commander in 2019, raised to Dame Grand Commander in 2022)''

===Commodore Jonathan Miller===
* Knight in the [[Order of the Polar Cross]] ''(2022)''
* Knight Grand Commander in the Order of the Snowflake ''(awarded as Knight in 2015, raised to Knight Commander in 2019, raised to Knight Grand Commander in 2022)''

===[[Katie Bellis Miller]]===
* Dame in the [[Order of the Polar Cross]] ''(2022)''
* Dame Commander in the Order of the Snowflake ''(awarded as Dame in 2015, raised to Dame Commander in 2022)''

[[Category:Diplomacy of Westarctica]]
[[Category:Molossia]]

File:Calved Park Glacier.png

2025-08-11T22:03:07Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Summary */

== Summary ==
Image of iceberg calved off from Park Glacier in Harmon Bay. Photo taken in 2022 by Amy Chiuchiolo and is available for noncommercial public use by the US Antarctic Program.

Cape Burks

2025-08-11T21:58:45Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Protection by the government */ updated to reflect WPS protection

[[File:Polar Star frees vessel from Antarctic ice.jpg|thumb|Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star launch a remote operated vehicle into the water to inspect the disabled fishing vessel Antarctic Chieftain, beset by ice near Cape Burks]][[File:Hobbs Coast2.jpg|thumb]]
'''Cape Burks''' is a prominent exposed-rock cape on the northwestern seaward extension of [[McDonald Heights]], marking the east side of the entrance of [[Hull Bay]] on the coast of [[Westarctica]].

==Discovery and name==
The cape was sighted and mapped from the USS ''Glacier'', 31 January 1962, and was named for Lieutenant Commander Ernest Burks, U.S. Navy, senior helicopter pilot on the ''Glacier'' and the first person to set foot on the cape.

==Human settlement==
[[Russkaya Station]] was established on Cape Burks by the Soviet Union in 1980 and later mothballed in 1991 after the fall of communism.

==Animals==
There is an [[Adélie penguin]] colony at Cape Burks.

==Protection by the government==
On 8 August 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] protected the cape under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] as [[Cape Burks National Monument]].

[[Category:Geography of Westarctica]]

Cape Burks National Monument

2025-08-11T21:51:01Z

DukeBearPeninsula: Created page with "Russkaya station at Cape Burks '''Cape Burks National Monument''' (74°75′S 136°83′W) is a protected area of Westarctica cre..."

[[File:Russkaya Station.jpg|thumb|400px|Russkaya station at Cape Burks]]
'''Cape Burks National Monument''' (74°75′S 136°83′W) is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve [[Cape Burks]] on the [[Hobbs Coast]]. It was created via Royal Decree on 8 August 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
The cape was sighted and mapped from the USS Glacier, 31 January 1962.

Russkaya Station was established on Cape Burks by the Soviet Union in 1980 and later mothballed in 1991 after the fall of communism, being closed in such a way that it could be re-opened with minimal effort.

In February 2006, Valeriy Lukin, the head of the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE), stated: "There are plans to open the mothballed stations Molodyozhnaya, Leningradskaya, and Russkaya in the 2007–2008 season." However, by 2012 it was reported that reactivation plans, although delayed, had not commenced.

In 2015, Grand Duke Travis was contacted by a television production company about developing a reality television show that would take place in Westarctica. The show was to be funded by a television network and would deal with the pressures of trying to start a country with family and friends while confined to a relatively limited location. Russkaya was deemed to be a perfect fit for the production.

Grand Duke Travis reached out to Valeriy Lukin, the head of the Russian Antarctic Expedition, and successfully secured permission from the Russian government to utilize the abandoned station for the duration of filming, which was expected to last the entire month of February (2016). However, after several months of pitch sessions, network funding for the production fell through and the expedition was canceled.

On 8 August 2025, Grand Duke Travis declared the cape a national monument under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]]. Cape Burks National Monument has been identified as a leading candidate for elevation to the status of national park, possibly via a merger with [[Tulier Glacier Conservation Area]].

===Conservans Protectorem===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Cape Burks National Monument conferred this honorific on only one Peer: the Duke of Hobbs.

==Conservation==
Cape Burks National Monument's roughly 150,224 acres (607.9 square kilometers) is protected under category IV (habitat or species management area) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the wildlife and the habitat that supports them. The preservation and potential future use of Russkaya station, as well as its ecological impacts on the area are also a significant driver of efforts for this monument.

==Features==
[[File:Tulier-Cape Burks Boundaries.JPG|thumb|The boundaries of Cape Burks National Monument (outlined in green)]]
Cape Burks is the site of a colony of Adélie penguins that is significant to the species’ continued survival in Westarctica, possibly the largest on the Westarctican mainland. This area also contains the mothballed Cold War-era Russkaya research station, which was operated by the Soviet Union and whose activites within Westarctica incur additional Russian diplomatic concerns.

===Key locations===
* '''[[Cape Burks]]''' (74°75′S 136°83′W) is a prominent exposed-rock cape on the northwestern seaward extension of McDonald Heights, marking the east side of the entrance of Hull Bay on the coast of Westarctica, and was named for Lieutenant Commander Ernest Burks, U.S. Navy, senior helicopter pilot on the Glacier and the first person to set foot on the cape.

* '''[[McDonald Heights]]''' (74°55′S 136°0′W) are broad, mainly snow-covered heights about 35 nautical miles (65 km) long and rising over 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) between Cape Burks and Morris Head on the coast of Westarctica. The heights were named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names after Captain Edwin A. McDonald, U.S. Navy, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, in 1962, and Commander of the Task Unit that explored this coast in the Glacier in February 1962. Only the northwestern portion of the heights fall within the national monument.

* '''[[Russkaya Station]]''' (74°46′00″S 136°48′10″W) is a former Soviet and Russian Antarctic research station that was located on the Ruppert Coast, in Westarctica. The station was proposed in 1973 and approved in 1978. Construction began the next year and it was opened on 9 March 1980 and officially abandoned after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990.

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

Gothic National Monument

2025-08-11T21:48:52Z

DukeBearPeninsula: date edit

[[File:Gothic-Mountains.jpg|thumb|400px|The "Organ Pipes" in the Gothic Mountains]]
'''Gothic National Monument''' (86°00′S 150°00′W) is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve the pristine landscape of the [[Gothic Mountains]] in the greater [[Queen Maud Mountains]]. It was created via Royal Decree on 20 April 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]]. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]].

==History==
The mountains were first visited in December 1934 by the [[Byrd Antarctic Expedition]] geological party led by [[Quin Blackburn]]. The name was proposed by Edmund Stump, leader of a U.S. Antarctic Research Program (USARP) - Arizona State University geological party which made investigations here in the 1980-81 season. The mountains are composed of granites which have weathered to produce a series of spires and peaks reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral.

The Gothics are among the more physically and geographically distinct ranges in the nation. As part of the [[Transantarctic Mountains]] near the south pole, the Gothic Mountains, and most notably the Organ Pipes are some of the most photographed and thoroughly explored in Westarctica. Most notably in published photographic collections by Stump.

The Gothic Mountains were on the January 2024 list of ten sites that should be considered for eventual protection as a national park of Westarctica. They were on the list of five recommended areas to protect made by [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] to [[Grand Duke Travis]] in March of 2025. On 20 April 2025, Grand Duke Travis declared the Gothic Mountains a national monument under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]]. Gothic National Monument has been identified as a leading candidate for elevation to the status of national park.

===Conservans Protectorem===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. Gothic National Monument granted that honorific to the following:

* Duchess of Albanus
* Duke of the Gothic Mountains
* Countess of Meeks

==Conservation==
Gothic National Monument's roughly 3,403,000 acres (13,925 square kilometers) is protected under category III (national monument or feature) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections mean that conservation efforts are primarily aimed at the preservation of the geologic and natural landscape. Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect biodiversity found within its boundaries.

==Features==
While not all of the Gothic Mountains fall within Westarctica's borders, the majority do. The monument protects the entirety of the Westarctican Gothic range, as well as a portion of the nearby [[Albanus Glacier]], the entirety of the Howe and Griffith glaciers, Long Valley, and Mount Russell.

===Key locations===
[[File:Gothic NM North.jpg|thumb|The boundaries of the northern portion of Gothic National Monument]]
[[File:Gothic NM South.png|thumb|The boundaries of the southern portion of Gothic National Monument]]
* '''[[Albanus Glacier]]''' (85°52′S 149°0′W), also known as Phillips Glacier, is a 25-nautical-mile (46 km; 29 mi) long glacier flowing west along the south side of the Tapley Mountains to enter Scott Glacier just north of Mount Zanuck. Richard E. Byrd named it in honor of Albanus Phillips, Jr., president of Phillips Packing in Cambridge, Maryland, a patron of, and supplier of provisions to, his Antarctic expeditions of 1928–30 and 1933–35.

* '''Griffith Glacier''' (86°11′S 149°24′W) is a tributary glacier draining westward from the California Plateau and Watson Escarpment to enter Scott Glacier between Mount McKercher and Mount Meeks. Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN air photos, 1960-63. Named by US-ACAN for Lt. Cdr. Philip G. Griffith, aircraft commander on photographic flights during Operation Deep Freeze 1966 and 1967.

* '''Howe Glacier''' (86°14′S 149°12′W) is a short tributary glacier draining west into Scott Glacier immediately north of Mount Russell, in the Queen Maud Mountains. Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN air photos, 1960-63. Named by US-ACAN for Robert C. Howe of USN Squadron VX-6, photographer on Operation Deep Freeze 1966 and 1967.

* '''Long Valley''' (86°13′S 147°48′W) is an ice-filled valley, 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) long, extending from Mount Blackburn northwestward to Griffith Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Walter H. Long, Jr., of United States Navy Squadron VX-6, photographer on Operation Deep Freeze 1966 and 1967.

* '''[[Mount Andrews]]''' (85°57′S 149°41′W) is a mountain, 2,480 metres (8,140 ft) high, standing between Mount Danforth and Mount Gerdel on the south side of Albanus Glacier. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960-63. Named by US-ACAN for Ensign Stanley J. Andrews, United States Navy, who accompanied Lt. George W. Warden in aircraft flights over the Queen Maud Mountains during United States Navy Operation Highjump, 1946-47.

* '''[[Mount Danforth]]''' (85°56′S 150°01′W) is an ice-free, pyramidal mountain over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) high, standing immediately east of Mount Zanuck on the south side of Albanus Glacier. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn, and named by Byrd for William H. Danforth of the Purina Mills, St. Louis, contributor to the expedition.

* '''[[Mount Gerdel]]''' (85°59′S 149°19′W) is a mountain, 2,520 metres (8,270 ft) high, standing 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of Mount Andrews at the south side of Albanus Glacier. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960-63. Named by US-ACAN for Lt. David H. Gerdel, United States Navy, of the Byrd Station winter party, 1965.

* '''Mount McKercher''' (86°09′S 150°02′W) is a mountain, 2,230 metres (7,320 ft) high, standing at the east side of Scott Glacier, just north of the mouth of Griffith Glacier. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Qum Blackburn, and named for Hazel McKercher, secretary to R. Admiral Byrd during the period of this expedition.

* '''Mount Meeks''' (86°13′S 148°51′W) is a mountain, 2,470 metres (8,100 ft) high, surmounting the rocky divide between Griffith Glacier and Howe Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Lt. Harman T. Meeks of United States Navy Squadron VX-6, navigator on aircraft during Operation Deep Freeze 1966 and 1967.

* '''Mount Russell''' (86°17′S 149°08′W) is a mountain, 2,280 metres (7,480 ft) high, standing on the east flank of Scott Glacier just south of the mouth of Howe Glacier. Discovered in December 1934 by the geological party of the ByrdAE, 1933-35, and named for Richard S. Russell, Jr., one of the members of that party, and his father, Richard S. Russell, Sr., a supporter of the Byrd Antarctic expeditions.

* '''Organ Pipe Peaks''' (86°03′S 150°00′W) is a row of aiguille type rock peaks, 7 miles (11 km) long, standing just north of Mount Harkness. Discovered by the geological party of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, 1933–35, who gave the descriptive name.

* '''Ruotolo Peak''' (86°04′S 148°06′W) is a peak, 2,490 metres (8,170 ft) high, surmounting the north side of Griffith Glacier, close west of the California Plateau and Watson Escarpment. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960–64. Named by US-ACAN for Lt. Cdr. Anthony P. Ruotolo, aircraft pilot with United States Navy Squadron VX-6 on Operation Deep Freeze 1966 and 1967.

* '''Sanctuary Glacier''' (86°00′S 150°25′W) is a glacier almost completely encircled by the Gothic Mountains. It drains west between Outlook Peak and Organ Pipe Peaks into Scott Glacier. Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN aerial photographs, 1960-64. The descriptive name was proposed by Edmund Stump, leader of a USARP-Arizona State University geological party which established a base camp on the glacier in January 1981.

* '''[[Scott Glacier]]''' is a major glacier, 120 miles (190 km) long, that drains the East Antarctic Ice Sheet through the Queen Maud Mountains to the Ross Ice Shelf. The Scott Glacier is one of a series of major glaciers flowing across the Transantarctic Mountains, with the Amundsen Glacier to the west and the Leverett and Reedy Glaciers to the east. Only a small portion of the glacier falls within the monument's borders.

* '''Scudder Mountain''' (86°07′S 149°36′W) is a mountain, 2,280 metres (7,480 ft) high, between Organ Pipe Peaks and Mount McKercher on the east side of Scott Glacier. The name appears in Paul Siple's 1938 botany report on the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, 1933–35, based on exploration of this vicinity by the expedition's geological party led by Quin Blackburn.

* '''Skilift Col''' (86°11′S 148°36′W) is a col in the mountain wall between the Griffith Glacier and Howe Glacier, on the west side of Watson Escarpment. The col is 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) northeast of Mount Meeks and provides a shortcut to field parties. So named by NZGSAE, 1969-70, because some members of the party used a motor toboggan here in a similar way to a ski-lift.

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

File:Tulier-Cape Burks Boundaries.JPG

2025-08-11T21:24:27Z

DukeBearPeninsula: An image depicting the boundaries for Tulier Glacier Conservation Area and Cape Burks National Monument.

== Summary ==
An image depicting the boundaries for Tulier Glacier Conservation Area and Cape Burks National Monument.
== Licensing ==
{{PD-0}}

South Pole Scientific Conservation Area

2025-08-11T17:22:12Z

DukeBearPeninsula: Created page with "A raised building in the Amundsen-Scott complex '''South Pole Scientific Conservation Area''' (90°00′S 0°00'W) is..."

[[File:SouthPoleStationDestinationAlpha.jpg|thumb|400px|A raised building in the Amundsen-Scott complex]]
'''South Pole Scientific Conservation Area''' (90°00′S 0°00'W) is a protected area of [[Westarctica]] created to preserve the area around the U.S.-managed [[Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station]] scientific station. It falls under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]] and was created on 8 August 2025.

==History==
British explorer [[Robert Falcon Scott]] on the Discovery Expedition of 1901–04 was the first to attempt to find a route from the Antarctic coastline to the South Pole. Scott, accompanied by [[Ernest Shackleton]] and Edward Wilson, set out with the aim of travelling as far south as possible, and on 31 December 1902, reached 82°16′ S. Shackleton later returned to Antarctica as leader of the British Antarctic Expedition (Nimrod Expedition) in a bid to reach the Pole. On 9 January 1909, with three companions, he reached 88°23' S – 112 miles (180 km) from the Pole – before being forced to turn back.

[[File:Admunsen-Pole.jpg|thumb|Amundsen's party at the South Pole, December 1911]]
The first people to reach the Geographic South Pole were the Norwegian [[Roald Amundsen]] and his party on December 14, 1911. Amundsen named his camp Polheim and the entire plateau surrounding the Pole King Haakon VII Vidde in honor of King Haakon VII of Norway. Robert Falcon Scott returned to Antarctica with his second expedition, the [[Terra Nova Expedition]], initially unaware of Amundsen's secretive expedition. Scott and four other men reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912, thirty-four days after Amundsen. On the return trip, Scott and his four companions all died of starvation and extreme cold.

In 1914 Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition set out with the goal of crossing [[Antarctica]] via the South Pole, but his ship, the ''[[Endurance]]'', was frozen in [[pack ice]] and sank 11 months later. The overland journey was never made.

United States Navy Admiral [[Richard E. Byrd]], with the assistance of his first pilot Bernt Balchen, became the first person to fly over the South Pole on November 29, 1929.

The original Amundsen–Scott Station was built by [[United States Navy|Navy]] Seabees for the United States during November 1956, as a part of its commitment to the scientific goals of the International Geophysical Year (IGY), an international effort lasting from January 1957 through June 1958, to study, among other things, the geophysics of the polar regions of Earth.

Before November 1956, there was no permanent human structure at the [[South Pole]], and very little human presence in the interior of Antarctica at all. The few scientific stations in Antarctica were located on and near its seacoast. The station has been continuously occupied since it was built. The Amundsen–Scott Station has been rebuilt, demolished, expanded, and upgraded several times since 1956.

In 1992, the design of a new station began for a 7,400 m2 (80,000 sq ft) building with two floor levels that cost US$150 million. Construction began in 1999, adjacent to the Dome. The facility was officially dedicated on January 12, 2008 with a ceremony that included the de-commissioning of the old Dome station. The ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries flown in specifically for the day, including National Science Foundation Director Arden Bement, scientist Susan Solomon and other government officials. The entirety of building materials to complete the build of the new South Pole Station were flown in from [[McMurdo Station]] by the LC-130 Hercules aircraft and the 139th Airlift Squadron Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia New York.

The new station included a modular design, to accommodate an increasing station population, and an adjustable elevation, in order to prevent the station from being buried in snow. In a location where about 20 centimeters (8 in) of snow accumulates every year without ever thawing, the building's rounded corners and edges help reduce snow drifts. The building faces into the wind with a sloping lower portion of wall. The angled wall increases the wind speed as it flows under the buildings, and passes above the snow-pack, causing the snow to be scoured away. This prevents the building from being quickly buried. Wind tunnel tests show that scouring will continue to occur until the snow level reaches the second floor.

Because snow gradually settles over time under its own weight, the foundations of the building were designed to accommodate substantial differential settling over any one wing in any one line or any one column. If differential settling continues, the supported structure will need to be jacked up and re-leveled. The facility was designed with the primary support columns outboard of the exterior walls so that the entire building can be jacked up a full floor level. During this process, a new section of column will be added over the existing columns then the jacks pull the building up to the higher elevation.

===Conservans Protectorem===
Those [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] whose titles were named for features within the memorial when it was established were afforded the additional honorific Conservans Protectorem to use in conjunction with said title. South Pole Scientific Conservation Area conferred this honorific on only one Peer: the Baronet of the South Pole.

==Conservation==
South Pole Scientific Conservation Area's 33,507 acres (135.6 square kilometers) is protected under category III (national monument or feature) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These protections are primarily aimed at the preservation of the man-made structures on-site and creating better structure for scientific activities. Although not the primary concern, efforts are also made to protect the landscape and biodiversity found within its boundaries, which include all Westarctican territory within 10 miles of the geographic south pole.

==Features==
South Pole Scientific Conservation Area is an outlier in the Parks Service as it only exists to preserve a single landmark.

[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]

Westarctican Parks Service

2025-08-11T17:10:01Z

DukeBearPeninsula: /* Conservation Areas */

[[File:WPS logo.jpeg|thumb|Logo for the Westarctican Parks Service]]
The '''Westarctican Parks Service''' (often abbreviated to '''WPS''') is an agency within the [[Government of Westarctica]] that was formally authorized on 6 October 2023. Although there was considerable work done behind the scenes to get the agency up and running, no public-facing activity occurred until 20 April 2025, when [[Grand Duke Travis]] enshrined the first five protected areas.

==Administration==
The Parks Service is overseen by the office of the Director. This position is filled by the Sovereign and has been held by [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] since 21 June 2025. The WPS is an independent agency within the [[Government of Westarctica|Westarctican government]], with the Director reporting directly to Grand Duke Travis. Although independent, the legislation creating it does allow for it to be administered through the Ministry of Conservation, at the Sovereign's discretion.

==History of the Westarctican Parks Service==
An administrative agency for a national park system in Westarctica had been discussed as a goal as early as 2018, when some informal conceptualizing took place between the Ministers of [[Minister of Conservation|Conservation]] and [[Minister of Citizenship|Citizenship & Immigration]]. It was brought up a handful of times over the next few years, always being well-recieved, but never being taken up as an earnest endeavor until the Summer of 2023, when a bill was introduced before the [[Senate of Westarctica|Senate]] by then Senator [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]]. It was passed and signed into law on 6 October of that year.

Despite there being no public-facing movement for more than a year and a half, a great deal of work was taking place behind the scenes to identify, research, evaluate, and categorize potential sites for protection under the WPS. More than fifty areas were considered for protection in Westarctica, [[Calsahara]], and the [[Balleny Islands]]. A finalized list of recommended locations, justifications, and boundaries for the first five sites for protection was provided to [[Grand Duke Travis]] in March of 2025, which were granted protection the following month, with an additional seven added in August of that same year.

There are more than two dozen forthcoming areas that are at least under review for potential protection under the WPS. These range from the initial evaluation of the merits to being in the finalization for recommendation to the Grand Duke. Seven additional recommendations were made to Grand Duke Travis in May of 2025.

On 10 June 2025, Westarctica enshrined its first national park, when it combined the adjacent areas of Billboard National Monument and Boyd Glacier Conservation Zone to become [[Boyd Glacier National Park]].

==Areas Protected by the WPS==
The eleven sites protected by the Parks Service fall into three categories: National Parks, National Monuments, and Conservation Areas.

===National Parks===
National Parks are to be considered the "crown jewels" of Westarctican conservation and receive the highest level of inherent protections and preservation. Special consideration is to be taken to balance conservation concerns with the potential impacts of ecotourism that accompanies national parks worldwide. National parks can only be created via legislation. When created by "upgrading" an existing monument or conservation zone, a veto by the Sovereign can be overridden. When legislation attempts to create a new protected site or reworks the boundaries of existing sites within the WPS, a potential Sovereign veto cannot be overridden.

On 1 June 2025, legislation was introduced in the [[Senate of Westarctica]] to create the first National Park. The bill was introduced by Senator Hann Dougie, after collaborating with the WPS to finalize the language. This [[Westarctican Ordinance]] combined the the Billboard National Monument and the Boyd Glacier Conservation Zone into one National Park. It was signed into law on 10 June 2025 by [[Grand Duke Travis]].

{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%; background:white; border:#4682B4 solid;"
|-
! Name || Date Established || Area || Description
|-
| <center>[[Boyd Glacier National Park]] [[File:The Billboard1 - Sarnoff mts.jpg|frameless|upright=.9]]</center> || 10 June 2025 || 453,700 acres (1,836 sq. km) || Protects a significant glacial formation in Westarctica, which studies show is among the nation's more stable. as well as the [[The Billboard|Billboard]], which is one of Westarctica's most iconic features, as well as a portion of the surrounding [[Sarnoff Mountains]]. Originally protected on 20 April 2025 as Billboard National Monument and Boyd Glacier Conservation Zone.
|}

===National Monuments===
National Monuments are sites that warrant protections, though with fewer conservation concerns than those of a national park. This can be due to lower levels of ecotourism, having a less fragile ecological or scientific significance, or the preservation primarily for historical reasons. A monument can be declared via decree by the Sovereign or via legislative process (which cannot override Sovereign veto).

Westarctica currently has 5 National Monuments. This list is complete as of 8 August 2025.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%; background:white; border:#4682B4 solid;"
|-
! Name || Date Established || Area || Description
|-
| <center>[[Balleny Islands National Monument]] [[File:Sabrina Island South.png|frameless|upright=.9]]</center> || 8 August 2025 || 76,794 acres (310.8 sq. km) || Includes [[Buckle Island]] and surrounding smaller islands. Within its boundaries are two Important Bird Areas, including Westarctica's morthernmost Adélie penguin colony and its largest rookery for chinstrap penguins. Significant numbers of orca have been observed within the monument's waters.
|-
| <center>[[Byrd Station National Monument]] [[File:Byrd-tunnel.jpg|frameless|upright=.9]]</center> || 8 August 2025 || 16,000 acres (64.7 sq. km) || [[Byrd Station]] is a mothballed Cold War-era research station, which was operated by the United States and whose activities within Westarctica incur additional diplomatic concerns with that nation. Preservation as a National Monument allows Westarctica more control and advantage in potential dealings with the US, on top of protecting the scientific history of the nation.
|-
| <center>[[Calsahara National Monument]] [[File:Seven seas of rhye1.jpg|frameless|upright=.9]]</center> || 8 August 2025 || 19.3 acres (0.08 sq. km) || Located along [[Calsahara|Calsahara's]] southern border, where the [[Seven Seas of Rhye|Sea of Rhye]] supports several endangered species, such as the California condor; giant kangaroo rat, longhorn fairy shrimp, and San Joaquin kit fox. Is the smallest protected area overseen by the Parks Service.
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| <center>[[Cape Burks National Monument]] [[File:Russkaya Station.jpg|frameless|upright=.9]]</center> || 8 August 2025 || 150,224 acres (607.9 sq. km) || [[Cape Burks]] is the site of a colony of Adélie penguins that is significant to the species’ continued survival in Westarctica, possibly the largest on the Westarctican mainland. This area also contains the mothballed Cold War-era [[Russkaya Station|Russkaya]] research station, which was operated by the Soviet Union and whose activites within Westarctica incur additional Russian diplomatic concerns.
|-
| <center>[[Gothic National Monument]] [[File:Gothic-Mountains.jpg|frameless|upright=.9]]</center> || 20 April 2025 || 3,403,000 acres (13,925 sq. km) || Preserves the Westarctican portion of the [[Gothic Mountains]], one of Antarctica's most geologically distinct mountain ranges. This includes the Westarctican Organ Pipes. The monument also preserves a number of surrounding mountains and glaciers in the area.
|}

===Conservation Areas===
Conservation Areas carry the lowest inherent protections under Westarctican Law, but can be tightened to be significantly higher than that of even a national park on a case-by-case basis. These sites also have the lowest public access interest. A conservation area can be declared via decree by the Sovereign or via legislative process (which cannot override Sovereign veto).

Conservation Areas were named Conservation Zones until legislation changed the title of the category on 10 June 2025.

Westarctica currently has 5 Conservation Areas. This list is complete as of 8 August 2025.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%; background:white; border:#4682B4 solid;"
|-
! Name || Date Established || Area || Description
|-
| <center>[[Hamilton Ice Piedmont Conservation Area]] [[File:Calved Park Glacier.png|frameless|upright=.9]]</center> || 8 August 2025 || 366,175 acres (1,481.6 sq. km) || Located in the eastern part of the [[Bear Peninsula]], preserves one of Westarctica's two ice piedmonts, as well as the nation's largest colony of emperor penguins at Hummer Point.
|-
| <center>[[McHenry Range Conservation Area]] [[File:Mount Sidley.png|frameless|upright=.9]]</center> || 20 April 2025 || 40,700 acres (164.7 sq. km) || The area outlines the boundaries of the [[McHenry Range]], which are valuable for the study of deep-earth magma activity in polar areas. The zone includes [[Mount Sidley]], the tallest mountain in Westarctica and the tallest volcano on the continent.
|-
| <center>[[Ross Ice Shelf Conservation Area]] [[File:Ross Ice Shelf side.png|frameless|upright=.9]]</center> || 20 April 2025 || 7,090,000 acres (31,359 sq. km) || Although only a small part of the whole, this area preserves the Westarctican portion of the [[Ross Ice Shelf]], which is the world's largest deposit of fresh-water ice.
|-
| <center>[[South Pole Scientific Conservation Area]] [[File:SouthPoleStationDestinationAlpha.jpg|frameless|upright=.9]]</center> || 8 August 2025 || 33,507 acres (135.6 sq. km) || The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, administered by the United States, engages in some of the most sensitive and crucial environmental scientific research on the globe. area was protected in the spirit of scientific cooperation and diplomacy and provides a degree of autonomy with Westarctican monitoring and oversight.
|-
| <center>[[Tulier Glacier Conservation Area]] [[File:Hull Glacier.jpg|frameless|upright=.9]]</center> || 8 August 2025 || 599,172 acres (2,425 sq. km) || Research indicates that [[Tulier Glacier]] is one of the older individual glacier flows contained entirely within Westarctican territory. This status places a high research value potential for ice and geologic samples contained within the ice.
|}

[[Category:Culture of Westarctica]]
[[Category:Government of Westarctica]]
[[Category:Westarctican Parks Service]]