Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge

Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge is a vast protected area in western Alaska that encompasses the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and adjacent coastal and riverine habitats. The refuge covers an expansive area of wetlands, tundra and river channels that support huge numbers of migratory waterbirds and important subsistence resources.

The refuge is internationally significant for breeding and staging waterfowl and shorebirds, and it also supports fish, marine mammals and terrestrial mammals important to local communities. Management focuses on habitat protection across a mosaic of tidal flats, marshes and freshwater wetlands.

The refuge occupies the lowland delta region where the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers enter the Bering Sea in western Alaska; access to most areas is by small aircraft, boat or seasonal ice travel, and nearby regional hubs include Bethel and other river communities.

• Size and importance: The refuge covers over 19 million acres, making it one of the largest wildlife refuges in the United States and a globally important area for migratory birds.
• Access and logistics: Access is remote and season-dependent; most travel into the refuge is by small aircraft or boat and local villages rely on subsistence activities within the refuge.

What to See #

• Delta wetlands: Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta wetlands - Extensive tidal flats, marshes and river mouths that provide breeding habitat for millions of waterbirds each year.
• Coastal islands and marine areas: Coastal barrier islands and haul-out sites - Numerous barrier islands and nearshore areas support marine mammals and are important for subsistence use by local communities.