Izembek Wilderness – Image Gallery
Izembek Wilderness
The Izembek Wilderness is a remote and pristine wilderness area in Alaska known for its diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife.
Details
Izembek Wilderness
The Izembek Wilderness is a remote and pristine area located in southwestern Alaska, near the tip of the Alaska Peninsula. It covers approximately 315,000 acres and is known for its diverse and unique ecosystem. One of the most prominent features of the Izembek Wilderness is the Izembek Lagoon, a large coastal lagoon that provides crucial habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. The lagoon is home to numerous species of waterfowl, including the Pacific black brant, which relies on the area as a critical stopover during its annual migration. The lagoon also supports a population of threatened Steller's eiders, as well as other seabirds, marine mammals, and fish. The wilderness area is characterized by a mosaic of habitats, including tidal marshes, coastal dunes, and tundra. It is also home to the largest eelgrass bed in the Northern Hemisphere, which provides important feeding grounds for waterfowl and fish. The Izembek Wilderness is considered one of the most ecologically significant areas in Alaska, and it was designated as a wilderness area in 1980 to protect its natural values. The area is also part of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1960 to protect the diverse wildlife and habitats found in the region. In addition to its ecological significance, the Izembek Wilderness is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to experience the remote beauty of Alaska. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and kayaking. The area is accessible by boat or small plane, and there are no developed facilities or roads within the wilderness boundaries, allowing visitors to truly experience the untouched wilderness of Alaska.Izembek Wilderness
Points of Interest
Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
The Izembek National Wildlife Refuge is a vast wilderness area located in the southwestern corner of Alaska. It is known for its diverse wildlife, including brown bears, caribou, and migratory birds. The refuge is also home to the Izembek Lagoon, a critical habitat for waterfowl and other bird species. Visitors to the refuge can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, and fishing in this remote and pristine wilderness area.
Izembek Lagoon
The Izembek Lagoon is a unique coastal wetland area within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. It is a critical habitat for a variety of bird species, including thousands of migratory waterfowl each year. The lagoon is also home to a diverse array of marine life, making it a popular spot for wildlife viewing and photography. Visitors can explore the lagoon by boat or kayak, or simply enjoy the stunning views from the shore.
Cape Seniavin
Cape Seniavin is a rugged headland located at the southern tip of the Izembek Wilderness. It offers spectacular views of the Bering Sea and the surrounding wilderness area. Visitors can hike along the cliffs, explore tide pools, and watch for whales and other marine life in the waters below. Cape Seniavin is a popular spot for birdwatching, with seabirds such as puffins and cormorants nesting on the cliffs.
Walrus Islands State Game Sanctuary
The Walrus Islands State Game Sanctuary is a protected area within the Izembek Wilderness that is home to a large population of Pacific walruses. Visitors can observe these massive marine mammals from a safe distance on boat tours or from viewing platforms on nearby islands. The sanctuary is also home to a variety of seabirds, seals, and sea lions, making it a popular spot for wildlife enthusiasts.
Izembek Wilderness – Images
Description: 210716 Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
Image by James Brooks from Juneau, Alaska – CC BY 2.0 – Wikimedia
Description: Izembek National Wildlife Refuge lies between the highly productive waters of the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. Within the heart of the Refuge is Izembek Lagoon, a 30-mile long and 5-mile wide coastal ecosystem that contains one of the world's largest eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds. More than 200 species of wildlife and nine species of fish can be found on the Refuge. Millions of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds find food and shelter in the coastal lagoons and freshwater wetlands on their way to and from their subarctic and arctic breeding grounds. This extraordinary abundance and diversity of waterfowl has attracted international attention. In 1986, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Izembek State Game Refuge, which encompasses the submerged land of Izembek Lagoon, was the first wetland area in the United States to be recognized as a Wetland of International Importance by the RAMSAR Convention. In 2001, Izembek Refuge was also designated as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy.
Image by US Fish and Wildlife Service – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Hunters at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Image by Ryan Hagerty – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Photo: Corey A. Anco, USFWS 2011 Wilderness Fellow
Image by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: View from Izembek Lagoon to Cold Bay, Izembek Wilderness, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge Photo by Kristine Sowl, USFWS, Public Domain
Image by Alaska Region U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from Anchorage, United States – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: View from Izembek Lagoon to Cold Bay, Izembek Wilderness, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge Photo by Kristine Sowl, USFWS, Public Domain
Image by Alaska Region U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from Anchorage, United States – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Image by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Hunters at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, AK. Credit: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS
Image by Ryan Hagerty – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Joshua Green River Valley in the Izembek Wilderness within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA.
Image by USFWS – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Map of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Image by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Public domain – Wikimedia
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