Arctic National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids

Dall sheep in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a huge protected area in northeastern Alaska. It was created to keep the area's amazing wildlife and natural wilderness safe. This refuge is home to many animals, including polar bears, grizzly bears, grey wolves, and caribou.

Many types of fish also live here, like Dolly Varden, Arctic char, Lake trout, and several kinds of salmon. At least 194 different bird species either visit or live in ANWR. The refuge is incredibly large, covering over 19 million acres. That's bigger than many countries!

Underneath parts of ANWR, there are large amounts of oil. This is one of the last big oil reserves in the United States. For many years, there have been big debates about whether to allow oil drilling in this special place.

Why is ANWR Important?

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a vital habitat for many animals. It protects a unique part of the Arctic ecosystem.

Home to Many Animals

• Mammals: Besides bears, wolves, and caribou, you can find muskoxen, moose, Arctic foxes, and wolverines.
• Birds: Many birds travel thousands of miles to nest and raise their young here. These include snow geese, tundra swans, and various shorebirds.
• Fish: The refuge's rivers and lakes are important for fish that are a food source for other wildlife.

A Special Wilderness Area

ANWR is one of the largest untouched wilderness areas left in the world. It offers a chance to experience nature as it has been for thousands of years. This helps protect the natural balance of the environment.

The Debate Over Oil Drilling

For a long time, people have argued about whether to drill for oil in ANWR. This is a complex issue with strong opinions on both sides.

Arguments for Drilling

Some people believe that drilling for oil in ANWR is a good idea.

• Energy Independence: They argue that getting oil from ANWR would make the U.S. less dependent on oil from other countries. In the 1990s, the U.S. imported more than half of its oil.
• Economic Benefits: Drilling could create jobs and bring money to the state of Alaska.
• Existing Infrastructure: ANWR is close to the Prudhoe Bay Oil Field, which already has oil drilling operations. This might make it easier to set up new drilling.

Arguments Against Drilling

Others strongly oppose oil drilling in ANWR.

• Protecting Wildlife: The area proposed for drilling is a very important place for the Porcupine caribou herd. It's where they go to have their babies, called "calving grounds." Drilling could disturb these animals and their migration paths.
• Fragile Environment: The Arctic environment is very sensitive. Even small changes can have big impacts. Oil spills or other pollution could cause lasting damage to the land, water, and wildlife.
• Wilderness Preservation: Many believe that this unique wilderness should remain untouched for future generations. They argue that its natural beauty and ecological value are more important than the oil it contains.

Images for kids

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  Natural-color satellite image of the refuge. Thick white lines delineate refuge boundaries, and thin white lines separate areas within the park.

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  Two Polar Bears

See also

In Spanish: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre del Ártico para niños