Saint Lazaria Wilderness facts for kids
The Saint Lazaria Wilderness, also known as St. Lazaria Island, is a special place for birds. It's located about 20 miles (32 km) west of Sitka, Alaska in the Sitka Sound. This island is part of the huge Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. In the Tlingit language, the island's name is Kanasx'ée.
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Island Features
St. Lazaria is a very rugged island. It's hard to get to, but its location facing the Pacific Ocean is perfect for birds. The island is likely a volcanic plug. This means it's what's left of an old, worn-down volcano. So, St. Lazaria might be an older relative of Mount Edgecumbe on nearby Kruzof Island.
The island has a low, broken surface because of its volcanic past. Its highest point is about 160 feet (49 meters) above the sea. There are two small peaks on the island. A low, treeless area connects them. Sometimes, big waves can cover this connecting part during storms or high tides. The island also has many cliffs that can be up to 90 feet (27 meters) tall. These cliffs drop straight into the ocean. There are also sea-level caves. On a calm day, brave people can explore these caves in small boats.
Protecting the Island
St. Lazaria Island is one of 2,500 islands in Alaska that make up the Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge. It was first set aside as a "refuge for seabirds" in 1909. This means it was protected for birds. In 1970, the island officially became a wilderness area. Then, in 1980, it joined the larger Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
Amazing Birds of St. Lazaria
Almost all the animals on St. Lazaria are birds! This island is home to many different kinds of seabirds.
- About 250,000 pairs of fork-tailed storm-petrels and Leach's storm-petrels nest here.
- There are 4,000 to 5,000 common and thick-billed murres.
- Around 1,500 to 2,000 pairs of tufted puffins call this island home.
- About 1,000 pairs of rhinoceros auklets also nest here.
Other bird species that live on the island include:
- pigeon guillemots
- glaucous-winged gulls
- ancient murrelets
- Cassin's auklets
- bald eagles
- peregrine falcons
- black oystercatchers
In some nesting spots, there can be as many as 7,000 birds per acre! The only trees on the island are Sitka Spruce. They grow on the highest parts of the island.
Visiting the Island
Many people from Sitka enjoy taking a boat trip to St. Lazaria for the day. Fishermen in the area also like to cruise around the island. It's important to know that people are not supposed to walk on St. Lazaria Island. Only scientists with special permission can go ashore. This is because almost every part of the ground has burrows where birds nest. Walking on the island could easily crush, disturb, or destroy these nests.
However, over 2,000 people visit the island by boat each year. They circle around the volcanic island, admiring its birds, tall cliffs, cool caves, and other unique landforms. Both small and large tour companies offer trips to St. Lazaria. This makes it a popular and well-known tourist spot near Sitka.
Images for kids
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Ochre Sea Star
