Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Interior Alaska, United States |
| Nearest city | Fort Yukon, Alaska |
| Area | 8,634,512 acres (34,942.63 km2) |
| Established | December 2, 1980 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Yukon Flats NWR |
The Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge is a special protected area in Alaska, United States. It is a huge wetland area. This refuge covers most of the Yukon Flats. This flat land is where the Yukon River, Porcupine River, and Chandalar River meet.
This area is very important for waterfowl, which are birds that live near water. Many birds come here to breed and raise their young. There was once a plan to build a dam on the Yukon River. This dam would have flooded the entire Yukon Flats. However, the plan was stopped. People decided the Yukon Flats needed to be protected.
On December 1, 1978, US President Jimmy Carter declared the Yukon Flats a National Monument. He used a law called the Antiquities Act of 1906 to do this. Later, on December 2, 1980, a new law was passed. It was called the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. This law changed the boundaries of the area. It also changed its status to a wildlife refuge.
The Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge is the third-largest National Wildlife Refuge in the United States. However, it is less than half the size of the two biggest refuges. These are the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is managed from offices located in Fairbanks.
Contents
What Animals Live in Yukon Flats?
This refuge is home to many different kinds of animals. You can find both birds and mammals here. It is a great place to see wildlife.
Mammals of the Refuge
Many mammals live in the Yukon Flats. Some of these include the Arctic fox and moose. You might also see black bears and brown bears. Wolf packs roam the area. Other mammals are the porcupine and river otter. You can also find red fox and Dall sheep. Smaller animals like muskrat, coyote, Canadian lynx, beaver, mink, and wolverine live here too. The caribou herds also pass through this refuge.
Birds of the Refuge
The refuge is a key breeding ground for birds. You can spot impressive birds like the bald eagle and golden eagle. There are also four different types of falcon. Six species of owl make their homes in the Yukon Flats. Many other waterfowl and bird species use this area.
Images for kids
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Aspen trees growing in the refuge.
