National Wildlife Refuge week helps people connect with nature by recognizing lands that have been set a side for animal protection.  In 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt designated the three-acre island in Florida as the nation’s first Wildlife Refuge. There are now 550 Wildlife Refuges nationwide here in the United States.  The National Wildlife Refuge Week is celebrated in Alaska on the 11th through the 17th of October.

There are currently 16 National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska.  The two closest National Wildlife refuges to us are Becharof National Wildlife Refuge and Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge.  Becharof Lake is 35 miles long, 15 miles wide, and up to 600 feet deep.  It is the second largest lake in Alaska.  The Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge has a landscape made up of active volcanoes.  The volcanoes are towering mountain peaks that have rolling tundra and wave battered coastlines.    

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the most well known, is home to arctic fox and caribou.  It is the most important on shore habitat for America’s polar bear.  Every year millions of birds go to this beautiful place to hatch their young.

In the fall leaves change color, song birds migrate.  Ducks and geese noisily go south for the winter.  What better place to view the seasoned highlights but at a National Wildlife Refuge?

by Lukas Zackar - 7th Grade