Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to celebrate 50th anniversary as America’s symbolic landscape
Last updated 7/31/2009 12:20:53 PM
Conservationist at work. Photo © USFWS
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is planning the celebration of its 50th anniversary throughout 2010 and 2011 as North America’s symbolic landscape of beauty and unique ecosystems.
The tundra area that was once described as “The Last Great Wilderness” covers 8.9 million acres of coastal plain and mountains of northeast Alaska.
It was created in 1960 for the purpose of preserving its rare wildlife, wilderness and recreational values.
Now it is home to species such as caribous, wolves, polar bears, muskoxen, grizzly bears, snow geese, peregrine falcons and other migratory birds.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge inspiring initiative, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has successfully placed Alaska on the map as a peaceful haven for nature visitors.