Aleutian Islands Biosphere Reserve and National Wildlife Refuge

The Aleutian Islands Biosphere Reserve and National Wildlife Refuge features some of the most isolated scenery in the world.

The islands, covering 1.3 million acres, rise from the sea to form the remnant of a natural land bridge between North America and Asia.

The number of marine birds and mammals is remarkable.

The reserve preserves most of the Aleutian Islands and almost all of Amaknak Island. Most of the islands are mountainous as they emerge from a submarine mountain range that includes some active volcanoes.

The Aleutian Islands plant and wildlife from both the North American and Asian continents.

The Aleutian fauna has been described as a melting pot from two continents including some species that evolved in the Bering Sea area.

One of the most unique features is the Aleutian cackling goose (formerly called the Aleutian Canada goose), a formerly endangered species that nests in the wild only here. This bird was exterminated from other Aleutian Islands as a result of the introduction of arctic fox during the time when the islands were leased for fox farming. Removal of foxes and reintroduction of geese to several islands on which they once nested have allowed the goose population to recover. Continued eradication of foxes and imported Norway rats are important to the restoration of native bird life.

There are some villages within the biosphere reserve. Native Americans use the natural resources for fishing and hunting waterfowls and game as well as some livestock raising.

There are considerable World War II debris and abandoned military installations that cause the contamination of land and sea.

Access to the refuge is by plane or boat; public use of some islands is restricted to protect wildlife.

Permission from the U.S. Coast Guard is needed to visit Attu Island where Asian birds stop on their migration.