Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge covers about 19.16 million acres in southwestern Alaska, the second-largest national wildlife refuge in the United States. Established under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act on 2 December 1980, it protects the vast wetlands of the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta.[1]
| Area | About 19.16 million acres |
|---|---|
| Established | 2 Dec 1980 |
| Headquarters | Bethel |
| Communities | About 35 villages, about 25,000 people |
Wildlife
The delta provides nesting habitat for more than 1 million ducks and 500,000 geese each year. The Andreafsky Wilderness covers 1.3 million acres, and the refuge includes Nelson and Nunivak Islands.[1]
People
About 35 villages and some 25,000 people live within the refuge region, where subsistence harvest of fish, birds and game remains central to community life. The refuge is managed from Bethel.[1]
FAQs
How large is Yukon Delta NWR? About 19.16 million acres.
Where is it managed from? Bethel, Alaska.
What birds nest there? More than a million ducks and 500,000 geese.
Sources
Key facts
- 19.16 million acres
- Established 1980
- Headquarters in Bethel
Quick checkHow big is the refuge?Show answer
About 19.16 million acres.
Sources
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue