The 2.15 million acre Selawik National Wildlife Refuge is situated on the Arctic Circle to the east of Kotzebue Sound and occupies a unique variety of landforms in northwest Alaska. The Waring Mountains and Kobuk National Park border the refuge on the north. To the south lie the Selawik Hills and the Purcell Mountains. Some of the landscapes found on the refuge include alpine tundra, arctic tundra and taiga (forest), lake and wetland complexes, large river deltas, open grass and sedge meadows, and once glaciated mountains and river valleys. This area is a transition zone where the northernmost boreal forests give way to open arctic tundra.
The Western Arctic Caribou Herd seasonally uses the Selawik Refuge and is currently the largest herd in Alaska, numbering approximately 490,000 animals. These nomads travel hundreds of miles annually between their wintering areas and their calving grounds. The Selawik and Kobuk River deltas provide invaluable habitat for hundreds of thousands of migratory bird species. The scenery, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge are spectacular and unique.
Activities and Attractions
Selawik is diverse and includes a set of rolling, vegetated, sand dunes that were formed by the last glacial recession. These dunes are the remnant of a much larger system that once included the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes to the north. This area presents one of the most topographically interesting and scenic parts of the refuge. Hot springs at the headwaters of the Selawik River are an interesting feature and historically, both the coastal Inupiat and interior Athabascan peoples used the springs for medicinal purposes. It remains an enjoyable winter destination for many locals.
The wildlife of the refuge includes a hardy array of resident and migratory mammals, waterfowl, songbirds, shorebirds and fish. Besides the migrating Western Arctic Caribou Herd, moose, black bear, grizzlies, wolves, fox, lynx, wolverine, beaver, marten and many other smaller creatures share the refuge. During the short Arctic summers, large numbers of white-fronted geese and majestic tundra swans arrive along with sandhill cranes and a horde of other shorebirds. Large populations of sheefish and other whitefish inhabit the waters of the refuge.
Accessibility
Refuge headquarters are in Kotzebue. Not accessible by road, there is daily jet service from Anchorage to Kotzebue via Nome. From Kotzebue, Selawik is accessible by charter bush aircraft and air taxi to remote locations for hunting or fishing, hiking and other backcountry activities. In winter, dogsled or snowmachine provide access to the refuge.
Fees
None
Weather and Climate
Arctic winter conditions - snow, ice, wind, and below-freezing temperatures exist in the park from October through April. Snow or freezing temperatures may occur any time, even in summer. Expect high winds throughout the year and short, mild, cool sunny summers.
Facilities
Kotzebue Headquarters and Information Center – 907-442-3799 – Located at 160 2nd Avenue (Open year-round)
History
Selawik National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1980 by the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and was one of many across the state that added over 54 million acres to the Refuge System in Alaska.
http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/selawik/index.htm