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5/5/2008
 

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Donation of 12,580 Acres Benefits Alaska National Wildlife Refuges

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it has received 12,580 acres of wetlands from The Conservation Fund. This land will become part of the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, which is within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge complex on the tip of the Alaska Peninsula. Since 1999, the Conservation Fund has donated a total of 71,511 acres to this refuge complex.  

 

Situated between the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the Izembek Refuge complex is comprised of three separate wildlife refuges (Alaska Peninsula, Becharof, and Izembek).  The newly-protected lands encompass dozens of lakes, ponds and marshes that provide prime habitat for migratory birds such as black brant, emperor geese and the threatened Steller?s eider.  The area also covers more than 100 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline and over 200 miles of fish streams and rivers that teem with five species of Pacific salmon.

 

According to the Fund, the lands were purchased from an array of Native village corporations, with the final transaction involving the Pribilof Island village of St. George.

 

"We really appreciate the cooperation and partnership we have with The Conservation Fund on this and other efforts across Alaska," said Tom Melius, regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

 

For information on The Conservation Fund, go to: http://www.conservationfund.org. Additional information on Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge is available at: http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/akpen/index.htm.

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The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov

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