Alaksen National Wildlife Area
Notice
Environment and Climate Change Canada is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians, visitors and employees on site. In order to support Government-wide efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, we are temporarily closing Alaksen National Wildlife Area until further notice.
This action is intended to reduce visits and respects the advice of public health experts to Canadians to stay home and avoid public gatherings.
Visitor facilities, washrooms, parking facilities and associated services in Alaksen National Wildlife Area are closed until further notice. Trail maintenance is also suspended.
Anyone considering a visit to Alaksen National Wildlife Area should cancel their plans.
For more information, please consult our Q&A page.
Description
The NWA is part of the Fraser River delta, an area of roughly 67,000 hectares (ha) recognized as an internationally important migration stop-over and wintering area for a large number of migratory birds along the Pacific coast. Consisting of a mosaic of estuarine habitats, remnant wetlands, riparian forests, agricultural areas, and urbanized zones, the delta attracts up to 1.4 million birds from Siberia to South America each year. No other site in Canada supports such a diversity and number of birds in winter, and no comparable site exists along the Pacific coast between California and Alaska.
Alaksen NWA was established in 1972. Totaling 349 ha, Alaksen NWA mainly consists of four former deltaic islands which were joined together by causeways and dykes in the earlier part of the century. Alaksen NWA contains a microcosm of habitats and wildlife presently found on the Fraser River delta. The importance of Alaksen NWA for wildlife is also recognized by its designation as a globally significant Important Bird Area, and is also part of a Ramsar site, and a Western Shorebird Reserve Network site. A section of Alaksen NWA overlaps with the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS).
One of the most spectacular sights at the NWA is the occurrence of Snow Geese in concentrated flocks of numbers exceeding 25,000 beginning in October! They are particularly abundant in upland fields during high tide and inclement weather events. Similarly, flocks of 15,000 or more dabbling ducks are commonly seen making use of the NWA of which Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, and Teal are the most plentiful. The diversity of habitats that occur within the boundaries of the Alaksen NWA allow for a great variety of wildlife species which are not seen
More information is provided on Alaksen NWA in the summary table below.
Planning Your Visit
A network of trails provides access for visitors to enjoy the variety and abundance of birds in both the sanctuary and the wildlife area. Walking, as well as wildlife and bird watching, are encouraged and interpretive programs are offered for groups of all ages by the British Columbia Waterfowl Society.
Note: Pets should not be brought to the sanctuary.
The Reifel Refuge portion of the George C. Reifel MBS is managed by the British Columbia Waterfowl Society under agreement with Environment and Climate Change Canada. and welcomes the public daily from 9 until 4. The rest of the Alaksen NWA is open from 8 until 4 Monday to Friday. Activities are permitted in accordance with the conservation objectives of the NWA management plan. Public notices listing the authorized activities in the wildlife area are posted at access points.
Agricultural activities are permitted here as per the management plan and are the main management tool used to provide high quality habitats for waterfowl while also preserving other types of habitat for the conservation of other wildlife.
For more information on what is permitted in NWAs, consult the NWA Management and Activities page.
Directions
Alaksen NWA overlaps with the George C Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, which is currently the main area used by the public, and is located just under 10km west of Ladner in the Municipality of Delta, British Columbia (a suburb of Vancouver).
Directions from Vancouver:
Follow Highway 99 south through the Massey Tunnel, exit onto Highway 17A southbound to Ladner Trunk Road (Highway 10). Follow Ladner Trunk Road west until it bears right and turns into 47A Avenue and then bears left and turns into River Road. Next, follow River Road westward for 3 km and cross the bridge to Westham Island. Follow Westham Island Road to where it ends. Here you can either:
- follow the sign pointing left towards the entrance gates of the sanctuary and follow the driveway 1 km to the sanctuary parking lot; or
- go straight into the Alaksen and park in the visitors' parking lot.
More information on access and permitting for Alaksen NWA can be obtained by contacting the Environment and Climate Change Canada regional office.
Map of the Area
Map showing the Alaksen NWA boundaries.
Long description of map
Map showing the area around Westham Island at the end of the Fraser River Delta in British Columbia. The boundaries of the Alaksen and of the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary are indicated. The covers the northwestern side of the Westham Island as well as portions of the surrounding water.The migratory bird sanctuary overlaps the western portion of the and extends into the Strait of Georgia. Approximately a third of Westham island is covered by the . The scale on the map is in kilometers. Permanent water, roads and highways are all indicated on the map. A small inset national map situates the in Canada.
Summary Table
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Protected Area designation | NWA |
| Province/territory | British Columbia |
| Latitude/longitude | 49°06' North / 123°10' West |
| Size | 349 ha |
| Reason for creation of protected area | An important migration stop-over and wintering area for large numbers of migratory birds. |
| Date created (Gazetted) | 1972 - Legal description |
| International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Management Category | V - Protected Landscape/ Seascape |
| Additional designations | |
| Keystone or flagship species | Lesser Snow Goose, Canada Goose, American Wigeon. |
| Listed Species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) | Western Painted Turtle, Great Blue Heron, Barn Owl. |
| Main habitat type | 70% cultivated land; 30% of mixed habitats (woodlands, wetlands, oldfields) |
| Invasive species | Himalayan Blackberry, Yellow Iris, Canada Thistle, Purple Loosestrife, and Scotch Broom. |
| Additional links | Birds: Snow Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Barn Swallow. |
| Main threats and challenges | Urban and industrial development in the vicinity affecting the coastal estuary ecosystems. |
| Management Agency | Environment and Climate Change Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service) |
| Public access and usage | Limited in NWA. |
Note: If there is a discrepancy between the information presented on this web page and any notice posted at the NWA site, the notice prevails as it is the legal instrument authorizing the activity.
Related Documents
Alaksen National Wildlife Area Pamphlet (HTML) (PDF)
Alaksen National Wildlife Area on Google Maps (This map is for illustrative purposes only and should not be used to define legal boundaries)
Contact Information
Environment and Climate Change Canada - Pacific and Yukon Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
Protected Areas and Stewardship Unit
5421 Robertson Road
Delta, British Columbia V4K 3N2
Toll-free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: ec.enviroinfo.ec@canada.ca
Report a problem or mistake on this page
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