Alaksen National Wildlife Area pamphlet
What makes Alaksen NWA so special?
Alaksen National Wildlife Area (NWA) is located within the Fraser River delta near Vancouver, British Columbia--a region well known for its biological diversity. It was established in 1972 to protect important wintering habitat and migratory staging areas along the Pacific flyway for over a million birds each year. This 299-hectare NWA also
- is known for its flocks of over 15 000 ducks such as American Wigeon, Mallard and Northern Pintail, and its fall concentrations of more than 25 000 Snow Geese;
- overlaps with the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary;
- contributes to an Important Bird Area and a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site;
- contributes a significant part of the Fraser Delta Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention;
- provides a refuge for at-risk species such as the Barn Owl and Western Painted Turtle.
What are Environment and Climate Change Canada Protected Areas?
Environment and Climate Change Canada establishes marine and terrestrial NWAs for the purposes of conservation, research and interpretation. These areas are established to protect migratory birds, species at risk, and other wildlife and their habitats. NWAs are established under the authority of the Canada Wildlife Act and are, first and foremost, places for wildlife.
Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MBSs) are established under the authority of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and provide a refuge for migratory birds in marine and terrestrial environments. The current Protected Areas Network consists of 54 NWAs and 92 MBSs comprising more than 12 million hectares across Canada.
What can I do at Alaksen NWA?
The George C. Reifel MBS portion of the NWA, managed by the British Columbia Waterfowl Society under agreement with Environment and Climate Change Canada, provides access for public visitation and wildlife viewing and attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. All hunting within the NWA is strictly prohibited, and activities are limited to bird-watching and activities provided by the George C. Reifel MBS.
Long description of the map
Location of the NWA on an illustrated map of Canada. The NWA location is indicated by a general annotation in the province of British Columbia.
Who can I contact?
Environment and Climate Change Canada - Pacific and Yukon RegionCanadian Wildlife Service
5421 Robertson Road
Delta, British Columbia V4K 3N2
1-800-668-6767
Email: ec.enviroinfo.ec@canada.ca
Protected Area web site
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