About this Collection
Virtually explore the heart of Izembek Refuge: Izembek Lagoon, a coastal ecosystem that's home to one of the world's largest eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds. In 1986, Izembek Lagoon was one of the first U.S. sites to be named a Wetland of International Importance.
Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl, including virtually the entire population of Pacific black brant, visit the lagoon to feed on eelgrass and rest during migration. Emperor geese and the threatened Steller's eider thrive along the coast. Sea otters and walrus navigate the rich waters around the barrier islands. Wetlands and ponds dot the narrow isthmus of land between Izembek and Kinzarof Lagoons, creating a vital nursery for fish and a corridor for large mammals, including brown bears and caribou.