Hunter standing at waters edge at Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge

Today, the refuge has a global conservation role - to instill regard for bears, salmon, and other wildlife; to protect interdependent species of fish, wildlife and plants within the largest intact, pristine island ecosystem in North America; and to ensure compatible management of wildlife, subsistence, recreation, and economic uses of refuge resources. Misty fjords, deep glacial valleys, and lofty mountains distinguish the 1.9 million-acre refuge. Diverse habitats encompass 117 salmon-bearing streams, 16 lakes, riparian wetlands, grasslands, shrub lands, spruce forest, tundra, and alpine meadows. Collectively these habitats sustain 3,000 bears, account for up to 30 million salmon caught by the Kodiak-based fishing fleet, support more than 400 breeding pairs of bald eagles, and provide essential migration and breeding habitat for another 250 species of fish, birds and mammals. Such natural abundance and spectacular scenery attracts thousands of visitors to the refuge annually.