Homeland of the Sugpiaq (Alutiiq) peoples, Kodiak Archipelago is located in the Gulf of Alaska, 30 miles from the nearest mainland coast across the notoriously temperamental Shelikof Strait. Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge spans almost two million acres and covers more than 2/3rds of Kodiak Island, part of Afognak Island, and all of Ban and Uganik Islands.

Spruce forests blanket lowlands in the northeastern third of Kodiak archipelago, while to the southwest, tundra prevails. A backbone of mountains rising over 4,000 feet runs the length of Kodiak Island. Within Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, you'll never be more than 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Here, Kodiak brown bears gorge on salmon and mountains rise 4,000 feet from craggy coastlines, misty fiords, and deep glacial valleys. Birds are prolific. Kodiak's climate is marine-influenced and characterized by moderately heavy precipitation, cool temperatures, and cloudy days. However, breaks in the weather are stunning.


Latest News

sunset over snow
History and Culture
Nippivik - the Sunset Time
As winter settles in across Alaska, the landscape shifts from vibrant reds and golds of autumn to a more subtle light: pastel pinks of a sun low on the horizon and moonlit blue on the snow. Wildlife and people adjust to the change and prepare to move through the longer nights with different...
Green tundra and spruce trees with mountains in the distance
Our Partners
USFWS Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Alaska Native Relations Policy
Anchorage, Alaska—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it is seeking public comment on the agency’s first ever proposed Alaska Native Relations Policy. 
Small group of little brown bats attached to a rock ceiling.
Little Brown Bats
Highlighting little brown bat's characteristics and anatomy making them some of the best aerial insectivorous predators in the skies over Alaska.
Bright green eelgrass beds line the shore of a coastal beach.
Get Involved
Crabby About Invasive Green Crabs
They're described as one of the biggest threats to Alaska's marine environment, and you've probably never heard of them. This year, they were found in the state for the first time. Ever. Say hello to the invasive green crab.
woman with a guitar stands on a lake shore looking out across the lake
KT Tunstall is musician in residence at Kodiak Refuge
Refuge manager Mike Brady and the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge staff welcomed the 5X Platinum and Grammy nominated musician during the fall of 2022 for a one-week artist residency to spark new music and stories. Tunstall has teamed up with nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature and the U.S. Fish and...
A tufted puffin in summer plumage holding several small silver fish crosswise in its bill.
Science and Technology
Tufted puffins as sea sentinels
Have you ever peeped a tufted puffin? Chances are, you saw them during the summer breeding season: bright orange beaks, long golden feather head plumes, and a sharp white and black eye mask with red eyeliner that has earned them the name "clown of the sea." But when it comes to monitoring marine...
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Location and Contact Information

      Our Species

      Aleutian tern on kelp in the water

      dentification Tips: Length: 13 inches Sexes similar Dives into water for prey Medium-sized tern with short, slender, pointed bill Long, deeply forked tail Smoothly rounded head without crest Mostly pale underwing with dark bar on secondaries Gray mantle Adult alternate: Black legs Black bill...

      FWS Focus
      Species
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      Animalia
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      Bald eagle up close with wing raised

      A large raptor, the bald eagle has a wingspread of about seven feet. Adults have a dark brown body and wings, white head and tail, and a yellow beak. Juveniles are mostly brown with white mottling on the body, tail, and undersides of wings. Adult plumage usually is obtained by the sixth year. In...

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species

      Our Library

      Past and present projects and research conducted on Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.

      a line drawing of a sea otter holding her pup
      Conservation in Color: Alaska's Wildlife
      Download these digital coloring pages created by Alaskan artists to learn more about wildlife and conservation, while creating works of art.
      Library Collection
      5 Items

      Get Involved

      woman kneels next to a huge brown bear paw
      Image Details

      Kodiak welcomes and relies on volunteers, Friends, and interns to accomplish refuge goals in all aspects of conservation and education!

      Common volunteer opportunities include cabin maintenance, invasive plant control, berry surveys, bird banding, and staffing the visitor center.

      Volunteer opportunities on the Refuge include float plane or boat transportation to the Refuge, as well as meals and lodging, but trips to the Refuge require aviation and bear safety training to be completed in advance so be sure to plan ahead.

      We welcome youth volunteers to assist with several refuge programs. Opportunities include: The Kodiak Refuge Youth Leadership (KRYL) Program, Salmon Camp Aide, Avian Monitoring (bird banding), Visitor Center Guide and assisting our staff with events and environmental education programs.

      Projects and Research

      Diverse island ecosystems, abundant fish and wildlife, and a remote wildland setting serve as an ideal outdoor laboratory. Working jointly, biologists with the Refuge, State of Alaska, and U.S. Geological Survey monitor populations of Kodiak brown bear, bald eagle, salmon and other fish and wildlife and their habitats to estimate trends in abundance, survival, and productivity. The Refuge also sponsors and conducts basic and applied research projects, develops monitoring methods, and evaluates management strategies.

      By designing and implementing appropriate research and monitoring studies, the Refuge will better understand, conserve, and protect its natural and cultural resources for the continuing benefit of the public.