Today is the 100th anniversary of the first National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Some of the first areas to be added to the system were Bogslof Island near Unalaska, St. Matthew Island, and Walrus Island. President Theodore Roosevelt designated them as bird reserves. In 1980 these lands were consolidated with others to create the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses 2,500 islands and rocks along Alaska’s coast and includes most of the Aleutian Islands. The refuge protects habitat for more than 40 million seabirds. The Maritime Refuge will host celebrations through out the state this summer.
Anne Hillman, KUCB – Unalaska
