| Alaksen National Wildlife Area | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)[1] | |
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| Location | Westham Island,Delta,British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 49°06′N123°10′W / 49.100°N 123.167°W /49.100; -123.167[1] |
| Area | 349 ha (860 acres) |
| Designation | National Wildlife Area |
| Established | 1976 |
| Governing body | Canadian Wildlife Service |
| Website | Alaksen NWA |
TheAlaksen National Wildlife Area is located onWestham Island in the city ofDelta,British Columbia. It is an important stopover point for many species of birds migrating along thePacific Flyway.
The Alaksen Area encompasses the northwestern half of Westham Island, which itself is located within theFraser River Delta as it enters theStrait of Georgia. The Area comprises mostly cultivated farmland, but also includes freshwater and brackish tidalmarshlands,mudflats, and somewoodland. In addition to the cultivated crops, the site is vegetated by various grasses in the farmland;cattails,Lyngbye's sedge, andbulrushes in the intertidal zone; andRed alder,willows andBlack cottonwood, along withsnowberry,salmonberry, andblackberries in the wooded areas.
The Area overlaps with theGeorge C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, which has stricter protections and doesn't feature cultivated farmland.[2]
TheNational Wildlife Area was officially protected under theCanada Wildlife Act in 1976.[1] On May 24, 1987 Alaksen was designated a Wetland of International Significance under theRamsar Convention, in combination with theGeorge C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, also on Westham Island. It was the ninth designated Canadian Ramsar site. It was chosen because it is "a major Pacific Flyway site for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds; an excellent example of deltaic and coastal tidal wetland environments; the largest migratory bird wintering area in Canada; and the largest estuarine habitat on the Pacific coast of Canada."[3] The site was later incorporated within the largerFraser River Delta Ramsar Site.[4]
The Alaksen National Wildlife Area provides a valuable wildlife area very close to the urban centre ofMetro Vancouver, allowing many educational opportunities. The cropland frequently floods in the winter and occasionally freezes over for short periods. Varied seasonal management practices provide valuable habitat to wintering waterfowl & other species of wildlife. Over forty species of waterfowl winter in the area, the most common beingCanada goose,mallard,American widgeon, andlesser snow goose. Also abundant areraptors, includingbald eagle,barn owl, and several species offalcon.
The reserve was used as a filming location forHuckleberry Finn and His Friends.
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