Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Glacier
Size: 13.2 million acres
Year Established: 1980
Major Physical Features: Wrangell and St. Elias Mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, rivers, lakes, 129
miles of coast.
Vegetation: Based on current information, WRST has 1279 species of vascular plants
Wildlife: WRST has 54 species of mammals, 234 species of birds, 25 species
of fish, and an unknown number of invertebrates
Special Interest: WRST is designated as a World Heritage Site under the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization: Man and the Biosphere Program
Wrangell-St. Elias is known for its geological and biological diversity. It spans 3 climatic zones (coastal, transitional, and continental), includes 4 major mountain ranges, and contains North America's largest assemblage of glaciers. Several of the tallest mountains in North America are within park borders, including the 2nd highest peak on the continent (Mt. St. Elias). Extensive ice fields, active volcanoes, frequent earthquakes, and many geysers and hot springs are also common in WRST. Water resources include 125 miles of coastline; 1,395 acres of intertidal lands; 4 large river watersheds; hundreds of miles of streams; vast expanses of wetlands; thousands of lakes and ponds; and 5 types of permafrost.
Lake in Wrangell-St. Elias
Due to the park's size and its varied climate and geology, the diversity of plant communities in Wrangell-St. Elias is unsurpassed by any other park unit in Alaska. There are 1279 known vascular plant species (76 are considered rare by the park service). Uncommon populations of flora exist throughout the park and may act as indicators of environmental change.
Mt. Wrangell under the sky
Wildlife in Wrangell-St. Elias includes 25 species of fish, 4 species of amphibians, 234 species of birds, 38 species of land mammals, 9 species of marine mammals, and an unknown number of invertebrate species. Of special concern to Wrangell-St. Elias is the protection of both marine mammals (such as the endangered Steller sea lion) and birds.
Hikers crossing a river, WRST
Wrangell-St. Elias, along with three neighboring parks in the U.S. and Canada, is part of a 24 million acre wilderness area designated a "World Heritage Site." Wrangell-St. Elias was specifically noted for its "incredible geological processes," namely glaciers, and "premier wilderness." This World Heritage Site is the planet's largest internationally protected area.