The largest National Park in the United States

This park is located in southeastern Alaska It borders Canada on its eastern side One section in the south borders the Gulf of Alaska It covers nearly 13 million acres

This remote and demanding land has been populated for about 8,000 years The 4 main native groups that have lived in this area include: Ahtna- this is the group that still live there today Upper Tanana Athabasians Eyak Tlingit

In the late 1700’s and into the 1800’s Europeans came to the Copper River Basin area to explore, lead by the Russians then Americans came later Miners followed later once gold and copper were discovered in the territory Alaska became a state many years later in 1959 In 1978 President Carter declared this land as a National Monument to protect its scientific and cultural resources When Congress passed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980, the Wrangell Mountains became part of the 13.2 million acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest U.S. National ParkAlaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act

Within the 13 million acres of Wrangell- St. Elias National Park and Preserve there are many incredible features including: Wrangell Mts, St. Elias Mts, Chugach Mts, Nutzolin Mts Many mountains in the Wrangell range are volcanoes

Major Rivers- Copper River, Chitini River Major lakes- Solo, Rock, Copper, and Tanada lakes Borders the Gulf of Alaska Major Glaciers-Kennecott, Copper, Root, Nizina, Russel, Nabesna, Chisana, and Klutan Glaciers Boreal Forests Kennecott Glacier Copper River

Some of the major habitats in this 13 million acre park include: Alpine Sub Alpine Boreal forests Rivers and river basins Glaciers Gulf of Alaska- ocean Permafrost - tundra Wetlands Alpine tundra Gulf of Alaska Lowland wetlands

Black Spruce Alder White Spruce Aspens Baneberry Fireweed

Red Salmon Bald Eagle Moose Grizzly Bear Arctic Hare Wood Frog Gray Wolves Willow Ptarmigan

Black bears and Grizzly Bears are common in the park so you need to take precautions to avoid close encounters with these powerful creatures. Be alert to bear signs and places where they may be looking for food Travel in groups and make noise when hiking Store food in bear resistant containers and cook well away from campsite You need to know what to do in case you do encounter a bear. If the bear is unaware of you, detour away quietly. If the bear sees you, stop where you are. Wave your arms and talk to the bear in a calm voice. Retreat slowly, keeping the bear in sight. For further steps, see the Wrangell Newsletter called K’elt’aeni