The Utukok Uplands are the largest intact grassland ecosystem left in the United States.
Provides vital habitat for several marine mammals and is an important staging and migration area for shorebirds and waterfowl.
A globally significant Important Bird Area, established for having the highest diversity and abundance of birds of any lagoon system in Arctic Alaska.
The largest river in Arctic Alaska is protected as one of the Special Areas of the Western Arctic.
The Mendenhall Wetlands are of outstanding value to waterbirds, certain grassland and wet-meadow songbirds, and raptors, and are a key migratory waterfowl and shorebird stopover location on coastal Alaska.