Kluane, Wrangell-St. Elias, Glacier Bay, and Tatshenshini-Alsek, Canada and USA

Abstract

The Kluane/Wrangell-St. Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatshenshini-Alsek national parks along the boundary of the USA and Canada are the largest nonpolar ice field in the world and present examples of some of the world’s longest and outstanding glaciers – more than 380 – as well as the longest valley glacier and the largest piedmont glacier on the North American continent. It is the largest transboundary protected area in the world, presenting coastal and taiga forests, alpine meadows, and arctic and glacial wilderness. The four parks are remote, of immense size and relatively undisturbed. The parks are a refuge for large self-regulating populations of grizzly bear, Dall sheep, mountain goats and many other species.