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As one of North America's largest mountain-ringed river basins with an intact, unaltered ecosystem, the Noatak River environs features some of the Arctic's finest arrays of plants and animals.
The river is classified as a national wild and scenic river, and offers surperlative wilderness float-trip opportunities - from deep in the Brooks Range to tidewater of the Chukchi Sea.
Noatak National Preserve lies almost completely enclosed by the Baird and De Long mountains of the Brooks Range. In the lower river valley, the northern coniferous forest thins out and gradually gives way to the tundra that stretches northward to the Beaufort Sea.
The Noatak basin is internationally recognized as a Biosphere Reserve. Under this United Nations scientific program, the area's ecological and genetic components are monitored to establish baseline data for measuring changes in other ecosystems worldwide.
Humans can also gather information here on sustainable uses of natural resources. The Inupiat and other Native peoples who have lived off the land of northwest Alaska for many thousands of years exemplify sustainability.
Special Park features:
Motor boats, canoes, rafts are used on rivers; kayaks used along coast; primitive camping, back country hiking, beach walking, general wildlife observation, photography; local residents pursue hunting, fishing, trapping and other subsistence activities.
Where to contact for information: Northwest Alaska Areas, PO Box 1029, Kotzebue, Alaska 99752; 907-442-8300 Headquarters.
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