Alaksen National Wildlife Area

Alaksen National Wildlife Area is a nature reserve in the river delta comprising former islands connected by causeways and levees. The landscape consists of marshes, mudflats, and wooded sections that create several different habitats for wildlife.

The area was established in 1972 and received protection under Canada's Wildlife Act in 1976. International recognition came in 1987 when it became a Ramsar site.

The name comes from the local Alaksen rivers that shape the landscape, and the site has become a gathering place for people interested in watching birds and experiencing wetland environments. Visitors often spend quiet hours observing flocks and listening to the sounds of water and wildlife.

Access is available on weekdays during daytime hours, with parking and restroom facilities at the main entrance area. The three walking trails are straightforward to navigate, though wet-weather clothing is recommended given the marshy terrain.

The reserve serves as a stopping point for millions of birds migrating between Siberia and South America, with particularly large gatherings of snow geese appearing each autumn. This regular mass movement of animals makes it one of the most dramatic examples of bird migration happening in the region.

Location: Metro Vancouver Regional District

Inception: 1972

Part of: Fraser River Delta

Website: https://canada.ca/fr/environnement-changement-climatique/services/reserves-nationales-faune/existantes/alaksen.html

GPS coordinates: 49.10231,-123.17425

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:41