Becharof National Wildlife Refuge was established to conserve brown bears, salmon, migratory birds, caribou, marine birds, and mammals; to fulfill treaty obligations; to provide for continued subsistence uses; and to ensure necessary water quality and quantity.
Crab Orchard Refuge provides significant resting areas for migratory birds utilizing the Mississippi Flyway. Wintering numbers of Canada Geese can peak at 200,000. A total of 700 plant species, 245 bird species, 33 mammal species, 63 fish species, and 44 reptile and amphibian species have been documented on the refuge.