About
If you enjoy seeing wildlife up close but prefer doing so from behind a fence, then add the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) to your itinerary.
The site is on more than 200 acres at Mile 79 of the Seward Highway in Portage Valley, framed by the Chugach Mountain Range and the waters of Turnagain Arm. This nonprofit sanctuary has one clear mission: to preserve Alaska's wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care.
AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals, many of which have little chance of surviving in the wild again. But this is where the team shines: they provide these creatures with spacious enclosures and a permanent home where they can heal and grow. Here, you’ll find moose, bears, foxes, and wood bison, cared for by staff who know each one by name and story.
Over the years, AWCC has grown into one of Alaska's most respected wildlife destinations. The center plays a central role in the wood bison restoration program, which we'll explore in greater depth in our next section.
The commitment to education keeps expanding, too. The Matson Ocean Education Center opened in 2026, a facility designed to raise awareness about the marine life of Cook Inlet.
The facility is near Portage Glacier, making it easy to combine a visit to AWCC along with booking a cruise to see the glacier.
Open year-round, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center connects you with wildlife while supporting native animals.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Fun Facts & Cool Features
One of the facility's best features is the scenic 1.5-mile loop that winds through the 200 acres of animal habitats. You can walk it, bike it, or drive it, making the center enjoyable for families and those who prefer to set their own pace.
The stars of any visit are the animals! You'll stroll pass brown and black bears, moose, muskox, foxes, and herds of wood bison. Their enclosures are spacious, reflecting the animals' natural range and not cramped like at many zoos.
If you want to learn more about a particular animal, consider one of the tours for an additional cost. The Brown Bear Encounter is open to 10 people (ages 12+) who will join the staff for a behind-the-scenes adventure during the bear’s daily training and feeding. While you won’t touch the bears, you’ll learn about AWCC’s quality animal care practices and bear safety.
The Moose Encounter is open to 35 participants of all ages, provided an adult accompanies minors. You’ll get to feed a moose while learning about its diet, behavior, and wild counterparts. Another immersive experience is the Walk on the Wild Side (WOW) Tour. Open to 10 participants ages 10 and up, the 90-minute experience is led by a trained Naturalist and includes feeding an animal.
The Wood Bison Restoration Program stands out as one of the center's proudest achievements. Working with the state, locals, and volunteers, AWCC was able to release 130 wood bison in March 2015 into the Shageluk’s Innoko Valley. Here, they roam freely, returning after a 100-year absence, moving the species from “endangered” to “threatened.” When you visit AWCC, you’ll see a growing herd of wood bison, as the work to restore these magnificent creatures continues.
Then there's the Matson Ocean Education Center, a 1,000-square-foot, classroom-style education facility. Here, a life-size beluga whale skeleton named Qunsh is displayed. Also available are binoculars for scanning Turnagain Arm, and a hydrophone for listening to underwater sounds.
A trip to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center will enhance your Girdwood vacation with memorable encounters and the fact that your visit supports animal conservation.
Local Tips
- Book the animal experiences early; spots sell out fast.
- Download the free Scavenger Hunt app and guide before arriving.
- If you take a rideshare or taxi, ask the driver to wait, because pickups from Portage are hard to schedule.
- Pack a jacket and check the weather; inlet winds are cool any season.
