Protecting and enhancing the wildlife, birds, and natural habitats that make Yakutat thrive — for generations to come.
The Yakutat Tern Festival, organized by the Yakutat Nature Society, is a multi-day event held in late May / early June (Next: May 28 – May 31, 2026).
This celebration spotlights Yakutat’s extraordinary natural and cultural resources, with a special focus on Aleutian Terns — one of the few places where they breed.
Expect a rich mix of field trips, workshops, keynote talks, art, native cultural programming, and family-friendly experiences.
Yakutat is remote, wild, and breathtaking. Accessible only by plane or boat, this community lies within the traditional lands of the Yakutat Tlingit people and is framed by rainforest, glacier-rimmed bays, and rugged coastline.
The region hosts one of the largest known Aleutian Tern colonies in Alaska, offering rare birding opportunities and habitat conservation importance.
Whether you’re a dedicated birder, nature lover, or simply curious, Yakutat offers a front-row seat to migratory seabirds, cultural traditions, and intrepid wilderness.
Naturalist-artist Kim McNett creates peatland themed illustrations to inspire place-based affection and stewardship of these treasured landscapes in her community of Homer, Alaska. This watercolor titled Peatland Specialized Species represents over 20 of the most cherished, rare and typifying characters of the lower Kenai Peninsula peatland ecosystems, including nesting grounds of the imperiled Aleutian Tern. To view more of Kim’s work visit www.KimsNatureDrawings.com.
The Yakutat Nature Society (YNS) supports the region’s natural and cultural heritage through events like the Tern Festival, educational outreach, conservation, and community engagement.
The festival’s mission is to highlight Yakutat’s unique biodiversity, promote ecotourism, unify communities, and use revenue to fund future nature projects.
All proceeds are reinvested into local conservation, habitat monitoring, and future festival programming.
We are deeply grateful to the organizations and individuals that make the festival possible.
Registration typically opens in late fall. Whether you’re joining for the full experience, field trips, or select events — make sure to register early to reserve your spot.
© 2026 Yakutat Nature Society. All Rights Reserved.
