US Wildlife Refuges Provide Huge Economic Boost to Local Economies

25/11/2007 00:00:00 Recreational use on national wildlife refuges in the USA generated almost $1.7 billion economic activity during 2006, according to a new report released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The report, titled Banking on Nature 2006: The Economic Benefits to Local Communities of National Wildlife Refuge Visitation was compiled by Service economists. 35 million visitors
According to the study, nearly 35 million people visited national wildlife refuges in 2006, supporting almost 27,000 private sector jobs and producing about $543 million in employment income. In addition, recreational spending on refuges generated nearly $185.3 million in tax revenue at the local, county, state and federal level. The economic benefit is almost four times the amount appropriated to the Refuge System in 2006.

‘We've always known that national wildlife refuges enrich Americans' lives,’ said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall. ‘This report reveals that the Refuge System, while admirably fulfilling its conservation mission, also repays us in dollars and cents. Those economic benefits go far beyond the system's mandated mission to ensure wild creatures will always have a place on the American landscape.’ Hunting Accounts for 6 Percent
Using findings from 80 national wildlife refuges considered typical in terms of the nation's recreational interests and spending habits, the report analyzed recreational participation in and expenditures for freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, migratory bird hunting, small game hunting, big game hunting and non-consumptive activities, including wildlife observation. Calculation of the total economic activity included money spent for food and refreshments, lodging at motels, cabins, lodges or campgrounds, and transportation. About 82 percent of total expenditures came from non-consumptive recreation (recreation other than hunting and fishing) on national wildlife refuges. Fishing accounted for 12 percent of total expenditures, while hunting accounted for 6 percent.

97 Million Acres
The National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses 97 million acres and 548 national wildlife refuges. While the primary purpose of the Refuge System is to conserve native fish and wildlife and their habitat, priority is given to hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, wildlife observation, environmental education, and interpretation. 4000 Percent return on Federal Expenditure
Many other national wildlife refuges also had marked returns for their budgets. Don Edwards San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge, for example, had more than 1.5 million visits in 2006 and returned $43.55 for every $1 in federal budget expenditures. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Delaware--with 271,000 visitors in 2006--returned $23.38 for every $1 in budgeted expenditures and was responsible for 198 private sector jobs. Muscatatuck in south central Indiana--spanning just 7,800 acres--returned $21.56 for every $1 in budgeted expenditures and supported 48 private sector jobs.