National Wildlife Refuge Provide Economic Benefits Today,Conservation Benefits for Future Generations National Wildlife Refuge Provide Economic Benefits Today,Conservation Benefits for Future Generations
Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today released a report that shows
recreational use on national wildlife refuges generated almost $1.4 billion
in total economic activity during the 2004 fiscal year. The report, Banking
on Nature 2004: The Economic Benefits to Local Communities of National
Wildlife Refuge Visitation, was compiled by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
economists.
According to the study, nearly 37 million people visited national wildlife
refuges in 2004, creating almost 24,000 private sector jobs and producing
about $454 million in employment income. Additionally, recreational
spending on refuges generated nearly $151 million in tax revenue at the
local, county, state and federal level.
“Our national wildlife refuges are not only beautiful places where fish and
wildlife can flourish, they are also economic engines for their local
communities, providing jobs, customers for local businesses, and tax
revenue for local governments,” Secretary Norton said. “With 17 new refuges
and a 30 percent increase in the refuge system budget since 2001, we are
ensuring our refuges continue to be places of awe and wonder as well as
economic vitality for local communities across the country.”
The report reinforces the travel industry’s belief that ecotourism is
becoming big business, according to Roger Dow, president of the Travel
Industry Association of America, who unveiled the report with the Secretary
of the Interior. The study measured the economic impact of ecotourism,
large numbers of people traveling substantial distances for outdoor
activities like wildlife observation and photography, as well as more
traditional refuge programs like hunting and fishing.
In the Southeast Region, the following refuges are highlighted:
Black Bayou Lake NWR (Louisiana)
Bon Secour NWR (Alabama)
Cache River NWR (Arkansas)
Cape Romain NWR (South Carolina)
Chassahowitzka NWR (Florida)
Clarks River NWR (Kentucky)
Felsenthal NWR (Arkansas)
J.N. Ding Darling NWR (Florida)
Lower Suwannee NWR (Florida)
Okefenokee NWR (Georgia)
Pea Island NWR (North Carolina)
Pee Dee NWR (North Carolina)
Piedmont NWR (Georgia)
Sabine NWR (Louisiana)
St. Marks NWR (Florida)
Tennessee NWR (Tennessee)
Theodore Roosevelt NWR Complex (Mississippi)
West Tennessee NWR Complex (Tennessee)
White River NWR (Arkansas)
Highlights from the Banking on Nature 2004 report include:
· More than 80 percent of retail sales came from people who traveled
some distance to get to national wildlife refuges and the recreational
opportunities they offer. Local residents accounted for just 17 percent of
total retail sales to refuge visitors.
· The Southeast led the Refuge System in economic impact. With nearly
11 million visitors last year, national wildlife refuges in the Southeast
created more than $451 million in economic activity and more than 8,500
jobs.
· The report shows a considerable “consumer surplus” of more than $1
billion in 2004. Consumer surplus is a measure of how much more people are
willing to pay for recreation than it actually costs them.
Using findings from 93 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. Costs considered in the calculation of the total
economic activity included money spent for food and refreshments, lodging
at motels, cabins, lodges or campgrounds, and transportation.
In making its calculations, Banking on Nature 2004 used the Fish and
Wildlife Service’s “2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and
Wildlife-Associated Recreation” and the visitation numbers from Refuge
Management Information System. Refuges with fewer than 1,500 visitors per
year and those in Hawaii and Alaska (because travel there is so expensive)
were excluded from the final calculations.
The National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses nearly 100 million acres
and 545 national wildlife refuges. Priority uses of the National Wildlife
Refuge System are hunting, fishing, photography, wildlife observation,
environmental education, and interpretation.
For a copy of the report or to find more information on the National
Wildlife Refuge System, visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges/.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency
responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and
plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American
people.
Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today released a report that shows
recreational use on national wildlife refuges generated almost $1.4 billion
in total economic activity during the 2004 fiscal year. The report, Banking
on Nature 2004: The Economic Benefits to Local Communities of National
Wildlife Refuge Visitation, was compiled by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
economists.
According to the study, nearly 37 million people visited national wildlife
refuges in 2004, creating almost 24,000 private sector jobs and producing
about $454 million in employment income. Additionally, recreational
spending on refuges generated nearly $151 million in tax revenue at the
local, county, state and federal level.
“Our national wildlife refuges are not only beautiful places where fish and
wildlife can flourish, they are also economic engines for their local
communities, providing jobs, customers for local businesses, and tax
revenue for local governments,” Secretary Norton said. “With 17 new refuges
and a 30 percent increase in the refuge system budget since 2001, we are
ensuring our refuges continue to be places of awe and wonder as well as
economic vitality for local communities across the country.”
The report reinforces the travel industry’s belief that ecotourism is
becoming big business, according to Roger Dow, president of the Travel
Industry Association of America, who unveiled the report with the Secretary
of the Interior. The study measured the economic impact of ecotourism,
large numbers of people traveling substantial distances for outdoor
activities like wildlife observation and photography, as well as more
traditional refuge programs like hunting and fishing.
In the Southeast Region, the following refuges are highlighted:
Black Bayou Lake NWR (Louisiana)
Bon Secour NWR (Alabama)
Cache River NWR (Arkansas)
Cape Romain NWR (South Carolina)
Chassahowitzka NWR (Florida)
Clarks River NWR (Kentucky)
Felsenthal NWR (Arkansas)
J.N. Ding Darling NWR (Florida)
Lower Suwannee NWR (Florida)
Okefenokee NWR (Georgia)
Pea Island NWR (North Carolina)
Pee Dee NWR (North Carolina)
Piedmont NWR (Georgia)
Sabine NWR (Louisiana)
St. Marks NWR (Florida)
Tennessee NWR (Tennessee)
Theodore Roosevelt NWR Complex (Mississippi)
West Tennessee NWR Complex (Tennessee)
White River NWR (Arkansas)
Highlights from the Banking on Nature 2004 report include:
· More than 80 percent of retail sales came from people who traveled
some distance to get to national wildlife refuges and the recreational
opportunities they offer. Local residents accounted for just 17 percent of
total retail sales to refuge visitors.
· The Southeast led the Refuge System in economic impact. With nearly
11 million visitors last year, national wildlife refuges in the Southeast
created more than $451 million in economic activity and more than 8,500
jobs.
· The report shows a considerable “consumer surplus” of more than $1
billion in 2004. Consumer surplus is a measure of how much more people are
willing to pay for recreation than it actually costs them.
Using findings from 93 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. Costs considered in the calculation of the total
economic activity included money spent for food and refreshments, lodging
at motels, cabins, lodges or campgrounds, and transportation.
In making its calculations, Banking on Nature 2004 used the Fish and
Wildlife Service’s “2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and
Wildlife-Associated Recreation” and the visitation numbers from Refuge
Management Information System. Refuges with fewer than 1,500 visitors per
year and those in Hawaii and Alaska (because travel there is so expensive)
were excluded from the final calculations.
The National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses nearly 100 million acres
and 545 national wildlife refuges. Priority uses of the National Wildlife
Refuge System are hunting, fishing, photography, wildlife observation,
environmental education, and interpretation.
For a copy of the report or to find more information on the National
Wildlife Refuge System, visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges/.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency
responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and
plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American
people.
