willapa national wildlife refuge pacific county’s front porch a wildlife refuge, the big six &...
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Willapa National Wildlife RefugeWillapa National Wildlife Refuge
Pacific County’s Front PorchA Wildlife Refuge, The Big Six & Economics
Northern Pintail/photo courtesy of Dr. Madeline Kalbach
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge Quick Facts• Established in 1937 to
protect migratory birds and their habitat
• Approx. 16,000 acres, including more than 10 habitats
• Over 200 species of bird
• Over 50 species of mammals
• 15 native amphibians & reptiles
• Over 30 species of fish
• Over 250 species of plants
Northern shoveler/photo courtesy of Dr. Madeline Kalbach
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge Quick Facts
Approx. 125,000 visitor use days/yr
• Trails• Willapa Art Trail• Cutthroat Climb• Teal Slough• Leadbetter Point• Long Island
• Campsites
• Photo blind
• Goose Hunting Blinds
• Boat LaunchMap from Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Brochure
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge Quick Facts• Part of Willapa National
Wildlife Refuge Complex
• Within the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS)
• Managed by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)
“Wild lands and the perpetuation of diverse and abundant wildlife are essential to the quality of the American life.” -National Wildlife Refuge System Guiding Principle Oregon silverspot butterfly/photo courtesy of Mike Patterson
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
The Big Six & MoreImprovement Act of 1997
1. Fishing2. Hunting3. Wildlife Observation4. Wildlife Photography5. Interpretation6. Environmental Education
• Camping• Hiking
“In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we
are taught.” -Baba Dioum
Fourth grade students on a Long Island Expedition/USFWS photo
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Working for Wildlife• Permanent Employees (12)
• Seasonal Staff (7)
• Youth Conservation Corp (YCC)• 15-18 year olds (6) • Adult crew leader (1)
• Volunteers
• Materials• Supplies• Fuel• Maintenance & Repair
• Timber Sales & Revenue Sharing
Collecting pink sandverbena seeds/USFWS photo
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Outdoor Recreation Trends• U. S. population is
increasingly urban and older, more culturally and ethnically diverse
• Increase in non-consumptive outdoor activities (walking, wildlife viewing, nature study)
• “Boomers” love the outdoors and moving into retirement
• Working vacations - people want to participate in activities with purpose
Bird watching on the Tarlatt Unit/photo courtesy of Rollin Bannow
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
The Business of Wild“Ecosystem Services” = benefits people get from nature
• Provisioning (e.g. food & water)
• Regulating services (e.g. flood & erosion control)
• Cultural (e.g. recreation opportunities & spiritual renewal)
• Supporting (e.g. pollinators, nutrient cycling)
In 2006, recreational use on national wildlife refuges throughout the U.S generated almost $1.7 billion in total economic activity to local economies!
Chum salmon return to spawn/USFWS photo
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
The Business of WildWashington State ranks 8th in the nation for economic output from wildlife watching ($2.5 million)
• Bird Watching & Wildlife Observation
• Big Game Hunting• Waterfowl Hunting• Camping• Shellfish Harvesting• Fishing
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Partners in Eco-tourism1 million visitor-days/year to Pacific County
Diversity of things to do equals:• More & longer visits• Increase in local economy & area
jobs
• Lewis & Clark National Historical Park, National Park Service (2010)• 220,000 visitors• $10.8 million into area
economy, More than 50% to restaurant & lodging industries
• 164 local jobs
• Washington State Parks (2008)• 89,300 day visits• 92,200 overnight visits
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
More Willapa?• New Trail & Observation site• New Visitor Center
• Sheltered wildlife viewing• Gift Shop• Indoor/outdoor classrooms• Potential tie to Discovery
Trail• Group tour friendly• Family friendly
• Increase Partnerships• Scientific Research• Educational Fieldtrips• Group Tour Packages• Service Vacations
• New Multimedia Wildlife Trail• Download at home or at
the refuge • Integration of technology
and wildlife
Proposed boardwalk and trail at the Tarlatt Unit
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Challenges & Opportunities• Balancing Development &
Wildlife• Compatibility
• Staff Capacity• Funding
• Community & Regional support
• Fund Raising Initiatives
America’s Great Outdoors Initiative• Grassroots approach to
protecting our lands and waters and connecting all Americans to their natural & cultural heritage
Western snowy plover chicks/USFWS photo
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Grow Pacific County’s Wild Side• Spread the Word
• Refuges are important places
• Unique local treasure• Everyone has a part to
play (like us on Facebook, link to our refuge website, encourage people to visit)
• Support Wildlife-dependent Recreation & tourism
• Funding• Join Friends of Willapa
National Wildlife Refuge• Partner for landscape-
level funds or community
projects
Skunk cabbage/photo courtesy of Dr. Madeline Kalbach
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Contact Us…
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex3888 State Route 101Ilwaco, WA 98624
360-484-3482www.fws.gov/willapa
Nancy HolmanVisitor Services [email protected]
Coastal giant salamander/photo courtesy of Jackson D Shedd