Transcript Pacific County`s Front Porch

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Pacific County’s
Front Porch
A 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 Launch
Map 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 & More
Improvement Act of 1997
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Fishing
Hunting
Wildlife Observation
Wildlife Photography
Interpretation
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 Wild
Washington State ranks 8th in the nation
for economic output from wildlife
watching ($2.5 million)
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Bird Watching & Wildlife Observation
Big Game Hunting
Waterfowl Hunting
Camping
Shellfish Harvesting
Fishing
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Partners in Eco-tourism
1 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 Complex
3888 State Route 101
Ilwaco, WA 98624
360-484-3482
www.fws.gov/willapa
Nancy Holman
Visitor Services Manager
[email protected]
Coastal giant salamander/photo courtesy of Jackson D Shedd