Benefits of National Wildlife Refuges for local economies

[Elkhunter]

Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton has released a report on the benefits of National Wildlife Refuges for local economies. With nearly 37 million visitors, Secretary Norton says eco-tourism and recreation by themselves make National Wildlife Refuges an economic engine for the National Economy. "Nationwide, National Wildlife Refuges contribute 1.4 billion dollars to our national economy, and create nearly 24 thousand jobs. They generate 151 million dollars in tax revenue for local, state and federal government." The report was compiled by U.S. Service economists based on a study of 93 refuges. The report shows the economic benefit is more than 4 times the taxpayers investment in maintenance and operations in 2004. Altogether, the National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses nearly 100 million acres on 540 National Wildlife Refuges.

 

[Tom]

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4024865.html

That's a great find, ecotourism, they call it, eh. Some of the money is from hunting, I wonder what percentage, does it say anywhere in there?

 

[Elkhunter]

Here is more about refuges http://www.fws.gov/refuges/ and if you want to read the full report it is here http://www.fws.gov/refuges/policyMakers/pdfs/BankingOnNature_2004_finalt.pdf

 

[Tom]

Appendix two shows the hunter doesn't always spend the most per day there. Maybe hunters money is not as important as it used to be, at least in some regions?