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Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. Pacific County’s Front Porch A Wildlife Refuge, The Big Six & Economics. Northern Pintail/photo courtesy of Dr. Madeline Kalbach. Refuge Quick Facts Established in 1937 to protect migratory birds and their habitat

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Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

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  1. Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Pacific County’s Front Porch A Wildlife Refuge, The Big Six & Economics Northern Pintail/photo courtesy of Dr. Madeline Kalbach

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. The Big Six & More • Improvement Act of 1997 • 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. The Business of Wild • Washington 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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 • Nancy_holman@fws.gov Coastal giant salamander/photo courtesy of Jackson D Shedd

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