WASHINGTON — November 5, 2013 — A new report released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Banking On Nature: The Economic Benefits to Local Communities of National Wildlife Refuge Visitation, shows that for every $1 appropriated by Congress to run the Refuge System, nearly $5 is generated in local economies. Despite the fact that the Refuge System has seen a significant increase in visitation, it has faced severe funding cuts. As Congress considers the budget bills for Fiscal Year 2014, the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE) calls upon the House of Representatives and the Senate to fund the Refuge System at $499 million this year.
"As hunters, anglers, bird and wildlife watchers, scientists, conservationists and concerned Americans, we know the National Wildlife Refuge System has always been a worthy investment," said David Houghton, President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association and Chair of the CARE coalition. "Now the data proves it – refuges provide an enormous bang for the American buck."
The report, spanning 2006-2011, shows that even during the worst recession since the Great Depression, the overall return on investment increased substantially for the Refuge System as well as every other major indicator. From 2006-2011 the Refuge System saw the following annual increases:
· 20% increase in sales and economic output to $2.4 billion;
· 30% increase in visitors to 46.5 million;
· 22% increase in return on investment for every $1 appropriated to $4.87;
· 23% increase in jobs to 35,000.