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 FactsApprox. 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 wildlifeProposed 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 ManagerNancy_holman@fws.gov

Coastal giant salamander/photo courtesy of Jackson D Shedd