FRIENDS ACADEMY September 26, 2009 Priorities: People Debbie Steen Chief- Division of Visitor Services and Fire Management - Alaska

Lewis and Clark Expedition started in 1804 Expedition started in 1804 Two year journey Two year journey Documented over 100 species of animals and approximately 176 plants. Documented over 100 species of animals and approximately 176 plants.

Passenger Pigeon

American Bison Once listed as the most numerous single species of large wild mammal on earth. Once listed as the most numerous single species of large wild mammal on earth. In the mid-1880’s, less than 1000 roamed free. In the mid-1880’s, less than 1000 roamed free. Uses: clothes, food, rugs Uses: clothes, food, rugs

Feathers for Fashion

1903 On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an executive order designating Pelican Island as the Nation’s first wildlife refuge On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an executive order designating Pelican Island as the Nation’s first wildlife refuge

The Dust Bowl:

Migratory Bird Refuges Dust Bowl Era of Conservation Efforts 1930s and 1940s A great drought and an economic depression occurred during the 1930s A great drought and an economic depression occurred during the 1930s Waterfowl populations plummeted Waterfowl populations plummeted Congress passed the Migratory Bird Conservation Act in 1929 Congress passed the Migratory Bird Conservation Act in 1929 Funding for acquiring new refuges provided by Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act of 1934 Funding for acquiring new refuges provided by Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act of 1934 Waterfowl refuges established throughout the United States Waterfowl refuges established throughout the United States

Guidance Guidance 1943 Refuge Manual – “recreational use on refuges shall be held to a minimum commensurate with reasonable local demands”. The adverse effect of public use will be offset by public relations value Refuge Manual – “recreational use on refuges shall be held to a minimum commensurate with reasonable local demands”. The adverse effect of public use will be offset by public relations value Refuge Manual – primary use of refuges is for protection of wildlife, areas are managed on a multiple use basis w/o defeating objectives for which refuge established 1957 Refuge Manual – primary use of refuges is for protection of wildlife, areas are managed on a multiple use basis w/o defeating objectives for which refuge established

Guidance cont Refuge Recreation Act and 1966 Refuge Administration Act – refuges closed to all recreation uses until a manager determines that a proposed use was compatible with establishing purposes, and sufficient funding to administer those uses Refuge Recreation Act and 1966 Refuge Administration Act – refuges closed to all recreation uses until a manager determines that a proposed use was compatible with establishing purposes, and sufficient funding to administer those uses.

1989 GAO Report At least 7 non priority uses occurring on 70% of refuges At least 7 non priority uses occurring on 70% of refuges Managing non priority uses diverts scarce resources Managing non priority uses diverts scarce resources Refuge Managers unable to stop uses due to existing laws Refuge Managers unable to stop uses due to existing laws

National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997

National Wildlife Refuge System Mission Statement The mission of the System is to administer a national network of lands and water for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans”

Established: Established: Six compatible wildlife –dependent recreational uses. These uses are “hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation.” In addition, these uses were described as priority public uses of the Refuge System. Refuge Improvement Act

Quality Wildlife Dependent Recreation

Calls for: Calls for: Increased opportunities for families to experience compatible wildlife-dependent recreation, particularly opportunities for parents and their children to safely engage in traditional outdoors activities such as hunting and fishing. Refuge Improvement Act

In October, 1998, Refuge System employees and their partners gathered to set a vision Result: “Fulfilling the Promise” document

Fulfilling the Promise Vision Refuges will provide the American people: A Legacy of Wildlife

A Place where Visitors feel Welcome

Opportunities for Public Stewardship

Fulfilling the Promise Vision Refuges will provide the American people: A Legacy of Wildlife A Place Where Visitors Feel Welcome A Place Where Visitors Feel Welcome Opportunities for Public Stewardship Opportunities for Public Stewardship A System to Appreciate A System to Appreciate

Connections Connect people to their natural resource heritage Connect people to their natural resource heritage Better understand the connection between people, wildlife, habitat, and land management. Better understand the connection between people, wildlife, habitat, and land management.

This is important because: An informed citizenry – understanding the connections puts people in a better position to make wise resource decisions. An informed citizenry – understanding the connections puts people in a better position to make wise resource decisions. Best chance for the future of wildlife Best chance for the future of wildlife Best chance to ensure a System of lands and water dedicated to conserving wildlife survives for future generations to enjoy. Best chance to ensure a System of lands and water dedicated to conserving wildlife survives for future generations to enjoy.

History 1903-Sanctuaries for wildlife 1903-Sanctuaries for wildlife 1920’s - some hunting and fishing 1920’s - some hunting and fishing 1949 – Duck Stamp Act opened 25% 1949 – Duck Stamp Act opened 25% first records- 3.4 million visitors first records- 3.4 million visitors 1960 – 10 million visitors 1960 – 10 million visitors million visitors million visitors million visitors million visitors

Banking on Nature million visits to Refuges Spent $1.7 billion (890 million in 2002 report) Generated $543 million in employment income Created 27,000 jobs For every taxpayer $, the NWRS returned $4 Banking on Nature2006

National Trends By 2050, the US population is expected to increase to 392 million. (as of July million) By 2050, the US population is expected to increase to 392 million. (as of July million) The populations will be more diverse. Individuals of Hispanic origin will be the largest minority group. The populations will be more diverse. Individuals of Hispanic origin will be the largest minority group. Immigration is expected to play a major role in the growth of the Nation’s population. Immigration is expected to play a major role in the growth of the Nation’s population.

National Trends 199 refuges are classified as “urban” which means, according to the Census Bureau definition, they are in or adjacent to urban areas. 199 refuges are classified as “urban” which means, according to the Census Bureau definition, they are in or adjacent to urban areas. Urban area expansion will cause increased pressure on natural areas as more people will try to connect with nature. Urban area expansion will cause increased pressure on natural areas as more people will try to connect with nature.

National Trends There are 75.8 million babies born between the years 1946 and (baby boomers) There are 75.8 million babies born between the years 1946 and (baby boomers) In 1957, the biggest year of boomers, 4.3 million children were born. In 1957, the biggest year of boomers, 4.3 million children were born. These individuals are 52 years of age today and many will begin retiring in the next 5 to 10 years These individuals are 52 years of age today and many will begin retiring in the next 5 to 10 years As a group, they tend to be active, educated, and well off financially. As a group, they tend to be active, educated, and well off financially.

National Trends 48.6 million Americans ages 6 and older participated in some type of nature based recreation in 2008* 48.6 million Americans ages 6 and older participated in some type of nature based recreation in 2008* Hiking was up 9%* Hiking was up 9%* Bird watching was up 5%* Bird watching was up 5%* Hunting and Fishing numbers are declining* Hunting and Fishing numbers are declining* (*Source: Outdoor Industry Association) (*Source: Outdoor Industry Association)

National Trends According to the Bureaus of Labor Statistics, 62 million Americans volunteered last year. According to the Bureaus of Labor Statistics, 62 million Americans volunteered last year. Even during lean economic times, volunteerism increased. Even during lean economic times, volunteerism increased.

What is the Service Doing? VFEs VFEs Connecting Children with Nature Connecting Children with Nature Connecting People and Nature Connecting People and Nature Birding Initiative- focus on nonconsumptive uses Birding Initiative- focus on nonconsumptive uses Raising Congressional Awareness Raising Congressional Awareness Publications Publications

How can Friends help? Get to know your refuge, its purpose and vision Get to know your refuge, its purpose and vision Ask questions of your Refuge Manager Ask questions of your Refuge Manager Understand what your Refuge is planning in future years Understand what your Refuge is planning in future years

The Friends “Connection” Friends organizations are advocates for their particular refuges Friends organizations are advocates for their particular refuges By extension, Friends serve as advocates for the NWRS as a whole By extension, Friends serve as advocates for the NWRS as a whole A strong and dynamic NWRS means more opportunities for individual refuges A strong and dynamic NWRS means more opportunities for individual refuges

Discussion

How can Friends help us be a part of the lives of future generations? Discussion