Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Pacific County’s Front Porch A 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 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

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 & More Improvement Act of Fishing 2.Hunting 3.Wildlife Observation 4.Wildlife Photography 5.Interpretation 6.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) 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 Wild Washington State ranks 8 th 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-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

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 wildlife Proposed 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 Complex 3888 State Route 101 Ilwaco, WA Nancy Holman Visitor Services Manager Coastal giant salamander/photo courtesy of Jackson D Shedd