National Wildlife Refuges in Tennessee face a $57 million budget shortfall Tennessee is home to 7 national wildlife refuges encompassing 120,400 acres. Their primary mission is to provide habitat for migratory birds and wintering waterfowl. Currently, refuge habitat diversity supports feeding, nesting and resting areas for 291 bird species, 51 mammals and 89 species of reptiles and amphibians. Each winter, refuges in Tennessee provide sanctuary for 750,000 ducks and geese, including 2/3 of all the American black ducks found in the state and 10% of the continental population. Reelfoot and Tennessee Refuges have been designated as “Globally Significant Important Bird Areas” for migratory birds and 83% of the migratory birds that have been listed as species of concern in the Central Hardwoods Region and Lower Mississippi Valley depend on these vital refuge lands. The Refuge System in Tennessee has identified: $57 million and 25 staff positions in unmet high priority needs. This shortfall prevents the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from adequately managing and restoring wildlife habitat, safely maintaining facilities and providing quality recreational programs. Unfortunately, the Refuge System budget has remained relatively flat for the last two years. Due to rising costs, a flat budget erodes each refuge’s base funding, preventing vital positions from being filled and projects from being completed. The Refuge System in Tennessee needs a $181,000 increase each year just to retain current services. National Wildlife Refuges: Tennessee Funding Crisis Tennessee Refuges support the region’s largest population of wintering bald eagles. Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge needs funding to enhance refuge management for 250,000 migratory waterfowl and 400,000 admiring visitors. This funding would improve waterfowl habitat and track annual waterfowl populations. The West Tennessee Refuge Complex needs funding to enhance management of 4,000 acres of wetland habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds.

National Wildlife Refuge Funding Crisis About C.A.R.E CARE is a unique coalition of 21 conservation, scientific, sporting, and recreation organizations with more than 5 million members across the United States. CARE has been working since 1995 to help the National Wildlife Refuge System fight a serious funding crisis. American Birding Association American Fisheries Society American Sportfishing Association Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Defenders of Wildlife Ducks Unlimited International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Izaak Walton League of America National Association of Service and Conservation Corps National Audubon Society National Rifle Association of America National Wildlife Federation National Wildlife Refuge Association Safari Club International The Wilderness Society The Wildlife Society Trout Unlimited U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Assateague Coastal Trust Wildlife Forever Wildlife Management Institute 1010 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC Phone: Fax: Web: CareHome.html CARE recommends a $700 million annual operations and maintenance budget for the Refuge System The National Wildlife Refuge System faces a crippling $3 billion operations and maintenance budget shortfall, which continues to grow. An annual increase of $300 million will prevent the Refuge System from spiraling into more debt and allow the Fish and Wildlife Service to begin restoring habitat, maintaining facilities and expanding public use opportunities that have languished due to lack of funds. Faced with a flattened budget and increased costs, in just three years 74% of the refuges in the northeast will be bankrupt, according to a Fish and Wildlife Service analysis. Other regions are facing similar problems. Able to absorb some budget pressure over the years, refuges have reached a threshold forcing the Fish and Wildlife Service to de-staff entire refuges, and cut visitor services and habitat management at scores of refuges. Investing in refuges is good for communities and for wildlife National Wildlife Refuges are economic engines in many rural areas. According to a recently released economic analysis, Banking on Nature, by the Fish and Wildlife Service: Recreational visits to national wildlife refuges generate substantial economic activity. In the 2004 “Banking on Nature Study,“ more than 36.7 million people visited refuges for recreation. Their spending generated $1.37 billion of sales in regional economies. This generated nearly 24,000 jobs and $453.9 million in employment income. In 2004 refuges in Tennessee hosted 1 milion visitors. Visitor recreation spending totalled over $14 million, generating 219 jobs and $1.9 million in tax revenue for the state of Tennessee.