Refuge Workforce Planning
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Midwest Regional Office has developed a plan to reduce staffing at the Region’s national wildlife refuges by 71 positions, approximately 20 percent of its workforce over the next three years. The personnel reductions are, in part, the result of nationwide budget shortfalls in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
The National Wildlife Refuge System is the only network of federal lands dedicated specifically to wildlife conservation. The Midwest Region National Wildlife Refuge System covers eight states and includes 54 national wildlife refuges, 12 wetland management districts and more than one million acres of public land and water.
Since fiscal year 2004, the Midwest Regional Refuge System budget has remained relatively static at $28.5 million. At the same time, personnel costs have increased an average of five percent annually. Operational cost, such as fuel, equipment and other expenses have also increased. To offset these costs since fiscal year 2004, the Region has already left 35 positions vacant and will reduce staff by an additional 36 positions -- to reach the total of 71 positions -- over the next three years.
The losses will occur in each of the eight states in the Midwest Region. Minnesota will take the largest loss with a reduction of 27 full-time positions. Wisconsin will lose 10 positions, Illinois will lose nine, Iowa will lose eight, Indiana and Missouri will each lose six, Michigan will lose four and Ohio will lose one position. Once these reductions are completed two refuges in Minnesota, Hamden Slough and Crane Meadows, will no longer have staff on-site.
Links and downloads
State Workforce Planning Fact Sheets
