Home Values:  
A national study conducted in 2012 shows that owning a home near a national wildlife refuge increases home values and helps support the surrounding community’s tax base. According to the study, homes located within half a mile of a refuge and within eight miles of an urban center were found to have higher home values. This report is the first national study to analyze national wildlife refuges’ impact on land values. 

Nature Tourism:
Wildlife watching is on of the most popular types of outdoor recreation in the United States. Americans enjoy observing, feeding and photographing wildlife. Wildlife watching has a substantial impact on the nation's and state's economies, contributing significantly to federal and state tax revenues, jobs, earnings and economic output. The Washita National Wildlife Refuge contributes to this effort by offering opportunities for the public to enjoy wildlife-dependent recreation.

Helpful Links:
National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (2011)
Home Values of Proximity to National Wildlife Refuges (2012)