Alaska's sixteen National Wildlife Refuges enhance the lives of local residents and tourists alike. In 2004, over 972,000 people enjoyed these public lands, participating in activities that included hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography, environmental education, and interpretation. In addition, local refuge communities reaped substantial economic benefits according to Banking on Nature 2004: The Economic Benefits to Local Communities of National Wildlife Refuge Visitation, released today by Secretary of the Interior, Gale Norton.
Banking on Nature 2004, produced by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service economists, details findings from a sample of 93 of the 545 national wildlife refuges across the nation. The sample included five of Alaska's refuges - Alaska Peninsula, Izembek, Kenai, Kodiak, and Togiak. The report takes a look at each refuge's local area economy, numbers of recreational visits, visitor recreation expenditures, and employment income generated by community private sector jobs. "I?m proud that Alaska's national wildlife refuges strengthen the economic health of local communities today, while conserving wildlife and habitat for future generations," said Alaska Regional Director, Rowan Gould. Visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges for the full report.
Banking on Nature 2004, is released just in time to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week October 9 through 15, 2005. Refuge Week provides the countrys national wildlife refuges a venue to showcase their contributions to the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat, as well as opportunities for outdoor recreation. A few of Alaska's refuges will be showcased at a Mini Wildlife Film Festival on Tuesday, October 11th at Anchorage's Loussac Library from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free and will be held in the Wilda Marson Theater on the ground floor of the library.
In addition to economic benefits, Alaska's refuges have much to offer. Comprising almost 77 million acres, Alaska's refuges provide essential habitat for a variety of wildlife. From bears and wolves, to walrus and waterfowl, this abundant wildlife offers Alaskans prime opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. Hike through the hills of Selawik National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern Alaska to watch thousands of caribou migrate each fall. Witness the beauty of one of the largest seabird refuges in the world, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, from the Alaska State Ferry.
Alaska's refuges help educate school children in all of the communities they are near. Summer science camps provide local youth with outdoor learning experiences. Refuges and schools partner to give students hands-on scientific research experience, such as monitoring moose populations in Tetlin Refuge and following the Steller's eider migration from the north slope to Izembek Refuge. Visitor centers in Homer, Soldotna, Tok, Kodiak, King Salmon, Coldfoot, and Bethel provide exhibits, information, and nature programs to tourists as well as local residents.
Alaska's wildlife refuges also provide opportunities for world class hunting and fishing and play a critical role in the life of rural subsistence users. Explore Alaska's refuges by plane, boat, foot, or by dog sled in the winter. Back-country camping is permitted in any of Alaska's wildlife refuges, while some refuges like Kenai, Kodiak, and Tetlin offer campgrounds and/or cabins. Plan your next outdoor adventure on a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge . Contact the Alaska Refuges office at 786-3354 or visit http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/nwr.htm for specific information.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 520 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fish and wildlife management assistance offices, 64 Fishery Resource Offices, and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
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