National Wildlife Refuges Fuel Local Economies
"We all know the ecological value of preserving habitat and the many
species we have here," said Mike Bryant, US Fish and Wildlife Service's
Alligator River manager. "Now this study shows that to do so also is good
sound business." Hans Vogelsong of East Carolina University's Department of
Recreation and Leisure Studies conducted the study paid for by the Coastal
Wildlife Refuge Society. Based on 1,673 surveys of refuge visitors, the
report states that approximately two-thirds of those responding to the
requests for information identified themselves as tourists.
Data revealed that another $324.6 million spent by visitors in the region,
although not directly associated with a refuge, also was attributed to the
presence of the wildlife refuges. Included in that total is $280 million
spent by visitors to Pea Island and $9.4 million by those visiting
Alligator River.
Fishing ranked No. 1 in the list of planned activities on the refuges, with
bird-watching, "other" and hunting following. Collected data indicates that
the average visitor to the refuges is 51.44 years old and has a mean
household income of at least $50,000, however, more than a third of all
respondents reported
income in excess of $75,000. More than 80 percent of those surveyed had at
least some college and more than one-third had engaged in post
college graduate work.
At Pea Island, 80 percent of those surveyed identified themselves as
tourists, and the majority indicated that the refuge was the primary reason
that they visited the region. More than 1 million visitors a year take
advantage of outdoor opportunities available on Pea Island, particularly
birders, many of whom travel
the world in pursuit of their hobby.
Of the eight refuges, Roanoke River, Pea Island and Alligator River
visitors reported the highest amount of spending directly related to refuge
visits. Expenditures for Alligator River respondents averaged $184.91 and
those visiting Pea Island averaged $208.80. Roanoke River visitors averaged
more at $221.30, however,
the primary difference with Pea Island was in the higher permit and program
fees reported at Roanoke River refuge.
Alligator River and Pea Island data shows that spending not directly
related to the refuges but incurred during the trip to the region far
surpassed that spent in relation to other refuges in the region. Alligator
River visitors averaged $575.17 and those trekking to Pea Island reported
spending of $573.59.
Visitors to the 12-county region created an estimated $30.4 million in
indirect impact. And induced impacts such as employee wages that are
recycled through the region were set at $35.4 million. These impacts also
translated into approximately 4,700 jobs in the region.
An additional $54 million of indirect impacts and $67 million of induced
impacts generated by visitors spending not directly related to refuge
visits prompted the creation of another 9,500 jobs.
Interested persons may download a copy of the report from
http://www.fws.gov/alligatorriver, stop by the any of the refuges involved
in the study to review a copy of the report, or call 252-473-1131 ext 230
for more information.
An economic impact study released earlier this year, titled Eastern North
Carolina National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Use Study, shows that the
region's National Wildlife Refuges are an important economic engine in
northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. The study, based on
data collected from October 2004 through October 2005 on the region's eight
refuges, reveals that the annual direct economic impact in terms of visitor
expenditures was estimated to be $166.6 million within the region. Of that
amount, $136 million was attributed to Pea Island refuge and $3.2 million
was related to Alligator River. Also included in the survey area was
Roanoke River, Mackay Island, Pocosin Lakes, Back Bay, Great Dismal Swamp
and Mattamuskeet refuges.
The collected data indicates that indirect impacts related directly to a
refuge visit -- such as groceries needed by restaurants or visitor's
laundry expenses -- also help fuel the regional economy.
Bonnie W. Strawser
Wildlife Interpretive Specialist/Volunteer Coordinator
Alligator River/Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
P. O. Box 1969
Manteo, NC 27954
office: 252-473-1131 ext 230
fax: 252-473-1668