Fish and Wildlife Service
For release March 23, 1995
SERVICE RELEASES NEW VISITOR GUIDE FOR REFUGE
SYSTEM, REPORTS ON HUNTING AND ANGLING
Guide Pinpoints Refuges, Describes Recreational Opportunities
Debbie McCrensky 703-358-1744
"A symphony of sounds, a panorama of painted canvases, a canopy of Canada geese, or a field of fragrant flowers." These images await visitors to the National Wildlife Refuge System and are colorfully depicted in the recently updated visitor's guide.
Last printed in 1988, "National Wildlife Refuges - A Visitor's Guide" features a map on one side showing the 380 refuges that offer educational and recreational opportunities. The other side includes a state-by-state listing of those refuges, with addresses, and a chart showing amenities, opportunities, and seasonal activities available at each refuge. Refuges without specific visitor opportunities are not listed. The brochure also includes general information about the National Wildlife Refuge System and is illustrated throughout with photographs by John and Karen Hollingsworth, noted wildlife photographers.
Encompassing 92 million acres, the National Wildlife Refuge System has grown to 504 units since its inception in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt set aside Pelican Island in Florida as the first bird sanctuary. The refuges range in size from half-acre Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota to the 19.2-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. One can be found within a short drive of virtually every major metropolitan area.
Copies of "National Wildlife Refuges - A Visitor's Guide" can be obtained from local national wildlife refuges or by calling or writing the Service's Publications Unit, 4040 North Fairfax Drive, 130 Webb Building, Arlington, Virginia 22203; 703-358- 1711. Copies also can be obtained from Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Offices in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Anchorage, Alaska; Atlanta, Georgia; Denver, Colorado; Hadley, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Portland, Oregon. Number of Anglers Rose, Hunter Numbers Stable, During 1980s, Report Shows
Hugh Vickery 202-208-5634
A special report issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service shows the number of anglers rose 17 percent in the 1980s while the number of hunters remained essentially the same. Meanwhile, the number of people who fed, photographed, or otherwise observed wildlife rose 63 percent during the decade.
The report, "1980-1990 Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation Trends," is based on survey information garnered from three comprehensive national surveys of fishing, hunting, and wildlife-associated recreation conducted in 1980, 1985, and 1991.
Due to changes designed to improve survey methodology, the results of the comprehensive 1991 survey could not be accurately compared to similar studies done in 1980 and 1985. However, statisticians have used screening data from those surveys to establish trends.
The Service also issued a report estimating the net economic value of bass and trout fishing, deer hunting, and wildlife watching in each state. Net economic value is defined as the economic measure of the benefit to individuals from participation in an activity.
Review copies of both reports are available from Division of Federal Aid, Survey Staff, 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, Virginia 22203.
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