Banking on Nature: The Economic Benefits to Local Communities of National Wildlife Refuge Visitation
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Description Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex (Blackwater, Martin, Susquehanna and Eastern Neck NWR's) located 12 miles south of Cambridge, Maryland, was established in 1933 as a refuge for migratory birds. The refuge includes more than 28,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and loblolly pine forest, managed freshwater impoundments and croplands. It serves as an important resting and feeding area for migrating and wintering waterfowl, and supports one of the highest concentrations of nesting bald eagles on the Atlantic coast. Blackwater NWR is also home to the largest endemic populations of endangered Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrels. Area Economy Blackwater NWR is located in the eastern shore in Maryland. Table 5-11 shows the area economy. The area population increased by 7 percent from 2001 to 2011, compared with a 8 percent increase for Maryland and a 9 percent increase for the U.S. as a whole. Area employment showed no change from 2001 to 2011, with Maryland showing a 9 percent increase and the U.S. a 6 percent increase. Per capita income in the area increased by 8 percent over the 2001-2011 period, while Maryland and the U.S. increased by 10 and 5 percent respectively. Table 5-11. Blackwater NWR: Summary of Area Economy, 2011 (Population & Employment in 000’s; Per Capita Income in 2011 dollars) Population
Employment
Percent change 2001-2011
Percent change 2001-2011
2011
Dorchester MD
32.6
7%
16.2
0%
$34,771
8%
5,828.3
8%
3,395.7
9%
$50,656
10%
311,591.9
9%
175,834.7
6%
$41,560
5%
United States
2011
Percent change 2001-2011
County Maryland
2011
Per Capita Income
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce November 2012. Activity Levels Table 5-12 shows the recreation visits for Blackwater NWR. The Refuge had 82,163 visits in 2011. Non-consumptive recreation accounted for 71,416 visits with residents comprising 20 percent of Refuge visitation. Visitation in 2011 was slightly lower than average due to the closure of the main visitor center for renovation in November 2010 and the closure of the auto tour route for maintenance in September and October 2011.
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