Banking on Nature: The Economic Benefits to Local Communities of National Wildlife Refuge Visitation
Activity Levels Table 1-52 shows the recreation visits for Nisqually NWR. The Refuge had 203,815 visits in 2011. Almost all of the visits were for non-consumptive recreation, with residents accounting for 70 percent of visitation. Table 1-52. Nisqually NWR: 2011 Recreation Visits Activity
Residents
Non-Residents
Total
Non-Consumptive: Pedestrian
122,920
52,680
175,600
Auto Tour
0
0
0
Boat Trail/Launch
3,500
1,500
5,000
Bicycle
0
0
0
Interpretation
1,204
516
1,720
Photography
12,292
5,268
17,560
Other Recreation
350
150
500
Big Game
0
0
0
Small Game
0
0
0
Migratory Birds
165
70
235
Freshwater
0
0
0
Saltwater
2,240
960
3,200
142,671
61,144
203,815
Hunting:
Fishing:
Total Visitation Regional Economic Analysis
The economic area for the Refuge consists of Pierce and Thurston Counties in Washington. It is assumed that visitor expenditures occur primarily within this area. Visitor recreation expenditures for 2011 are shown in Table 1-53. Total expenditures were $3.5 million with residents accounting for $1.0 million. Expenditures on non-consumptive activities accounted for 94 percent of all expenditures, with fishing accounting for 5 percent.
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