Study finds visitors to refuge were pleased
Study finds visitorsto refuge were pleased
ARLINGTON, Va. -- Ninety-five percent of visitors to national wildlife refuges were satisfied with their experience, according to a recent survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Visitors were most satisfied with the service they received from employees and volunteers. "We are extraordinarily proud of these results," said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams.
"The refuge system is providing quality recreation and family education programs that will benefit ... our wildlife resources for generations to come."
The survey was conducted last fall by interviewers who approached 3,031 visitors at 47 wildlife refuges around the country.
About 80 percent -- 2,456 people -- agreed to participate.
Those who reported dissatisfaction pointed to the condition and quality of roads as well as the number of parking spaces.
Of visitors who paid a fee, whether for entry to the refuge or for a specific service, 83 percent agreed that the fee was appropriate; 9 percent thought the fee was too low.
The National Wildlife Refuge system's 545 facilities attract 40 million people a year with parks in every state, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam.
To find one near you, go to refuges.fws.gov.