Paradox For Refuges

Conservation

The National Wildlife Refuge System dedicated its 500th unit in 1994, gained seven others and added about 200,000 acres to existing units throughout the country.

Last year’s expansion continued the pace set in the last decade, during which 76 refuges and approximately 3.6 million acres were added. The refuge system now includes 504 units encompassing 91.7 million acres in all 50 states and five territories.

The system shrank in another respect, however, as more were managed with fewer employees and fewer dollars than any other federal land-managing agency.

In 1994, the system was managed for $1.81 per acre, with one employee per 41,000 acres.