In developing the National Wildlife Refuge System’s strategic direction for the next decade, the Service and the public it serves must understand where America has been and where it is going — demographically, socially, and economically. Much has changed since 1999 when the Refuge System last examined its future at this scale.
A growing number of the people in American and global societies see less of a direct link between the natural world and their food, water, and quality of life, but this does not make conservation less relevant today than it was in President Roosevelt’s era or at other times in history when people rallied to save nature. This disconnection demands innovative and dynamic ways to increase society’s conservation literacy, to connect people to nature and to communicate why the collective conservation mission is more relevant today than ever before.
The United States population has increased more than 14 percent since 1998. As U.S. residents become increasingly concentrated in cities and mega-cities, urban sprawl is fragmenting more habitat. By 2050, the U.S. population is projected to grow to 392 million.
The United States is more racially and ethnically diverse. Groups that have historically been considered minorities are projected to be the majority by 2042. Hispanics are the fastest growing group, expected to make up a third of the population by 2050. One of eight Americans is African American.
The nation is also aging. By 2030 nearly one in five residents will be 65 or older. By 2050 Americans 65 and older will exceed 80 million. But the “baby boomer” generation, the first of who turned 65 in 2011, is different than those who turned that same age generations ago. They are determined to stay active, to try new adventures and to make a difference for society.
Demographic shifts are intersecting with other major trends. Among the most profound is accelerating climate change, fueled by rapid world population growth. These changes are evidenced by rising sea levels, loss of coastal wetlands, more incidents of flooding and droughts, and the growth of non-native species that crowd out native organisms in ecosystems once thought outside their range.
Social changes have also been profound. The pervasive spread of portable, wireless communication devices and a culture of nonstop social networking have changed the social fabric. The American people are less connected with America’s great outdoors. While environmental threats still resonate on some level — witness public outcry over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico — many citizens feel that conservation threats are a distant concern. The Refuge System’s challenge is to make wildlife refuges relevant to citizens’ lives.
Being relevant to America demands the delivery of lasting benefits to all of America’s citizens while at the same time ensuring representation of all of her citizens appropriately as The Service works within the broader global context. The Service needs to stand ready to meet opportunities with appropriate and immediate action, renewed focus, flexibility, and creative initiatives that are responsive to change. The Service must be prepared to learn new strategies, exchange models and insights, and effectively manage the Refuge System for a rapidly changing America.
Comment below and/or move on to Chapter 2 - Conserving the Future
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To reach the growing population of disconnected citizens the NWRS needs to come up with some radical ideas. Push forward with ideas that seem ridiculous at first but can potentially get more people interested.
I am not sure how it would work but what about creating refuges closer to large populated areas? Bring the refuges to the people. Even if these are not “prime” areas they could grow into them. And if they are close to large groups of widely diverse people they could increase interest in the system as a whole. I fear a lot of people think of the refuges as remote, inaccessible areas and really have no concept of what they are or even the idea of visiting them.
These new city-refuges could be converted parks and preserves and in collaboration with city, county, and state systems already in place. This could offset some funding issues and/or provide better access to funding to areas that are lacking it. (I really don’t know anything about how that part works.)
Refuges don’t necessarily have to protect huge areas of land or exceptionally important areas either. (Of course, they need to have some value but current parks/preserves, at least in northern Illinois, have beautiful forests, prairies, rivers, and streams all teaming with wildlife.)
Increasing the promotion of all types of recreation at the refuges to school children would be a plus too. It doesn’t have to be just fishing and hunting. Hiking, camping, photography, birding, etc. could be discussed in classrooms across the nation.
The refuges need to protect wildlife and ecosystems but they also need to be usable and thus relevant to people. Without the personal connection and accessibility, the disconnect will continue to spiral out of control.
In the 3rd paragraph is the sentence, “By 2050, the U.S. population is projected to grow to 392 million.” Recommend you add to the end of the sentence, such as “…392 million an increase from ___ million today/in 1998.” Give the 392 million figure some perspective. Is that an increase of 50 million, 100 million,etc. from today?
In the 6th paragraph is the sentence, “… and the growth of non-native species that crowd out native organisms in ecosystems on thought outside their range.” What do you mean by “once thought outside their range”? I don’t believe for the most part invasive species are moving on their own accord great distances. Invasive species are moving great distance and outside their normal range because humans are directly or indirectly moving them to new areas outside their normal range.