The 521 national wildlife refuges in the U.S. are in sad shape, suffering from low funding, inadequate staffing, and poor leadership, according to a survey of 230 refuge managers released yesterday by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. More than 90 percent of the managers surveyed said they want a new leadership structure for the refuge system or else they want the refuges removed from the oversight of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Disrepair in the refuges is rampant, with buildings in poor condition, dikes not being maintained, and staff unable to keep up with basic functions such as planting grass and nesting cover for birds, said retired manager Gene Hocutt. Refuges are located in all 50 states, encompass 93 million acres, and attract some 34 million visitors each year, but the managers surveyed said the refuges get far less attention and funding than other public lands.
