National wildlife refuges and management districts provide many services to people. A complete economic analysis of the refuge system would include not only the value of all the forms of recreation enjoyed but also the payrolls of refuge employees and the values of maintaining endangered species, preserving wetlands, educating future generations, and adding stability to our ecosystem. All of these services are of value to society, whether or not they result in some form of market transaction. To understand the economics of refuges, we need to ask not only "What would a region's economy be like if the refuge or management district did not exist?" but also "What would life be like if the refuge or management district did not exist?"