| Released by the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail … |
Last month we talked about the many benefits of birding locally – you can reduce your carbon footprint, contribute to citizen science by exploring under-birded areas and develop a deeper appreciation of the birds in your neighborhood! This month, though, we want to tell you about the many benefits that traveling birders provide.
Did you know that wildlife viewing is ranked as the second most popular type of outdoor recreation in Florida, and is more popular than fishing, biking, or golf?
With our incredible diversity of wildlife, it is not surprising that we attract over 8 billion wildlife tourists each year – more than any other state in the nation!
According to the most recent comprehensive study in 2011, our impressive ecotourism sector supports over 40,000 jobs. To put this in perspective, that is more jobs than the entire statewide air travel industry. Wildlife viewing also generates nearly $3 billion a year – more than double the revenue generated by the orange industry!
Those of us who love wildlife aren’t usually in it for the money, but the economic benefits of a strong ecotourism industry can translate into strong incentives for conservation action!
If you want to help us hammer the point across, let local businesses know why you are in the area when you go birding: wear your binoculars; tell them where you are going; and tell them what you’ve seen.
The more ways we can show that our wildlife and wild spaces are valuable, the better chance they have to remain protected for years to come.