watchable wildlife - wdfw.wa.gov · • washington state great birding trails project sparks ideas....

Watchable WildlifeWatchable WildlifeDevelopment of a Statewide

Wildlife Viewing Plan for Washington to Increase Rural Tourism

Today’s ObjectivesToday’s Objectives

• Explain the request for a Wildlife Viewing Plan for Washington

• What demographics tell us

• Highlights of the plan• Highlights of reviewer

feedback

Developers of the PlanDevelopers of the Plan

• Michael O’Malley, WDFW

• George Sharp, CTED• Chuck Gibilisco,

WDFW• Betsy Gabel, CTED• Michelle Reilly, CTED• And Planning

Committee

1. Wildlife Viewing Plan1. Wildlife Viewing Plan• 2003 Washington Legislature

Passes SB 5011

“The departments of Fish and Wildlife and Community, Trade, and Economic Development are directed to host a conference on wildlife viewing tourism, working with interested local governments, state agencies, and stakeholders.

“The objective of the conference shall be adoption of a strategic plan and specific implementing actions for promotion of wildlife viewing tourism in a manner that provides sustainable rural economic development and maintains wildlife diversity.

“A summary of conference recommendations must be submitted to the Legislature”

Washington Conference 9/03/03Washington Conference 9/03/03

Keynote PresentersKeynote PresentersJeff Koenings, Director, WDFW

Robin Pollard, former Director, EconomicDevelopment Division, CTED

Senator Ken Jacobsen

Jim Mallman, Watchable Wildlife, Inc.

Keynote PresentersKeynote Presenters

11 Working Groups11 Working GroupsStrategic Wildlife Viewing Plan for WashingtonCreating a shared vision for wildlife viewing

development in Washington state.• Questions/Issues/Barriers - to wildlife viewing

in your neck of the woods.

Conference FindingsConference Findings• Lack of funding - for campaign,

staff, agency participation, signing, materials, future needs

• Need a coherent vision of what watchable wildlife is and how to project that to the public and agencies

• Need to make it easy for others to get a program going, need instructions, who to talk with, how is it done, what is the safe way to do the program both from site selection and public safety

• Need to develop methods to help volunteers and keep them from being burned out

Conference FindingsConference Findings• Educate the public on

what is being seen, develop the infrastructure to support sites

• How to develop local interest and support, emphasis on economic return on investment, how it promotes area, get sites into urban areas also

• Need government,political and business support for program

Wildlife Viewing in WashingtonWildlife Viewing in Washington

• Rich resource base, and let’s keep it that way• Active viewer participation and economic

impact• Growing community interest

Goals of Wildlife Viewing ProgramsGoals of Wildlife Viewing Programs

• Promote habitat conservation

• Promote sustainable economic development

• Build broad-based public support for wildlife conservation programs

Community BenefitsCommunity Benefits• Build unique community

identity• Promote historical significance • Develop Pride of Place• Conserving wildlife habitat,

improve quality of life• Provide positive marketing

image • Promote community cultural

fabric• Promote authentic indigenous

community characteristics• Create a story for the

community

Natural Resource BenefitsNatural Resource Benefits• Heightened awareness of

the value of natural resources and need to conserve irreplaceable assets

• Stewardship of assets• Protection of community-

determined sacred places

Great Interest in Wildlife ViewingGreat Interest in Wildlife Viewing

Participants in Fish and Wildlife Recreational Activities

2 ,4 9 6 ,0 0 0

9 3 8 ,0 0 0

2 2 7 , 0 0 0

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

Wildlife Viewers Anglers Hunters

So urce: 2 0 0 1 N at io na l S urv e y o f F is hing , Hunt ing , a nd Wild lif e -A s s o c ia t e d R e c re a t io n ; US Fish and Wild life Service and US Census Bureau.

21.2

54.1

12

27

36

76.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1982/83 1994/95 2000/01

Mill

ions

of B

irde

rs

Number of Participants (millions) Percent of U.S. Population

Increase in Birding-NationallyIncrease in Birding-Nationally

Sunset MagazineSunset Magazine

AAA WashingtonAAA Washington

$1 Billion Business$1 Billion Business

Fish & Wildlife Related Recreational Expenditures & Ex-Vessel Commercial Revenue in WA

$ 9 7 9 ,7 3 0 ,0 0 0

$ 8 5 3 ,7 6 1,0 0 0

$ 117 ,7 4 7 ,0 0 0

$ 3 4 9 ,7 7 1,0 0 0

$0

$200,000,000

$400,000,000

$600,000,000

$800,000,000

$1,000,000,000

$1,200,000,000

Wildlife Watching Recreational Fishing Hunting Commercial Fishing

So urce: 2 0 0 1 N at io na l S urve y o f F is hing , Hunt ing , and W ild lif e - A s s o c ia t e d R e c re a t io n ; US Fish and Wild life Service and US Census Bureau;and a WDFW-P a c F IN R e p o rt .

Equipment and Travel ExpensesEquipment and Travel Expenses• Equipment expenditures

include binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras, film and developing, bird and other wildlife food, bird houses, packs, tents, vehicles, magazines and books, membership dues and contributions and plantings.

• Travel–related expenditures include accommodations, eating and drinking establishments, air and ground transportation, recreation, retail sales and food stores.

Expenditures GrowExpenditures Grow

Expenditures by Washington Residents on Wildlife Viewing

$ 6 53

$ 1,0 9 2

$ 750

$ 0

$ 200

$ 400

$ 600

$ 800

$ 1,000

$ 1,200

19 9 1 19 9 6 2 0 0 1

In Constant 2001 dollars

In M

illio

ns

Sour ce: 2 0 0 1 Na t i o na l Sur v e y o f Fi s h i ng , Hunt i ng , a nd

Wi l dl i f e - As s o c i a t e d Re c r e a t i o n ; US Fish and Wildlif e Ser vice and

US Census Bur eau.

Creates JobsCreates Jobs

Jobs Generated in Washington 2001

2 2 , 4 3 9

6 , 8 0 1

16 ,9 6 5

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

Wildlife Watching Recreational Fishing Hunting

# Jo

bs G

ener

ated

So urce: 2 0 0 1 N a t io na l S urv e y o f F is hing , Hunt ing , a nd Wild l if e -A s s o c ia t e d R e c re a t io n ; US Fish and Wild life Service and US Census Bureau

Community Interest GrowsCommunity Interest Grows

• Wildlife festivals and events are increasing

• Scenic highway planning stimulates interest

• Washington State Great Birding Trails project sparks ideas

Birding TrailsBirding Trails

North Cascades Loop

New Coulee Corridor Trail

Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail -Visitors

Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail -Visitors

What Demographics Tell UsWhat Demographics Tell Us

Washington's Aging Population

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

0-4

10-14

20-24

30-34

40-44

50-54

60-64

70-74

80-84

Age

# R

esid

ents

1980 1990 2001

Source: 2001 Washington State Data Book; Office of Fincacial Management

Percentage of Age GroupsPercentage of Age Groups

Portion of Population that Participates in Wildlife Viewing

37

32

44

5254

64

51

22

15

25

3436

40

35

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

16-17 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

Perc

ent o

f Pop

ulat

ion

Washington National

Source: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation; US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Census Bureau.

Gender of ParticipantsGender of Participants

Fish and Wildlife Related Activity Participation in Washington by Gender

4 8

74

9 5

4 95 2

2 6

5

5 1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Wildlife Viewers Anglers Hunters General Population

Perc

ent o

f Act

ivity

Male Female

Sour ce: 2 0 0 1 Na t i o na l Sur v e y o f Fi s h i ng , Hunt i ng , a nd Wi l dl i f e - As s o c i a t e d Re c r e a t i o n ; US Fish and

Wildlif e Ser vice and US Census Bur eau.

ResidenceResidence

Where Wildlife Viewers Live

64%

8% 8%

20%

53%

20%

8%

19%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

1,000,000+ 250,000-999,999 50,000-249,999 Rural

Perc

ent o

f Wild

life

View

ers

Livi

ng in

Po

pula

tion

Cen

ters

Washington National


IncomeIncomeIncome Levels of Wildlife Viewers

10%9%

11%

9%

20%

13%

15%

12%12%

10% 10% 10%

15%

8%9%

27%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Under $2

0,000

$20,0

00-$2

9,999

$30,0

00-$3

9,999

$40,0

00-$4

9,999

$50,0

00-$7

4,999

$75,0

00-$9

9,999

$100

,000+

Not Rep

orted

Perc

ent o

f Pop

ulat

ion

Washington National

Source: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, andWildlife-Associated Recreation; US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Census Bureau.

EducationEducation

Education Levels of Wildlife Viewing Participants

9

29 28

34

15

35

23

26

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

11 years or less 12 years 1-3 years college 4 or more years college

Perc

ent o

f Pop

ulat

ion

Washington National


Highlights of Draft PlanHighlights of Draft Plan• Research and

Marketing• Technical and

Financial Assistance

• Site Development• Partnerships

Detailed on pages 10-13;summarized on page 14

Guiding Principles and TasksGuiding Principles and Tasks

Research and Marketing

• Expand Ad exposure in key metro markets - CTED

• Advertising ROI - CTED• Media Blitz - CTED

Market the state as a premium national and international wildlife-viewing destination, to increase travel to wildlife viewing locations throughout the state.


• Economic impact research - CTED

• Consumer Research - CTED

Collect valid, reliable and credible measurements of the economic impact of wildlife viewing activities in Washington along with continued monitoring of the impacts of viewing activities on the wildlife being viewed.


• Wildlife site database - WDFW

• Interactive Web Wildlife Map -CTED

Identify needs and opportunities to provide premium wildlife viewing recreational opportunities, ensuring participant safety, conservation and protection of the wildlife being viewed; while not diminishing existing hunting and fishing opportunity.


Site Development• WDFW Sites • O&M Increase for

WDFW Wildlife Viewing Areas

• Matching grants for local capital projects

Develop sites to safely accommodate viewers and wildlife, with appropriate amenities such as viewing blinds, restrooms, parking, fencing and habitat improvements that attract wildlife.


• WDFW Watchable Wildlife Specialist –Eastern Washington

Utilize interpretation and development activities for wildlife sites to inform and educate visitors, communities and vendors on ethical viewing activities, viewing practices that ensure sustainability of the wildlife on which the species depend.


Technical and Financial Assistance• Professional/Financial Assistance

Specialist - CTED• Small Matching Grants for operationsPartnerships• Wildlife Viewing Conference – Bi-

annually• Watchable Wildlife Coalition • Birding Trail Matching Funds - AW

Maximize limited budgets by creating strong, sustainable partnerships with all appropriate public and private agencies to leverage public funds and to create involvement and multi-ownership in wildlife projects by all potential partners.

Why Partnerships?Why Partnerships?• The problem is too big

and too complex to be solved by any other means.

• Partnerships command attention, resources, and new partners.

• Partnerships stimulate and energize win-win solutions. Partnerships create intellectual synergy.

Partnership Agencies InvolvedPartnership Agencies Involved• Washington State Parks Commission • Washington Department of Natural Resources• Washington State Department of Transportation• Washington Interagency Committee for Outdoor

Recreation (IAC)• US Forest Service• US Fish and Wildlife Service• US Bureau of Reclamation• NOAA/ Marine Fisheries Service/Marine

Sanctuaries• National Park Service• US Army Corps of Engineers• Tribes• Industrial Forest Companies• Audubon Washington• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation• People for Puget Sound• Professional Association of Diving Instructors

Detailed in Appendix E

Reviewer FeedbackReviewer Feedback• Presentation to

Washington State Tourism Forum, November 19

• General public release January 2004

• Feedback forms provided

• Requested letters on letterhead with thoughts on a Statewide Wildlife Viewing Plan for Washington

What Did We Hear?What Did We Hear?

All feedback included in Appendix F

Combined Input from All Reviewers

0.000.501.001.502.002.503.00

Matching

gran

ts

Partners

hip develo

pment

Wildlife

site

Databas

e

Vendor t

echn

ical a

ssist

...

Expan

d ad ex

posure

Wildlife

view

ing confer

ence

Birding tr

ail co

ntinuati

on

Interac

tive w

eb si

te

O&M incre

ase f

or WDFW ...

Three W

DFW si

tes

Watchab

le wild

ife biol

ogist

Media

blitz

Economic

impa

ct res

earch

Consu

mer res

earch

Next th

ree W

DFW sites

Advert

ising R

OI

The lower the number the higher the preference

Short Term

Long Term

Main Points of FeedbackMain Points of Feedback• Don’t forget the marine

environment and divers• Don’t reduce hunting and

fishing opportunity• Support existing

(struggling) efforts before creating new ones

• Provide expertise and $$ to locals

Ongoing ActivitiesOngoing Activities

• Great tips on WDFW Web site “A Community Guide to Nature Tourism”

• http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/wlm/tourism/index.htm

• Build legislative support• Seek funding from a variety of sources

What’s NextWhat’s Next

Wildlife Viewing DecalWildlife Viewing Decal

• Continue building a wildlife viewing coalition

• Support efforts of partners• Continue working relationship with CTED• Conduct annual wildlife viewing

conferences• Capitalize on 2010 Winter Olympics

What’s NextWhat’s Next

Thank YouThank You

watchable wildlife - wdfw.wa.gov · • washington state great birding trails project sparks ideas....

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