Hi folks,

Usually, I don't forward the P.R. stuff from WDFW, but this one seemed of general interest to the
Tweeters group. I know there's been threads comparing consumptive vs. non-consumptive
wildlife recreation, and this info puts some 'local' numbers to the story.

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, Washington
festuca at olywa.net

NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
Internet Address: www.wa.gov/wdfw

July 16, 1998 Contact: Margaret Ainscough, (360) 902-2408

Wildlife viewing is big business in Washington State

OLYMPIA More than a third of the state's population participates in wildlife
viewing and those wildlife watchers spent nearly $1.7 billion on the pursuit
here in 1996, according to a recent Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife report.
The "Economic Benefits of Wildlife-Watching Activities in Washington"
report found that wildlife watchers spent $1.1 billion on equipment purchases; $509
million on trip-related expenses including food and lodging; $106 million for land-use fees and rentals, and $59 million for items such as magazines, books, membership dues and other items.
The popularity of wildlife viewing here mirrors the trend elsewhere in the
nation. Americans spent $29.2 billion to observe, feed and photograph wildlife in
1996, according to a U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service report, which noted that if
wildlife-watching were a company, it would have ranked 23rd among Fortune 500
corporations.
In Washington the popularity of wildlife-viewing activities translates to:
Nearly 8,000 jobs supported by watchable wildlife activities.
Destination tourism drawing about 270,000 out-of-state visitors who
spent nearly 6 million visitor-days here in 1996.
State sales tax proceeds amounting to $56.9 million.
The growing interest in wildlife viewing prompted WDFW to establish a
Watchable Wildlife program in 1997, aimed at providing recreational
opportunities to the public, promoting understanding of wildlife habitat needs and linking wildlife conservation and management to economic opportunities in local
communities.
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