Subject: birding economic impact, s. TX
Date: Jan 27 14:25:58 2004
From: Joemeche at aol.com - Joemeche at aol.com


In a message dated 1/27/2004 2:07:17 PM Pacific Standard Time,
scottratkinson at hotmail.com writes:

> I recall that for the town of McAllen alone they said birding
> generated $39 million in revenue annually.

Scott,

One of the prime motivators for the Great Washington State Birding Trail was
the economic success of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.
I lived and birded in Texas long before the concept of a birding trail
existed anywhere, and I know firsthand of the improvements that have been made,
habitat conserved and restored, and the increased level of awareness that many
Texans now have of their avian bounty.

It works!

Cheers,
Joe Meche
Birding Programs Coordinator
North Cascades Audubon
Bellingham, WA