To offer a little perspective on the economic impact of wildlife
watching, including birding, in Washington, during 2001 state economists
estimate that it contributed $1.3 billion to the state economy. So, taken
collectively, those of us wandering around the state in search of
wildlife are having a major impact on the economy, which is a great point
to bring up the next time someone questions expenditures made by local
and state governments to accommodate wildlife viewing.


Rob McNair-Huff ---------- Tacoma, WA
Author of Birding Washington (coming later this year from Falcon Publishing)
mailto:rob at whiterabbits.com ---- http://www.whiterabbits.com



>Tweeters:
>
>Fran Drobny's note on Spencer I. reminded me that if anyone is interested in
>birding south Texas, there was a big spread in the Sunday Seattle Times,
>including photos of Altamira Oriole, Ferr. Pygmy-Owl, Gray Hawk and Green
>Kingfisher. Can't remember if it was the Travel Section or Northwest, but
>look for it on the front of one of those glossy sections in the back of the
>paper.
>
>The article also mentions the value of birding to the local and national
>economy, I recall that for the town of McAllen alone they said birding
>generated $39 millon in revenue annually.
>
>Scott Atkinson
>Lake Stevens
>mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com
>
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