What can "birding economics" bring to Oregon communities?

In 2001 ….
Nearly 22 million people, or 10% of the U.S. population, watched wildlife away from home; over 18 million of these people watched birds. 
Over 5.8 million people left their home state specifically to watch birds.
These 22 million wildlife watchers took a total of over 230 million trips averaging 2 days in length, and they spent over $8 billion on trip-related expenses.
Oregon hosted nearly 1.7 million wildlife watchers, 509,000 of whom were non-residents. These Oregon visitors spent over $300 million in the state on trip-related expenses, ranking Oregon fifth in the nation.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2005

In a 1994-1995 survey comparing the growth of 10 different recreational activities in the U.S., birding was the fastest growing at 155% annually. Downhill skiing showed 59% growth and golf 29%. Fishing and hunting were shrinking at -4% and -12% respectively.

U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 1996

Between now and 2050, the only major outdoor pastime that will grow faster than the national population is birding.

Newsweek, June 1997

In a 1990 survey, twice as many vacationers preferred to watch birds than play golf.

Fortune, 1991

Oregon currently boasts 487 bird species, ranking the state fifth among all North American states and provinces.

American Birding Association, 2002

From June 1993 to May 1994, nearly 40,000 birders visited Eastern Oregon's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and they contributed over $3 million to the local community.

Kerlinger, 1994

As pressure on our natural landscapes increases, degrading and compromising habitats along migratory bird pathways, birding trails are becoming increasingly more valuable to migrating and resident bird populations.

William Shepard, Birding, October 2001

The above information was compiled by Community Solutions for the American Bird Conservancy and the Oregon Birding Trails Working Group.



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