90 



The wildlife appreciation activities are quickly eclipsing hunting and fishing as the primarv' link 

 between Americans and the outdoors. Consider the following examples of the rapidly increasing 

 interest in birding experienced during the past decade: 



• Growth in Birding Organizations (1985-1996) 



Cape May Bird Observatory - 400+% 



New Jersey Audubon Society - 350% 



American Birding Association - 350% 



New Observatories - Colorado Bird Observatory, Black Swamp Bird Observator>', Gulf 



Coast Bird Observator\'. Southwest Arizona Bird Observatory, Golden Gate Raptor 



Observatory 



• Growth in Bird Magazine (year established and current readership) 



Wildbird 1986 200,000 



Birder's World 1987 80,000 



Bird Watcher's Digest 1978 75,000 



• Birding Tourism 



Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary 60,000 birders $ 9 million 



Laguna Atascosa NWR 48,000 birders S 6 million 



Santa .4na NWR 99.000 birders SI 5 million 



Consumptive and nonconsumptive wildlife activities, such as birding, are founded upon an 

 enduring base of nature resources. Using a business analogy, this resource base is an inventory, 

 and any depletion of this inventory threatens the viability of the business itself TTie conservation 

 and management of game resources has been ensured by the funding measures such as Pittman 

 Roberston and Wallop Breaux. but as of this moment these wildlife appreciation interests are, at 

 best. onl> indirectK- secured In order to capitalize upon the economic opportunities that 

 resource-based travel and tourism presents to many of our communities, we must secure a stable 

 source of funding at the state level for the conser\'ation of these nongame wildlife resources. 



TTierefore I speak today in support of Teaming with Wildlife, a fimding initiative dedicated to the 

 conservation of the fish and wildlife resources of this country upon which m\' industr>' depends. In 

 the studies of wildlife watchers (particularK' birders) that I have conducted around this nation. I 

 have yet to see an\' indication that these consumers are not willing to pay for the conservation of 

 these resources. For example, in Texas a survey of birders indicated that 66.8% "favored or 

 strongh- favorcid" the addition of a sales tax on outdoor equipment. 



In general, birders are a middle-aged, well-educated, and financialK' successfiil consumer group. I 

 see no indication that purchase decisions are pnce sensiti\'e To the contrar\'. determinations about 

 where and when to travel (as well as the equipment to pack) appears more directly related to the 

 quality of the experience. To this end nature-related tounsm is experiential (in a sense inquisitive 

 rather than acquisitive). The conservation of these nature resources, therefore, affects these 

 well-traveled consumers' decisions about destinations. In this way the United States does compete 

 with countries such as Costa Rica. Ken\a. and Nepal in the competitive world of nature tourism. 



