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Watchable WildlifeWatchable WildlifeDevelopment of a Statewide
Wildlife Viewing Plan for Washington to Increase Rural Tourism
Today’s ObjectivesToday’s Objectives
• Explain the request for a Wildlife Viewing Plan for Washington
• What demographics tell us
• Highlights of the plan• Highlights of reviewer
feedback
Developers of the PlanDevelopers of the Plan
• Michael O’Malley, WDFW
• George Sharp, CTED• Chuck Gibilisco,
WDFW• Betsy Gabel, CTED• Michelle Reilly, CTED• And Planning
Committee
1. Wildlife Viewing Plan1. Wildlife Viewing Plan• 2003 Washington Legislature
Passes SB 5011
“The departments of Fish and Wildlife and Community, Trade, and Economic Development are directed to host a conference on wildlife viewing tourism, working with interested local governments, state agencies, and stakeholders.
“The objective of the conference shall be adoption of a strategic plan and specific implementing actions for promotion of wildlife viewing tourism in a manner that provides sustainable rural economic development and maintains wildlife diversity.
“A summary of conference recommendations must be submitted to the Legislature”
Washington Conference 9/03/03Washington Conference 9/03/03
Keynote PresentersKeynote PresentersJeff Koenings, Director, WDFW
Robin Pollard, former Director, EconomicDevelopment Division, CTED
Senator Ken Jacobsen
Jim Mallman, Watchable Wildlife, Inc.
Keynote PresentersKeynote Presenters
11 Working Groups11 Working GroupsStrategic Wildlife Viewing Plan for WashingtonCreating a shared vision for wildlife viewing
development in Washington state.• Questions/Issues/Barriers - to wildlife viewing
in your neck of the woods.
Conference FindingsConference Findings• Lack of funding - for campaign,
staff, agency participation, signing, materials, future needs
• Need a coherent vision of what watchable wildlife is and how to project that to the public and agencies
• Need to make it easy for others to get a program going, need instructions, who to talk with, how is it done, what is the safe way to do the program both from site selection and public safety
• Need to develop methods to help volunteers and keep them from being burned out
Conference FindingsConference Findings• Educate the public on
what is being seen, develop the infrastructure to support sites
• How to develop local interest and support, emphasis on economic return on investment, how it promotes area, get sites into urban areas also
• Need government,political and business support for program
Wildlife Viewing in WashingtonWildlife Viewing in Washington
• Rich resource base, and let’s keep it that way• Active viewer participation and economic
impact• Growing community interest
Goals of Wildlife Viewing ProgramsGoals of Wildlife Viewing Programs
• Promote habitat conservation
• Promote sustainable economic development
• Build broad-based public support for wildlife conservation programs
Community BenefitsCommunity Benefits• Build unique community
identity• Promote historical significance • Develop Pride of Place• Conserving wildlife habitat,
improve quality of life• Provide positive marketing
image • Promote community cultural
fabric• Promote authentic indigenous
community characteristics• Create a story for the
community
Natural Resource BenefitsNatural Resource Benefits• Heightened awareness of
the value of natural resources and need to conserve irreplaceable assets
• Stewardship of assets• Protection of community-
determined sacred places
Great Interest in Wildlife ViewingGreat Interest in Wildlife Viewing
Participants in Fish and Wildlife Recreational Activities
2 ,4 9 6 ,0 0 0
9 3 8 ,0 0 0
2 2 7 , 0 0 0
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
Wildlife Viewers Anglers Hunters
So urce: 2 0 0 1 N at io na l S urv e y o f F is hing , Hunt ing , a nd Wild lif e -A s s o c ia t e d R e c re a t io n ; US Fish and Wild life Service and US Census Bureau.
21.2
54.1
12
27
36
76.7
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1982/83 1994/95 2000/01
Mill
ions
of B
irde
rs
Number of Participants (millions) Percent of U.S. Population
Increase in Birding-NationallyIncrease in Birding-Nationally
Sunset MagazineSunset Magazine
AAA WashingtonAAA Washington
$1 Billion Business$1 Billion Business
Fish & Wildlife Related Recreational Expenditures & Ex-Vessel Commercial Revenue in WA
$ 9 7 9 ,7 3 0 ,0 0 0
$ 8 5 3 ,7 6 1,0 0 0
$ 117 ,7 4 7 ,0 0 0
$ 3 4 9 ,7 7 1,0 0 0
$0
$200,000,000
$400,000,000
$600,000,000
$800,000,000
$1,000,000,000
$1,200,000,000
Wildlife Watching Recreational Fishing Hunting Commercial Fishing
So urce: 2 0 0 1 N at io na l S urve y o f F is hing , Hunt ing , and W ild lif e - A s s o c ia t e d R e c re a t io n ; US Fish and Wild life Service and US Census Bureau;and a WDFW-P a c F IN R e p o rt .
Equipment and Travel ExpensesEquipment and Travel Expenses• Equipment expenditures
include binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras, film and developing, bird and other wildlife food, bird houses, packs, tents, vehicles, magazines and books, membership dues and contributions and plantings.
• Travel–related expenditures include accommodations, eating and drinking establishments, air and ground transportation, recreation, retail sales and food stores.
Expenditures GrowExpenditures Grow
Expenditures by Washington Residents on Wildlife Viewing
$ 6 53
$ 1,0 9 2
$ 750
$ 0
$ 200
$ 400
$ 600
$ 800
$ 1,000
$ 1,200
19 9 1 19 9 6 2 0 0 1
In Constant 2001 dollars
In M
illio
ns
Sour ce: 2 0 0 1 Na t i o na l Sur v e y o f Fi s h i ng , Hunt i ng , a nd
Wi l dl i f e - As s o c i a t e d Re c r e a t i o n ; US Fish and Wildlif e Ser vice and
US Census Bur eau.
Creates JobsCreates Jobs
Jobs Generated in Washington 2001
2 2 , 4 3 9
6 , 8 0 1
16 ,9 6 5
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
Wildlife Watching Recreational Fishing Hunting
# Jo
bs G
ener
ated
So urce: 2 0 0 1 N a t io na l S urv e y o f F is hing , Hunt ing , a nd Wild l if e -A s s o c ia t e d R e c re a t io n ; US Fish and Wild life Service and US Census Bureau
Community Interest GrowsCommunity Interest Grows
• Wildlife festivals and events are increasing
• Scenic highway planning stimulates interest
• Washington State Great Birding Trails project sparks ideas
Birding TrailsBirding Trails
North Cascades Loop
New Coulee Corridor Trail
Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail -Visitors
Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail -Visitors
What Demographics Tell UsWhat Demographics Tell Us
Washington's Aging Population
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
0-4
10-14
20-24
30-34
40-44
50-54
60-64
70-74
80-84
Age
# R
esid
ents
1980 1990 2001
Source: 2001 Washington State Data Book; Office of Fincacial Management
Percentage of Age GroupsPercentage of Age Groups
Portion of Population that Participates in Wildlife Viewing
37
32
44
5254
64
51
22
15
25
3436
40
35
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
16-17 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+
Perc
ent o
f Pop
ulat
ion
Washington National
Source: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation; US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Census Bureau.
Gender of ParticipantsGender of Participants
Fish and Wildlife Related Activity Participation in Washington by Gender
4 8
74
9 5
4 95 2
2 6
5
5 1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Wildlife Viewers Anglers Hunters General Population
Perc
ent o
f Act
ivity
Male Female
Sour ce: 2 0 0 1 Na t i o na l Sur v e y o f Fi s h i ng , Hunt i ng , a nd Wi l dl i f e - As s o c i a t e d Re c r e a t i o n ; US Fish and
Wildlif e Ser vice and US Census Bur eau.
ResidenceResidence
Where Wildlife Viewers Live
64%
8% 8%
20%
53%
20%
8%
19%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
1,000,000+ 250,000-999,999 50,000-249,999 Rural
Perc
ent o
f Wild
life
View
ers
Livi
ng in
Po
pula
tion
Cen
ters
Washington National
Source: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation; US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Census Bureau.
IncomeIncomeIncome Levels of Wildlife Viewers
10%9%
11%
9%
20%
13%
15%
12%12%
10% 10% 10%
15%
8%9%
27%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Under $2
0,000
$20,0
00-$2
9,999
$30,0
00-$3
9,999
$40,0
00-$4
9,999
$50,0
00-$7
4,999
$75,0
00-$9
9,999
$100
,000+
Not Rep
orted
Perc
ent o
f Pop
ulat
ion
Washington National
Source: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, andWildlife-Associated Recreation; US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Census Bureau.
EducationEducation
Education Levels of Wildlife Viewing Participants
9
29 28
34
15
35
23
26
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
11 years or less 12 years 1-3 years college 4 or more years college
Perc
ent o
f Pop
ulat
ion
Washington National
Source: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation; US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Census Bureau.
Highlights of Draft PlanHighlights of Draft Plan• Research and
Marketing• Technical and
Financial Assistance
• Site Development• Partnerships
Detailed on pages 10-13;summarized on page 14
Guiding Principles and TasksGuiding Principles and Tasks
Research and Marketing
• Expand Ad exposure in key metro markets - CTED
• Advertising ROI - CTED• Media Blitz - CTED
Market the state as a premium national and international wildlife-viewing destination, to increase travel to wildlife viewing locations throughout the state.
Guiding Principles and TasksGuiding Principles and Tasks
• Economic impact research - CTED
• Consumer Research - CTED
Collect valid, reliable and credible measurements of the economic impact of wildlife viewing activities in Washington along with continued monitoring of the impacts of viewing activities on the wildlife being viewed.
Guiding Principles and TasksGuiding Principles and Tasks
• Wildlife site database - WDFW
• Interactive Web Wildlife Map -CTED
Identify needs and opportunities to provide premium wildlife viewing recreational opportunities, ensuring participant safety, conservation and protection of the wildlife being viewed; while not diminishing existing hunting and fishing opportunity.
Guiding Principles and TasksGuiding Principles and Tasks
Site Development• WDFW Sites • O&M Increase for
WDFW Wildlife Viewing Areas
• Matching grants for local capital projects
Develop sites to safely accommodate viewers and wildlife, with appropriate amenities such as viewing blinds, restrooms, parking, fencing and habitat improvements that attract wildlife.
Guiding Principles and TasksGuiding Principles and Tasks
• WDFW Watchable Wildlife Specialist –Eastern Washington
Utilize interpretation and development activities for wildlife sites to inform and educate visitors, communities and vendors on ethical viewing activities, viewing practices that ensure sustainability of the wildlife on which the species depend.
Guiding Principles and TasksGuiding Principles and Tasks
Technical and Financial Assistance• Professional/Financial Assistance
Specialist - CTED• Small Matching Grants for operationsPartnerships• Wildlife Viewing Conference – Bi-
annually• Watchable Wildlife Coalition • Birding Trail Matching Funds - AW
Maximize limited budgets by creating strong, sustainable partnerships with all appropriate public and private agencies to leverage public funds and to create involvement and multi-ownership in wildlife projects by all potential partners.
Why Partnerships?Why Partnerships?• The problem is too big
and too complex to be solved by any other means.
• Partnerships command attention, resources, and new partners.
• Partnerships stimulate and energize win-win solutions. Partnerships create intellectual synergy.
Partnership Agencies InvolvedPartnership Agencies Involved• Washington State Parks Commission • Washington Department of Natural Resources• Washington State Department of Transportation• Washington Interagency Committee for Outdoor
Recreation (IAC)• US Forest Service• US Fish and Wildlife Service• US Bureau of Reclamation• NOAA/ Marine Fisheries Service/Marine
Sanctuaries• National Park Service• US Army Corps of Engineers• Tribes• Industrial Forest Companies• Audubon Washington• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation• People for Puget Sound• Professional Association of Diving Instructors
Detailed in Appendix E
Reviewer FeedbackReviewer Feedback• Presentation to
Washington State Tourism Forum, November 19
• General public release January 2004
• Feedback forms provided
• Requested letters on letterhead with thoughts on a Statewide Wildlife Viewing Plan for Washington
What Did We Hear?What Did We Hear?
All feedback included in Appendix F
Combined Input from All Reviewers
0.000.501.001.502.002.503.00
Matching
gran
ts
Partners
hip develo
pment
Wildlife
site
Databas
e
Vendor t
echn
ical a
ssist
...
Expan
d ad ex
posure
Wildlife
view
ing confer
ence
Birding tr
ail co
ntinuati
on
Interac
tive w
eb si
te
O&M incre
ase f
or WDFW ...
Three W
DFW si
tes
Watchab
le wild
ife biol
ogist
Media
blitz
Economic
impa
ct res
earch
Consu
mer res
earch
Next th
ree W
DFW sites
Advert
ising R
OI
The lower the number the higher the preference
Short Term
Long Term
Main Points of FeedbackMain Points of Feedback• Don’t forget the marine
environment and divers• Don’t reduce hunting and
fishing opportunity• Support existing
(struggling) efforts before creating new ones
• Provide expertise and $$ to locals
Ongoing ActivitiesOngoing Activities
• Great tips on WDFW Web site “A Community Guide to Nature Tourism”
• http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/wlm/tourism/index.htm
• Build legislative support• Seek funding from a variety of sources
What’s NextWhat’s Next
Wildlife Viewing DecalWildlife Viewing Decal
• Continue building a wildlife viewing coalition
• Support efforts of partners• Continue working relationship with CTED• Conduct annual wildlife viewing
conferences• Capitalize on 2010 Winter Olympics
What’s NextWhat’s Next
Thank YouThank You