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Birding Economics

Your birder dollars, if recognized as such, are a vote for conservation. They lobby local communities to conserve their resources not only for the health of their environment, but for the health of their economy.

Did you know?

In 2006, wildlife viewing activities generated more than $3 billion in Florida. Read the 2006 report on the economic benefits of wildlife viewing in Florida for more information.
Nationwide, birding is big business: 48 million people observed birds around home and on trips in 2006.
Florida is second in the nation (behind California) in the amount of retail sales generated by non-consumptive bird use, which supports more than 19,000 jobs.
Birders devote much time, effort and money to their hobby and they contribute significantly to local economies by spending money on everything from gasoline to hotel rooms.
A 1993-94 study found that birding in the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary area of southwest Florida had an economic impact of $9.4 million on the local communities.
It is estimated that non-consumptive bird use generates $477 million in retail sales in Florida every year.

Ways YOU can use your economic might to motivate conservation:

(1) Always make sure you're recognizable as an ecotourist or birdwatcher. If you are not recognized as an ecotourist, you are assumed to be a traditional tourist, for whom communities will continue to pave and develop their wildlands. Reproduce the calling cards on this website and leave them every time you eat at a restaurant, buy gas, or stay in a hotel while on a birding trip. Talk to people at these establishments so that they recognize the growing proportion of their business which comes from birders. Compliment them on their healthy wildlands.

Click to here print
birder calling cards

(2) Visit responsible businesses and tell them why. Businesses that landscape with native plants, give back to local wildlands or restoration efforts, and provide educational opportunities for the local community should be rewarded with our economic support and praise.

(3) Don't fall prey to false "eco-marketing." As the size of the ecotourism market is gaining attention, more businesses want to share in the wealth. Be an educated consumer. Tell tour operators that you pay to see the natural behavior of animals, not their panicked reactions to disturbance. Tell them you don't want a canned experience--captive wildlife or wildlife lured by food--and that you recognize that a natural experience means you might not see your target species every time, but that doesn't diminish your having a good time. Lastly, visit businesses that not only show you wildlife, but teach you about that wildlife, too.