Hey Ohio Birders,
Ever wondered how much birding money influxes into businesses along
Ohio’s Lake Erie shoreline during the migratory season? How far folks
travel? How much birders spend on food, gas, lodging, optics, and gifts? A
professor from Bowling Green State University hopes to find out those
answers.
The Ohio Ornithological Society is assisting Dr. Philip Xie of BGSU
(Chair and Associate Professor of Sport Management, Recreation and Tourism
Division: [log in to unmask]) with a survey on the economic impact of “birding
tourism” in the Buckeye State. The survey focuses on six sites along Lake
Eric from Oak Openings to Conneaut Harbor.
OOS will have copies of the BGSU “birding tourism” survey available at
our booth at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area in the east parking lot, this weekend
during International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) weekend as part of BSBO's
BWIAM festivities.
Please stop by the OOS booth this weekend to FILL OUT A SURVEY to
contribute YOUR data to this important study. In case you are “not” visiting
Magee Marsh WA this weekend, THE STUDY IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO BE DOWNLOADED
(and mailed back to BGSU) FROM OUR OOS WEBSITE:
http://www.ohiobirds.org/Survey_of_Birdwatchers.pdf
Why is this study important to birders and BIRDS? No one has seriously
studied how much spending power birdwatchers contribute to the Ohio economy.
Information related to the financial impact of birding dollars could be used
by resource managers, conservation groups, local politicians, and tourism
related companies such as hotels and restaurants.
Need an example of birding dollars at work? The Economic Impact of the
January 2009 Space Coast Birding and Nature Festival in Titusville, Florida
was greater than $1,000,000 for nearly 1,200 registered participants in a 5-
day period. Info: http://www.nbbd.com/fly/09-EconomicImpact.pdf We know you
can practically see 1,200 folks in just an hour at the Crane Creek
boardwalk!
Meanwhile, in Texas, there is a proposal to build 39 tennis courts on the
“Botanical Gardens” at the closed McAllen Nature Center. Only 15 acres of
mature forest still exist within the 46 square miles of the city of McAllen.
The bond issue general election takes place tomorrow, May 8, on IMBD! Info:
http://www.riograndeguardian.com/rggnews_story.asp?story_no=21
If the Texas proposal passes, and McAllen “paves paradise”, perhaps the
city can build a “tree museum”, charge a dollar and a half to see ‘um, and
play Joni Mitchell’s song “Big Yellow Taxi” over the sound system.
Meanwhile, back in Ohio, you can do your part to contribute birding $$$
information to the Ohio birding tourism study. Results, available in the
spring of 2011, will hopefully positively impact the conservation of our
natural resources, add another level of protection for birds, and maybe even
create more birding jobs.
So, please stop by the OOS booth this weekend during BWIAM, or visit our
website, to take part in this crucial study. The form should take 5-8
minutes to complete. Plus, we'll have free chocolate available at our booth!
We'll also have OOS tee-shirts, OOS mugs, and OOS hats for sale as well as a
raffle and special membership deal.
In Appreciation,
Ann Oliver
Editor of The Cerulean Newsletter (quarterly publication of OOS)
Cincinnati
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