Mary's right about one thing. Giving back is exactly what we're all supposed
to be working together to do.
We're all in this together, right?
I probably should have pointed out that we used the absolute lowest dollar
amount indicated by participants on our survey (rather than using the
highest and inflating the figures purposely) and we used visitor figures
given to us from Mary's own agency, the Ohio Division of Wildlife, to
develop our data. But I know the formula ODOW used and it's pretty
conservative. 2.5 people per car and only counting each vehicle once -
since it's one road in and out. Now, here at BSBO, from our vantage point
as the first building on the road into Magee, we see all the cars that pass
by and LOTS of them are 15-passenger vans and buses. So, we think ODOW's
estimate, which they release in official oppress releases to the public, so
I guess they feel pretty comfortable with them too, are fairly reliable.
The one question we're going to work at with our post-event study this year
is how many times each person goes in and out of Magee while they're here.
This will really help to refine the data and maybe it will help us avoid
having people cast doubt on what we're trying to accomplish with all the
effort we put into collecting and disseminating the information. I can tell
you that many educated people have looked at how we gathered and quantified
out economic data and no one has cast any shadows down on it. Well, not
until now.
The bottom line is that it's a PILE of money and it IS doing the region a
lot of good. As a nonprofit, we just found a way to cut through red-tape and
bureaucratic crap and put the figures to work for birds without a lot of
fuss.
Spend time questioning it or knocking it; I don't mind. While you're
wasting time on that, we'll be working our tails off for bird conservation.
Kim Kaufman
-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Warren, Mary
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 2:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] Birding Business = Support for Habitat
Conservation
While Kim's post BWIAB figures for economic impact are FAR GREATER than
the scientific survey done by Professor Phillip Xie from Bowling Green
State University, the bottom line is clear--------birders do make an
economic impact to the communities that they visit. In addition it is
always great when folks want to give something back to an area that they
love. Magee Marsh and Ottawa NWR are public lands that belong to the
people. Supporting these areas helps to ensure their future.
Happy Birding
Mary L. Warren
Wildlife Communications Specialist
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
13229 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH 43449
419-898-0960 #31
FAX: 419-898-4017
[log in to unmask]
Keep the WILD in Ohio, learn how you can help @ wildohiostamp.com
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in
order."
John Burroughs
-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Kim Kaufman
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 1:35 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Birding Business = Support for Habitat Conservation
Re: The earlier post on Birds=$: Great news about the economic impact
study
set to be released. Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) consulted with
Professor Philip Xie / Bowling Green State University on the project, so
we're eager to hear the findings.
Ecotourism, or more specifically "bird-tourism", has become a major part
of BSBO's conservation efforts over the last few years. BSBO's primary
goal for the birding festival we host in spring is to generate support
for habitat conservation. Objectives include:
1) Quantifying the number of birders visiting the area
2) Collecting travel and economic impact data from visiting birders
3) Presenting these findings at meetings, conferences, et cetera
Of course, we focus first on ensuring a quality experience for
participants; we want them to have a great time so that they want to
come back! We're also doing our best to showcase all of the other
birding areas in this region besides the Magee Marsh Boardwalk. Yes,
everyone should tread those bodacious birding boards at least once while
they're here, but we want people to know that there are many other great
places to go birding in addition to Magee. As we spread birders out
through the region, they're introduced to all of the great businesses in
the area, and crowding on the boardwalk is reduced.
BSBO has put together a conservation business plan related to
bird-tourism. Components include:
1) Providing quality birder services to bring birders to us: free
birding area maps (made possible through generous funding from ODOW),
migration updates through multiple websites, Facebook and Twitter
updates, and travel information and discounts through our Black Swamp
Birds and Business Alliance.
2) Distributing "birder calling cards," and encouraging birders to leave
them at local business. (Not an original concept, but one BSBO has used
effectively!)
3) Our Black Swamp Birds and Business Alliance markets participating
businesses to birders around the world. The Alliance creates a powerful
network through which we can communicate to our business partners about
ways to provide quality services for birders. The Alliance also allows
us to educate businesses about conservation-minded practices and
products such as serving Bird-friendly coffee, NOT using Styrofoam
containers, and so on.
4) Collecting travel and economic impact data from visiting birders
5) Presenting this data to community leaders, local, state, and federal
politicians-and anyone else who will listen.
In 2010, BSBO collected post-event economic impact data from
participants in The Biggest Week In American Birding. Using visitor
data collected by Ohio Division of Wildlife into Magee Marsh WA for
roughly a one-month period between mid-April and mid-May, we estimate
that birders spent more than $19 million dollars in this area between
mid-April and mid-May.
In 2011, visitation climbed significantly. Our data reflected visitors
stayed longer in the region and subsequently spent more, increasing that
figure for the same time period to just under $24 million dollars.
I cannot over-emphasize the effectiveness of leveraging bird-related
business to generate interest in birds and habitat conservation! We're
working closely with Black Swamp Conservancy (BSC is a NW Ohio landtrust
that's conserved more than 10,000 acres!) to get this information in
front of some of the people who need to hear it the most. Last spring,
at the peak of bird AND birder migration, BSC Executive Director Kevin
Joyce and I hosted a "marsh tour" and invited two bus-loads of
politicians, community leaders, business folks, and wildlife agency
representatives to go out birding with us. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur
attended, and we had her on the Magee Boardwalk for nearly two hours!
Her aide said she'd rarely seen anything that had captivated the
Congresswoman so thoroughly. Since then, birds and bird-related
business has become part of the Congresswoman's standard "bragging
rights" about NW Ohio! How cool is that?!
Birds and birding have become a big deal for this region. I was recently
elected to my second term as President of the Ottawa County Visitors'
Bureau Board of Directors: a clear indication that the business
community in this area recognizes the importance of this resource to the
area economy. Businesses are opening earlier in the season, expanding
their hours, hiring more people. Together with our partners at the
visitors' bureaus, chambers of commerce, wildlife agencies, and Black
Swamp Conservancy, we've essentially built a tourism season where there
hadn't been much happening. And in the end, all of those bird-tourists
may be the most effective "weapon" we have in our bird conservation
arsenal.
Sorry for the long post, but I thought it was worth sharing!
BIRDS RULE!
Kimberly Kaufman
Executive Director
Black Swamp Bird Observatory
13551 West State Route 2
Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449
419-898-4070
www.bsbobird.org <http://www.bsbobird.org/> www.ohioyoungbirders.org
<http://www.ohioyoungbirders.org/>
www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com
<http://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/>
Become a fan of BSBO and Ohio Young Birders Club on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/BSBOBIRD www.facebook.com/OHIOYOUNGBIRDERS
<http://www.faceboo.com/OHIOYOUNGBIRDERS>
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BSBOBIRD
BSBO is proud to sponsor <http://www.facebook.com/groups/BirdingOhio/>
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Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
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