Birding brings dollars

The official count for birding sites included in the Mountain Region of the North Carolina Birding Trail is 105. The Mountain Region Trail Guide should join the already published Coastal Plains Trail Guide and Piedmont Trail Guide in the summer of 2009.

The sites are already listed at www.ncbirdingtrail.org/. Site descriptions for the 105 destinations should be added on-line by early 2009. Some of the nearby sites include, in Haywood County, Lake Junaluska, Max Patch and the Southern Great Balsam Mountains adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Macon County sites include Highlands Biological Station, Little Tennessee River Greenway and Tessentee Farm. Kituwah (formerly Ferguson Fields) from Swain County and Stecoah Gap and the Cherohala Skyway from Graham County are also included.

Site descriptions in the guides include directions, access information, focal species and habitat listings, and on-site visitor amenities. Additional visitor opportunities in the area are included in a “While You’re In The Area” section.

The North Carolina Birding Trail (NCBT) was cobbled together through the efforts of a hard-working partnership that includes Audubon North Carolina, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, North Carolina State Parks, North Carolina Sea Grant and the North Carolina Extension Service.

These guides are great ways for birders, in particular, and travelers, in general to find great birding opportunities across the state as well as “birder friendly” businesses and accommodations.

A 2001 U.S. Fish & Wildlife study revealed that North Carolina residents spent nearly $827 million watching wildlife. According to a North Dakota Division of Tourism report more than 22 million Americans travel each year to observe, photograph and/or study birds. More than $38 billion are spent each year in these endeavors. The report notes that bird-based tourism in Texas and Florida generates approximately $540 million and $943 million, respectively, each year.

To help businesses and communities capitalize on the economic opportunities presented by the trail NCBT partners offer “Birder Friendly Business & Birder Friendly Community” training programs. According to the NCBT Web site, “This program provides tools and information to market your business or community to birders as they travel the NC Birding Trail. Through focused presentations and group work, this one-day training covers topics such as birders as clients, enhancing your business and community for birders, hospitality and etiquette, birding basics, and conservation practices.”

To learn more about the NCBT, including sites, the “Birder Friendly Business & Birder Friendly Community” training programs and to find a list of birder friendly businesses and communities visit the Web site at www.ncbirdingtrail.org/.

Don Hendershot can be reached at ddihen1@bellsouth.net