Wild birds are big business in Wisconsin as well as the entire United States. According to a survey done by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in 1996, 1.651 million residents of Wisconsin over the age of 16 participated actively in various aspects of wildlife watching. This included observing wildlife, photographing wildlife, feeding wild birds, and maintaining natural areas for wildlife. Most of this activity was directed towards birds.
The dollar amount spent in Wisconsin in 1996 for wildlife watching activities was almost $913 million. This figure does not include amounts spent on fishing ($1.1 billion) or hunting ($855 million). Trip-related expenses for wildlife watching amounted to $436 million, while equipment such as binoculars, bird food, film, and cameras accounted for $476 million.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reports that Bald Eagle watching at Sauk City generates $619,000 in local expenditures, while goose watching at Horicon Marsh adds $11 million to local communities (which is 33 times the amount invested in the annual management of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge).
Birding is reported to be second only to gardening as the most rapidly growing leisure interest in the United States. The number of bird-watchers grew by 155 percent between 1983 and 1995.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's 1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 62.9 million Americans, nation-wide, participated in wildlife watching, and spent $29.2 billion doing so. Most of this was bird related.
There are now more than 20 wild-bird specialty stores in Wisconsin. Most garden centers, hardware stores, feed mills, and farm-supply stores include large wild-bird sections to supply field guides, bird feeders, bird food, bird baths, and related equipment.
Birds and birding are big business in Wisconsin and the rest of the United States. Let businesses know you are a birder - leave them the WSO Birder Card.
by Bettie Harriman, WSO Publicity Chair
