The Great Mississippi Birding Trails

Economic Importance of Birding Trails

In 1996, according to the National Survey of Hunting and Fishing, a survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 62.8 million United States residents 16 years and older participated in wildlife viewing activities and spent $29 billion doing so. More than 95 percent of these viewers were birders. The 1995 National Survey on Recreation and the Environment reported a 155.2% growth (to 54.1 million persons) in bird watching in the United States between 1982 and 1995.

An Environmental Protection Agency survey of wildlife watchers along the Middle Platte River in Nebraska concluded that a travel party of birders consisted of about 5 persons, staying in the region approximately 3 days and spent an average of $285 per person. This travel party of birders returned approximately 3.5 times per year spending for a total of $790.17 annually per person. Respondents had been birding for an average of 17.54 years. They took 7.34 birding trips for 30.91 days during the previous year. Platte River wildlife viewers resemble similar recreation use studied in other parts of the country regarding age (53), gender (balanced), income (over $50,000) and years of formal education (over 16 years). Respondents invested significantly in birding equipment averaging $1,505 person as measured by replacement costs. An average respondent to the survey, contributed between $1,276 and $1,814 per year to the Nebraska economy. The cumulative Total Gross Economic Output of birders is between $25 million and $53 million annually to the Nebraska economy.

Birders are a quiet, educated, conscientious and economically stable group that could contribute significantly to Mississippi's economy. The potential return in economic output of birders is great. Working with the Mississippi Division of Tourism and local convention and visitors bureaus to promote the Great Mississippi Birding Trails nationally and internationally, birding in Mississippi could provide economic, aesthetic, wildlife and conservation benefits statewide with the most significant benefits accruing in rural communities.


Benefits:

Texas and Florida are the first 2 states to establish significant birding trails. Mississippi could be the third state in the nation to establish a trail, taking timely advantage of birding tourism opportunities that would benefit both rural and urban Mississippi.

Mississippi is located in the center of the Mississippi Flyway for waterfowl. In 1935, Frederick Lincoln, a former Secretary of the Interior, wrote "This route [Mississippi Flyway] is followed by such vast numbers of ducks, geese, [and other birds] that observers stationed at favorable points in the Mississippi Valley during the height of migration can see a greater number of species and individuals than can be noted anywhere else in the world."

This provides the opportunity to view over 380 species of neotropical migratory birds which have been recorded in Mississippi, including some of the most colorful birds from South America. In fact, the Magnolia State is in the center of the Mississippi Flyway for birds leaving the Canadian nesting grounds en route to their tropical winter homes.
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" This route [Mississippi Flyway] is followed by such vast numbers of ducks, geese, [and other birds] that observers stationed at favorable points in the Mississippi Valley during the height of migration can see a greater number of species and individuals than can be noted anywhere else in the world."
Frederick Lincoln, Former Secretary of the Interior, 1935
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Birding trail stops could be established around the state, capitalizing on existing, natural, historic and cultural resources. The federal refuges, state wildlife management areas, state parks and the national forest provide opportunities for every type of birding enthusiast.


What is Needed

With a small investment by the Mississippi Division of Tourism and local convention and visitors bureaus, Mississippi could apply for federal transportation funds to establish the Trails. For establishing their birding trail, Texas obtained $1.5 million in federal transportation funding.

A birding trail might encompass many sites within an area, an ecosystem, several counties, even several regions of Mississippi. Birding trails identify suitable sites, create signage and literature to link the sites, develop needed infrastructure improvements and draw heavily on business support from communities.

Today, more than a dozen communities, states or multistate groups nationwide have joined forces to develop birding trails to tap into this recreational market. Birding trails provide outstanding viewing opportunities and attract much needed revenue to communities.


The Texas Example

The success of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail (GTCBT) helps underscore the vast potential of birding trails to provide recreational opportunities, improve support for conservation efforts and offer economic support to local economies. The premise, partnerships and positive results of the GTCBT can be readily replicated in other states like Mississippi. The GTCBT was developed to help birders find and enjoy the great avian resources along the Texas coast. The GTCBT represents the marriage of conservation/recreation and economic development at a fundamental level.

Texas had the first ingredient for a birding trail: varied and abundant birds. More than 600 species have been observed in Texas. Most species migrate along the coast offering birders an unparalleled opportunity to see an impressive array of birds within a fairly consolidated area. Texas had an essential second ingredient: willing community partners. Initially, it took some convincing for communities to see their natural resources as an economic asset. Residents in desirable birding areas were unaware of the economic contributions that birders make to local economics. As the program developed, even reluctant communities began to see the value of partnering and adopting a broader than local perspective.

Fermata Inc., a private survey and design company, developed and included a survey card in 100,000 birding trail maps and received more than 4,000 returns. They discovered some interesting facts about their birding guests. GTCBT travelers devoted 31.23 days to birding on the trail. On their most recent trip, they spent an average of $981.99 per person, mostly in the coastal region. If these patterns remained consistent on other trips taken throughout the year, barriers averaged spending $2,452.18 in a 12 month period. When considering direct and indirect expenditures using a "multiplier," annual spending was probably closer to $4,900.

Maps have been distributed to every state in the United States and several other countries, giving Texas the reputation as a premier birding destination. The trail is functioning as a unit; rural communities that would not otherwise have had funds to promote their destinations are now profiting from their association with this larger marketing platform. And natural resources that were once taken for granted, or overlooked, are now appreciated for their value and are being protected. GTCBT sponsors have been contacted by many other states to learn how this successful project can be developed in their own communities.

In Texas, community members, agencies and others were invited to nominate sites for consideration. Public hearings were held in Texas Department of Transportation districts. All sites were inspected and evaluated, then selections were made following previously determined criteria. Site selection criteria included such issues as offering a unique, rich birding experience, access to the site, available visitor facilities nearby, local sponsors, etc.

Sites were organized into a cohesive trail, which included loops that veered inland and those into communities with unique habitats. Each loop represented what could be a weekend trip, and was conveyed that way in the literature. A full color map with trail information, a trail site numbering system and road signs corresponding to the numbering system help people find and enjoy the sites.

As enthusiasm for the project grew, several enhancements were funded, such as hummingbird gardens and wildlife viewing platforms. The trail continues to grow, with the addition of new sites, nature festivals and other related activities all of which are promoted by media across the country and a local public broadcast television show that features the GTCBT.


The Florida Example

Birdwatchers traveling to Florida spend millions of dollars every year. The Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT) offers more sites and more birds (well over 400 species) for these travelers. The Trail map and sign connects the birdwatcher with local communities through chambers of commerce and convention visitor bureaus. The GFBT will enable communities rich in resources to offer great opportunities to see birds, thus increasing dollars from tourism.

The largest groups of birdwatching tourists in Florida occur in the last two weeks of April and the first two weeks of May during spring migration. This is when birders can see lots of great birds in a short span of time. Additional spurts of activity occur around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Of course, since the birding is always great in Florida, they can expect barriers year round, with fall and winter being a popular time in Florida.

To hold birdwatchers for an overnight stay, Florida offers plenty of moderately priced restaurants, clean, quiet hotel rooms (no late nights for these folks they rise before dawn), places that open early so they can have breakfast and coffee before 6 a.m. Sometimes they may want restaurants to pack a lunch.

Florida supplies local bird checklists; birders like knowing the location of local birding areas and maps showing them how to get there. They have set up an updated Bird Information Board that will tell them what special sightings are currently available. Many local Audubon chapters already have a bird sighting hotline. Locations of nearby restrooms are provided during their birding day.

Since birdwatchers most of all want to find birds, it is very important that local communities have plenty of good habitat to attract birds and birdwatchers. Florida has ensured that they have good local birding parks, wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, natural and restored habitat and good management for birds.

Birdwatchers spend more money and impact Florida's community less than almost any other tourists. They don't require large capital investments to lure them in they just want to see birds. Florida helps by keeping plenty of good bird habitat available through their city or county governments.

The Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (GFC) has developed the new "Sharing a Passion for Birds" Program which encourages and recognizes communities' important contributions to conservation efforts on properties they own or manage.

Federal funding has been obtained for the first section through the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) which is available for eligible transportation projects through the State Transportation Enhancement Program of the Florida department of Transportation (FDOT). Project funding is 80% federal and 20% local. FDOT is the local sponsor for the GFBT. Total trail costs are estimated at $2 million. Section I (East Florida) is projected to cost $400,000. The remaining funding will be applied for with funding phases in subsequent
fiscal years.

When all phases are completed, the GFBT will have four sections (East Florida, West Florida, Panhandle Florida and South Florida). Each will have numbered and signed birding sites nominated by local communities. There will be detailed hand held flipchart maps (illustrated with beautiful Florida birds), interpretive guidebooks and bird checklists for each of the four sections. These can be obtained for a nominal fee through designated Florida Birding Trail Visitor Centers, FDOT Highway Visitor Centers and the GFC. The Trail will be marked with highway directional signs. Proceeds from the map and book sales and other product marketing will go toward maintaining the Trail experience and bird conservation.

The GFBT will start at the Florida Georgia state line on the northeast Atlantic Coast, extending south to incorporate south Florida, the Keys and the Dry Tortugas, then traveling northward along the Gulf Coast finally ending in Escambia County in the northwest Panhandle. Additional inward loops highlighting such unique ecosystems as the Lake Wales Ridge, will be accessible from both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.

There will be 600 800 sites on the entire Trail. The East Florida section will consist of approximately 190 sites. The East Florida section, extending from Nassau County in the north to St. Lucie County in the south and including the Lake Wales Ridge, is the first phase and was completed in 2000.

For the first time ever, Florida will be marketed to traveling birdwatchers. Trail maps will depict public and private birding sites throughout the state of Florida. Universal signs with site numbers corresponding to the map and featuring the swallowtailed kite will lead them to great birding highway directional signs and additional improvements such as viewing platforms, boardwalks and native plant bird gardens will be installed at some sites to facilitate traveling birdwatchers.

Birdwatchers come to Florida because of the diversity of species they can add to their life lists. There are three main reasons for the abundance of bird species in Florida: 1) Both coasts are utilized by migratory birds as pathways (Atlantic Flyway) in the spring and fall; 2) the peninsular effect of Florida's geography has resulted in some species becoming separated from their continental relatives and eventually adapting to unique ecosystems, such as the Lake Wales Ridge; and 3) Florida extends from a temperate to a sub tropical climate, resulting in many more ecological niches for bird species to fill. In addition, Florida occasionally plays host to strays from our southern neighbors in the Caribbean and West Indies.

Birders devote much time, effort and money to their hobby. A 1993 94 study specifically looking at birding ecotourism on the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary area in southwest Florida found that the economic impact on the local communities surrounding the Sanctuary was estimated to be $9.4 million to local lodging, restaurants and other services.

The Trail was designed in four different sections because of the state's size, unique natural features, bird diversity and for ease in travel and planning. By working in manageable sections, communities and landowners can participate and nominate their existing and new birding sites through a public nomination process.

Owners of respective GFBT sites will continue to manage their sites. With their help, the GFC will monitor the Trail. GFC is providing a Birding Trail Coordinator in the Office of Informational Services who is currently developing the Trail and all collateral materials. Once the project is completed, the coordinator's responsibilities will be to renew the Trail as needed, develop and promote on going monitoring and oversee marketing of the Trail experience. Proceeds from the sales of Trail publications will go towards Trail management.


Goal For Mississippi

To establish the Great Mississippi Birding Trails, a series of birding trails to include:
1) Mississippi River,
2) Tombigbee,
3) Gulf Coast,
4) Pearl River,
5) Natchez Trace,
6) North Mississippi Reservoirs,
7) Choctaw and
8) Pascagoula.