Issue Brief from the Ornithological Council

Volume 1, Number 3

August 1997

SAVING BIRDS AND THEIR HABITAT CREATES JOBS AND INCOME

THE ISSUE

Preserving forests, parks, wildlife refuges, and wetlands does not just mean preserving a world in which we all want to live - it means jobs. In 1991 over 76 million Americans went bird watching, fed birds or went on trips to watch wildlife. They spent $18 billion generating almost $40 billion in economic activity, creating 760,000 jobs and producing $3 billion in Federal and State tax revenues.

POLICY ISSUES

"Teaming with Wildlife," the proposed surcharge on bird seed, binoculars, and other wildlife equipment will support state wildlife programs.
Our Federal science programs in the US Geological Survey, the National Forest Service, the National Science Foundation and others, help us to understand how to preserve wildlife.
People who use our National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks provide an important income source for communities.
Wetlands are vital for the survival of many bird species and attract large numbers of bird watchers.
Recreational uses of Federal lands such as BLM land and National Forests provide a significant source of income for local communities.

BACKGROUND

Preserving habitat and species generates jobs and income. After health care, recreation and tourism are the largest employers in the United States providing jobs for more than 6 million Americans.

A study published by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (1995) showed that over $6.5 billion is spent each year in the U. S. by bird enthusiasts and hunters. This spending generated an estimated economic output of at least $19.5 billion and supported 234,000 jobs. Over 65 million of us watch and feed birds, and 35 million take trips primarily to see wildlife.

Retail sales generated by bird watchers:	Jobs supported:
California - $622.6 million dollars	16,200
Florida - $477.0 million dollars	13,900
Pennsylvania - $256.4 million dollars	6,040......

The U.S. Forest Service estimates that by the year 2000 recreation, wildlife and fisheries programs in our forests will generate $110.7 billion in revenue.
Visitors to National Forest lands and grasslands during 1995 brought $4.2 billion in revenue to local areas and created over 139,000 jobs.
In 1991, 25 million Americans took trips to observe, feed, or photograph birds and spent over $5.2 billion. More than 3 million Americans went on bird hunting trips spending over $3.6 billion.

National Wildlife Refuges bring dollars and jobs to local communities from the 30 million annual visitors they attract:

The Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge in California brings $3.10 million to the local economy annually.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge brings $9.71 million to the local area annually, and people spend a total of $33.21 million in their trips to and from the area.
Two Wildlife refuges in the Rio Grande Valley, TX attract over $30 million in ecotourist dollars each year.
The Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey, brings $4.01 million to the local economy annually.
The 100,000 birders visiting Cape May bring in $10 million annually. There are bird refuges in every state which attract tourists and bring income to local businesses.

A Wilderness Society study found that tourism and recreation in the southern Appalachians' National Forest contributed $379 million each year to the area. A figure that is estimated to double in the next 45 years.
Mis-use of the environment costs us money and jobs. Loss of wetlands not only means the loss of birds which nest and feed there, but also the loss of shrimp, fish and bird watchers.
Retail sales to bird enthusiasts brought businesses over $1.8 billion in one year in just five states (California, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin). Over 360 franchise stores in the United States specialize in selling supplies to birders.
The discharge of phosphate fertilizers into water flowing into the Everglades by Florida sugar growers is killing the fish and shrimp industry, and fish-eating bird populations are declining. This means the loss of tourist dollars to the area.
According to a survey in Fortune magazine, more Americans take vacations to go birding than to play golf.

Sources of Additional Information:

Dorsey, C. 1996. Footing the bill. Ducks Unlimited, January/ February 1996: 47-52.

The Economic Contributions of Bird and Waterfowl Recreation in the U. S. During 1991. 1995. Intl. Assoc. of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and USFWS.

Matthews, J. 1996. Environmental values. Clean Water Action News 23: 6.

McKibben, B. 1995. An explosion of green. The Atlantic Monthly, April 1995: 61-83.

Waddington, D.G., K.J. Boyle, and J. Cooper. 1994. 1991 Net Economic Values for fishing, hunting and wildlife watching. U.S. Dept. Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.

This publication was reviewed by professional ornithologists under the auspices of the Ornithological Council. You may contact the Council for further information. Produced with the assistance of Dr. Paul Kerlinger, Environmental Consulting, 31 Jane St. 14 D, New York, NY 10014.

Citation: Ornithological Council (1997). Saving birds and their habitat creates jobs and income. Bird Issue Brief Vol.1, No. 3.

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