WHEREAS, eco-tourism based primarily on birding/birdwatching has become one of the most prominent forms of non-consumptive wildlife enjoyment in North America, and
WHEREAS, birding has a multi-million dollar economic impact nationwide, and
WHEREAS, Louisiana provides some of the most spectacular birding opportunities from September through May in the USA, and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries nongame program, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Center for Cultural and Eco Tourism, and the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program are developing or have developed generic seasonal bird checklists and birding trails to encourage wildlife conservation and to accommodate interest in Gulf coast birding stimulated by the comprehensive State of Texas Coastal Birding Trails model, and
WHEREAS, the various Louisiana initiatives to accommodate birding in the state (e.g., checklists/trails) are insufficiently funded to develop comprehensive materials to entice large numbers of birders and the expenditures associated with birding.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the Louisiana Legislature to recognize the state’s birding resources and the economic opportunity they present, and support the efforts being made to ensure that Louisiana becomes a “birding destination”.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the state agencies and universities involved in current efforts to develop statewide, regional, and site specific seasonal bird lists, and birding trails with maps and promotional materials, to allocate time and resources for their personnel to accomplish this task.
Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in convention assembled, 62nd Annual Meeting, March 4, 2001 in Many, Louisiana.